Dorian Leigh, 'Fire and Ice' model, dies

WASHINGTON - Dorian Leigh, an early supermodel who made Revlon's 1950s "Fire and Ice" cosmetics line famous, has died at age 91.

Leigh, who went on to run her own modeling agency and open a restaurant in France, died Monday at a nursing home in Falls Church, Va., according to her eldest son, T.L. Hawkins, of McLean, Va.

Leigh began her modeling career at a major fashion agency run by Harry Conover. She appeared on the cover of numerous magazines, including Look, McCall's and Harper's Bazaar, and worked with renowned photographers including Louise Dahl-Wolfe and Irving Penn.

She was among the first models who signed with the Ford Agency. In 1997, founder Eileen Ford told the The Free Lance-Star in Virginia that Leigh was "truly the best model of our time."

"She instinctively knew what every photographer wanted, and she came alive just at the moment the shutter clicked," Ford said.

Leigh helped Revlon's "Fire and Ice" and "Cherries in the Snow" lipstick and nail polish campaigns take off in the 1950s with poses shot by Richard Avedon.

Her son recalls one memorable image featuring the curvy, brunette model looking into the camera with her striking blue eyes. Her mouth is slightly open, showing off the Revlon lipstick that became popular. At 5-foot-5, she's standing in high heels, with one hand propped on her hip and the other close to her cheek.

"It was a fantastic shot," Hawkins said. "It was a rhinestone dress that went all the way down to the floor."

Leigh brought her younger sister, Suzy Parker, into the industry. Parker went on to become a prominent supermodel.

Throughout her life, Leigh savored attention and loved to entertain. Hawkins said his mother enjoyed having all eyes turn her way when she walked into a room. She would arrive deliberately late to gatherings to ensure a grand entrance.

"She was like a diva," Hawkins said. "It was just remarkable. It was just an aura, she had an aura." *