Born 1911 in New York, Betty McLauchlen was one of the top models of the 1940s, appearing as a cover model for
Vogue on 12 occasions. She was born and raised in New York, and was of half Irish and half Hungarian Jewish descent. She went on to become one of the top “Powers Girls” at John Robert Powers modeling agency – the first modeling agency in the world.
After her modeling career ended, McLauchlen became editor of
Glamour. She was married three times – first to Robert R. Elias, who managed hotels and restaurants. She had son Robert Elias Jr. with him. After they split, she married James Downey. Her son Robert took his stepfather’s last name and became Robert Downey. He later dubbed himself Robert Downey Sr., a director, screenwriter, and actor who is the father of actor Robert Downey Jr.
At some point, McLauchlen went on to marry Richard John Dorso and was known as Betty Dorso, becoming half proprietor of “Dorso’s” boutique in Beverly Hills. She died in 2002 in Los Angeles, California. Take a look at these glamorous photos to see fashion portraits of Betty McLauchlen from the 1940s.
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| Betty McLauchlen in and original design by Nettie Rosenstein, jewelry by Paul Flato, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Vogue, September 15, 1940 |
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| Betty McLauchlen in a bare-rib dress with a sarong skirt wrapping the legs in a figure eight by Charles James, jewelry by Cartier, photo by Martin Munkacsi, Harper’s Bazaar, January 1940 |
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| Betty McLauchlen in a beautiful dinner dress and jacket at I. Magnin & Co., Vogue, September 15, 1940 |
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| Betty McLauchlen in a beautiful evening gown from Milgrim, photo by Forbath & Rejane, Harper’s Bazaar, November 1940 |
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| Betty McLauchlen in a two-way hostess dress with divided skirt in front an full skirt in back, in Crown Tested Rayon Crêpe with gold kid piping at Saks Fifth Avenue, Vogue, December 1, 1940 |
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