Linda Morand - European Career

European Career

Francois Lano of Paris Planning, the biggest fashion modeling agency in Europe, made a deal with Ford to run during 1967 and 1968 when Morand was contracted to walk the runways of Paris and appear in the pages of the European fashion magazines, such as Elle, Marie Claire, Vogue, Vingt Ans in Paris and many Italian, Swiss and German fashion magazines. Her modeling career took her on assignments throughout the fashion capitals of Europe, including Paris, Milan, Munich and Barcelona. She was muse to Pierre Cardin, who contracted with her to walk the runway and appear in fashion photos.

Morand was based in Rome through 1969 modeling for fashion houses Valentino, Pucci and Roberto Capucci and playing small parts in a few Italian movies and TV shows. Shortly after her marriage to French actor Philippe Forquet in 1970, her husband became a teen idol starring as General Lafayette in a popular prime time historical mini-series for ABC called The Young Rebels.

Morand was once more cast by the biggest names in fashion by 1974. Her modeling assignments included walking the catwalks of the major European haute couture designers including Pierre Cardin, Jean Patou, Karl Lagerfeld, Emanuel Ungaro, Paco Rabanne, Chanel and Valentino. She became a favorite of renowned fashion photographers Helmut Newton, who shot a ten-page spread for Vogue Paris with Morand made up as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The pictures caused such a stir that Richard Avedon sent a telegram of congratulation, and said Jackie was ready to sue. This furor calmed down when it was pointed out that Linda Morand's name was mentioned in the article. This led to many more assignments throughout Europe, including many for German and Swiss catalogs. Hans Feurer photographed her for several layouts in Italian Vogue, Marie Claire, Mode International'.

In 1975, Morand decide to retire and raise a family. She stayed marginally active in the modeling industry as the owner of a small exclusive modeling school in the Eighties, a national photography studio and appearing from time to time in special bookings.

Currently, she is a journalist and maintains a website with the pictures and biographies of over 500 top models of the Sixties. She has recently signed on to "The Supermodels Hall of Fame" as co-executive producer.