35 Glamorous Photos of American Model Joan Whelan in the 1950s

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Born 1930 in New York, American model Joan Whelan began to take her first steps as a model in New York with the designer Mainbocher in 1950. In 1952, she decides to go to Europe and goes to Paris where she begins working for her Hubert de Givenchy.

Joan Whelan in the 1950s

Whelan poses for magazines such as Vogue France and l’Officiel. She also models and poses for the most important Parisian designers such as Christian Dior, Jacques Fath, Balenciaga, Jeanne Lanvin (Castillo), Nina Ricci, Jacques Heim.

In 1953, Coco Chanel asked her to pose exclusively for her. In 1954, she moved to Italy where she posed for the great stylists of the time such as Alberto Fabiani, Vincenzo Ferdinandi, Simonetta, Sorelle Fontana, Fernanda Gattinoni, Antonelli, Carosa, Fausto Sarli. It was in Rome that she met the fashion photographer Johnny Moncada who she married two years later and with whom she had four children.

Whelan took part in numerous fashion shows in the Sala Bianca of Palazzo Pitti, wearing the clothes of Simonetta, Sorelle Fontana, Irene Galitzine, Alberto Fabiani, Roberto Capucci and Luisa Spagnoli and then reduced her appearances until 1967, the year of her retirement.

Whelan died in 2020 in Rome at the age of 90. Take a look at these glamorous photos to see portraits of a young Joan Whelan as a model in the 1950s.

Joan Whelan in beautiful white satin evening gown embroidered in silver and tufts of pale blue tulle, full blue tulle train falls from the back, by Lanvin-Castillo, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952

Joan Whelan in black and white print shantung taffeta coat by Christian Dior, 1952

Joan Whelan in black silk faille dress with tight bodice that dips into a v-shape yoke in the back by Lanvin-Castillo worn with small veiled hat by Lanvin-Castillo, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952