Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Sixties Style: Colleen Corby



When I was 15, Britney Spears was a fashion queen. Every girl in my school wanted to be the pop princess and you couldn't walk down the hallways without seeing a Baby One More Time inspired ensemble.

I imagine teenage girls today are inspired by young fashion role models such as Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus.

Well, back in the 1960s, teenage girls had the ultimate teen dream: Colleen Corby.

This All-American beauty was the girl-next-door turned supermodel.



The young model was on the cover of Seventeen magazine 15 times and also on the covers of American Girl, Teen Magazine, Ingenue, Co-Ed, Glamour, and Mademoiselle. She modeled for Simplicity, McCalls, and Butterick sewing patterns and many other companies.



The famous brunette was the idol and fashion inspiration for American girls of all shapes and sizes.

Colleen was attractive without being threateningly gorgeous, she had a sweet personality, and quite simply, she seemed like the perfect best friend.



Interestingly enough, her life story reads like a fairytale.

When Colleen was 11-years-old in 1959, she walked into the Ford Modeling Agency looking for a summer job. She walked out the door a signed model. Her "summer job" lasted her 20 years.



My favorite part of this story is that Colleen's life seems to have a happy ending. She left behind no scandals. She didn't sleep around. If she ever dabbled in drugs, they certainly didn't ruin her life. She simply grew up, married a businessman, moved to Florida, and had a family.



What's even more awesome is that Colleen's fan base has not diminished in the past 40 years, but instead has grown. She has a wide international fan base on the Internet.

I think her growing popularity is because she was such a lovely symbol of American innocence and popular fashion. I also think it's because her adorable style is something most teenage girls could pull off today.



She is, in fact, a timeless style icon.



Side note: I will be going on a mini vacay for a week, so I will see you guys when I return! xo

68 comments:

Abi said...

She's gorgeous. I just love 60s inspired posts. Those pigtails are adorable!

Anonymous said...

ooh this is pretty cool. thanks for sharing.

Sounds like she had a wonderful life. :)

Have a fun vacatioN!

http://vivalabreee.blogspot.com/

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

I love the old Seventeen cover! You forget how old some of these mags are ...

MariahSmile said...

Yeah that is pretty rare nowadays that there is no scandal going on with the teen queens! Have fun on your vacay!

Dina's Days said...

Very beautiful girl, and what's even more interesting is that looking at these photos I see a lot of trends and styles coming back. I would totally wear some of the things she's wearing in those pictures.

Madeline Weber said...

that seventeen magazine cover was so cute! she sounds so great

thanks for stopping by my blog xxx

http://madelineweber.blogspot.com/

o said...

She's a beautiful girl! I can see why she was such a teen icon back then. Wow, what a great role model! It seems rare to hear about teen idols like her today. Thanks for sharing another great feature! Have fun on your vacay!:)

TheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com

Eszter said...

she does seems sweet, even in the photos and her style is cute and accessible. I hadn't heard about her before thx for sharing

Josie said...

HOW have I never heard of her? She is absolutely stunning!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Barbara von Enger said...

She's dramatically pretty, but I can't imagine wanting to be someone else even as a teenager.
I guess that's the American culture.

Courtney Erin said...

She's gorgeous!

xoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

Ashley/ MILK TEETHS said...

I've never heard of her but thank you so much for the introduction! She was quite beautiful in a very wholesome, innocent way! Love this!


xx
MILK TEETHS

Lilith-Joutsen.com said...

she's gorgeous !

http://like-a-good-old-fashion-nightmare.blogspot.com/

Laura Tenshi said...

I just realized there's a cell phone from Samsung called Corby, wonder if it was anything to do with her name. She's so cute, glad to hear she lived a quiet life after she retired.
Enjoy your vacation and fun and take a lot of pictures.
Have a great weekend.

said...

gorgeous!

Sherin said...

Ooo, she's so beautiful. I would have loved to have had a role model like her growing up.

Have a great trip!

little luxury list said...

Lovely and loving that lace blouse too!

ching said...

so she's the 60's teen queen? she's lovely. :)

i remember the Baby One More Time era..haha good times.

thyaudaciousness.blogspot.com/

Leia said...

She is absolutely gorgeous!

Leia

chic it easy said...

Wow! Great post. Thanks for your comment!


www.chiciteasy.blogspot.com

xxx!

Closet Fashionista said...

Wow she is gorgeous!! :DDD And have a good vacation
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

GRIT AND GLAMOUR said...

Enjoy your vacay!


♥ V

http://www.gritandglamour.com

FASHION CHALET said...

I wish I had big eyes like that! <3

Alexa Chung has inspired me so much, I love her easy ideas. It inspires me to create new things as well.



xx

Zuzia said...

she's amazing! i really would like to live in 60s.

xx
the-red-zebra.blogspot.com

Cafe Fashionista said...

Ohmigosh she is adorbs! I absolutely love her eyes!

Have a fabulous time on your mini vacay, my love! I miss you already!! :)

Lara Woodbine said...

I love the 60's :)
Have a great vacation! :)

Unknown said...

love her hairstyles!

Missy
Blending Style, Beauty and Fashion
http://thefashionfusion.blogspot.com

Tights Lover said...

She is gorgeous. I love how you've been bringing so many names and faces to the table that I'm unfamiliar with. It's so nice to learn more about them.

It's definitely also nice to hear a story with a happy ending. I have to confess, since I hadn't heard of her, I was waiting to see the words "tragic overdose" or something like that as I continued reading...I was pleasantly surprised!

Enjoy the mini-vacay! I'm going to miss your posts!

Rachel @ The Haute Notes said...

Gorgeous! She has such big eyes!

Have fun on your mini vacation!

Couture Carrie said...

She is lovely!

Have a fabulous vacation, darling!

xoxox,
CC

drollgirl said...

she is such a cutie!!!

and i hope you have a super vacation!!!

Rebecca said...

she's so beautiful! i love sixties style (:

http://itscohen.blogspot.com/

Monica said...

I agree! Thanks for sharing that! One of my favourite posts :) thanks for checking out my blog too i appreciate it!
i really like your blog, defintely following.

Monica xx
www.monicarambles.blogspot.com

btd. said...

I'm really loving these sixties blogs! :)

Iulia Romana said...

I love her eyes !

I've changed my blog link into :

http://lajoliejulie.blogspot.com

- so please,if you still are interested in my blog, follow me on that link ! Hugs :)


ANd have fun in your vacay !

I V Y said...

gosh 60s women were stunning!
x

Becky Tjandera said...

She's so gorgeous ! I'm so envious ! Haha . Thanks for sharing ! Have fin on your vacation ;)

Audrey Allure said...

She's beautiful and still so inspiring :) I hope you have a fabulous vacation!

Oh to Be a Muse said...

colleen seems like she had way more style than britney and miley. but maybe that was just the look of the era.

http://www.ohtobeamuse.com

The Trendy Fashionista said...

Wow I learned so much today. Thanks! I didn't know anything about Colleen Corby. Have a great weekend

-The Trendy Fashionista
http://thetrendyfashionista.blogspot.com

erica said...

Hey girly! Just came across your blog and I think its fabulous! Those pictures are amazing!

Have a fab weekend! You have a new follower!

xo

Ashley [Free Honey] said...

She's adorable. Such pretty, innocent eyes.

Have a good trp!! Take your camera and shoot lots so I can live vicariously through you, kthanks!

xoxo, Ashley

LyddieGal said...

She is so adorable, and it's always refreshing to hear about someone who spent the better part of their life in the limelight and didn't let it ruin them.

Chic on the Cheap

S said...

Oh wow, she does have this sweet innocent look and very cute ensembles - timeless teenage wear!

S
http://notjustmedical.wordpress.com

Manon said...

So inspiring! She is beautiful.

Have a great vacation!

pilgrimchick said...

Although I've seen pictures of her before, I never had any idea who she is--great story.

Sybil said...

wow.. she is gorgeous.. every generation really had their own pop star icon! :D

Animated Confessions

Abby said...

She's beautiful! It's so refreshing to see a model like her who isn't skanky or slutty or into drugs... she's someone people can actually identify with. I do like her a lot more than Miley.

JUST ME said...

So beautiful. Healthy too.

Why can't we GOT BACK TO THAT?

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

What a beauty. WOW!

Sophia said...

Wow, so lucky, right? She is beautiful. I hadn't heard of her before, but I'll have to check her out! What a life. Have fun on your vacation!

xo, Sophia

u-ka said...

She is so beautiful! It's not a surprise she was so popular! :]]

Imogen said...

She is so sweet and I love her style. I would definitely wear those clothes and I wish there were more of them around. I especially love the pink and green dress its so perfect. I totally agree with you about Britney Spears too. I hope you have a fun and relaxing vacation. You deserve it and I'd like to hear about it when you get back.

FASHIONISMYWAY by Cristina L said...

I prefer Twiggy. And Britney was the best, not Miley or Selena...BRITNEY WAS THE ONLY ONE!

NICE BLOG, VISIT MINE http://FASHIONISMYWAY.BLOGSPOT.COM/

Vicki said...

i want their fabulous pouty lips and thick eyebrows!! lol.. have a fab trip my dear!! :) x

Vix said...

Have a wonderful break! She's a beauty (looks rather like you). xxx

Angela said...

She is adorable.

hobovogue . said...

wow. she's so stunning. her hair looks incredible and her eyes are so beautiful...


<33 [v] hobovogue

Bren said...

Wow, I've never heard of her, but thank you for sharing her with us. Love the image with the pigtails! Too presh for words!

Hope you have a nice vacay!

xoxo,
Bren @ Chasing Beauty

Beth Dunn said...

I live for 60's style!
xoxo
SC

Sydnie said...

Colleen is still my icon ... even though I'm not a 60s girl! ;)

Sydnie
www.takemeouttotherunway.blogspot.com

Prutha Raithatha said...

since u mention it..u must check out my recent post on a retro look i did..tell me what u think of it

www.donotshoeme.blogspot.com

stylenuggets said...

I've never heard of her before. She seems to have dealt with fame and fortune really well too

Unknown said...

these 60s pictures are soo cool!

Vicky
(new post: Missoni inspired top & follow me)

Bonnie said...

Hi, followed over from Vix's. Love Colleen Corby. I hear she keeps real quiet and doesn't do interviews despite a big interest in what she's up to now.

~Bonnie

Anonymous said...

She's beautiful! Love the 60's, it's so inspiring! Love this post!

Lots of Love <3

AngoraSox said...

Colleen Corby IS wonderful. That's why I've got a website dedicated to her at corbyfans.multiply.com Everyone is welcome to come view this collection of Colleen Corby photographs. It's so much fun collecting and posting pictures because they all seem so timeless.

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