Born 1929 as Isobel Ann Benn in Toronto, Canadian fashion model Liz Pringle began modeling work while still a schoolgirl in order to help support her struggling family. At the age of 14 she was offered a starring role in the film National Velvet, based on Enid Bagnold’s novel. She turned it down, reasoning that she would make more money modeling. The part went instead to Elizabeth Taylor.
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| Liz Pringle in the 1940s and ’50s |
Liz was soon making enough money to buy her parents a house and a car, but her ambition did not end there. Aged 18 she booked herself on a flight to New York, where she was immediately signed up by Eileen and Gerard Ford, who had started the Ford Modeling Agency in 1946. For her first assignment, Liz was sent to the photographer Richard Avedon, who would become a lifelong friend. Soon she was appearing on multiple covers of the most famous magazines of the day, including Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue.
When 19, Liz was sent on a fashion shoot in Jamaica with another leading model of the day, Mary Jane Russell. When news of their impending arrival reached John Pringle, a former equerry to the Duke of Windsor, he decided to try his luck and went to the airport to meet them. On discovering that Mary Jane was married, he concentrated his attention on Liz Benn, and they decided to marry within two weeks — despite the fact that she was already engaged to a man in Canada.
John and Liz began their married life in New York, where she continued with her modeling career while he opened a fashionable menswear shop. Three years later they returned to Jamaica, where they began developing Round Hill, near Montego Bay.
Under the aegis of John and Liz Pringle, Round Hill became a destination of choice for the biggest celebrities of the 1950s, many of whom became personal friends. The guest list included names such as Bing Crosby, Clark Gable, Paul Newman, Alfred Hitchcock, Errol Flynn, Leonard Bernstein, Cole Porter, John and Jackie Kennedy and Princess Margaret.
In the early 1970s, John and Liz Pringle divorced, but they remained close until his death in 2006. Liz died in 2012, aged 83. Take a look at these stunning photos to see portraits of young Liz Pringle as a model in the 1940s and ’50s.
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| Liz Pringle lying on sheets the color of daffodils in Bates percale, pillowcases and blanket embroidered in white eyelet, by Carlin Comforts, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper’s Bazaar, October 1948 |
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| Liz Pringle in pink silk taffeta with a delicate tracery of black lace embroidered with clusters of rhinestones, the waist is bound with a wide pink satin sash, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper’s Bazaar, October 1948 |
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| Liz Pringle in camel-colored suéde jacket and wool skirt over white turtleneck, jacket by Leathermodes, skirt by Tilly Schanzer, cashmere sweater by Premier, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper’s Bazaar, August 1949 |
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| Liz Pringle in skirt and blouse by Joset Walker, Kodachrome by Genevieve Taylor, Harper’s Bazaar, November 1949 |
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| Liz Pringle in white halter top and black brief bottoms, photo by Toni Frissell, Harper’s Bazaar UK, June 1949 |
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