20 Beautiful Photos of the First “Supermodel” Marion Morehouse in the 1920s

Born in 1906, fashion model Marion Morehouse rose to prominence in the late 1920s and early ’30s, sitting for Vanity Fair and Vogue photographer Edward Steichen. The pair created some strikingly modernist photographs. According to Steichen Morehouse was:

“The greatest fashion model I ever photographed …. When she put on the clothes that were to be photographed, she transformed herself into a woman who really would wear that gown … whatever the outfit was.”

Marion Morehouse photographed by Edward Steichen in the 1920s

Morehouse was also a favorite of Cecil Beaton and French Vogue’s Baron George Hoyningen-Huene. She was of Choctaw Indian ancestry, with brown eyes and an angular frame. After her modeling career ended, she took up photography herself.

Morehouse died in 1969 while living at 4 Patchin Place, Greenwich Village, New York City at the age of 63.

Here below is a beautiful photo collection of Marion Morehouse taken by Edward Steichen in the 1920s.

Marion Morehouse wearing a Lucien Lelong dress by Edward Steichen, 1925

Marion Morehouse wearing a Callot dress by Edward Steichen, 1926

Marion Morehouse wearing a Louise Boulanger dress by Edward Steichen, 1926

Marion Morehouse wearing black dress, photo by Edward Steichen, 1926

Marion Morehouse wearing black sequined dress by Chanel, photo by Edward Steichen, Vogue, 1926

Marion Morehouse wearing in a Chanel dress by Edward Steichen, 1926

Marion Morehouse, Louise Boulanger dress, photo by Edward Steichen published in Vogue, May 1926

Marion Morehouse in Conde Nast's apartment, photographed by Edward Steichen, 1927

Marion Morehouse in Conde Nast's apartment, wearing a taffeta dress by Louise Boulanger, with shoes by I. Miller, and jewelry by Black, Starr and Frost, photographed by Edward Steichen, 1927

Marion Morehouse photographed by Edward Steichen in 1927

Marion Morehouse wearing a dress, scarf and wrap by Paquin, photographed by Edward Steichen, 1927

Marion Morehouse wearing in a Cheruit dress by Edward Steichen, 1927

Marion Morehouse, in the apartment of Conde Nast, wearing a beaded white chiffon dress by Chanel, and ankle-strap shoes by Delman, photo by Edward Steichen, 1927

Marion Morehouse is wearing a dress by Chéruit; jewelry by Black, Starr and Frost, photo by Edward Steichen, Vogue, 1928

Marion Morehouse in Condé Nast's apartment, photo by Cecil Beaton, New York, Vogue, 1929

Marion Morehouse in Condé Nast's apartment, photo by Cecil Beaton, Vogue, 1929

Marion Morehouse in white fur-trimmed wrap, photographed by Edward Steichen for Vogue, 1929

Marion Morehouse wearing a Louise Boulanger dress by Edward Steichen, 1929

Marion Morehouse wearing a sleeveless black net dress with thin straps and hip-level belt, by Chanel, with diamond bracelets and necklace by Black, Starr and Frost, photo by Edward Steichen, 1929

Marion Morehouse wearing a white lace and tulle gown by Chanel, with diamond and emerald bracelets by Marcus, photo by Edward Steichen, 1930