The daughter of a prolific explorer, anthropologist and author, Victoria von Hagen (1929-2003) wrote a self-portrait for a local Brooklyn newspaper in 1940. “My name is Victoria. I am four feet eight inches tall and I will be 11 years old July 13th. My hobby is writing stories and poems.” She would continue to be a prolific writer all her life — from those early poems (with lots of bouncy rhymes about ‘spring’ and ‘sing’) to furious complaints about the American education system. “The government now keeps telling us the country has never been so prosperous.” She stormed in 1955. “So why are schools worse than in 1939?”
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Victoria von Hagen in the early 1950s |
After her marriage to archaeologist Jacques Bordaz, von Hagen concentrated on ways of applying computer technology to interpret archaeological data. And on the other, with her eternally amused, cartoon-couture features, she became a popular fashion model, working regularly with Nina Leen, Clifford Coffin and Erwin Blumenfeld, and making a number of appearances on the cover of Vogue. She even combined the two worlds, on occasion, with appearances (and not inconsiderable wins) on TV game shows like ‘The Big Pay-Off’ and ‘Big Surprise’.
Later, Von Hagen divorced Bordaz and moved to Paris, becoming a respected academic writer and mentor. In the nineties, she was still contributing regularly to newsletters on analytical cellular pathology.
Take a look at these fabulous photos to see the beauty of young Victoria von Hagen as a model in the 1950s.
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Victoria von Hagen photographed by Erwin Blumenfeld, New York, Vogue USA, October 1952 |
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Victoria Von Hagen dressing by Jacques Fath, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, Vogue, October 1952 |
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Model Victoria von Hagen wearing jet and glitter earrings, full-length gloves by Super, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen in sweater adorned with bows, photo by Nina Leen, September 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen in sweater adorned with bows, photo by Nina Leen, September 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen photographed by Erwin Blumenfeld, New York, Vogue USA, October 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen photographed by Erwin Blumenfeld, New York, Vogue USA, October 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen photographed by Erwin Blumenfeld, New York, Vogue USA, October 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen photographed by Erwin Blumenfeld, New York, Vogue USA, October 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen photographed by Erwin Blumenfeld, New York, Vogue USA, October 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen photographed by Erwin Blumenfeld, New York, Vogue USA, October 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen shows how to accessorize a plain sweater, photo by Nina Leen, 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen shows how to accessorize a plain sweater, photo by Nina Leen, 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen shows how to accessorize a plain sweater, photo by Nina Leen, 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen wearing beige close fit turban pinned with diamond and amber brooch and cowl neck beige silk blouse, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, October 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen with minaudière by Evans, bracelet from Henri Bendel, earrings by Ledo, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, Vogue US, October 15, 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen, circa 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, 1952 |
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Victoria von Hagen in a velvet and jersey turban by Paulette, beaver coat by Max Réby, jewelry by Mauboussin, photo by Philippe Pottier, L'Officiel, 1953 |
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Victoria von Hagen in afternoon dress of bronze silk by Jean Dessès, crocodile bag by Ferest, photo by Philippe Pottier, L'Officiel, 1953 |
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Victoria von Hagen in black satin party dress worn with small velvet cap by Christian Dior, photo by Philippe Pottier, L'Officiel, 1953 |
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Victoria von Hagen in grey flannel day suit brightened with orange mousseline scarf by Christian Dior, photo by Philippe Pottier, Paris, L'Officiel, 1953 |
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Victoria von Hagen in one-shoulder evening gown of rose taffeta and gray lightweight wool by Grès, photo by Pottier, L'Officiel, 1953 |
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Victoria von Hagen in red embroidered cap by Gilbert Orcel, mink coat by Fourrures Max, photo by Philippe Pottier, L'Officiel, 1953 |
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Victoria von Hagen in small velvet cap adorned with rooster tail feathers by Rose Valois, gold necklace by Sterlé, photo by Philippe Pottier, L'Officiel, 1953 |
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Victoria von Hagen in white mousseline evening dress adorned with black ribbons by Jacques Griffe, photo by Philippe Pottier, L'Officiel, 1953 |
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Victoria von Hagen in white satin dinner dress featuring bustle-like bow gathered in the back by Christian Dior, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953 |
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Victoria Von Hagen wearing linen blouse and skirt with pigskin gloves by Superb, photo by Clifford Coffin, 1953 |
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Victoria von Hagen wearing rose diamond brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels, Hudson nylons, Germaine Monteil lipstick, photo in the "surreal" style by Erwin Blumenfeld, Variante de la photo published in Vogue US, April 1954 |
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