Fabulous Fashion Photography in the 1950s by Regina Relang

Born 1906 in Stuttgart, German fashion photographer and photojournalist Regina Relang began working for Vogue in 1938, publishing photographs in the French, American, and British editions. Her work was also regularly used in Die Dame, Madame (magazine), Harper’s Bazaar, Film und Frau, and Constanze.

Fashion photography in the 1950s by Regina Relang

Over the course of her career, she photographed the women's fashion of Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, and Yves Saint-Laurent and reported on haute couture shows from Paris and Rome. Her photographs are known for their elegance, glamour, and use of lifelike settings that contrast with the designs being showcased.

Models photographed by Relang include Jean Patchett, Linda Morand, Ina Balke, Isa Stoppi, Elsa Martinelli, Simone D'Aillencourt, and Suzy Parker. She was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in 1972 and the David Octavius Hill Medal in 1973.

Regina Relang died in Munich in 1989. These fabulous black and white photos are part of her work that she took classic models during the 1950s.

Gisela Ebel in a dress by Heinz Schulze-Varell, photo by Regina Relang, Munich, 1950

Gisela Ebel in dress by Heinz Schulze-Varell, photo by Regina Relang, Munich, 1950

Gisela-Ebel-Penkert wearing butterfly glasses, photo by Regina Relang, 1950

Alia in suit by Christian Dior, Paris, 1951 by Regina Relang

Gisela Ebel and another model wearing designs by Horn, photo by Regina Relang, Berlin, 1951-52

Jacqueline Marsel in finely plisséd dress opened into a cocoon, by Elsa Schiaparelli, photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1951

Jacqueline Marsel wearing a dress by Elsa Schiaparelli, photo by Regina Relang, 1951

Model and store mannequin at Elsa Schiaparelli's store, photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1951

Model in a dress by Elsa Schiaparelli, photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1951

Model in pleated hat by Elsa Schiaparelli, photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1951

Model in suit and a whimsical cap with braid by Elsa Schiaparelli, photo by Regina Relang outside Schiaparelli’s store, Paris, 1951

Model in winter jacket by Staebe-Seger, photo by Regina Relang, Berlin, 1951

Model wearing hat by Jacques Fath sitting by the river Seine, photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1951

Capucine in embroidered organdy dress with matching bolero jacket by Givenchy, photo by Regina Relang, 1952

Gitta Schilling in organdy evening gown by Jacques Griffe, photo by Regina Relang, Spring, 1952

Helga Viermann, photo by Regina Relang, Munich, 1952

Ivy Nicholson with straw hats by Emilio Pucci on the isle of Capri, photo by Regina Relang, 1952

Model in hat by Jean Dessès, photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1952

Model is wearing a strapless lace cocktail dress by the Fontana Sisters, photo by Regina Relang, Rome, 1952

Portrait of Marion, photo by Regina Relang, 1952

Ivy Nicholson in evening gown by Jacques Griffe, photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1953

Rose Marie Reid in a cocktail ensemble by Jacques Fath, photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1953

Stella Tenbrook in suit by Jacques Fath, photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1953

‘Zemire’ modeled by Dior house model Renée Breton, Paris, photograph by Regina Relang, 1954

Lydia at night in Berlin, photo by Regina Relang, 1954

Marie-Therese in Balmain's white ermine blouse, photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1954

Model wearing hat by Jean Barthet, photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1954

Suzy Parker, photo by Regina Relang, Berlin, 1954

"Die Perlenkette" (the pearl necklace), models Marie-Hélène and Dany, photo by Regina Relang, 1955

Joan Whelan in lovely dress with velvet detail by Simonetta, photo by Regina Relang, 1955

Joan Whelan is wearing a coat by Simonetta, photo by Regina Relang, Florence, Italy, 1955

Model in Christian Dior's Y-Line dress called "Blue de Perse", photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1955

Model in full-skirted flounced petal-dress by Capucci, photo by Regina Relang, 1955

Моdel wearing black ice cap with flowers by Jean Barthet, photo Regina Relang, Paris, 1955

Joan Whelan in beach cover-up by Bessie Becker, photo by Regina Relang, Ischia, Italy, Constanze Modeheft, Spring/Summer 1956

Joan Whelan in beachwear by Bessie Becker, photo by Regina Relang, Ischia, Italy, 1956

Joan Whelan in beachwear by Bessie Becker, photo by Regina Relang, Ischia, Italy, 1956

Helga Viermann in hat by Ina Boeckler, photo by Regina Relang, 1957

Model in charming beachwear, photo by Regina Relang for Brigitte, October 1957

Model is wearing a dress by Bessie Becker, photo by Regina Relang, 1957

Gitta Schilling wearing hat by Laroche, photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1958

Model in a dress by Lanvin-Castillo, photo by Regina Relang, Paris, 1958

Gitta Schilling in Balmain's cocktail dress from his Perle Oceane collection, photo by Regina Relang, Spring 1959

Gitta Schilling in houndstooth tunic and skirt by Uli Richter, photo by Regina Relang, 1959

Ina Balke in lovely evening dress by Simonetta, photo by Regina Relang, 1959

(Photo © Regina Relang)