Ford Models Founder Eileen Ford Dies at 92
Eileen Ford, who co-founded Ford Models, died on Wednesday, July 9 at age 92.
Ford started the agency with her husband Gerald Ford, and it is still one of the biggest modeling agencies. Ford Models called her "an industry icon and pioneer," according to the LA Times.
Ford Models also released a blog post about her.
"Today we lost our founder, as well as a mentor, a mother and an icon," the blog post starts off. "Eileen Ford was an indomitable force who not only defined Ford Models, but the world of modeling itself. The myriad ways Eileen affected the world of fashion and the public perception of beauty are ineffable. Though she will be missed, her fearlessness, generosity of spirit and unequivocal vision will continue to live on in the agency she founded nearly 70 years ago."
Ford was responsible for turning some of the well known models into household names. She worked with Beverly Johnson, Naomi Campbell and Jean Shrimpton. And she represented Brooke Shields before she became an actress. She also said that she didn't believe children should be in the modeling industry, though she said Shields was an exception.
"She's modeled since she was a baby and can handle things with great equanimity. But I don't think others can unless they are very professional children," she said. "I think the concept of a mother saying 'fame at any price' is terrible."
"Model Woman," her biography will be released next year, The Cut noted.
Ford was born on March 22, 1922, in Great Neck, New York. Her husband Gerald Ford died in 2008, and they had four children.
The fashion industry has taken to Twitter to express their condolences:
I was lucky to call Eileen Ford my agent. She was the best in the business. She saw something in me… https://t.co/hVuBatB8P6
— Christie Brinkley (@seabrinkley) July 10, 2014
Eileen Ford of the great Ford Modeling Agency passed yesterday..The Ford Agency was my first agent.. @CherylTiegs @kathyireland — Beverly Johnson (@BeverlyJohnson1) July 10, 2014
RIP #EileenFord @BeverlyJohnson1 @kathyireland So sad.
— Cheryl Tiegs (@CherylTiegs) July 10, 2014
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