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July 27, 2021

Myrtle Crawford: One of the Leading Models of the Late 1940s and Early 1950s

Born 1928 in Stirling, Scottish model Myrtle Crawford started modeling in a small way. She joined the Jean Bell modeling agency, sharing a flat with another top model of the day, Susan Abraham.

Myrtle Crawford in the early 1950s

At 36-19-36, Crawford’s hourglass figure was highly fashionable in the early 1950s. She worked with many celebrated photographers of the day, including John French and Norman Parkinson. On the catwalks of Paris she also modeled for Christian Dior and other famous fashion houses.

Crawford was also one of the Aero girls, whose portraits, painted in oils by accomplished artists, were used in an eye-catching campaign to advertise Aero chocolate, the bubble-filled bars marketed in the early 1950s as “The chocolate for her”.

Crawford’s modeling career was brief but glamorous: She traveled frequently, and was well-paid, earning £5 a day at a time of post-war austerity when many were managing on £5 a month. In 1953, she married Capt John Acland and gave up her modeling career; but having trained as an architect and being a talented artist, she took up painting, studying at the Reading School of Art.

Crawford died in 2013 at the age of 85. Take a look at these fabulous photos to see the beauty of Myrtle Crawford in the early 1950s.

Myrtle Crawford wearing "en tremblant" jeweled hair piece, photo by Anthony Denney, Vogue, December 1951

Myrtle Crawford in beautiful satin evening gown worn with a stunning black lace manteau by Givenchy, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952

Myrtle Crawford in draped taffeta dress that is rolled up in a style reminiscent of that of a washerwomen's apron, by Grès, hat by Gilbert Orcel, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952

Myrtle Crawford in pretty chiffon dress in colors of stained glass by Lanvin-Castillo, jewelry by Roger Scémama, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952

Myrtle Crawford in silk afternoon dress delicately pleated throughout with finely draped neckline by Manguin, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952

Myrtle Crawford in white tulle evening gown applied entirely with thin bands of black velvet, by Manguin, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952

Myrtle Crawford in a 'pagoda line' printed piqué top by Jeanne Lafaurie, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in beautifully black shaped silk dress with flat low neckline, and large blue satin sleeves that give it an original touch, by Balenciaga, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in beige Ottoman suit with fitted jacket indented to v, worn over print cashmere top and narrow skirt by Manguin, hat by Paulette, croc bag by Morabito, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in beige velvet gown and stole embroidered with small glass beads and rhinestones by Christian Dior, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in black and brown print dress by Carven, cap by Claude St. Cyr, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in black wool sheath, rhinestones adorn the straps and a draped blue silk polka dot highlights the hips, by Manguin, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in dress made for dancing, pale pink chiffon bordered by ruffle of pink taffeta, by Lanvin-Castillo, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in embroidered evening gown by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in embroidered tulle gown with pointed v in front and back by Christian Dior, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in evening dress by Grès, brooch by Roger Scèmama, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in evening gown by Schiaparelli, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in finely pleated, white muslin dress dotted in black, sleeveless bodice is decorated with black ribbon, black gros-grain belt holds pink rose, by Madeleine de Rauch, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in gray wool suit with black velvet shawl collar worn over white piqué vest, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in ivory-white woolen day dress contrasted with black belt by Matita, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, February 1953

Myrtle Crawford in navy blue dress with white pique bow and white straw hat exemplifies the Nina Ricci style, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in pale mauve chiffon evening gown, wide satin bands in two tones of purple extend to the floor, by Jacques Fath, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in purple wool redingote with burgundy velvet collar and cuffs by Jaques Fath, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in silk dress with embroidered bodice under fitted bolero with deep shawl collar by Nina Ricci, hat by Claude St. Cyr, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in this new silhouette by Christian Dior, the significantly widened shoulders give the bust new proportions, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in tweed coat with astrakhan collar and cuffs by Manguin, hat by Maud et Nano, handbag and gloves by Hermès, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in two-piece suit in black linen by Christian Dior, photo by Philippe Pottier, L'Officiel, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in white organza dress embroidered with flowers and rhinestones, worn with black organza coat lined in beige organza, by Givenchy, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in white organza evening gown entirely embroidered with silver sequins, the back of the dress is layers of petals also embroidered with silver sequins, by Jean Dessès, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in white ribbed wool jacket worn over gray jersey dress, jacket is lined in gray and white polka-dotted silk, the small hat is of the same material, by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in white with black polka-dots mousseline dress, the full skirt trimmed in black Valenciennes lace, the bodice has a simple shirt collar, black leather belt is adorned with flower, by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Po

Myrtle Crawford is wearing a straight jacket of beige alpaca wool lined with silk floral print same as the blouse by Lanvin-Castillo, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford is wearing gala ball gown of dark gray organdy embroidered with frosted multi-colored sequins, worn with light gray tulle stole by Jacques Fath, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Myrtle Crawford in a silk floral print afternoon dress worn with wide-brimmed green straw hat, by Jacques Fath, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Myrtle Crawford in blue tweed two-piece with navy toile collar, the cut of the armholes evokes a chasuble, by Givenchy, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Myrtle Crawford in dress with white organdy fichu collar worn under roomy jacket, by Lanvin-Castillo, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Myrtle Crawford in ensemble designed by Givenchy, photo by Seeberger, 1954

Myrtle Crawford in heather gray wool suit, vertical line continues from the buttoned jacket down the skirt, by Jacques Fath, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Myrtle Crawford in lovely silk taffeta dress in pink and blue floral print, two straps hold the bodice, the wide skirt is formed by two ruffles in front, by Maggy Rouff, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Myrtle Crawford in navy blue wool afternoon suit, jacket has a large cowl neck held by a grosgrain buttoned placket, by Lanvin-Castillo, handbag by Violette Cornille, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Myrtle Crawford in printed taffeta, high waist in pink taffeta matches the lining of the coat, the short dress has cross-over bodice and wide full skirt, by Pierre Balmain, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Myrtle Crawford in silk floral print of grays and pinks, perfect for a garden party, by Jean Dessès, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Myrtle Crawford in simple, spare white leather coat, lined in black and white houndstooth, reversible, collarless with no buttons, by Balenciaga, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Myrtle Crawford in this short fitted jacket worn over pleated skirt by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Myrtle Crawford in Venetian style cloak of coral taffeta, worn over white and pink floral print taffeta dress by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

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