Eileen Ford
Eileen Ford | |
|---|---|
| Born | Eileen Cecile Ottensoser Template:Birth date Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | July 9, 2014 (aged 92) Morristown, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation | Modeling agency executive |
| Years active | 1946–1995 |
| Known for | Co-founder of Ford Models |
Eileen Cecile Ford (née Otte; March 25, 1922 – July 9, 2014) was a prominent American executive in the modeling agency sector. Together with her spouse, Gerard "Jerry" Ford, she established Ford Models in 1946, which emerged as one of the pioneering and most influential modeling agencies during the mid to late 20th century.
Early life and education
Born Eileen Cecile Ottensoser in Manhattan, New York City, she grew up in the suburban community of Great Neck on Long Island. She was the only daughter among four siblings born to Loretta Marie (née Laine) and Nathaniel Otte.
Her academic journey led her to Barnard College, where she also engaged in modeling during summer breaks for Harry Conover's agency, recognized as one of the earliest modeling firms in the United States. She completed her degree in 1943.
In 1944, Eileen encountered Gerard "Jerry" Ford near Columbia University. The couple eloped in November that year in San Francisco. Shortly after their marriage, Jerry was called to serve with the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Career
During Jerry's military service, Eileen took on roles including secretary to photographer Elliot Clark and later worked as a fashion stylist, copywriter, and reporter for The Tobe Report. While expecting their first child, she began assisting models administratively from her father's law office in New York City, charging fees ranging from $65 to $75 per month. Their firstborn, Jamie, arrived in March 1947.
Ford Models
In March 1946, Jerry joined Eileen in launching their modeling agency. Within a year, they moved operations to a third-floor office located on Manhattan’s Second Avenue. The agency rapidly gained prominence, generating annual revenues of approximately $250,000. Their initial star model was Jean Patchett. The Fords implemented an innovative voucher system—a costly but distinguishing feature that set them apart from competitors. Dorian Leigh commended Eileen for her unwavering dedication and industrious nature.
By 1948, Ford Models was competing with top agencies such as Huntington Hartford and John Robert Powers. Dorian Leigh closed her own agency and introduced her sister Suzy Parker to Ford Models despite Parker’s unconventional appearance and height. Parker quickly rose to become the leading model of the 1950s, cementing Ford Models’ dominance in the industry.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Ford represented premier models including Mary Jane Russell, Carmen Dell'Orefice, and Dovima. By 1954, the Fords resided on Park Avenue and offered extensive support services for their talent—including hairdressers, dermatologists, and nutritional guidance—to enhance their models’ careers. Eileen maintained strict regulations concerning working hours, compensation, and professional conduct.
The Fords’ marriage experienced strains during this era; by the late 1950s they had four children: Jamie, Billy, Katie, and Lacey.
In 1957, facing legal difficulties in France while attempting to establish a legitimate modeling agency there, Dorian Leigh partnered with the Fords to extend their enterprise into Europe by opening offices in London and Hamburg. This expansion facilitated model exchanges between Europe and America and broadened Ford’s global presence.
During the early 1960s, Ford represented Martha Stewart during her short-lived modeling tenure. Leading models of this period included Wilhelmina Cooper—who would later create her own agency—Jean Shrimpton, Ann Turkel, Ali MacGraw, Candice Bergen among others. In 1968, Eileen authored Eileen Ford's Book of Model Beauty, which included beauty advice alongside profiles of top models.
By 1966, Ford Models was billing $100,000 weekly and had implemented the industry's first computerized system for managing its roster of approximately 175 female and 75 male models. The agency secured around 70% of modeling bookings within New York City and held about 30% of global bookings.
Throughout the 1970s, Ford sustained its position as a leading international agency representing prominent figures like Jerry Hall, Christie Brinkley, Rene Russo, Kim Basinger, Janice Dickinson, Lauren Hutton, and Karen Graham—the latter two holding exclusive contracts with Revlon and Estée Lauder respectively. However, competition intensified after John Casablancas founded Elite Model Management and attracted key talent along with booking agent Monique Pillard away from Ford. The Fords enlisted legal assistance to counter these challenges while continuing to compete with agencies such as Wilhelmina Models.
The agency diversified by establishing a successful Men's Division that dominated pages of GQ magazine and launched a children's division in 1975 aimed at representing Brooke Shields—who had already gained recognition as a model prior to signing with Ford.
By the late 1970s rivalry with Elite escalated amid growing concerns about professionalism due to issues related to drug use and nightlife excesses among models. Several notable models from earlier decades suffered health complications linked to smoking or substance abuse; Gia Carangi died of AIDS-related complications in 1986.
In 1981, the Fords introduced "Face of the 80s," later renamed Ford Models Supermodel of the World, which helped usher in a new generation of professionalism featuring supermodels like Cindy Crawford, Renée Simonsen, Carol Alt, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington—who became one of Ford’s greatest successes after moving into their townhouse in 1985. Modeling fees surged as these supermodels commanded multimillion-dollar contracts.
By 1993 Ford Models received approximately 10,000 applications annually but selected only a limited number of promising individuals. That same year their residence in Tewksbury Township was nearly destroyed by fire but was subsequently reconstructed as an exact replica.
Retirement
In 1995, Katie Ford took over the helm of the family modeling agency after her parents stepped down. The agency's 50th anniversary was highlighted in notable publications such as the July–August 1996 edition of American Photo and the January–February 1997 issue of Top Model magazine, under the headline "Ford at 50!". Katie Ford held the position of CEO from 1995 until 2007.
Eileen Ford's legacy was captured in articles featured in Good Housekeeping (1968), Life (1970), and Ladies' Home Journal (1971). She also appeared in the 1997 documentary Scratch the Surface, along with profiles including Intimate Portrait: Eileen Ford (1999), Celebrity Profile: Brooke Shields (2001), and a piece on Christie Brinkley.
Personal life
Jerry Ford, Eileen's husband, died on August 24, 2008, at the age of 83. He left behind Eileen, their four children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Death
Eileen Ford passed away on July 9, 2014, in Morristown, New Jersey, due to complications stemming from meningioma and osteoporosis. She was 92 years old at the time of her death.
Publications
- Eileen Ford's Book of Model Beauty, Trident Press, New York (1968)
- Eileen Ford's a More Beautiful You in 21 Days, Simon and Schuster, New York (1972)
Sources
- Good Housekeeping, 1968
- Lacey, Robert. Model Woman: Eileen Ford and the Business of Beauty. HarperCollins, 2015
External links
- Ford Models
- BBC Last Word (obituary)