Stunning Fashion Photography by Francesco Scavullo in the 1950s

Born 1921 in Staten Island, New York City, American fashion photographer Francesco Scavullo began working for a studio that produced fashion catalogs and soon moved to Vogue. Scavullo spent three years as Horst P. Horst’s assistant, studying Horst’s techniques. He soon opened his own studio in Manhattan, and was married to model Carol McCallson from 1952 to 1955.

Fashion photography by Francesco Scavullo in the 1950s

Scavullo was best known for his work on the covers of Cosmopolitan and his celebrity portraits. His work has been used on the covers of Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Interview, Newsweek and Rolling Stone. He published several books, from Scavullo on Beauty (1976) to Scavullo Nudes (2000).

Scavullo died in 2004 of heart failure at the age of 82 while on his way to a New York photo shoot with a then up-and-coming CNN news anchor, Anderson Cooper. These stunning photos are part of his work that Francesco Scavullo took fashion portraits of classic beauties in the 1950s.

Model in floral print crêpe dinner dress with halter neckline designed by Joseph Whitehead for Herbert Sondheim, Enka Rayon ad, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, January 1950

Model in sophisticated blue silk-faille dinner-theatre dress by Adele Simpson, photo by Scavullo, Vogue, September 1950

Barbara Mullen in sleeveless crêpe and Enka rayon dress with white convent collar by Adele Simpson, hat by Mr. John, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Vogue, April 1, 1951

Elise Daniels in blue and black check flared coat of Juilliard Wool for Junior Sophisticates, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue US, September 1951

Elise Daniels in blue rayon satin faille after-dark dress by Adele Simpson, photo by Francisco Scavullo, Vogue, September 1, 1951

Elise Daniels in marquisette and Enka Rayon dress by Earl Luick for Anna Miller, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Vogue, March 15, 1951

Lisa Fonssagrives in lovely dress of billowing yards of marquisette and Enka Rayon by Herbert Sondheim, Kramer jewelry, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, December 1951

Ricki VanDusen in starched chiffon and Enka rayon dress by Kane-Weill, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, April 1951

Sunny Harnett in Enka rayon crêpe dress by Ben Reig, Enka Rayon ad, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, February 1951

Suzy Parker in pretty Enka rayon organza dress by Filcol, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, November 1951

Carol McCallson, photo by husband Francesco Scavullo, 1952

Eva Gerney in William Rose yarn-dyed faille with Enka rayon gown by Modern Couture, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Vogue, November 1, 1952

Jean Patchett in beautiful dress of sheer and Enka rayon by Philip Hulitar, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Vogue, January 1, 1952

Suzy Parker in lovely dance dress of swirling marquisette and Enka Rayon by Harvey Berin, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, January 1952

Carol McCallson in a classic suit with back-belted jacket and straight skirt by Handmacher, felt hat faced with leopard print by John Frederics Charmer, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Glamour, April 1953

Carol McCallson in a gold vest over white blouse and aqua shorts, all by Brigance of Sportsmaker, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Glamour, April 1953

Carol McCallson in a green, patch-pocket shirt with gold blouse and black shorts tied at the waist with a gingham sash, all by Brigance of Sportsmaker, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Glamour, April 1953

Ann Klem in colorful striped sheath in rayon by Mr. Mort, jewelry by Castlecliff, photo by Francesco Scavullo, May 1956

Dolores Hawkins in summery white piqué shorts and sleeveless top worn with its own jacket trimmed with navy ribbon, by Jo Collins, photo by Francesco Scavullo, 1956

Model in billowy white organdy dress floating out under a sash-tied organdy apron embroidered with black polka-dots by Jack Horwitz, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar U.S., December 1956

Model in black knit bathing suit in fast-drying Acrilan lined in nylon jersey with scoop neck and brass buttons by Sportwhirl, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar U.S., December 1956

Dolores Hawkins in heathery jersey swimsuit by Maurice Handler of California, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, June 1957

Floral print fashions, photo by Francesco Scavullo, 1957

Iris Bianchi (left) and Lois Wideman (right) in pink satin party dresses, photo by Francesco Scavullo, 1958

Rita Egan in a summer dress as seen in Seventeen, photo by Francesco Scavullo, 1958

Brooke Hayward in pink peau-de-soie ballgown under a white balloon-sleeved Venetian lace jacket by Rappi, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, October 1959

Iris Bianchi in a pink beach club dress printed with white clover blossoms by Anne Fogarty, photo by Francesco Scavullo, Harper's Bazaar, April 1959