30 Gorgeous Photos of Capucine in the 1950s

Born 1928 as Germaine Hélène Irène Lefebvre in Saint-Raphaël, Var, French fashion model and actress Capucine was noticed by a commercial photographer while riding in a carriage in Paris in 1945, at age 17. She became a fashion model, working for the fashion houses Givenchy and Christian Dior.

Capucine as a model in the 1950s

Capucine made her film debut in Jean Cocteau’s The Eagle with Two Heads (1948), in a small, unbilled role. She also appeared in Jacques Becker’s Rendezvous in July (1949) and Robert Dhéry’s Crazy Show (1949). Capucine was known for her comedic roles in The Pink Panther (1963) and What’s New Pussycat? (1965). She appeared in 36 films and 17 television productions between 1948 and 1990.

On 17 March 1990, at age 62, Capucine jumped to her death from her eighth-floor apartment in Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland, where she had lived for 28 years, having reportedly suffered from illness and depression for some time. The police said an investigation left no doubt that she died by suicide. Neighbours said she had led a reclusive life with her three cats, hardly ever leaving her apartment and spending most of her time reading.

Take a look at these gorgeous photos to see portraits of a young Capucine as a model in the 1950s.

Capucine on balcony in Rome, photo by Robert Capa, August 1951

Capucine in floral hat with sheer voilette by Jean Barthet, photo by Willy Maywald, 1951

Capucine in knit sweater by Korrigan-Lesur, photo by Sam Lévin, 1951

Capucine in midnight blue cocktail hat by Suzanne Talbot, photo by Georges Saad, 1951

Capucine poses in the studio as "Marianne" the symbolic figurehead of France, originated during the Revolution, photo by Walter Carone, 1951

Capucine for Elle, Boulevard de la Madeleine, Paris, 1952

Capucine in a gown by Givenchy, Spring 1952

Capucine in embroidered organdy dress with matching bolero jacket by Givenchy, photo by Regina Relang, 1952

Capucine in hat by Jean Barthet, photo by Georges Dambier, Arachnée, April 1952

Capucine in red turban hat and ocelot fur coat, 1952

Capucine in small straw circular hat adorned with flowers of lilac and mauve by Le Monnier, photo by Georges Saad, 1952

Capucine in black wool fur-trimmed coat by Lucille   Manguin, photo by René Rouff, 1953

Capucine, photo by Georges Dambier, Elle, September 1953

Capucine in small cap adorned with feathers and sheer silk voilette by Claude St. Cyr, photo by Georges Dambier, 1954

Capucine in blue fleece coat, cuffed and collared in darker shade of blue velvet, photo by Richard Avedon, Ladies' Home Journal, August 1955

Capucine in heavenly cherry-red wool dress, the skirt has unpressed pleats, photo by Richard Avedon, Ladies' Home Journal, August 1955

Capucine in late-day black silk dress with tulle-ruched collar by Seymour Jacobson, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, July 1, 1955

Capucine in nylon tricot peignor embroidered with moss roses by Vanity Fair, photo by Lillian Bassman, Harper's Bazaar, April 1956

Capucine in black and yellow floral silk print dress by Galanos, the golden look achieved by make-up by Coty, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar UK, June 1957

Capucine in a playful gesture, photo by Yale Joel, 1950s

Capucine in beautiful chiffon evening gown by Pierre Clarence photographed at La Tour d'Argent by Georges Dambier, 1950s

Capucine in veiled straw tri-corn, photo by Georges Dambier for cover of Arachnée and also used in Vogue and L'Officiel, 1950s

Capucine wearing a hat by Jean Barthet, photo by Georges Dambier, 1950s

Capucine wearing flowered hair ornament as chignon, photo by Yale Joel, 1950s

Capucine wearing flowered hair ornament, photo by Yale Joel, 1950s

Capucine wearing jewelry by Sterlé, photo by Sam Lévin, 1950s

Capucine with flowered hair ornament worn on the side, photo by Yale Joel, 1950s

Capucine, photo by Georges Dambier for Arachnée, magazine de mode, 1950s

Capucine, photo by Georges Dambier, 1950s

Capucine, photo by Georges Dambier, 1950s