Amazing French Fashion Photography by Georges Dambier

Georges Dambier was born in 1925 and was one of the first fashion photographers to take models out of the studio and into the streets. While he was still building and perfecting his craft, Dambier was hired by Helene Lazareff, director of ELLE, the fashion magazine, who encouraged him and gave him his first assignment as a fashion photographer.

During his career Dambier photographed amongst others: Rita Hayworth, Gene Tierney, Errol Flynn, Jeanne Moreau, Jean Cocteau, ou Colette, mais aussi Bettina, Capucine and Suzy Parker.

Georges Dambier did not conform to the standard technique of taking fashion pictures, with models standing emotionless and seemingly indifferent to the camera. Instead, he showed models smiling, laughing and often in action. His models were surrounded by local people in a market place in Marrakech, or in a village in Corsica, or – and above all – in his beloved Paris. 

Capucine for ELLE, Boulevard de la Madeleine, Paris, Georges Dambier, 1952 via

Suzy Parker by Georges Dambier via

Suzy Parker Shop Lanvin, Elle, Georges Dambier, 1952 via

1957 via

Sophie Litvak and little dog, Elle, 1952 via

Very Sophisticated Fashion Photography by Georges Dambier

Georges Dambier did not conform to the standard technique of taking fashion pictures, with models standing emotionless and seemingly indifferent to the camera. Instead, he showed models smiling, laughing and often in action. His models were surrounded by local people in a market place in Marrakech, or in a village in Corsica, or – and above all – in his beloved Paris.

Georges Dambier Marie Helene Arnaud the red fish Magazine Elle 1957 via

Georges Dambier Girl umbrella Concorde Place via

Sophie Malgat Litvak in Jacques Fath Coat, photographed by George Dambier for ELLE, 1953 via

Portrait of Brigitte Bardot by Georges Dambier, 1954 via

Georges Dambier Marie Helene Arnaud, Antibes Mirror  via

Ivy Nicholson in Jacques Fath Dress, photographed by Georges Dambier for Nouveau Femina, 1954 via

Vintage Photos of Glamorous 1950s Model Suzy Parker

When modeling agent Eileen Ford met the model Dorian Leigh’s fifteen-year-old redhead sister, in 1948, she ‘almost fainted with delight’. Suzy Parker became a prominent model of her times who, with her high dimpled cheeks, short flame hair and dark blue eyes, captured the attention of the most famous photographers such as Richard Avedon who believed ‘she was something else – a redheaded force of nature, a wolf in chic clothing, the one flesh-and-blood woman in a world of exquisite creatures’ (source).

Her modeling career reached its zenith during the 1950s. She appeared on the cover of dozens of magazines and in advertisements and starred in movie and television roles.

Suzy Parker in Harpers Bazaar, wearing a little feathery hat. Photograph by Richard Avedon via

 Suzy Parker for Mauboussin. Photograph by Henry Clarke, 1953 via

Suzy Parker 1955 in Lillian Bassman’s photograph The V‐Back Evenings. Lillian Bassman/Harper’s Bazaar via

Suzy Parker, Etole Leopard, Paris. Photograph by Georges Dambier, 1952 via

Suzy Parker wears Dior Haute Couture. American Vogue. Photograph by Horst P. Horst, 1952 via

Elegant Vintage Fashion Photos: 1950s Veiled Hats

Irving Penn, Model Jean Patchett in black and white hat with veil, scarf and top, Vogue, 1950 via

Jacques Fath, Hat with Veil, photographed by Willy Maywald, 1951

Lillian Marcuson in Lily Dache hat, photo by Milton Greene, 1951 via

Mary Jane Russell photo by Larry Gordon, 1952 via

Ivy Nicholson © Room wearing Givenchy’s stiff-veiled circlet, Photo Nat Farbman, 1952 via

Bettina Graziani Photo by Georges Dambier via

Bettina Graziani by Georges Dambier for ELLE (1953)

Bettina Graziani wearing Givenchy, photographed by Georges Dambier for ELLE, 1953 via

Bettina Graziani wearing Givenchy, photographed by Georges Dambier for ELLE, 1953 via