Stunning Fashion Photography by Leombruno-Bodi in the 1950s

Leombruno-Bodi is the name that identifies Joseph Leombruno and Jack Bodi, who were both American photographers active in Italy beginning in the mid 1950s. Partners in life as well as in work, Leombruno and Bodi began collaborating in the 1940s. In describing their partnership that lasted 43 years, the fashion journalist Bernadine Morris wrote in The New York Times that Leombruno and Bodi were among the first Americans to photograph Parisian haute couture at the end of WWII.

Fashion photography by Leombruno-Bodi in the 1950s

Leombruno and Bodi photographed Italian fashion from Irene Galitzine to Valentino. During the 1950s their photo features from Italy were brilliant, emphasizing the details of the garments and interpreting for the American public a Mediterrean sun filled atmosphere. They even adapted their life style to fit this image; their Roman apartment published in Vogue 1957 was presented to Americans as an ideal ‘Roman Holiday’ dwelling. This same apartment was used as a set for quite a few fashion features.

Leombruno and Bodi also dedicated themselves to advertising and interior photography, publishing their work with such magazines as Vogue, House & Garden, Glamour, Modern Bride, Town & Country and The New York Times. Among the Italian magazines they collaborated with Novita in 1962, the year in which the publication was acquired by Conde Nast. The two photographers continued to work for this American publisher even after Novita became Italian Vogue in 1966.

These stunning photos were part of their work that Leombruno and Bodi took fashion portraits of classic beauties in the 1950s.

Evelyn Tripp in red and black printed silk surah dress by Christian Dior, worn with big black milan straw hat, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, March 1954

Jean Patchett in navy silk taffeta basque dress with beautiful fullness and pique collar and cuffs by Jerry Parnis, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, April 1954

Marjorie Cato is sipping a mint-iced lemonade wearing chalk-bead earrings by Hattie Carnegie, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Glamour, June 1954

Model in full-skirted shirtwaist dress in ombré cotton embroidered with pearls by Emilio Pucci, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, January 1954

Model in lemon-yellow tweed coat by Lo Balbo over a white raw-silk sheath by Branell, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, January 1954

Sunny Harnett in black and white stripe tank black belt and white shorts, photo by Joseph Leombruno, Puerto Rico, Glamour, 1954

Sunny Harnett in black linen dress trimmed with gingham checks on collar and pockets, belted in black patent leather, photo by Joseph Leombruno, Puerto Rico, Glamour, 1954

Sunny Harnett in navy and white saucer-dot silk dress with bell skirt by Kaspar, straw sailor by Sally Victor, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, April 1954

Sunny Harnett in polka-dot blouse with white shorts and black belt, photo by Joseph Leombruno, Glamour, 1954

Sunny Harnett in rose-pink summer dress with molded empire midriff and drawstring bodice, photo by Joseph Leombruno, Glamour, 1954

Sunny Harnett is wearing a black and white striped top and slim red skirt, photo by Joseph Leombruno, Puerto Rico, Glamour, 1954

Theo Graham in a polka-dot pink dress tied in back with thin straps, photo by Joseph Leombruno, Puerto Rico, Glamour, 1954

Theo Graham is wearing a dress of white piqué embroidered in deep moss green while sitting on salt hill, photo by Joseph Leombruno, Salt Flats Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, Glamour, May 1954

Jean Patchett in in red and pink floral print cotton chiffon dress with full skirt and small cap sleeves by Adele Simpson, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Vogue, 1955

Joan Romano in a yellow wool coat by Swansdown, cloche by John Frederics Charmer, gloves by Kislav, bag by J. Mas, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, 1955

Model in black knit maillot bathing suit by Catalina and a summer beach bonnet in black by Brett Winston, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, 1955

Model in moss green and sky blue polished tweed suit by Stefan, worn with light blue silk and Orlon shirt by Sidney Heller, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, September 1955

Model in white shark-skin swimsuit by Jantzen, white straw sailor hat worn over polka-dotted scarf hat, both by Betmar, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, July 1955

Mrs. William McManus, young fashion editor at Vogue, wears a pale cashmere coat on location at Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, 1955

Theo Graham in blue popcorn stitch cardigan jacket over blue cotton print blouse and jersey skirt, all by Masket Bros., photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Vogue, March 15, 1955

Theo Graham in pale pink shirt and pale blue pleated skirt both with white dots, and yellow dotted cummerbund, by Brigance of Sportsmaker, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Glamour, 1955

Evelyn Tripp in beautiful red silk faille dress with back fullness, the panels are attatched to a narrow tie belt, black snood by Abe Solomon, jewelry by Seaman Schepps, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, November 1956

Lucinda Hollingsworth wearing lastex swimsuit by Catalina, scarf by Echo, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Glamour, 1956

Model in classic gray tweed suit, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, September 1956

Lucinda Hollingsworth in lovely warp print dress with simple bodice and circular skirt, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, April 1957

Nancy Berg in pale pink dress with an amusing apron of flowered chintz sparkled with sequins and edged with a novelty braid, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, April 1957

Nancy Berg in vivid red re-embroidered lace dress with scalloped neckline, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, September 1957

Nancy Berg in wool jersey suit with brass buttons and white piqué at the neck, hat by John Frederics, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, September 1957

Anne St. Marie in romantic black jersey blouse cut low and filled with black lace, the full skirt is black printed roses on silk shantung, blouse, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, February 1958

Anne St. Marie in sheer shirt and slim print slacks of giant roses on voile and cotton satin, worn with blue cotton-satin over skirt, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, April 1958

Jessica Ford in couture silk blue dress with green polka dots by Dan Keller, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, 1958

Jessica Ford in silk two-piece dress by Donald Brooks and turban by John Frederics, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, 1958

Mary McLaughlin in silk surah sleeveless bloused-top dress in orange, pink and purple diamond print, worn with a lime-colored sweater coat, both by Greta Plattry, orange shoes by Andrew Geller, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, 1958

Model in sweater by Simonetta leaning on wicker and leather bag, photo by Joseph Leombruno, Vogue, 1958

Anne St. Marie in a lovely romantic dress of crisp white organdy bordered with embroidered daisies, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, June 1959

Gunila and Jessica Ford in charming shirtwaist dresses with full skirts, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Ladies' Home Journal, April 1959

Isabella Albonico in cut taupe velvet with bas relief of leaves and flowers with single velvet rose at the waist, by Pierre Cardin, diamond earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Vogue, November 1, 1959

Isabella Albonico in lovely silk surah floral print dress by Jane Derby, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Vogue, June 1959

Jessica Ford in salmon-colored wool tweed suit by Handmacher, natural Milan straw hat by Emme, handbag and gloves from Nettie Rosenstein, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, Vogue, February 15, 1959

Model wearing yellow dress with rhinestone buttons, by Mollie Parnis, and earrings by Mosell, photo by Leombruno-Bodi, 1959