Farewell: Dorian Leigh

Once the photo shoot was over, this picture became one of Dorian Leigh's most popular images. There she was: a slender Texas girl in New York with a light complexion and short hair.
But as she stood in front of the camera -- what the lens captured was unequivocal -- a statuesque dame with uncanny elegance, a mystical gentlewoman with striking blue eyes and a demoiselle who simply helped shape the Golden Age of Haute Couture, attractively.
Unfortunately, for the world, Ms Dorian Leigh is no longer alive. She passed away at a Virginia nursing home at the age of 91 on Monday, July 7.
We adore Dorian because in the middle of her fame and excessive salary ($300,000 was way much for a model in the 1940's), she wanted to help her sister, Suzy Parker, rise to fame as well. So she helped catapult Suzy's career and the joy she expressed when her little sister landed her first major contract, was also shared when Suzy overshadowed her own career and became the highest paid model for Coco Chanel and eventually far, far more popular that Dorian.
But regardless of Suzy's fame, Dorian was on the cover of some of the world's most important fashion and beauty magazines and served as a muse for many of the photographers and artists of the time. Then she became an icon for Revlon cosmetics.
Described as a woman with "intoxicating sensuality" and "sexy without saying a word", she had five failed marriages and numerous lovers...but best of all, she spoke openly and candidly about her affairs, without the fear of societal critique.
She lived a long, happy life, opened up her own modeling agency in Paris and raised five children.
Rest in peace, Ms. Dorian Leigh. In your honor, we will make it a point to buy more Revlon Make-Up.