Sondra Lipton
Encyclopedia
Sondra Lipton is a former fashion model from New York City
, who
found a second career as a painter.
founded by George Balanchine
. While a pupil of ballet she danced in several Broadway shows. In May 1948 Lipton was in the dance company of the Experimental Theatre which presented Ballet Ballads as one of a series of events performed at the Maxine Elliott Theatre
.
was 5'9" and felt herself too tall to be a dancer. Lipton applied at Christian Dior
in New York City
, and was quickly noticed by the French couturier
. He suggested that she never alter her unusual appearance. She has red hair, amber eyes, an aquiline nose and large
teeth. In January 1949 she modelled designs by Fira Benenson at the Pierre Hotel for a New York Heart Association Benefit. In November 1960 she was one of thirteen successful models selected to represent Mannequin, a new modelling agency in New York City. Lipton worked on fashion runways for twenty years. In 1964 she modelled a new religious habit
designed by Sybil Connolly
at
a Sisters of Mercy
convention. From Dublin, Ireland, Connolly
was one of the most prominent names in international high fashion. She worked on the project for two and a half years.
To relax during her modelling career Lipton began to study sculpture at New York University
. Sculptor Joe Eula once loaned her his studio but she
began to find sculpting too difficult and lonely.
12-year-old son and resided in an East Side (Manhattan)
apartment. She began painting in 1963. A typical day for her was
spent in her huge double bed, with her oil paints spread out around her. Her still lifes of flowers and fruits were purchased by Mrs. Winthrop Rockefeller
, Mrs. Gardner Cowles, Sir David Webster, and movie producer Ross Hunter
. President Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson
received one of Lipton's oils for Christmas in 1968. At an 8th floor gallery of Lord & Taylor
twenty of her paintings were displayed at prices ranging from $190 to $300, in 1969.
In 1976 she teamed with former fashion model, Claire Geiman, to design a line of table linens called Dining-In. There were five basic groups among their easy-care cotton collection. One was named
Scarboro. Its floral motif featured combinations of lime and blue, terracotta and peach, or chocolate and beige, all with designs in white. Introduced and sold by Lord & Taylor, prices varied from .60 for cocktail napkins to $44 for an 88-inch round cloth.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, who
found a second career as a painter.
Dancer
She attended Julia Richman High School and the School of American BalletSchool of American Ballet
The School of American Ballet is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the New York City Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. The school trains students from the...
founded by George Balanchine
George Balanchine
George Balanchine , born Giorgi Balanchivadze in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to a Georgian father and a Russian mother, was one of the 20th century's most famous choreographers, a developer of ballet in the United States, co-founder and balletmaster of New York City Ballet...
. While a pupil of ballet she danced in several Broadway shows. In May 1948 Lipton was in the dance company of the Experimental Theatre which presented Ballet Ballads as one of a series of events performed at the Maxine Elliott Theatre
Maxine Elliott Theatre
The Maxine Elliott Theatre was a Broadway theater located at 109 West 39th Street in New York City. Built in 1908, it was demolished in 1960. The theater was designed by architect Benjamin Marshall of the Chicago firm Marshall and Fox....
.
Fashion Model
At 19 shewas 5'9" and felt herself too tall to be a dancer. Lipton applied at Christian Dior
Christian Dior
Christian Dior , was a French fashion designer, best known as the founder of one of the world's top fashion houses, also called Christian Dior.-Life:...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and was quickly noticed by the French couturier
Couturier
A couturier is an establishment or person involved in the clothing fashion industry who makes original garments to order for private clients. A couturier may make what is known as haute couture. Such a person usually hires patternmakers and machinists for garment production, and is either employed...
. He suggested that she never alter her unusual appearance. She has red hair, amber eyes, an aquiline nose and large
teeth. In January 1949 she modelled designs by Fira Benenson at the Pierre Hotel for a New York Heart Association Benefit. In November 1960 she was one of thirteen successful models selected to represent Mannequin, a new modelling agency in New York City. Lipton worked on fashion runways for twenty years. In 1964 she modelled a new religious habit
Religious habit
A religious habit is a distinctive set of garments worn by members of a religious order. Traditionally some plain garb recognisable as a religious habit has also been worn by those leading the religious eremitic and anachoritic life, although in their case without conformity to a particular uniform...
designed by Sybil Connolly
Sybil Connolly
Sybil Connolly was an Irish fashion designer for Brunschwig & Fils, Schumacher, Tiffany & Co., etc...
at
a Sisters of Mercy
Sisters of Mercy
The Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy is an order of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. , the order has about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations....
convention. From Dublin, Ireland, Connolly
was one of the most prominent names in international high fashion. She worked on the project for two and a half years.
To relax during her modelling career Lipton began to study sculpture at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. Sculptor Joe Eula once loaned her his studio but she
began to find sculpting too difficult and lonely.
Artist
In 1969 her husband was Jack Sahlman, a sales representative for California and European dress houses. Lipton was the mother of a12-year-old son and resided in an East Side (Manhattan)
East Side (Manhattan)
The East Side of Manhattan refers to the side of Manhattan Island which abuts the East River and faces Brooklyn and Queens. Fifth Avenue, Central Park, and lower Broadway separate it from the West Side....
apartment. She began painting in 1963. A typical day for her was
spent in her huge double bed, with her oil paints spread out around her. Her still lifes of flowers and fruits were purchased by Mrs. Winthrop Rockefeller
Winthrop Rockefeller
Winthrop Rockefeller was a politician and philanthropist who served as the first Republican Governor of Arkansas since Reconstruction. He was a third-generation member of the Rockefeller family.-Early life:...
, Mrs. Gardner Cowles, Sir David Webster, and movie producer Ross Hunter
Ross Hunter
Ross Hunter was a Hollywood film producer.-Biography:Hunter was born in Cleveland, Ohio as Martin Fuss. After serving in Army intelligence during World War II, he signed a movie contract with Columbia Pictures and acted in a number of B-movie musicals...
. President Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson
Lady Bird Johnson
Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson was First Lady of the United States from 1963 to 1969 during the presidency of her husband Lyndon B. Johnson. Throughout her life, she was an advocate for beautification of the nation's cities and highways and conservation of natural resources and made that...
received one of Lipton's oils for Christmas in 1968. At an 8th floor gallery of Lord & Taylor
Lord & Taylor
Lord & Taylor, colloquially known as L&T, or LT, based in New York City, is the oldest upscale, specialty-retail department store chain in the United States. Concentrated in the eastern U.S., the retailer operated independently for nearly a century prior to joining American Dry Goods...
twenty of her paintings were displayed at prices ranging from $190 to $300, in 1969.
In 1976 she teamed with former fashion model, Claire Geiman, to design a line of table linens called Dining-In. There were five basic groups among their easy-care cotton collection. One was named
Scarboro. Its floral motif featured combinations of lime and blue, terracotta and peach, or chocolate and beige, all with designs in white. Introduced and sold by Lord & Taylor, prices varied from .60 for cocktail napkins to $44 for an 88-inch round cloth.
External links
- Sondra Lipton Art.com