Dolores Hawkins built her modeling career during one of fashion’s most exciting decades. The 1950s saw American ready-to-wear expand rapidly alongside haute couture, and Hawkins worked steadily across both worlds. Her face appeared in the pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, two of the most influential fashion magazines of the era, making her one of the recognizable models of her generation.
Dolores Hawkins in a green and blue brocade dress by Pat Hartly, Vogue, August 15, 1955.
Her early Vogue appearances in 1955 showcased a range of designers and fabrics. She modeled a sheer Swiss voile dress by R & K Originals in the May issue, then appeared in a rich brocade gown by Pat Hartly in August. These editorial spreads placed her alongside established names and introduced her distinct poise to a wide readership.
Dolores Hawkins wearing a sheer Swiss voile dress by R & K Originals, Vogue, May 1, 1955.
By 1956, Hawkins was modeling everything from tailored wool separates to breezy summer sportswear. Her versatility was a clear asset, allowing designers to cast her across very different collections within the same year.
Dolores Hawkins in a blue-and-black herringbone wool skirt and jacket, Vogue, August 15, 1956.
Dolores Hawkins in summery white piqué shorts and sleeveless top with navy-trimmed jacket by Jo Collins, 1956.
The year 1957 marked a particularly busy stretch. Hawkins appeared in Harper’s Bazaar modeling a jersey swimsuit by Maurice Handler of California in June, then traveled to St. Croix in the Virgin Islands for a Vogue shoot featuring an Italian knit harlequin bathing suit by Imports International. The same year, she fronted Junior Bazaar in a mohair and tweed ensemble.
Dolores Hawkins in a heathery jersey swimsuit by Maurice Handler of California, Harper’s Bazaar, June 1957.
Dolores Hawkins in a hot-pink velveteen top and colorful challis skirt by Mr. Gee, Harper’s Bazaar, November 1957.
Dolores Hawkins in an Italian knit harlequin pattern bathing suit by Imports International, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Vogue, May 1, 1957.
Dolores Hawkins in a white mohair and nylon sweater and plaid mohair and tweed skirt, Junior Bazaar, August 1957.
Dolores Hawkins, December 1, 1957.
In 1958, Hawkins worked with high-profile designers including James Galanos, whose hand-embroidered golden paisley challis bodice and white organdy skirt she wore for Harper’s Bazaar in March. She also appeared in Vogue modeling a cyclamen wool tweed coat by Tiffeau-Busch and a cinnamon-colored South American guanaco coat by Georges Kaplan.
Dolores Hawkins in a cinnamon colored 3/4 length coat of South American guanaco by Georges Kaplan, Vogue, October 15, 1958.
Dolores Hawkins in a fluffed cyclamen wool tweed coat by Tiffeau-Busch, Vogue, July 1958.
Dolores Hawkins in a hand-embroidered golden paisley challis bodice and white organdy skirt with matching turban by James Galanos, Harper’s Bazaar, March 1958.Dolores Hawkins in a red Enka rayon crêpe dress by Eloise Curtis, Vogue, February 1, 1958.Dolores Hawkins wearing an empire draped wool dress by R & K Originals, 1958.
By 1959, Hawkins was also fronting beauty and accessory campaigns. She appeared in advertisements for Du Barry cosmetics in Harper’s Bazaar and for Ray-Ban sunglasses in Vogue. These commercial bookings ran alongside her editorial work, reflecting the breadth of her appeal to both fashion and lifestyle brands.
Dolores Hawkins in a looped mohair and worsted suit in smoke-blue and chestnut flame tweed by Glenhaven, Vogue, September 15, 1959.
Dolores Hawkins in a Moygashel linen tweed dress and jacket by Larry Aldrich, Vogue, May 1, 1959.
Dolores Hawkins wearing “Snow Ball of Fire” lipstick and Emerald Green eyeshadow stick by Du Barry, Harper’s Bazaar, June 1959.
Dolores Hawkins in a pink nylon cowl-necked nightgown by Rogers, Vogue, November 1, 1959.
Later in 1959, portrait-style photographs captured Hawkins in New York City, including behind-the-scenes shots of her pinning up her hair. These images offered a more personal glimpse of the model away from styled editorial sets, showing her natural ease in front of the camera.
Dolores Hawkins pinning up her hair, New York, November 1959.
Dolores Hawkins in a MacShore Classics advertisement, Harper’s Bazaar, 1959.
Dolores Hawkins, New York City, November 1959.
Dolores Hawkins, circa 1959.
Dolores Hawkins in a photo intended for collage use, 1959.Dolores Hawkins in a Ray-Ban sunglasses advertisement, Vogue, May 1, 1959.Dolores Hawkins with yellow eyeshadow highlighting her face, 1959.
Kimberly Adams is passionate about classic movies, actors, and actresses. She offers a fresh perspective on timeless films and the stars who made them unforgettable. Her work is an ode to the glamour and artistry of a bygone era, and a tribute to the enduring appeal of classic cinema.
