American model Linda Harper (1928-1985) started in the business later than most of her contemporaries; she was in her early twenties, having been to university and (briefly) married, when she began to achieve success — a success which Oleg Cassini, who declared he’d first discovered her, was happy to claim for himself.
Linda Harper in the 1950s
Whether or not that’s true, Harper enjoyed a strong run, including memorable location shoots in Italy and Ireland with Richard Avedon. Her heart, though, was in acting, and in 1956 she traded in modeling for theatre. But she had little luck with the productions she chose, and soon returned to the fashion world. And in 1957, she married into a wealthy Philadelphia family, with Dovima as her matron of honor.
Harper continued to model to the end of the decade, before settling down to have children. She became an active figure in society circles, and an avid golfer. Both of those interests were highlighted in her obituary; her modeling career, however, didn’t get a mention.
Take a look at these stunning photos to see portraits of young Linda Harper as a model in the 1950s.
Linda Harper in a starch-white sheeting dress with the back a full-bloused yoke, the collar a V in front, belted with a bright waist garter by Craig, fabric by Springmaid, photo by Roger Prigent, Vogue, May 15, 1952
Linda Harper in slinky black silk crêpe evening dress, one arm covered and one arm bare and a stream of crêpe by Traina-Norell, photo by Roger Prigent, Vogue, September 1, 1952
Linda Harper in strawberry tweed suit by Handmacher, checked shirt by Maskett Bros., Madcaps hat, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper’s Bazaar, August 1952
Linda Harper is wearing a yellow lace creamy satin gown by Harvey Berin and Karen Stark, photo by Roger Prigent, Vogue, September 1952
Linda Harper in Crompton black velvet dress accented with white ruffled English broadcloth by Myron Herbert, Vogue, September 15, 1953
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