Maggi Eckardt (1936–2020) entranced photographers such as Richard Avedon and was shot for international fashion titles in Dior and Balenciaga. She lived in Paris and London, bought her jewelry at Cartier. “I got to see the world through the eyes of a millionaire.”
Maggi Eckardt in the early 1960s
In 1958, Eckardt was chosen to be one of three Australian mannequins to tour capital cities and model Hartnell’s designs. A Sydney Morning Herald report at the time about the tour included a photo of “Margrette Eckardt”, noting her vital statistics were “35, 23, 35”. Hartnell loved the way his designs fitted Eckardt and offered her a job in his London salon. “I left Australia with a suitcase of colorful homemade clothes on a semi-cargo ship, one-way, without a contract.”
After six months, Eckardt plucked up all the courage she had and marched into the offices of British Vogue, declaring, “I’m the girl you want to see.” Her chutzpah paid off. “I was in the right place at the right time. After a few shoots and covers it snowballed.” She became one of the world’s most sought-after photographic models – and among London’s highest paid, earning up to $250 a week.
Between 1977 and 1978, Eckardt hosted 500 episodes of variety show The Maggi Eckardt Show, and for more than two decades she has run an interior design business. But one of the highlights of her career was a French Vogue cover that hit the newsstands the day she married French diplomat Herve Hutter. It was a Helmut Newton shot of her in a Courreges jacket with a squared-off Bo Peep hat.
Take a look at these glamorous photos to see portraits of young Maggi Eckardt in the early 1960s.
Maggi Eckardt in a barasand heavy knit overpull sweater, over a smoke-tone lighter turtleneck, from the National Linen Co. photo by Tom Kublin, Harper’s Bazaar UK, September 1960
Maggi Eckardt in black and white silk print dress with rounded skirt and shaped jacket rising in front, the hat, a flamboyant flourish of tulle, both by Balenciaga, photo by Tom Kublin, Harper’s Bazaar UK, April 1960
Maggi Eckardt in double-breasted silk dress in black and white plaid, braided in black round the sleeves, collar and front by Henri, high domed hat of white lace over black tulle by Reed Crawford, photo by Tom Kublin, May 1960
Maggi Eckardt in lambswool sweater with ribbed bib and cuffs, button-fastened by Braemar, jewelry by Fabiani of Rome, photo by Tom Kublin, Harper’s Bazaar UK, September 1960
Maggi Eckardt in light, warm, soft coat of Courtelle/Nylon Furleen by Astraka, Harper’s Bazaar UK, November 1960
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