Sandy Brown: A Timeless Icon of Vintage Fashion

Sandy Brown was a prominent fashion model during the mid-20th century, epitomizing the elegance and sophisticated charm of the post-war era. Known for her classic features and poise, she was a frequent face in high-fashion magazines such as Life, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar, as well as advertisements throughout the 1950s and ’60s.

Brown worked with some of the most renowned photographers of her time, including Lillian Bassman, Milton Greene, Richard Avedon, and Nina Leen, contributing to the iconic visual language of vintage couture. Whether showcasing elaborate evening gowns or chic daywear, her ability to project both grace and modern confidence made her a standout figure in the competitive world of international modeling.

Take a look at these glamorous photos to see the exquisite fashion portraits of Sandy Brown in the 1950s.

Sandy Brown in dress by Elsa Schiaparelli, photo by Genevieve Naylor, 1950

Sandy Brown in poppy-red dress patterned with polka dots, photo by Karen Radkai, Harper's Bazaar UK, April 1950

Sandy Brown (foreground) in white nylon tulle ballet-length dress with overskirt by Will Steinman, model in back in pale pink tulle dress with roses by Nona, photo by Gleb Derujisnky, Junior Bazaar, November 1951

Sandy Brown in a clear blonde Hollander-dyed nutria jacket by Fredrica, jewelry by Hattie Carnegie, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, August 1951

Sandy Brown in cocktail-skirt of herringbone tweed lined in taffeta by Carolyn Schnurer, photo by Nina Leen, September 1951

Sandy Brown in fitted coat with wide skirt and velvet collar in black rayon and cotton by Oppenheimer Franken, straw hat by Chanda, photo by Evelyn Hofer, Junior Bazaar, March 1951

Sandy Brown in beautiful dress with polka-dots on white silk taffeta by Judy 'n Jill, photo by Lillian Bassman, Harper's Bazaar U.S. February 1952

Sandy Brown in black and white striped silk organdy dress with halter neckline by Sam Edelman, Harper's Bazaar, March 1952

Sandy Brown in black jersey blouse tucked into a cotton tweed skirt by Toni Owen, belt by Roger van S, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Junior Bazaar, August 1952

Sandy Brown in fitted crimson velveteen dress, bodice continues down past the waist to a full skirt, by Anne Fogarty, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Junior Bazaar, July 1952

Sandy Brown in fox fur coat by Ritter Bros., photo by Gordon Parks, October 1952

Sandy Brown in pine-green silky soft jersey dress by Junior Sophisticates, photo by Lillian Bassman, Junior Bazaar, September 1952

Sandy Brown in pink knitted sweater and pink satin skirt by David Klein, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Junior Bazaar, August 1952

Sandy Brown in quilted striped dress, full skirt, v-neckline and short sleeves by Anne Fogarty, Vogue, February 1, 1952

Sandy Brown in sand-colored silk chiffon dress covered with jersey spencer lined in black satin and black satin cummerbund by Rappi of Junior Formals, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Junior Bazaar, July 1952

Sandy Brown in strapless tulle dress by Junior Accent, photo by Lillian Bassman, 1952

Sandy Brown wearing a natural red fox circle by Hattie Carnegie worn over her slim-skirted navy blue wool dress, photo by Gordon Parks, October 1952

Sandy Brown, photo by Lillian Bassman, Harper's Bazaar, April 1952

Sandy Brown, photo by Milton Greene, June 18, 1952

Sandy Brown in a bouffant-sleeved ruby velvet dress by Junior Sophisticates, photo by Frances Pellegrini, Harper's Bazaar, August 1953

Sandy Brown in charming yellow gingham romper suit with bright Guatemalan belt around the waist by Greta Plattry, photo by Stephen Colhoun, Junior Bazaar, January 1953

Sandy Brown in lovely full-skirted dress by Anne Fogarty, Harper's Bazaar, May 1954

Sandy Brown in pretty full-skirted checked dress of rayon taffeta by Anne Fogarty, photo by Tom Palumbo, Harper's Bazaar, March 1954

Sandy Brown in tweedy, gray and white strapless dress with a tiney fitted jacket by Minx Modes, hat by Madcaps, photo by Tom Palumbo, Harper's Bazaar, February 1954

Sandy Brown in an evening shirtwaist breaking into a full gathered skirt, in white faille and ribboned with a close striping of satin by Madeleine Fauth, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, November 1955

Sandy Brown in flame-red halter, cut bare and close and a short spinning skirt of white brocade embedded with daisies by Joe Fligelman, two-inch rhinstone collar by Albert Weiss, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, November 1955

Sandy Brown in printed silk shantung dress with full skirt and wide waistband by Anne Fogarty, Vogue, February 1, 1955

Sandy Brown in ribbed white wool tennis two-piece dress by Junior Sophisticates, photo by Frances Pellegrini, Harper's Bazaar, January 1955

Sandy Brown in summer-white dress of Dacron-cotton with moving godets in shantung weave by Judy'n Jill, Town & Country, May 1955

Sandy Brown in white piqué halter dress with navy blue polka dot silk scarf drawn through the neckline by Anne Fogarty, photo by Frances Pellegrini, Harper's Bazaar, January 1955

Sandy Brown in white satin evening coat under a warming fur collar lined in wool over a matching sleeveless satin sheath by Jack Horowitz, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, November 1955

Sandy Brown in brilliant red satin trench coat, jewel buttoned and wide-belted to wrap over a short dinner dress by Junior Sophisticates, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, September 1956

Sandy Brown in pretty white cotton dress with embroidered bands and full skirt by Carlye, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, May 1956

Sandy Brown in silvery gray Persian lamb jacket worn over a knife-pleated skirt in peppery gray tweed to match its own lining at Morris Hessel, satchel bag by Prestige, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, September 1956

Sandy Brown in Bates cotton dress by Anne Fogarty for Margot, Vogue, April 15, 1957

Sandy Brown in knit sweater with large off-shoulder collar by Bonnie Cashin for Guttman Bros., circa 1957

Sandy Brown in winter coat with large collar and matching cloche, photo by Georges Dambier, 1957

Sandy Brown in dress belted below the hips designed by Patrick Porter for Junior Accent, Harper's Bazaar, August 1958

Sandy Brown in floral print Everfast cotton sundress by Jo Collins, photo by Jerry Plucer, Harper's Bazaar, April 1958