35 Stunning Photos of French Model Simone D’Aillencourt in the Early 1960s

Born 1930 in Vizille, French model and talent agent Simone D’Aillencourt began her successful career in Edinburgh in 1954 after a visit by Lucie Clayton. She posed for the British magazine Vogue and then went back and forth between Britain and France. She worked regularly for Pierre Cardin, sometimes for Jacques Heim, and posed for various magazines such as Elle, L’Officiel, Vogue Paris or also Le Jardin des Modes. She posed for William Klein for whom she would become one of his favourites, Irving Penn, John French, Richard Avedon, also French photographer Georges Dambier or Jeanloup Sieff.

Simone D’Aillencourt in the 1960s

D’Aillencourt is best known as the subject of Melvin Sokolsky’s “Bubble” photographic series taken in Paris for Harper’s Bazaar in 1963. She made her final series of photographs in India, with photographer Henry Clarke, in 1969 after a successful career of 15 years.

Throughout her career, D’Aillencourt always kept with the trends over time, from the sophistication of the 1950s to the greatest freedom of clothing the following decade. Some time after she stopped modeling, she founded a modeling agency in Paris, Model International, which quickly grew, and then a second agency of a more modest size, Image.

D’Aillencourt died in Paris in 2017 at the age of 86. Take a look at these stunning photos of Simone D’Aillencourt as a model in the early 1960s.

"After Balthus", Simone D'Aillencourt, Harper's Bazaar, 1960

Simone D'Aillencourt in abstract patterned silk surah dress of muted beiges and browns on white by Sophie of Saks Fifth Avenue, navy blue straw hat by Tatiana, jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, June 1, 1960

Simone d'Aillencourt in brown and black wool tweed coat lined in bands of dark brown natural Russian fitch by Fred Haar, brown velvet hat by Irene of New York, photo by Tom Palumbo, Vogue, August 15, 1960

Simone d'Aillencourt in coral embroidered dress worn with velvet hat and coral jewels by Dior, photo by Tom Kublin, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1960

Simone D'Aillencourt in dress by Nina Ricci, photo by Melvin Sokolsky, Harper's Bazaar, 1960

Simone D'Aillencourt in elegant scarf suit of airy green British wool tweed by Monte Sano & Pruzan, Turban hat by Lilly Daché, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Harper's Bazaar, July 1960

Simone D'Aillencourt in purple wool suit by Finger, Rabiner and Jontow, hat by Emme, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Harper's Bazaar, August 1960

Simone D'Aillencourt in rough wool tweed suit, the collarless cardigan jacket worn over an amethyst wool blouse by Arthur Jablow, Lilly Daché hat, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Harper's Bazaar, July 1960

Simone D'Aillencourt in town suit of flaky plaid wool tweed in black white and brown, by George Carmel, hat by Emme, alligaor bag by Lederer, photo by Tom Palumbo, Vogue, July 1, 1960

Simone D'Aillencourt in vibrant blue British woollen suit by Towncliffe, small easy hat over chiffon scarf by Emme, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Harper's Bazaar, August 1960

Simone D'Aillencourt in vibrant yellow Stroock wool coat loosely belted with large pockets and buttons by Ellen Brooke for Glenhunt, hat by Mr. John, photo by Gleb Derujisnky, Harper's Bazaar, August 1960

Simone D'Aillencourt in vivid coral greatcoat of wool fleece lined in faux civet worn over a sleeveless blouse and skirt, all by Modelia, hat by Emme, photo by Gleb Derujinsky, Harper's Bazaar, August 1960

Simone D'Aillencourt is wearing a two-piece dress in frosted brown wool with draped overblouse and pleated skirt by Christian Dior, photo by Melvin Sokolsky, Harper's Bazaar, August 1960

Simone D'Aillencourt, bare bulb, screen, Harper's Bazaar, 1960

Simone D'Aillencourt, Muir Woods, Marin County, California, 1960

"Labyrinth Dance", Simone D'Aillencourt, Harper's Bazaar, 1961

"Labyrinth Overlook", Simone D'Aillencourt, Harper's Bazaar, 1961

Simone d'Aillencourt in a swing coat-dress with short sleeves by Jacques Heim, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1961

Simone d'Aillencourt in brightly colored tweed suit with belted jacket by Dan Millstein, navy straw hat by Dior, photo by Melvin Sokolsky, Harper's Bazaar, February 1961

Simone d'Aillencourt in flowing shades of yellow and chartreuse by Grès, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1961

Simone D'Aillencourt in green suit, Harper's Bazaar, 1961

Simone D'Aillencourt in orange suit, Harper's Bazaar, 1961

Simone d'Aillencourt in red lace evening coat by Lanvin-Castillo, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1961

Simone d'Aillencourt in small black wool coat cut straight and narrow rimmed in French braid by Lilli Ann, hat by Lilly Daché, photo by Melvin Sokolsky, Harper's Bazaar, March 1961

Simone d'Aillencourt in suit of nubby off-white wool tweed with navy linen overblouse by Bardley, burgundy felt hat by Mr. John, photo by Melvin Sokolsky, Harper's Bazaar, February 1961

Simone d'Aillencourt in white organdie skirt with big full bows and café-au-lait Irish linen top by Maurice Rentner, necklace by Scaasi, photo by Saul Leiter, Harper's Bazaar, March 1961

Simone d'Aillencourt in wool Chinese green coat over a white piqué dress with embroidered lace petals by Scaasi, hat by Lilly Daché, photo by Melvin Sokolsky, Harper's Bazaar, March 1961

Simone d'Aillencourt in fleecy wool, rust and black plaid coat by Marquise, hat by Lilly Daché, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, 1962

Simone d'Aillencourt in gray flannel and Dacron dress cut on the bias by Mary McCarthy of Larry Aldrich, Vogue, August 15, 1962

Simone d'Aillencourt in long wool evening dress in a wild zebra print by Mademoiselle Ricci, soaring coiffure by Kenneth, black kidskin gloves by Viola Weinberger, mobile earrings by Laguna, photo by William Klein, 1962

Simone d'Aillencourt in plaid wool dress by Burke-Amey and bulbous turban-hat by Lilly Daché, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, 1962

Simone d'Aillencourt in red plaid short coat of mohair that's as light as a sweater by La Vigna, high-crowned black leather cap by Christian Dior-New York, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, July 1962

Simone d'Aillencourt in Siberian red fox fur hood and coat by Georges Kaplan, "Angel Red" lipstick by John Robert Powers, photo by Gene Laurents, Vogue, August 15, 1962

Simone d'Aillencourt in welt-seamed camel hair suit by Harry Frechtel, brown velvet cloche by Sally Victor, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, July 1962

Simone d'Aillencourt in winter navy chinchilla cloth middy (buttoned in back) worn over slim skirt by Maurice Rentner, head is covered with nutria scarf, photo by Saul Leiter, Harper's Bazaar, September 1962