Glamorous Photos of French Model Sophie Malgat Litvak from the Early 1950s

The Parisian model Sophie Litvak was born Simone Steur in 1926 in Nice, and later Sophie Malgat after her first marriage to François Malgat. She collaborated remarkably with the couturier Jacques Fath during the 1950s, who gave her her pseudonym.

Sophie is known for her long bust, fine waist, and short legs, which made her an ideal candidate for Hermès. Initially, she presented swimwear before moving on to clothes. In 1949, Sophie joined Jacques Fath’s famous cabine, working with Bettina, a friend she had known for a few years. The two friends, whose styles are very different, complement each other in parades and photo shoots. Additionally, she worked occasionally for Dior, Biki (Italian) and Givenchy. With Fath’s success, she was increasingly in demand by magazines such as L’Officiel, Vogue, Jardin des Modes or L’Album du Figaro and American publications.

She has been photographed by Georges Dambier, Erwin Blumenfeld, Henry Clarke, and Horst P. Horst, among others. Sophie Litvak married her second husband, the director Anatole Litvak, who was much older than her, on December 2, 1955. She became a journalist for Femina and Elle. She passed away in 1979.

These stunning photos show a young Sophie Malgat Litvak as a model in the early 1950s.

#1 Sophie Litvak in tweed dress with reversible tweed stole lined in otter by Lanvin-Castillo, Elle, September 8, 1952

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#2 Sophie Malgat in egg-shell flannel suit with collar scarf, worn with collarless panther fur jacket that has slits on the side by Christian Dior, 1952

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#3 Sophie Malgat in evening dress of black crêpe with short bolero of red velvet and mousseline petals by Givenchy, 1952

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#4 Sophie Malgat in short overcoat of beige Forstmann wool and black velvet collar copied by Seymour Fox from design by Cristobal Balenciaga, Vogue, October 1, 1950

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#5 Sophie Malgat in wool cape over wool dress by Bonnie Cashin for Neiman Marcus, 1950

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#6 Sophie Malgat in swingy pink wool coat, cut on the bias with collar placed well away from the neck and short sleeves by Mad Carpentier, Harper’s Bazaar, April 1951

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#7 Sophie Malgat in elegant mottled tweed jacket, black braid highlights the neck and front panel, narrow fabric belt marks the waist, skirt is cut on the bias, by Jeanne Paquin, 1952

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#8 Sophie Malgat in Givenchy’s slim suit worn with wide scarf, February 1952

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#9 Sophie Malgat in large straw boater adorned with black satin bow by Legroux Soeurs, brooch and earrings by Roger Scémama, 1952

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#10 Sophie Malgat is wearing a thin blue wool dress with deep décolletage filled with white linen, has linen undersleeves, by Jean Patou, Harper’s Bazaar, April 1952

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#11 Sophie Malgat is wearing slim tweed dress under leather jacket with knit sleeves by Givenchy, Paris, February 1952

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#12 Sophie Litvak wearing coat and handbag by Jacques Fath, Elle, January 12, 1953

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#13 Sophie Malgat in black tulle and lace ball gown adorned with blue satin sash, by Elsa Schiaparelli, 1952

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#14 Sophie Malgat in elegant jersey suit, jacket has neck and wide lapels that open on silk surah blouse by Lucille Manguin, hat is by Jean Barthet, leather handbag by Innovation, 1952

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#15 Sophie Malgat in evening gown, the bodice is white chiffon with blue satin skirt and red satin sash over wide black satin waist band, by Jacques Fath, 1952

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#16 Sophie Malgat in Givenchy’s evening gown with voluminous ruffled, tiered manteau, photo by Karen Radkai, Harper’s Bazaar, April 1952

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#17 Sophie Malgat in short mink bolero by Maurice Kotler, wrapped mousseline turban by Maud e Nano, 1952

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#18 Sophie Malgat in suit with Norwegian blue fox collar by Jacques Fath, photo by Milton Greene, Paris, Life, September 8, 1952

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#19 Sophie Malgat is wearing satin gown by Jacques Fath, L’Officiel, 1952

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#20 Sophie Malgat in greige wool afternoon dress, skirt is full with half-way pleats, by Maggy Rouff, hat by Svend, 1953

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#21 Sophie Malgat in sea-green wide-brimmed hat in wavy fabric by Legroux Soeurs, diamond and pearl brooch by Roger Scémama, 1953

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#22 Sophie Malgat is wearing a dark gray alpaca wool dress with ample skirt, buttoned bodice is ruched around the neckline, by Pierre Clarence, 1953

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#23 Sophie Malgat in iridescent evening gown and mantle by Jacques Fath, Fall/Winter Collections, 1950

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#24 Sophie Malgat in tricorne hat of green baize rolled on its side adorned with green rose and sheet voilette by Gerard Albouy, 1950

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#25 Sophie Malgat is wearing a romantic hat in amethyst panne velvet lined in black by Paulette, Harper’s Bazaar UK, October 1950

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#26 Sophie Malgat in an artfully draped pale blue and red mousseline evening gown by Jean Desses, L’Officiel, 1951

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#27 Sophie Malgat in an enchanting evening gown of white tulle adorned with pale pink roses and scattered with rhinestones by Jeanne Lafaurie, 1951

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#28 Sophie Malgat in beige alpaca coat dress over black organza skirt by Jacques Fath, 1951

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#29 Sophie Malgat in evening gown of black chiffon and white ruffled tulle embroidered with sequins by Cristobal Balenciaga, 1951

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#30 Sophie Malgat in gorgeous white satin ball gown diagonally crossed with bands of rhinestones by Christian Dior, 1951

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#31 Sophie Malgat in green wool coat with giant buttons lined diagonally, waist is cinched by patent leather belt, worn with white piqué hat, by Jacques Fath, 1951

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#32 Sophie Malgat in skirt featuring three tiers of pleats worn with long sleeved top and picture hat by Jacques Fath, February 1951

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#33 Sophie Malgat in white Marescot lace sheath enveloped in skirt and stole of white faille by Lucille Manguin, 1951

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#34 Sophie Malgat in white organdy gown adorned with red roses by Jacques Fath, 1951

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#35 Sophie Litvak, photo by Georges Dambier, Paris, Elle, January 1953

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#36 Sophie Malgat in beautiful pale blue linen suit by Jean Patou, 1953

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#37 Sophie Malgat in gown by Christian Dior, November 1953

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#38 Sophie Malgat in lace and tulle evening gown by Germaine Lecomte, 1953

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#39 Sophie Malgat in pale lilac silk print and chiffon gown by Christian Dior, Spring collection 1953,

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#40 Sophie Malgat in strapless evening gown by unidentified designer, photo by Walter Carone, Paris, February 1953

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