November 13, 2009
She was a supermodel before "supermodel" existed. The 1950s model was discovered on the streets of New York and worked closely with fashion photographer Richard Avedon. Dovima was an overnight success and was the highest paid model of her time.


The famous "Dovima with Elephants" Paris 1955 shot by Richard Avedon




Dovima's story is actually quite sad. I'm surprised there hasn't been a movie made about her life. She was born Dorothy Virginia Margaret Juba (the name Dovima comes from the first two letters of each of her names DO-VI-MA). I always assumed Dovima had this very glamourous life, but in reality, her life was the opposite of the beauty and luxury she portrayed on film. She was involved in abusive relationships, lost custody of her one and only child after being accused of kidnapping her, and spent the rest of her years after retiring from modeling selling cosmetics and working as a hostess at various restaurants in Florida. Dovima appeared in a few films (most noted in "Funny Face" with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire)

Richard Avedon said of Dovima after her death, "She was the last of the great elegant, aristocratic beauties... the most remarkable and unconventional beauty of her time."


10 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful post...you always have the most wonderful pictures.

    I added you to my links on my blog, by the way. I hope that's alright. I hardly have any readers, but whatever!

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  2. She's so gorgeous! That really is a heartbreaking story! :(

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  3. thank you for such sweet comments! we really do have such similar taste, thats why im so drawn to your beautiful blog! it really is one of my fav :)

    i always know more and more about vintage as i browse through! like this story of Dovima, and what a story that is. You just cannot judge a person by its surface, you just never know. However, she really was one the greatest models ever known. her pictures are so epic.

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  4. What a beautiful and deep post, I learn something new everyday about someone that was so fascinating!

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  5. That last picture is truly stunning. Gorgeous gown, mink, diamonds, and red lipstick.. Everything I love about vintage glamour!

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  6. I love posts about models from the 50's and 60's. Thanks for this.

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  7. Gorgeous Pictures! I adore the the first one with the elephant. Amazing! So sorry to hear that her life was not that great. She was a stunning model.

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  8. Beautiful, the photo with the black hat is wonderful!

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  9. beautiful throwback! thanks for posting!!

    http://candywashington.blogspot.com/

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  10. wow i had no idea - when i was in NYC in Sept i went along to the Richard Avedon exhibition and the images of Dovima really stood out - she was beautiful!!

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