Born 1930 in New York, American model Stella Tenbrook started her career very early, when in 1949, at the age of 19, she was discovered by Adele Simpson. She never forgot to whom she owed her first break and wore Adele’s clothes for many years.
Stella Tenbrook in the 1950s
By age 22, Stella was working in Paris for Elizabeth Arden, Balenciaga, Dior and Lanvin. But the house she loved above all the rest was of course Jacques Fath. She became his most cherished muse and his star model. She had a refined feminine power that was projected in the upright way she carried herself, in her style, her gait, her incredible figure with her “tiny” waist.
Stella left modeling for motherhood after 1955. She passed away in 1988, in Paris. Here are some fabulous photographs of a young Stella Tenbrook as a model in the 1950s.
Stella in figure-hugging wool day dress by Jacques Fath, photo by Willy Maywald, 1950
Stella in Jacques Fath’s slim-fitting evening dress with white fox fur collar, photo by Willy Maywald, 1951
Stella is wearing the most popular evening dress from Jacques Fath’s collection, photo by Willy Maywald, Paris, 1951
Stella in a wool plaid afternoon dress by Madeleine de Rauch, 1953
Stella in beautiful satin strapless evening gown by Jacques Fath, photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1953
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