Jean Patchett

Jean Ward Patchett Auer[2] (February 16, 1926[3]– January 22, 2002) was a leading fashion model of the late 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s. She was among the best known models of that era, which included Dovima, Dorian Leigh, Suzy Parker, Evelyn Tripp and Lisa Fonssagrives.[4] Patchett was the subject of two of Vogue Magazine's most famous covers, both shot in 1950 by Erwin Blumenfeld and Irving Penn.[5] She was famous for being one of the first high-fashion models to appear remote; previously, models had appeared warm and friendly.[5] Irving Penn described her as "a young American goddess in Paris couture".[6]

Jean Patchett
Born
Jean Ward Patchett

(1926-02-16)February 16, 1926
Preston, Maryland, U.S.
DiedJanuary 22, 2002(2002-01-22) (aged 75)
Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.[1]
Years active1948–1963
Spouse(s)Louis Auer (m.1951)
Children2
Modeling information
Hair colorBlonde
Eye colorDark green/brown
AgencyFord Models
Websitehttps://jeanpatchett.com

During her career, she appeared on over 40 magazine covers.[3] Patchett modeled for brands including Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel and Revlon.[5]

Early life

Patchett was born on February 16, 1926 in Preston, Maryland to James Frank Patchett (1891–1962) and Mary Ward Patchett (1891–1970).[7][8] She had two siblings; a brother, James Frank Patchett Jr. (1919–2002), and a sister, J. Patchett.[9] She attended secretarial school, studied voice at Peabody Institute, and attended Goucher College before deciding to become a model.[10]

Career

She came to New York in 1948,[5] and signed with the Ford Model Agency on May 10, 1948.[6] Her career took off almost immediately.[4][5] She debuted with Vogue in September 1948 at the age of 22.[11]

In October 1949, Patchett was photographed by Penn along with Bridget Bate Tichenor for the famous photograph The Tarot Reader.[5] A print of this photograph is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.[12] Patchett was the subject of two of Vogue Magazine's most famous covers, January 1950 by Erwin Blumenfeld and April 1950 by Irving Penn.[5] Cathy Horyn wrote that the January 1950 cover "became shorthand for an entire decade".[4] During her career, she appeared on over 40 magazine covers.[3] Patchett's face was used in the 1957 Fred Astaire-Audrey Hepburn-Kay Thompson film, Funny Face, which spoofed the fashion industry.[5]

Personal life

Shortly after signing to Harry Conover's agency, Patchett began living in a Methodist rooming home for women.[13]

Patchett married Louis Auer, a Yale-educated banker in 1951.[5][14] After 1962, they adopted two children named Bart[15] and Amy.[6] She refused to work before 10 am or after 4:30 pm because she liked to cook meals for herself and her husband.

Death

Jean Patchett Auer died on January 22, 2002 at age 75 from emphysema.[4] She is buried at Junior Order Cemetery in Preston, Maryland.[16]

References
  1. https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/patchett/7/
  2. "LIFE". 1949-01-17.
  3. "Jean Patchett profile at". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  4. Horyn, Cathy (February 4, 2002). "Jean Patchett, 75, a Model Who Helped Define the 50s". The New York Times. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  5. "Jean Patchett". Vogue. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  6. "Jean was "a young American Goddess of Paris Couture"". Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  7. "J Frank Patchett (1891-1962) - Find a Grave".
  8. "Mary Ward Patchett (1891-1970) - Find a Grave".
  9. https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/patchett/7/
  10. https://jeanpatchett.com
  11. "Jean Patchett profile at oguepedia". Vogue.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  12. The Tarot Reader (Jean Patchett and Bridget Tichenor) - New York 1949 by Irving Penn SAAM
  13. Horyn, Cathy (2002-02-04). "Jean Patchett, 75, a Model Who Helped Define the 50s". The New York Times.
  14. "Voguepedia: Jean Patchett profile". Archived from the original on 2014-03-31. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  15. https://m.legacy.com/obituaries/latimes/obituary.aspx?n=louis-auer&pid=14670942&referrer=0&preview=false
  16. "Jean Patchett Auer (1926-2002) - Find a Grave".


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