#blackglama

US Vogue November 1973

Blackglama

Model/Actress : Joan Crawford

I was told she’d already turned down the opportunity to pose for one of the most prestigious ad campaigns then in progress: the fur industry’s Peter Rogers’ “What Becomes A Legend Most?” series, for which Richard Avedon photographed top stars, past and present, wearing designer mink coats. Their payment for posing: the costly coat (each worth well over $20,000). Lauren Bacall, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland — and contemporary legends including Diana Ross and Barbra Streisand — along with Ava’s close pal, Lena Horne, were among those who had participated thus far.

Ava Gardner’s reason for turning down the opportunity: “I no longer wear dead animals on my back, honey.” And this was years before the founding of PETA! (x)