The Lavish World of High Society Debutantes by Slim Aarons (1950s)

Five Debutantes by Slim Aarons, November 1951. Five members of the Debutante Cotillion rehearse for the Christmas Ball at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. Clockwise from the bottom: Ann Firestone, Venetia Arlen, Mary Audrey Weicker, Sarane Hickox and Peggy Hitchcock via

New York Debutante by Slim Aarons. American model Jean Patchett wearing an outfit by Saks Fifth Avenue, circa 1955 via

‘Last-minute Adjustments’ by Slim Aarons, circa 1955. A young woman has last-minute adjustments made to her dress at a debutante ball via

Debutante Cotillion by Slim Aarons, 1958. In the main ballroom of the Copley Plaza, Boston debutantes in floor length white gowns and long white gloves are accompanied by their fathers as they present themselves to the awaiting patronesses. The fathers bow and the daughters curtsey and so the debutantes are accepted into society. Image provided by Getty Images via

Debs On Parade by Slim Aarons, 1958. A debutante ball held at the Copley Plaza in Boston, Massachusetts. Image provided by Getty Images via

Debutante Ball by Slim Aarons, 1958. A debutante ball held at the Copley Plaza in Boston, Massachusetts via

Debutante Cotillion by Slim Aarons, 1958. Debutantes and their escorts on the dance floor at the Debutante Cotillion at the Copley Plaza hotel, Boston, Massachusetts. Image provided by Getty Images via

Bride and Groom on Swing (1950s)

Bride and Groom on Swing by Robert Doisneau, France, 1950s via

Vintage Wedding Dress Ads (1956)

1956 black and white print ad for the Coronet wedding dress with a chapel length train designed by Ina that was sold at May Sons bridal of 3160 North Lincoln Avenue, 4113 West Madison Street, and 871 East 63rd Street in Chicago, Illinois (IL) via

1956 black and white print ad for the Fink Original wedding dress with a veil by Helene Arnhold that was sold at the Town Shop of 355 George Street, New Brunswick, New Jersey (NJ) via

1956 black and white print ad for the Coronet wedding dress designed by Ina with a lace trimmed chapel length train that was sold at Ray’s Bridal Salon of Oakman Boulevard at Grand River, Detroit, Michigan (MI) via

1956 black and white print ad for the Coronet wedding dress designed by Ina that was sold at Zimmerman’s of 51 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (PA) via

Jacqueline Kennedy At Her Wedding (1953)

Jacqueline Kennedy at her wedding by Toni Frissell, 1953 via

Sophia Loren in Venice (1955)

Italian actress icon and sex symbol Sophia Loren portrayed standing on a terrace on the Canal Grande, wearing a white embroidered dress, Venice, 1955 via

Elizabeth Taylor for A Place in the Sun (1951)

Elizabeth Taylor for A Place in the Sun, 1951. Dress by Edith Head via

Dovima and the Leopard by Richard Avedon (1950)

Richard Avedon, Dovima wearing a Leopard fur coat by Bernham-Stein, 1950 via

Richard Avedon, Dovima, Harper’s Bazaar, 1950 via

Stylish Bettina In Fath: Photos by Willy Maywald (1950s)

German photographer Wilhelm (Willy) Maywald (1907 – 1985) photographed for various fashion designers and his images were recognized internationally.

Maywald was known for photographing in unique scenes. He was one of the first fashion photographers to photograph his subjects in the streets of Paris. He had a way of photographing his subjects in these various places but the image still focused on the model/clothing. Although Maywald was the main photographer for Dior, he also photographed for several other fashion designers at the time, such as Jacques Fath.

Bettina Graziani wearring Jacques Fath, photographed by Willy Maywald, 1950 via

Bettina Graziani wearring Jacques Fath, photographed by Willy Maywald, 1950 via

Bettina Graziani wearring Jacques Fath, photographed by Willy Maywald, 1950 via

Bettina Graziani wearring Jacques Fath, photographed by Willy Maywald, 1950 via

Beautiful Vintage Portraits of Gloria Vanderbilt by Richard Avedon (1950s)

Gloria Vanderbilt by Richard Avedon, 1953 via

Gloria Vanderbilt in Mainbocher Dress, photographed by Richard Avedon for Harper’s Bazaar, 1955 via

Gloria Vanderbilt by Richard Avedon for Harper’s Bazaar, 1955 via

1950s Supermodel Bettina in Jacques Fath

Simone Micheline Bodin (1925-2015), known professionally as Bettina or Bettina Graziani, became one of the century’s first supermodels, rivalled in the forties only by the “English beauty” Barbara Goalen. Before becoming a model she was described as:

“…a freckle-faced rail worker’s daughter from Brittany”

She was renamed and recreated by Jacques Fath, who told her:

“We already have a Simone; you look to me like a Bettina”

Bettina was invited by Christian Dior to join his fashion house which she refused, choosing instead to work for Fath.

Jacques Fath in studio with Bettina Graziani, 1950 via

Bettina Graziani in Jacques Fath Dress, 1949 via