Glamorous Fashion Photos of Lillian Marcuson Rekas from the 1950s

Lillian Marcuson Rekas was one of the prominent supermodels of the late 1940s and 1950s. She graced the covers of many major magazines, including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Charm, Look, and three issues of Life magazine. She had blue eyes, brown hair and stood five feet 7 inches tall. She was said to look like Grace Kelly, who went from movie stardom to royalty in Monaco. Rekas was the favorite subject of the most well-known photographers, including Penn, Horst, Scavullo, and Avedon. She also appeared in the movies ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘The Cotton Club’ and soap operas ‘One Life to Live’ and ‘As the World Turns.’

Born in Hartford, Rekas’s mother was a Swedish immigrant, Lillian was the daughter of a Swedish immigrant. Her father owned Viking Bakery in West Hartford. She got her first modeling job at the age of 18. Vogue magazine featured her on its cover in 1949. Immediately, Rekas was sought after by fashion magazines and designers and by advertisers such as Revlon, Coty, Pepsodent, Brooks Brothers, and Knickerbocker. Life Magazine featured her three times as well as Vogue, Charm, Bride, and Cosmopolitan.

After her marriage, Rekas took a long break from her modeling career and returned after 25 years. She was 52 years old, too old for many modeling agencies. In the meantime, Ford had decided to enter the “older” world of modeling, and Rekas’ agent was Sicular, a vice president for Ford. After returning to work, her first assignment was with Viking Cruise lines, where her husband was employed. In addition to being on the cover of Newsweek and appearing on television, she also got a few fashion assignments. However, high fashion still wasn’t keen on working with older women. After a period of declining health, Rekas passed away on May 24, 2019.

Below are some glamorous photos of Lillian Marcusson Rekas from the 1950s.

#1 Lillian Marcuson in beautifully cut and shaped dress and jacket of silk brocade taffeta by Adele Simpson, Vogue, July 1950

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#2 Lillian Marcuson in black rayon sheath with an overskirt of black rayon taffeta by Hannah Troy, stark white panne velvet hat by Lilly Daché, Vogue, November 1, 1950

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#3 Lillian Marcuson in dress and jacket to give a suit-and-blouse effect, dress-skirt and jacket in rust tweed, felt jockey cap by Madcaps, Vogue, August 1, 1950

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#4 Lillian Marcuson in full-length cape, 1950

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#5 Lillian Marcuson in gold metallic evening gown with back panels sweeping to the ground by Adrian, Vogue, November 1, 1950

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#6 Lillian Marcuson in strapless dress of champagne-colored organdy, embroiderd all over in tones of beige with a sheer organdy jacket by Sheila Lynn, Vogue, June 1950

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#7 Lillian Marcuson in strapless tulle cocktail dress with matching jacket by Ben Reig, Vogue, May 15, 1950

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#8 Lillian Marcuson in two tones of Celanese rayon satin and satin corduroy, dress by Toni Owen, Harper’s Bazaar, October 1950

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#9 Lillian Marcuson wearing a winged cap of white paper straw with band of rust grosgrain after Dior by Vernier, Harper’s Bazaar, April 1950

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#10 Lillian Marcuson,January 1950.

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#11 Lillian Marcuson, January 1950

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#12 Lillian Marcuson demonstrates the art of applying eye-makeup, Life, January 30, 1950

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#13 Lillian Marcuson in an embroidered pique bathing suit by Carolyn Schnurer and gold hoops by Napier, May 1951

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#14 Lillian Marcuson in black silk broadcloth sheath dress with pom-pom trimmed shawl by Edwin, Glamour, April 1951

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#15 Lillian Marcuson in embroidered piqué suit by Carolyn Schnurer, gold jewelry by Napier, 1951

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#16 Lillian Marcuson in gold silk shantung evening coat over white organdy dress by Ceil Chapman, Vogue, February 1, 1951

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#17 Lillian Marcuson in printed dress with swing coat, 1951

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#18 Lillian Marcuson in strapless one-piece bathing suit adorned with cotton flowers by Catalina, at Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas, Life, May 21, 1951

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#19 Lillian Marcuson in tulle party dress with full skirt, 1951

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#20 Lillian Marcuson in veiled hat by Lilly Dachè, Life, February 12, 1951

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#21 Lillian Marcuson, used for cover of Vogue US, January 1, 1951

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#22 Lillian Marcuson by Horst P. Horst, 1952

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#23 Lillian Marcuson in Heller baby blue worsted jersey dress with satin bow at neck by Richard Cole, little felt hat by Amy and Norwegian blue fox muff by Annis Furs, 1952

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#24 Lillian Marcuson wearing a hairline worsted suit, by Ben Frances Denney, jewelry on the cuff and scarf by Marcel Boucher, 1952

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#25 Lillian Marcuson wears a brown coat dress in wool tweed by Vera Maxwell, September 1952

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#26 Lillian Marcuson in a Brooks Bros. dressing gown, 1954

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#27 Lillian Marcuson in leopard fur jacket, New York, 1954

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#28 Lillian Marcuson in silk Brooks Brothers robe, 1954

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#29 Lillian Marcuson is wearing a pleat-front shirt from Brooks Brothers, 1954

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#30 Lillian Marcuson, 1954

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#31 Lillian Marcuson, March 1954

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#32 Lillian Marcuson is wearing a two-part dress suitable for town by Traina-Norell with a two-part hat by Emme, 1955

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#33 Lillian Marcuson with the outside layers of hat and dress removed, the wide-skirted checked taffeta by Traina-Norell and matching cap by Emme can be worn to parties, 1955

0 Points

Upvote Downvote