Eileen Ford, the founder of Ford Models and an essential figure in the development of the modeling industry has died at 92 years old.
Born on March 25, 1922, Eileen and her husband Jerry Ford ran Ford Model together, with Jerry managing the business and Eileen taking care of the talent. It was due to Ford’s influence that models such as Jane Fonda, Naomi Campbell and Lauren Hutton were first introduced to the modeling world, as recorded by People.
Known for being a perfectionist and having a very specific image of beauty, each year 60,000 people would show up at Ford Model’s open houses and to Ford’s scouting expeditions. Only 100 people would make it to the model testing stage, according to the Associated Press.
In an interview with People in 1983 , Ford spoke of her own effect on the modeling world and the idea of beauty in general, saying, “I create a look and I create a style. American women mean a great deal to me... And women need so much help. They never have anyone to turn to. I help them understand how they can look better, how to do this, do that, get a job. And they’re very trusting.”
Ford died on July 9 after being hospitalized the previous week due to a fall in her apartment.
Photo courtesy of INFphoto.com