Sophie Litvak, born Simone Steur in 1926 in Nice, then Sophie Malgat following her first marriage with François Malgat, is a Parisian model who collaborates remarkably in the 1950s with the couturier Jacques Fath who gives her her pseudonym of Sophie.
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| Sophie Malgat Litvak in the early 1950s |
Known for her particular physique with a long bust, fine waist and short legs, Sophie starts at Hermès. Initially, she presents swimwear before going to clothes. In parallel to her activity for Hermès, she poses for some fashion magazines.
Sophie joins the famous cabine of Jacques Fath early 1949 where she works with Bettina that she has known for a few years: the two friends, very different in style, are complementary in the parades and photo shoots. She also worked occasionally for Dior, Biki (Italian) or Givenchy. Her success at Fath makes her more than ever in demand by magazines such as L’Officiel, Vogue, Jardin des Modes or L’Album du Figaro, and also a number of American publications.
Sophie is photographed, among others, by Georges Dambier, Erwin Blumenfeld, Henry Clarke and Horst P. Horst. Forming a duet with Bettina, they both travel around the world and appear together on many fashion photographs.
Sophie married the director Anatole Litvak, her second husband and much older than her, on December 2, 1955 and subsequently sustained a busy social life. She became a journalist for Femina and Elle. She died in 1979. Take a look at these stunning photos to see portraits of a young Sophie Malgat Litvak as a model in the early 1950s.
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| Sophie Malgat in iridescent evening gown and mantle by Jacques Fath, Fall/Winter Collections, 1950 |
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| Sophie Malgat in short overcoat of beige Forstmann wool and black velvet collar copied by Seymour Fox from design by Cristobal Balenciaga, photo by Richard Rutledge, Vogue, October 1, 1950 |
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| Sophie Malgat in tricorne hat of green baize rolled on its side adorned with green rose and sheet voilette by Gerard Albouy, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950 |
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| Sophie Malgat in wool cape over wool dress by Bonnie Cashin for Neiman Marcus, 1950 |
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| Sophie Malgat is wearing a romantic hat in amethyst panne velvet lined in black by Paulette, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper’s Bazaar UK, October 1950 |
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| Sophie Malgat in an artfully draped pale blue and red mousseline evening gown by Jean Desses, Photo by Philippe Pottier, L’Officiel, 1951 |
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| Sophie Malgat in an enchanting evening gown of white tulle adorned with pale pink roses and scattered with rhinestones by Jeanne Lafaurie, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1951 |
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| Sophie Malgat in beige alpaca coat dress over black organza skirt by Jacques Fath, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1951 |
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| Sophie Malgat in evening gown of black chiffon and white ruffled tulle embroidered with sequins by Cristobal Balenciaga, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1951 |
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| Sophie Malgat in gorgeous white satin ball gown diagonally crossed with bands of rhinestones by Christian Dior, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1951 |
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| 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, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1951 |
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| Sophie Malgat in skirt featuring three tiers of pleats worn with long sleeved top and picture hat by Jacques Fath, photo by Gordon Parks, Paris, February 1951 |
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| 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, photo by Jean Moral, Paris, Harper’s Bazaar, April 1951 |
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| Sophie Malgat in white Marescot lace sheath enveloped in skirt and stole of white faille by Lucille Manguin, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1951 |
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| Sophie Malgat in white organdy gown adorned with red roses by Jacques Fath, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1951 |
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| Sophie Litvak in tweed dress with reversible tweed stole lined in otter by Lanvin-Castillo, photo by Georges Dambier, Elle, September 8, 1952 |
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| Sophie Malgat in black tulle and lace ball gown adorned with blue satin sash, by Elsa Schiaparelli, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952 |
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| 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, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952 |
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| 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, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952 |
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| 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, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952 |
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| Sophie Malgat in evening dress of black crêpe with short bolero of red velvet and mousseline petals by Givenchy, photo by Milton Greene, Paris, 1952 |
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| 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, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952 |
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| 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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| Sophie Malgat in Givenchy’s slim suit worn with wide scarf, photo by Nat Farbman, February 1952 |
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| Sophie Malgat in large straw boater adorned with black satin bow by Legroux Soeurs, brooch and earrings by Roger Scémama, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952 |
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| Sophie Malgat in short mink bolero by Maurice Kotler, wrapped mousseline turban by Maud e Nano, photo by Georges Saad, 1952 |
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| 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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| Sophie Malgat is wearing a thin blue wool dress with deep décolletage filled with white linen, has linen undersleeves, by Jean Patou, photo by Jean Moral, Harper’s Bazaar, April 1952 |
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| Sophie Malgat is wearing satin gown by Jacques Fath, photo by Philippe Pottier, L’Officiel, 1952 |
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| Sophie Malgat is wearing slim tweed dress under leather jacket with knit sleeves by Givenchy, photo by Nat Farbman, Paris, February 1952 |
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| Sophie Litvak wearing coat and handbag by Jacques Fath, photo by Georges Dambier, Elle, January 12, 1953 |
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| Sophie Litvak, photo by Georges Dambier, Paris, Elle, January 1953 |
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| Sophie Malgat in beautiful pale blue linen suit by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953 |
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| Sophie Malgat in gown by Christian Dior, photo by Mark Shaw, November 1953 |
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| Sophie Malgat in greige wool afternoon dress, skirt is full with half-way pleats, by Maggy Rouff, hat by Svend, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953 |
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| Sophie Malgat in lace and tulle evening gown by Germaine Lecomte, photo by Genia Rubin, 1953 |
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| Sophie Malgat in pale lilac silk print and chiffon gown by Christian Dior, Spring collection 1953, photo by Walter Carone, Paris |
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| Sophie Malgat in sea-green wide-brimmed hat in wavy fabric by Legroux Soeurs, diamond and pearl brooch by Roger Scémama, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953 |
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| Sophie Malgat in strapless evening gown by unidentified designer, photo by Walter Carone, Paris, February 1953 |
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| Sophie Malgat is wearing a dark gray alpaca wool dress with ample skirt, buttoned bodice is ruched around the neckline, by Pierre Clarence, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953 |
