Régine Debrise: The Elegant Face of 1950s Paris Haute Couture

Régine Debrise was a French fashion model and beauty editor whose elegance defined the refined style of postwar Paris. Born in 1930, she became a striking presence in the pages of Vogue Paris, where her poise and sophistication embodied the essence of 1950s haute couture.

Debrise worked with some of the greatest fashion photographers of the 20th century, including Irving Penn and Norman Parkinson, who captured her timeless grace in now-iconic images. Among the most celebrated is Penn’s Balenciaga Sleeve (Régine Debrise), Paris (1950), a masterful portrait that highlights both the sculptural artistry of Balenciaga and Debrise’s serene beauty.

Her career bridged the worlds of fashion and journalism—balancing modeling with her work as a beauty editor at Vogue Paris. Her portraits remain part of the visual legacy of postwar couture, representing an era when elegance, artistry, and modern femininity converged in perfect harmony.

These fashion portraits capture Régine Debrise’s timeless grace, reflecting the sophistication and artistic spirit of Parisian fashion in the golden age of couture.

Régine Debrise in Balenciaga's black wool suit with green wool stole and red velvet beret trimmed with black ostrich feathers, photo by Irving Penn, October 1950

Régine Debrise wearing a Lesur wool coat by Jacques Griffe, photo by Vogue Studio, Vogue, Paris, April 1950

Régine Debrise wearing a red organza dress with a voluminous skirt reflecting red and green highlights by Grès, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, Paris, May 1950

Régine Debrise (née d'Estribaud), wears Dior's soft woolen corselet dress with trumpet skirt, photo by Irving Penn, 1950

Régine Debrise in afternoon dress of stiff black taffeta with little sleeves, scalloped neckline and full skirt by Grès, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, October 1, 1950

Régine Debrise in Balenciaga's wool velour coat, photo by Irving Penn, 1950

Régine Debrise wearing a black sheath in several layers of tulle on which is placed an enormous striped organza bow by Schiaparelli, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, Paris, April 1950

Régine Debrise wearing a tailored suit from Hermès, hat by Legroux Soeurs, photo by Vogue Studio, Vogue, Paris, April 1950

Régine Debrise wearing a voluminous, velvety-wool plush coat by Grès, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, Paris, September 1950

Régine Debrise wearing a white sheath sumptiously embroidered with gold and silver covered with a coat with voluminous sleeves in gold faille by Jeanne Lafaurie, photo by Norman Parkinson, Vogue, Paris, April 1950

Perfect seams on jacket by Balenciaga worn by French model Régine Debrise, photo by Henry Clarke, French Vogue, September 1951

Régine Debrise in wool suit from a Vogue Pattern designed by Jean Patou, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, October 15, 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a beach dress in gray and white striped canvas with a scooped bodice highlighted with white braid from Jacques Fath Boutique, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, Paris, June 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a black Breitscwanz coat with large mink cuffs and collar from Max E. Leroy, hat by Legroux Souers, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, September 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a black grosgrain ribbon dress with red grosgrain ribbon belt wwith long streamers by Christian Dior, photo by Vogue Studio, Vogue, Paris, September 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a black velvet hat with an ostrich feather that springs up from the back like a ponytail by Gerard Albouy, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, September 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a gray wool suit, the fitted jacket has velevt collar and is buttonless, by Lanvin-Castillo, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, Paris, September 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a hat that is covered in Parma velvet and covered with gold mesh and water drops by Claude St. Cyr, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, September 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a Mexican-inspired blouse of white poplin trimmed with black lace and a shaped skirt in black quilted taffeta by Schiaparelli, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, Paris, July/August 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a red canvas swimsuit coat double faced in black terry cloth from Jacques Fath Boutique, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, Paris, July/August 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a roomy, full mink coat from Fourrures Weil, Vogue, Paris, October 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a satin hat decorated with emerald cutouts by Legroux Soeurs, mink cape is by Revillon, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, February 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a suit from Vogue Pattern designed by Jean Patou, photo by Robert Randall, Paris, Vogue, 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a sumptuous natural mink coat from Revillon and a little cloche that leans to the right and is adorned with jewels by Legroux Soeurs, photo by Arik Nepo, Vogue, Paris, September 1951

Régine Debrise wearing Lesur wool capri pants highlighted with stitching, worn with a cotton-satin blouse and a silver leather belt, all by Hermès, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, Paris, July/August 1951

Régine Debrise wearing a white jersey dress with a long fringed stole and belted in suede by Jacques Heim, photo by Henry Clarke, Vogue, Paris, February 1952

Régine Debrise in a flowy long dress in white chiffon printed with roses, on the bodice attached is a long stole that wraps around the shoulders by Christian Dior, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, June 1953

Régine Debrise wearing a beautiful black silk organdy evening dress embroidered with gold by Christian Dior, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, June 1953

Régine Debrise wearing a white organdie dress embroidered with white and garnet stones with a bow at the neckline, a red draped satin belt and black jersey bolero by Givenchy, photo by Robert Randall, Vogue, Paris, June 1953

Régine Debrise in new 7/8 length tunic, collarless and uncluttered, by Balenciaga, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957