Brigitta “Gitta” Schilling was born in Berlin in 1936 into a world of war and poverty. Her family faced many hardships - something she discusses in the 2010 documentary:
Gitta Schilling – Timeless.
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| Gitta Schilling in the 1950s |
At the age of 16, Gitta was discovered while walking in a local parade, and by 1958, she was dividing her time between Berlin, Florence, Paris and New York, working with the best designers and photographers, as one of the world’s most famous fashion models.
From 1958 to 1964, Schilling graced the covers of numerous magazines, including Vogue and Madame, and was appointed ‘ambassador of elegance’ in Germany. Between the late 1950s and early ’60s, Gitta was indeed one of the most sought-after mannequins in the world, a style icon immortalized by some of the most talented photographers of the time, including William Klein, Helmut Newton and F.C. Gundlach, with whom she developed an intense and fruitful professional relationship.
After her modeling career, Gitta became a stylist in Monaco before eventually retiring to a private life. Here are some glamorous photos of a young Gitta Schilling in the 1950s:
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| Gitta Schilling in cocktail dress of black tulle banded in tafetta with white organza collar by Sinaida Rudow, photo by Hilla Korn, Germany, 1955 |
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| Gitta Schilling in silk halter dress, black with white circles, photo by Hilla Korn, Germany, circa 1955 |
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| Gitta Schilling, Berlin, photographed for Saison-Journal, 1957 |
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| Gitta Schilling in airplane decor for the Senator Class 1958, photo F.C. Gundlach |
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| Gitta Schilling in beautifully fitted dress of fine black tweed, cleverly seamed to curve into a rounded skirt by Pierre Balmain, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1958 |
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| Gitta Schilling in black crêpe dress gathered up in Empire bodice by Guy Laroche, photo by Sante Forlano, Paris, Vogue, October 1, 1958 |
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| Gitta Schilling in donkey-brown tweed dress and matching jacket collared and faced with beaver by Balmain, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1958 |
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| Gitta Schilling in gray tweed suit, high waisted jacket shows a flick of red velvet at the neckline, by (YSL) Dior, photo by William Klein, Vogue, October 1, 1958 |
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| Gitta Schilling in loose, casual coat of ginger-brown tweed double-breasted in front and inverted pleats in back by Jacques Heim, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1958 |
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| Gitta Schilling in natural, rough tweed suit, the jacket is high-belted in front only, by Lanvin-Castillo, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1958 |
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| Gitta Schilling in sand colored wool coat-dress with high belt and full skirt by (YSL) Dior, photo by William Klein, Paris, Vogue, October 1, 1958 |
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| Gitta Schilling in skirt and jacket of black and white tweed and black tweed top by Guy Laroche, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1958 |
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| Gitta Schilling in suit by Uli Richter and fox hat by Schrank, photo Rico Puhlmann, French Vogue, August 1958 |
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| Gitta Schilling in wool-mohair chemise dress by Uli Richter, fox fur hat by Schrank, photo by Hilla Korn, 1958 |
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| Gitta Schilling wearing hat by Laroche, photo Regina Relang, Paris, 1958 |
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| Gitta Schilling in Balmain’s cocktail dress from his “Perle Océane” collection, photo Regina Relang, spring 1959 |
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| Gitta Schilling in crisp black and white cotton suit by Handmacher, huge cartwheel hat by Sally Victor, Ingber clutch, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, May 1, 1959 |
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| Gitta Schilling in evening gown and coat by Pierre Balmain, photo exclusively for Burda Moden by Raymond Ginsbourg, May 1959 |
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| Gitta Schilling in houndstooth tunic and skirt by Uli Richter, photo by Regina Relang, 1959 |
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| Gitta Schilling in pale yellow, light-as-air wool coat by Gunther Oppenheim over white silk tweed suit, a copy of Chanel, by Leonard Arkin, photo by Horst P. Horst, Ladies' Home Journal, July 1959 |
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| Gitta Schilling in pleated, striped Arnel-jersey sheath with a wide belt by Carl Rosen, photo by Horst P. Horst, Ladies' Home Journal, June 1959 |
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| Gitta Schilling in sleeveless cotton and silk dress by Nantucket Naturals, bracelets by Roger Van S, necklaces by Marvella, straw hat by Lilly Daché, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, June 1959 |
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| Gitta Schilling in UMPA natural dark ranch mink coat by Maximilian worn over a white wool sheath by Ben Barrack, hat by Sally Victor, jewelry by David Webb, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, December 1, 1959 |
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| Gitta Schilling in white cotton broadcloth shirt-dress with full skirt and belted in black patent leather by Anne Fogarty, black straw cartwheel hat by John Frederics Charmer, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, May 1, 1959 |
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| Gitta Schilling in white cotton ottoman suit, jacket side buttoned, over a rayon crêpe putty-colored camisole, by Gustave Tassell, hat by Sally Victor, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, May 1, 1959 |
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| Gitta Schilling is wearing cashmere coat with fur collar by Gehringer & Glupp, French Vogue, August 1959 |
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| Gitta Schilling is wearing pearls by Trifari and turquoise ring and earrings by David Webb, photo by Karen Radkai, June 1959 |
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