The Mother of all models is gone

Eileen Ford deceased

Via my make-shift WiFi connection in paradise in Puglia (think enormous salt water swimming pool, barbecue, outside showers and wood-burning ovens), I got message that Eileen Ford had passed away. Indeed, she of Ford Models.

Not exactly unexpected, she was 92, but certainly a moment to ponder over. I gobble the stories up from before eagerly. Life is full of coincidences and they certainly all turned out to be for the best in Eileen’s case.

$75 per model per week

She did some modelling during high school, but it was during World War Two that she rolled into ’the business’. Her husband was on the front lines (marines I believe, but with all respect to folk and country, I’d like to stick to Eileen for now) and the work hungry Eileen combined secretary work with managing the agenda and administration for models. She charged $75 per week. She already had fantasies of owning her own modelling agency. Did she dream about weekly invoices of $100,000? I sometimes wonder. In any case, she succeeded.

Red, round and with freckles

After the war, Eileen and her husband started a modelling agency. Good guess, Ford Models. Literally on the 3rd floor in the back office, but on 2nd Avenue, so not all that bad. She did well but had competition. I think the Champagne was finally uncorked when their biggest competitor, Dorian Leigh, announced that she was closing down. Pregnant with her third child, she no longer had the taste for all that responsibility and work.

On one condition…

There was more. Dorian offered to work for Eileen (bringing all her knowledge to Ford Models). She had a condition. They had to blindly hire her sister, Suzy Parker as a model. For a hefty salary too. Eileen took the risk because Dorian was gorgeous with dark hair, blue eyes and perfect measurements. Big swallow when they saw Suzy for the first time. Red hair, green eyes, freckles and quite a bit heavier than her sister.

From 2nd Ave to Park Ave

You can feel the success growing. Americans are good at that. Suzy Parker became the huge money earner at Ford Models. The money streamed in. They moved to a double story apartment on Park Avenue. Eileen was like a mother to her girls. She hired dermatologists, dieticians and whatever else was necessary to create a good vibe. Many girls even stayed with her temporarily. Eileen could look after them, they stayed out of trouble and she could makes sure they were on time for morning appointments.

Eileen’s girls

All in all, Eileen Ford ran her agency for around 60 years. A few of the biggest names: Jean Shrimpton, Martha Stewart (she was a top model before choosing to meddle with potato skins), Jerry Hall, Janice Dickinson, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, René Russo and Kim Basinger.

The little ones,the men and Europe

Not easily pleased, Eileen honed in on children too. The first one she signed? Brooke Shields. She earned $450,- for her first shoot. For a campaign. Furthermore she started a mens division and set Dorian Leigh to work on opening Ford agencies in Europe.

HNTM avant la lettre

Eileen Ford was actually way ahead of Tyra Banks, she started an international modelling competition in the 80s, searching for the Ford Model Supermodel of the World.

The end

And then it was 9 July 2014. Eileen turned 92. She leaves four children, two grandchildren, a beautiful, booming business and many, many, many model-children behind. I’m letting Eileen finish this article with her own words. “You never know when or where you will find the next model but you can bet someone from Ford Models will be looking.” RIP, Eileen, if anyone deserves it…