40 Elegant Photos of Dorian Leigh in Lilli Ann’s Suits in the 1950s

Lilli Ann was started in San Francisco in 1933 by Adolph Schuman, naming his company for his wife, Lillian. The company became known for their beautiful, elaborately designed suits and coats.

Dorian Leigh in Lilli Ann’s suits in the 1950s

After WWII, Schuman went to France and it was during this time that the labels had “Paris” added to them. While in France, Schuman was buying fabrics, and many of the labels in Lilli Ann designs also contain the name of the French factory that made the fabric.

Many of these fabrics were bought from small textile companies, that were in such financial straits after the war that they were in danger of closing. Schuman bought from these small companies, and was thus credited with saving many of them from financial ruin. For his efforts Schuman was awarded medals from both France and Italy, and the Lilli Ann customer got a suit made of high quality, hand-loomed fabric.

In the 1960s, there was a popular Lilli Ann Knits line, and a mod-inspired London line. The 1970s brought a career look for Lilli Ann. Adolph Schuman died in 1985, but the company continued under the direction of his heirs. The company was sold in the 1990s, and was closed by 2000.

These elegant photos captured fashion portraits of Dorian Leigh in Lilli Ann’s suits in the 1950s.

Dorian Leigh in a suit by Lilli Ann, Vogue, March 1, 1952

Dorian Leigh in bouclé wool suit with jacket featuring short peplum and batwing sleeves by Lilli Ann, Vogue, October 1, 1952

Dorian Leigh in elegant suit with peplum jacket by Lilli Ann, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar U.S. February 1952

Dorian Leigh in jacket by Lilli Ann, hat by John Frederics, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, October 1952

Dorian Leigh in silk and mohair 'silvered ebony' suit by Lilli Ann, Vogue, November 1, 1952

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, hat by Mr. John, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, July 1952

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, hat by Mr. John, photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, July 1, 1952

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, August 1952

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, September 1952

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, Vogue, January 1952

Dorian Leigh, suit by Lilli Ann, hat by Mr. John, photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, February 1, 1952

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, hat by John-Frederics, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, April 1953

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, hat by Mr. John, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, June 1953

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, hat by Mr. John, photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, August 1, 1953

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, Mr. John accessories, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, February 1953

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, Vogue, January 1953

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, Vogue, March 1, 1953

Dorian Leigh, dinner/cocktail suit by Lilli Ann, hat by Mr. John, photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, April 1, 1953

Dorian Leigh for Lilli Ann as seen in Harper's Bazaar, April 1954

Dorian Leigh in a Lilli Ann suit, Harper's Bazaar October 1954

Dorian Leigh in divine suit of luxurious blend of chiffon, mohair and worsted with rhinestone decor by Lilli Ann, photo by Roger Prigent, Harper's Bazaar, August 1954

Dorian Leigh in Lilli Ann suit with jeweled buttons, Vogue US, August 15, 1954

Dorian Leigh in silk, wool and mohair blend suit by Lilli Ann, hat by John-Frederics, photo by Roger Prigent, Harper's Bazaar, July 1954

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, hat by John Frederics, photo by Roger Prigent, Vogue, November 1, 1954

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, hat by John-Frederics, photo by Roger Prigent, Harper's Bazaar, February 1954

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, photo by Roger Prigent, 1954

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, photo by Roger Prigent, Harper's Bazaar, January 1954

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, photo by Roger Prigent, Harper's Bazaar, March 1954

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, photo by Roger Prigent, Harper's Bazaar, May 1954

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, photo by Roger Prigent, Harper's Bazaar, September 1954

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, Vogue, January 1954

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, Vogue, September 1, 1954

Dorian Leigh in a Lilli Ann ad, 1955

Dorian Leigh in silk-mohair blend peplumed suit from Lilli Ann, Vogue, February 1, 1955

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, hat by John Frederics, photo by Roger Prigent, Harper's Bazaar, March 1955

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, hat by John Frederics, photo by Roger Prigent, Vogue, March 1, 1955

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, photo by Roger Prigent, Harper's Bazaar, April 1955

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, photo by Roger Prigent, Harper's Bazaar, May 1955

Dorian Leigh in suit by Lilli Ann, photo by Roger Prigent, Vogue, April 1, 1955

Dorian Leigh, suit by Lilli Ann, photo by Roger Prigent, Vogue, February 1, 1955