Sondra Lipton

Sondra Lipton is a former fashion model from New York City, whofound a second career as a painter.

Dancer

She attended Julia Richman High School and the School of American Ballet 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. ["The Dance:Ballads", New York Times, May 2, 1948, Page 83.]

Fashion Model

At 19 shewas 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 largeteeth. In January 1949 she modelled designs by Fira Benenson at the Pierre Hotel for a New York Heart Association Benefit. ["New Styles Bring A Touch Of Spring", New York Times, January 27, 1949, Page 26.] In November 1960 she was one of thirteen successful models selected to represent Mannequin, a new modelling agency in New York City. ["A Baker's Dozen of Slim Beauties Set to Model High Fashions", New York Times, November 16, 1960, Page 46.] Lipton worked on fashion runways for twenty years. In 1964 she modelled a new religious habit designed by Sybil Connolly ata Sisters of Mercy convention. From Dublin, Ireland, Connollywas one of the most prominent names in international high fashion. She worked on the project for two and a half years. ["Nuns Order New Habit By Irish Designer", Corpus Christi Caller-Times, November 28, 1965, Page 73.]

To relax during her modelling career Lipton began to study sculpture at New York University. Sculptor Joe Eula once loaned her his studio but shebegan 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) apartment. She began painting in 1963. A typical day for her wasspent 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."She Used to Model but Now She Paints",
New York Times, November 6, 1969, Page 52.]

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 namedScarboro. 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. ["Shop Talk:Mix and Match Napery", New York Times, January 30, 1976, Page 49.]

References

External links

* [http://sondraliptonart.com/ Sondra Lipton] Art.com