Today, the fashion world mourns the death of Eileen Ford, legendary modeling agent and co-founder of Ford Models, one of the most prominent modeling agencies in the world. While Ford lived a full life, passing yesterday at the age of 92, the industry at large has lost a powerhouse and visionary.
Through her illustrious career at the helm of Ford Models, Eileen discovered some of the most recognizable faces in pop culture. Several top models and actresses who have become icons in their own right can credit their success to Ford, whom many say was like a mother to her models. She will be sorely missed and her legacy will continue with her firm and the lasting impression she’s left on the fashion industry.
To honor her keen eye, here are 10 models whose careers she helped launch.
Models Eileen Ford Discovered
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Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields got her start at Ford Models. She was signed when she was just 8 years old.
Image: Robert R McElroy/Getty Images
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Christy Turlington
Christy Turlington signed on with Ford when she was 16 and by her 18th birthday, graced the cover of German Vogue.
Image: WireImage/Getty Images
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Ali MacGraw
Ali MacGraw was a junior in college and guest editor at Mademoiselle magazine when Eileen Ford scooped her up and added her to the agency's roster.
Image: WireImage/Getty Images
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Beverly Johnson
Beverly Johnson says the first agency to sign her was Ford Models. She was the first black model to appear on the cover of Vogue.
Image: Redferns/Getty Images
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Christie Brinkley
Christie Brinkley had already been working as a model under Elite Model Management in Paris by the time she returned to the U.S. and signed with Ford Models. She stayed with the agency for almost 30 years.
Image: WireImage/Getty Images
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Candice Bergen
Candice Bergen dropped out of college after her freshman year and made her way to New York City, where she signed with Ford Models to pay for her photography hobby. Her stint at Ford led to a career that would reach far beyond photojournalism (although she had success in that field as well). But in the end, we'll remember Candice for her career as a model/actress.
Image: Getty Images
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Suzy Parker
Suzy Parker was the first model to bank over $100 an hour, thanks in part to Ford, whose agency helped turn modeling into a big moneymaking career for pretty girls-next-door.
Image: Getty Images
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Lauren Hutton
Lauren Hutton took a DIY approach to scoring her modeling contract. She talked her way into enough jobs to make a portfolio before approaching Eileen Ford for a contract with the agency. She rose to supermodel level quickly enough, even with her famous gap tooth, which Ford told her to close up.
Image: Getty Images
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Jean Shrimpton
60s swingers can thank Eileen Ford for discovering Jean Shrimpton, the face of the London youth generation.
Image: Getty Images
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Rachel Hunter
Rachel Hunter's affiliation with Ford Models got her a long-standing CoverGirl contract as well as countless appearances in Sports Illustrated.
Image: WireImage/Getty Images
