Fabulous Photos of German Model Susanne Erichsen in the 1950s ~ Vintage Everyday

German fashion model, beauty queen and business woman Susanne Erichsen was born Susanne Firle in December 1925. In June of 1945, she married Norwegian Sven Erichsen and at the end of World War II, the 20-year-old and her newlywed husband were deported from Germany and sent to Soviet labor camps. Susanne was separated from her husband and never saw him again.

Susanne Erichsen in the 1950s

After two years hard labour, Susanne returned home in 1947. She was then discovered by a fashion photographer and journalist, which began her career as a model and actress. During a vacation in Sylt in the early summer of 1950, she took part in the Miss Schleswig-Holstein pageant and won it on September 2nd 1950, Susanne was crowned Miss Germany, causing a bit of a scandal as 5 of the 7 judges protested that she had been previously married, which violated pageant regulations. Eventually the judges backed down upon learning that the marriage had been officially annulled after only a few months due to Sven’s disappearance.

Susanne travelled to the United States as an ‘ambassador of the German fashion’ and she found great success in the States as sought-after model, earning nearly $100 an hour. She later moved into fashion design and in 1967, founded a modeling school in Berlin, which she led for many years.

In early 2002, Susanne died of a stroke at the age of 77. Take a look at these fabulous photos to see portraits of a young Susanne Erichsen in the 1950s.

Susanne Erichsen's simple, clean-cut coiffure is by Vasco, her necklace and earrings from S.J. Phillips, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, January 1950

Susanne Erichsen in coat by Balenciaga, photographed at the Château de Chambord, December 1950

Susanne Erichsen in 3/4 length jacket over slim skirt by Jacques Fath, photo by Willy Maywald, Paris, 1951

Susanne Erichsen in her BMW cabriolet wearing an ocelot fur coat, photo by Walter Sanders, March 1952

Susanne Erichsen in silk linen dress from Gehringer & Glupp of Berlin, 1952

Susanne Erichsen relaxing at home with her pet Afghan hound, photo by Walter Sanders, March 1952

Susanne Erichsen stepping out of her BMW cabriolet, photo by Walter Sanders, March 1952

Susanne Erichsen with an array of her cover photographs, photo by Walter Sanders, March 1952

Susanne Erichsen, photo by Walter Sanders, February 1952

Susanne Erichsen, photo by Walter Sanders, March 1952

Susanne Erichsen in beautiful white mink stole inlaid with rare black diamond mink band by Revillon, photo by Georges Saad, 1954

Susanne Erichsen in blue silk velvet short evening dress decorated with fine glitter embroidery of the same tone by Jean Patou, photo by Georges Saad, 1954

Susanne Erichsen in cocktail sheath by Jean Patou, photo by Georges Saad, 1954

Susanne Erichsen in fitted checked wool suit by Paquin, photo by Georges Saad, 1954

Susanne Erichsen in glossy brown mohair jacket and skirt, jacket has 3/4 sleeves with beaver collar and cuffs, worn over brown and white v-neck sweater, by Jean Patou, photo by Georges Saad, 1954