Eileen Ford Quotes

Powerful Eileen Ford for Daily Growth

About Eileen Ford

Eileen Ford (June 9, 1922 – May 3, 1998), an influential figure in the fashion industry, was born as Eileen Granuzzo in New York City on June 9, 1922. Her life story is a testament to determination and vision in the realm of fashion modeling and management. Raised by her maternal grandmother after her parents' divorce, Ford left school at 16 to work as a model, eventually becoming one of the highest-paid models of her time. It was this experience that laid the foundation for her future endeavors. In 1946, she married Jerome Lawrence, a playwright, but their marriage ended in divorce five years later. In 1950, Ford met the man who would become her partner in life and business, Charles Frederick Talcott. Together, they established the Talcott-Ford Agency in 1952, which would later evolve into Ford Models. Under Eileen's leadership, Ford Models quickly rose to prominence. She revolutionized the industry by focusing on developing models' careers rather than just booking them for individual jobs. Her agency was a breeding ground for some of the most iconic faces of the 20th century, including Cheryl Tiegs, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, and Kate Moss. Ford's influence extended beyond her agency. She appeared on television shows like "The Ed Sullivan Show" and hosted "The Eileen Ford Show," a daytime talk show that ran from 1964 to 1970. She also authored two books, "Models, Inc." (1973) and "Eileen Ford's Model Portfolio" (1982). Despite facing numerous challenges, including a heart attack in the mid-1980s, Eileen Ford continued to shape the fashion industry until her death on May 3, 1998. Her legacy lives on through Ford Models and the countless models who continue to walk the runway with her guidance echoing in their ears.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I don't want pretty girls. I want interesting girls."

Eileen Ford, a prominent fashion model agent, emphasized that she seeks "interesting" women rather than just conventionally attractive ones. This statement signifies a desire for models with unique personalities, depth, and intrigue beyond their physical appearance. It implies that beauty alone is not sufficient; it's the combination of inner qualities and outer attractiveness that truly sets individuals apart, making them appealing and memorable.


"If you don't have confidence, if you don't believe in yourself, then it is very hard to convince someone else to take a chance on you."

This quote emphasizes that self-belief and confidence are essential for success because they are the foundation upon which others' trust can be built. If an individual lacks faith in themselves, it becomes challenging to persuade others to invest in their potential or take a chance on them, as doubt and uncertainty are not attractive qualities. To succeed, one must first believe in oneself.


"There is no substitute for charm and personality. Everyone can be beautiful, but only a few are charming."

This quote by Eileen Ford suggests that physical beauty alone is not enough to make someone stand out or be successful in life; it's one's charm and personality that truly set them apart. She implies that while everyone has the potential for physical attractiveness, only a few possess the ability to captivate others through their charisma and endearing nature – qualities that people are naturally drawn to and find beautiful in a more profound way.


"The secret of my success is that we have gone those extra steps which the competition neglects."

Eileen Ford's quote signifies a key principle for achieving success: going the extra mile when others do not. This means putting in more effort, energy, or time than one's competitors to gain an advantage. The "extra steps" refer to small but significant actions that, when consistently performed, can set one apart and lead to greater achievements. In essence, she suggests that true success often lies in outperforming the competition by making a consistent commitment to going above and beyond the norm.


"Success is a journey, not a destination. It's about the continuous pursuit of excellence, not just the arrival at some final goal."

This quote emphasizes that success is not solely achieved through reaching a specific end point or goal, but rather it is a lifelong process characterized by the pursuit of continuous improvement and striving for excellence along the way. Success, in this sense, is more about the journey, the effort and growth experienced during the pursuit of one's ambitions, rather than simply attaining a final achievement.


I had a nice, pert nose but a plain round face and a mop of curly brown hair. That was not the photograph of a successful model.

- Eileen Ford

Nose, Brown, Had, Curly

I got everything I wanted from my parents: Brooks Brothers sweaters and Spalding saddle shoes.

- Eileen Ford

Brothers, Got, Sweaters, Saddle

I interview about three thousand models yearly, and I must see almost 20 tons of excess avoirdupois annually.

- Eileen Ford

About, Models, Almost, Interview

Jerry didn't know he wanted to get married until he was married.

- Eileen Ford

Know, Get, Wanted, Get Married

Most of our models have just walked in off the streets, although I also find them on countless trips to Europe - particularly Scandinavia. I operate by instinct. It's a process I cannot explain, but the prettiest girl on the block is not always the best model.

- Eileen Ford

Instinct, Streets, Explain, Trips

I feel that my ideas of beauty have been given very strong backing by Botticelli and a few others: Slender hands, long neck, long limbs - look at Nefertiti. She was very teensy-weensy with a long neck and wide-spaced eyes.

- Eileen Ford

Strong, Been, Very, Backing

I live in a wonderful world of make-believe. A world of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. A world of Winnie the Pooh and Edward Bear. Things like that. Wonderful things. Funny things.

- Eileen Ford

Like, Make-Believe, Ginger

None of the people I grew up with had identity problems. We all had perfectly marvelous lives.

- Eileen Ford

Identity, Perfectly, Lives, Marvelous

American women mean a great deal to me. They're such lost souls, particularly the women of my generation. And women need so much help. They never have anyone to turn to. I help them understand how they can look better, how to do this, do that, get a job. And they're very trusting. Like little lost kids.

- Eileen Ford

American, Deal, Very, Great Deal

I never worry about fat people worrying about thin people, because slender people bury the dead.

- Eileen Ford

Worry, Never, Bury, Thin

My family believed I could do no wrong. That's probably why I have utter confidence in myself even when I shouldn't have.

- Eileen Ford

Confidence, Could, Utter, Believed

Models are a business, and they have to treat themselves as a business, which means they have to take care of themselves and give up all the young joys.

- Eileen Ford

Which, Models, Means, Joys

I can't add above 10, I can't draw a stick figure, and I'm tone deaf. So I had to be able to do something. I found that something was picking successful models.

- Eileen Ford

Add, Models, Figure, Picking

I don't think of people as black or white. It's a question of are they photogenic or not? I don't think anyone says, 'Let's book her. She's black.' I think they say, 'Let's book her. She's good.' We've come that far.

- Eileen Ford

Think, Question, I Think, They Say

Most models are emotionally abandoned. They need me. I'm their mother.

- Eileen Ford

Mother, Most, Models, Emotionally

Grace Kelly was a very commercial model; she had no interest in being a fashion model. None at all.

- Eileen Ford

Commercial, Very, Had, Grace

I suppose you could say that I majored in men and minored in psychology.

- Eileen Ford

Men, Psychology, Could, Suppose

We couldn't afford to move, so we decided to start up a model agency.

- Eileen Ford

Afford, Move, Decided, Agency

I really prefer light-eyed models, They photograph more easily. Of course, I come from a light-eyed background, so maybe that influenced my taste.

- Eileen Ford

Maybe, Models, Prefer, Photograph

You never know when or where you will find the next new model, but you can bet someone from Ford Models will be looking.

- Eileen Ford

New, Next, Models, Bet

I see girls that I know - I absolutely know - will be star models within just a matter of weeks, and they always are.

- Eileen Ford

Always, Models, Weeks, Absolutely

The horrible thing about being me is that I have a very good eye about what people look like. Even me.

- Eileen Ford

Like, Very, About, Horrible

I create a look, and I create a style.

- Eileen Ford

Look, Create, Style

I'm afraid to go to sleep; I don't like to lose control of myself. I don't like chauffeurs, either. I like to be in charge of my own destiny.

- Eileen Ford

Destiny, My Own, Like, Charge

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