Svetlana Lloyd: The Face of Dior in the 1950s

Svetlana Lloyd is a former model renowned for her association with the House of Dior in the 1950s. Born Svetlana Kassessinova in Egypt to Russian émigré parents, she trained as a ballet dancer at Legat School of Ballet in England before transitioning into modeling. At 20, she walked into a Dior boutique in Paris seeking a receptionist job; instead, she was offered a position as a house model, or “mannequin,” for the fashion house.

Lloyd gained prominence for modeling the “Trapèze Line” dress, designed by Yves Saint Laurent for Dior’s Spring/Summer 1958 collection. This silhouette, characterized by its A-line shape, was revolutionary at the time and earned her the nickname “Trapèze Line girl.” Her image graced magazine covers worldwide, cementing her status in the fashion industry.

After her modeling career, Lloyd worked as a journalist and lecturer. She spent over 50 years as an assistant editor at Mademoiselle magazine in New York. In 2004, she auctioned two corsets she wore during her time at Dior, highlighting her enduring connection to the fashion house.

In her later years, Lloyd has participated in exhibitions and interviews reflecting on her experiences at Dior, offering insights into the golden era of haute couture and the pivotal role of mannequins in presenting fashion collections. Take a look at these stunning photos to see portraits of a young Svetlana Lloyd as a model in the 1950s.

Svetlana Lloyd wearing the Promesse dress by Dior, photo by William Klein, 1957

Svetlana Lloyd in a beautiful gold leaf brocade dress with a deep décolletage by Jean Patou and necklace by Scemama, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Svetlana Lloyd in Dior's sleeveless printed silk with taffeta coat and large picture hat, photo by Loomis Dean, Paris, 1957

Svetlana Lloyd in elegant blue wool dress that simulates a two-piece with matching turban by Lanvin-Castillo, croc handbag by Lucienne Offenthal, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Svetlana Lloyd in greige raw wool dress that falls in wide skirt of accordion pleats by Christian Dior, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Svetlana Lloyd in rose silk velvet dress finely embroidered in silver, by Lanvin-Castillo, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Svetlana Lloyd wearing ensemble by Christian Dior as she leaves Maison Dior, 1957

Svetlana Lloyd, photo by William Klein, 1957

Svetlana Lloyd in a luxurious velvet evening gown with matching opera length gloves by Yves Saint Laurent for Dior, photo by Willy Maywald, Paris, 1958

Svetlana Lloyd in a party dress by Yves Saint Laurent for Dior, photo by Willy Maywald, 1958

Svetlana Lloyd in black velvet and velvet dotted tulle cocktail/party dress by Yves Saint Laurent for Dior, photo by Willy Maywald, Paris, 1958

Svetlana Lloyd in evening gown by Yves Saint Laurent for Dior, photo by Willy Maywald, Paris, 1958

Svetlana Lloyd in gray wool dress from Yves Saint Laurent's first collection (Trapeze Line) for Christian Dior, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1958

Svetlana Lloyd in lace dinner/cocktail dress by Yves Saint Laurent for Dior, photo by Willy Maywald, Paris, 1958

Svetlana Lloyd in strapless cocktail dress with matching coat by Yves Saint Laurent for Dior, photo by Willy Maywald, Paris, 1958

Svetlana Lloyd in the famous "Trapeze Line" dress from Yves Saint Laurent's first collection for Dior, photo by Sabine Weiss, Paris, 1958

Svetlana Lloyd in the famous "Trapeze Line" dress from Yves Saint Laurent's first collection for Dior, photo by Willy Maywald, Paris, 1958

Svetlana Lloyd in Yves Saint Laurent, photo by Willy Maywald, 1958