Robert Randall’s Fashion Photography in the 1950s

Born 1918 in Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, American photographer Robert Randall began his career at MGM studios and later served as a U.S. Navy photographer in World War II, capturing combat scenes under Life magazine’s guidance. He left his mark on both fashion and editorial imagery during the mid-20th century.

After the war, Randall relocated to Paris and spent seven influential years photographing for French Vogue. His evocative fashion images—often taken in post-war backdrops—redefined high-fashion storytelling and helped elevate his models to stardom. In the early 1950s, his work graced the pages of major publications such as Glamour, Seventeen, Harper’s Bazaar, Look, and Cosmopolitan.

Randall later established a base in New York City with his own studio, before retiring to Laguna Beach in 1968. He passed away in 1984 in La Jolla, remembered as a master of capturing elegance, emotion, and emerging stardom through his lens. Here’s a look at Robert Randall’s striking photography from the 1950s.

Model in silk shantung and velvet dress by Jeanne Paquin, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, October 15, 1951

Gigi Terwalgne in wool jersey dress by Schiaparelli, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, October 15, 1951

Regine Debrise wearing a suit by Jean Patou, photo by Robert Randall, Paris, Vogue, 1951

Bettina Graziani wearing a tobacco-colored coat slit in back with black faille collar and facings, from the "Cicada Line" of Schiaparelli, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, October 1952

Fiona Campbell-Walter in black bouclé shetland stole with oversized insect pin, both by Elsa Schiaparelli, photo by Robert Randall, November 1952

Fiona Campbell-Walter in strapless gold embroidered gown with velvet wrap from Dior's Profile Line, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue France, September 1952

Model in Fath's elegant suit, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue France, July-August 1952

Model wearing a classic black wool suit with black scarf lined in pale blue jersey by Jean Patou, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, November 1952

Model wearing bejeweled Christian Dior choker, photo by Robert Randall, November 1952

Myrtle Crawford in a superbly tailored suit in dark gray flannel with a closed top and buttoned pockets by Jean Patou, gray box bag by Lola Prusac, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, October 1952

Myrtle Crawford wearing a collarless suit in gray wool, jacket and skirt are button-through by Lanvin-Castillo, a reversible black lambskin jacket is by Max Reby, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, October 1952

Niki de Saint Phalle wearing a black and white tweed suit by Charles Montaigne with a soft white turtleneck sweater by Tricosa, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, October 1952

Niki de Saint Phalle wearing a black wool dress lightly draped at the hips and at the collar by Germaine et Jane, black jersey turban by Simone Cange, bag by Georges Pesle, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, November 1952

Niki de Saint Phalle wearing a little black velvet hat bordered with a halo of rhinestones by Paulette, jewelry from Van Cleef & Arpels, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, November 1952

Bettina wearing a blue and black printed piqué jacket over a low-cut white toile dress by Madeleine de Rauch, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, June 1953

Elinor in a summer piqué suit in black-and-white squares the jacket is fitted, long with black velvet collar by Patou, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, July/August 1953

Elinor wearing a lovely cotton dress printed with blue and pink flowers from Dior Boutique, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, June 1953

Elinor wearing a summer dress in pink linen with a square neckline and two large pockets from Samaritaine Luxe, sunglasses from Myerowitz, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, June 1953

Elinor wearing black and white striped corduroy pants and a man's white sweater from the Fath Boutique, sunglasses by Etoile, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, June 1953

Gigi Terwalgne wearing a white piqué coat-dress in a honeycomb-weave with 3/4 sleeves, a full skirt and beige buttons from Chez Charlotte, hat by Jean Barthet, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, June 1953

Jill Howard in a short white Jasmine EMBA mink jacket by Revillon, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, November 1953

Model in a classic town-suit for summer in light pink canvas, long jacket with 3/4 sleeves and straight skirt from Printemps, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, June 1953

Model in black jersey dress with bands in two shades of gray, one of the bands extends down the arms, by Jacqueline Monnin, jersey bonnet by Jean Barthet, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, February 1953

Model wearing a beach poncho in an ocelot print over a bikini in the same print from Dior Boutique, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, July/August 1953

Model wearing a British tweed suit, the jacket closes with underflap buttons and a narrow red leather belt by Jean-Pierre Gattegno, hat by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, February 1953

Model wearing a Royal Pastel EMBA mink stole that frames the shoulders and closes into a drape by Weil Fourrures and an antique necklace of garnets and brilliants from Vieille Russie, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, September 1953

Model wearing a short pink piqué bolero off-shoulder hiding the top that is draped in pink satin, the full skirt is striped in gray and black ottoman by Jacques Fath, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, June 1953

Model wearing a white boxy jacket over a black embroidered sheath by Givenchy, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, July/August 1953

Nelly Nyad in a tweed dress with a fitted bolero tightened at the waist, the seams shaping the hips which give a barrel line to the skirt by Jean Dessès, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, November 1953

Regine Debrise in a flowy long dress in white chiffon printed with roses, on the bodice attached is a long stole that wraps around the shoulders by Christian Dior, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, June 1953

Regine Debrise wearing a beautiful black silk organdy evening dress embroidered with gold by Christian Dior, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, June 1953

Regine Debrise wearing a white organdie dress embroidered with white and garnet stones with a bow at the neckline, a red draped satin belt and black jersey bolero by Givenchy, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, June 1953

Suzy Parker in beige corduroy skirt with pockets by Jamiqua and red sweater and cardigan by Korrigan-Lesur, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, November 1953

Elinor in a short petticoat, under it a wide garter belt, the petticoat in opal satin ribbon covered in silk organdy with white Alençon lace by Charmis, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, February 1954

Sleeveless cocoa sheath worn here with an orange scarf, photo by Robert Randall, Glamour, 1954

Suzy Parker in a feminine Valenciennes lace jacket tied with pink satin ribbon over a sheer nightgown by Hier et Aujour d'hui, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, February 1954

Suzy Parker in sheer old-rose organdy night coat over a white cotton nightgown printed with little bows by Andréa Grenier, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, February 1954