Born 1925 in Essex, English model Pat O’Reilly started out working as a photographer’s assistant after the end of World War II. She applied for an office job at Harper’s Bazaar in London and got it, on the proviso that she’d be willing to model for the magazine too. She became a popular all-rounder, juggling editorial and runway work in London and Paris, and well-paid international tours to promote labels like Sybil Connolly’s.
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| Pat O’Reilly in the early 1950s |
In 1959, fashion editor Josephine Easton praised O’Reilly for having the quintessential Harper’s Bazaar look: “She must be able to pose for the camera, yet look natural.” Easton explained: “She must be able to act in front of the camera, and work in front of crowds without getting flurried.”
O’Reilly was versatile and had enormous vitality, with her own, individual look. It was a look that would change regularly; over the course of a career that spanned 15 years, she went from elegant chignons to short-cropped locks to beehives, and from auburn to brunette to blonde, reinventing herself to align with every shift in fashion’s mood, and maintaining a 21-inch waist every step of the way.
Take a look at these glamorous photos to see portraits of a young Pat O’Reilly as a model in the early 1950s.
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| Part of Pat O'Reilly's very own trousseau, her going-away suit in mushroom pink with two fisher ties by Frederick Starke, violet parma hat by Erik, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1950 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in a fairy's dress of foaming pink tulle, the skirt falling in hadkerchief points and over one shoulder a plait of tulle by Hardy Amies, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1950 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in black linen 3/4 slacks buttoned at the knees and halter top by Londonus, angler's bag at Simpson's, photo by Maurice Tabard, Harper's Bazaar UK, June 1950 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in cloudy-gray tulle ball dress with one shoulder strap and a mass of primroses and sequins scattered above the ruffles which cascade over the hips by Joy Ricardo, photo by Richard Dormer at the Empress Club, 1950 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in high-neck dress with buttoned bodice in pin-check tweed in red, brown and white by Frederick Starke, fur from Bradleys, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, August 1950 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in lounging suit of black velveteen with narrow trousers and high-buttoned waistcoat with brass buttons by Londonus, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1950 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in patchwork sundress in blue and white design with cuffed top of snow-white piqué by Ian Meredith, photo by Richard Dormer in Algiers, Harper's Bazaar UK, June 1950 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in perfect dance-dress in cherry-colored silk chiffon with a gold belt by Frank Usher, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, December 1950 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in a wide-skirted strapless dress of white piqué, embroidered bodice and pocketed stole, by Harvey Nichols, photo by Richard Dormer, Malta, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in ample box coat of 7/8 length broadly overchecked in gray and green, under it a slim tailored suit of matching teal-green tweed by Koupy, photo by Maurice Tabard, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in beautiful, floating dress of white net, white cotton fringe embroiders the bodice and swirls into flowers on the huge skirt by Roecliff & Chapman, photo by Richard Dormer, Malta, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in belted straight up and down coat of clerical-gray tweed chalk-striped in yellow and pale blue, collar is faced with black velvet by Digby Morton, natural shantung beret by Rudolf, photo by Henry Clarke, March 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in brown-and-cream check, tie-silk dress that flares in the back and has pleats in front by Susan Small, hat by R.M. Hats, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper's Bazaar UK, February 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in classic tweed hacking jacket worn with bright yellow sweater, jodhpurs and black velvet cap, all from Lillywhites, photo by Maurice Tabard, Harper's Bazaar UK, January 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in cream poplin, gilt-buttoned shirt by Peter French, Gor-ray skirt, gilt coin-belt from Paris House, photo by Keith Ewart, Harper's Bazaar UK, January 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in filmy evening dress has a huge skirt of lavender tulle and bodice encrusted with sparkling bugle beads by Elizabeth Henry, white mink muff by Deanfield Furs, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper's Bazaar UK, February 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in full-skirted mushroom-pink taffeta coat, buttoned over a dinner dress of mushroom-colored sequined tulle by Hardy Amies, turban hat by Erik, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in green-flecked beige tweed suit, the jacket has a nipped-in waist and pleated skirt by Spectator Sports, photo by Richard Dormer with the Arab ponies at the circus, Harper's Bazaar UK, December 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in Lovat tweed suit, the jacket is nipped in at the sides and cut away in front with nig cuffed pockets and a dark carnation by Lachasse, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in reversible coat of blue-gray and white checks outside and plain blue-gray inside, scarf-collar fastens high or low like a stole by Rima, felt hat by R.M.Hats, photo by Richard Dormer at the Tate Gallery, November 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in reversible coat of maize-yellow wool and dark gray Persian lamb and Persian lamb beret by Bradleys, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, November 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in tangerine shantung dress whose graceful collar folds into a buttoned narrow skirt by Dorville, natural raffia hat and bag, photo by Richard Dormer, Malta, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly is wearing a long, hooded shirt to wear over a swimsuit, in heavy gray Italian cotton, patterned in red and black, at Simpson's, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, June 1951 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in a pagoda-dance dress that falls in tiers from a detachable pie-frill cape in pale lilac lace over bouffant tulle by Michael Sherard, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1952 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in assymetric white satin with navy dots on wide multiple-layered navy tulle background, navy tulle skirts the tight bodice as well, by Jean Patou, photo by Pottier, 1952 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in black raw silk afternoon dress by Madeleine de Rauch, jeweled clip by Roger Scèmama, L'Officiel, 1952 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in handsome suit of gray-and-white birdseye with rounded cabochon shoulders, stitched revers and stiffened basque by Lachasse, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1952 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in lace evening gown with taffeta stole that's attached to the skirt as a bow, by Germaine Lecomte, photo by Skilford, 1952 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in one-shouldered ball gown of ash-gray papery taffeta embossed with lace-patterned velvet medallions, the skirt wraps over to one side, by Victor Stiebel, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1952 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in pretty suit in navy-blue rep, with flowing full skirt and nip-waisted jacket by Spectator Sports, cloche with navy ribbon by R.M.Hats, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, July 1952 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in sea-green hopsack topcoat lined with beaver colored fur fabric over a suit with holster pockets by Hardy Amies, matching hat by Rose Vernier, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1952 |
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| Pat O'Reilly's coiffure is set in sculptured waves and curls brushed up the back in soft tendrils by Riché, jewelry from S.J. Phillips, photo by Alan Boyd, Harper's Bazaar UK, January 1952 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in beautiful dawn-blue tulle gown, the enormous skirt is composed of wide strands intricately interlaced in a basket weave by Pierre Balmain, photo by Sante Forlano at Balmain's salon, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1953 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in coarsely woven white coat with a deep neck and buttoned low worn over a black dress by Balenciaga, photo by Richard Dormer, Paris, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1953 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in lovely polka-dot embossed organza dress with a square neckline and black self-belt by Julian Rose, white straw hat by Jenny Fischer, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, May 1953 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in pale pink chiffon gown swagged like a curtain across each separate panel, by Jean Dessès, photo by Sante Forlano, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1953 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in red and brown tweed waistcoat suit, big pockets button down unto the narrow skirt which has a slit and a kick pleat by Country Life, tartan bag by Molmax, photo by Richard Dormer, Scotland, Harper's Bazaar UK, August 1953 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in tapering slacks of camel-hair and hooded 'boxer' sweater of buttercup-yellow ribbed wool, both by Jaeger, photo by Richard Dormer in Scotland, Harper's Bazaar UK, August 1953 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in thick column of heavy white satin cut into a mandarin jacket traced with golden flowers and berries worn over a narrow black dress by Balenciaga, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1953 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in tortoiseshell chiffon in intricate whorl of black, brown and beige, lined and closely fitted under a corselette sash of black satin with a high matching turban, by Jacques Fath, photo by Santo Forlano, September 1953 |