A Look back with Renée Simonsen

February 23, 2010 10:38 am

by Damien Neva

A couple times per month we will be sitting down with models from decades past to look back on their modeling careers. With the help of Patty Sicular, of the Ford Models’ classic division, we will bring you the story of the models that made history with Ford Models. ‒ Ford Models Blog Editor

Renée Simonsen of Denmark began her modeling career with Ford Models when in 1982 she won the Face of the Eighties model search, the predecessor to the Supermodel of the World competition. What began with an otherwise fortuitous entry into the international model search rapidly developed into a successful modeling career in print, runway, and television. Renée went into modeling with the hopes of earning enough money for university and achieved it by considerable distance. Covers of Vogue, magazine editorials, campaigns, Renée did it all throughout the decade. She left modeling at 24 and continued her studies. Today, mother of four, Renée is educated as a psychologist, works full time as a writer for magazine and newspapers, and has published over thirteen books mostly for children.

Look through Renée’s pictures, her countless Vogue covers, and even a Roxy Music album cover (The Atlantic Years: 1973-1980) and you can truly see the face of the 1980s.

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40 thoughts on “A Look back with Renée Simonsen”

Blogger Tia Walker on February 23, 2010 at 11:22 am said:

Love Renee Simonsen. I have many of those issues with her angel-like face on the cover, in crates with similar publications from that time in my bedroom! Renee Simonsen is the “personification” of FORD’s TOP MODEL status in the mid-eighties. Models of today should study her for her grace & beauty–she is definitely an icon.

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Carol Oliveto on February 23, 2010 at 11:34 am said:

Patty,
This is wonderful.
Thanks

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dore hammond on February 23, 2010 at 11:41 am said:

Thanks patty, Great to see such glamour!!

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Peter Marlowe on February 23, 2010 at 11:50 am said:

What a great idea to do “look backs” over models work and what they have done since modeling. Congratulations on setting the bar higher. Peter Marlowe.

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Marilyn Clark on February 23, 2010 at 11:51 am said:

Patty, What fun to see Renee’s gorgeous face. She’s a beauty. Thanks! Marilyn

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babette beatty on February 23, 2010 at 11:59 am said:

Patty ,Renee is gorgeous. Babette

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harry king on February 23, 2010 at 12:02 pm said:

how fabulous was she……….

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Wanda Brickner on February 23, 2010 at 12:11 pm said:

Thanks Patty!
I always loved her look, and always looked up to her. She is a TRUE beauty!

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Kathleen Patane on February 23, 2010 at 12:28 pm said:

Lovely retrospective ~ Renee was (and still is!) a great beauty!
Thanks Patty, for the walk back in time!
Kath

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pia gronning on February 23, 2010 at 1:51 pm said:

proud to be a fellow Dane.

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stan shaffer on February 23, 2010 at 2:05 pm said:

Lovely!!!
I need to find my photos of Renee…
Patty this is great…Stan

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Kim Charlton on February 23, 2010 at 2:23 pm said:

Dear Patty,
What a great idea of how to remember who the great beautys were! Joey always loved her as well. It was good to see her again at Jerry’s memorial. Thank you for sharing.
Kim

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Patty on February 23, 2010 at 8:57 pm said:

Hi Renee,
I was a booker on the ‘high board’ when you modelled with Ford
in the 1980′s… You were ususally working, but, the few times you visited the agency… YOU were one of the models, who we all thought was one of the most beautiful…Even in plain white t-shirt and denim skirt, you still looked like an Angel !!!
x
Patty

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barbara neumann on February 23, 2010 at 3:58 pm said:

the glory days!!!!

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Chad Deal on February 23, 2010 at 5:18 pm said:

Patty,
This is great. I am so thrilled to be back in contact with those associated with the Fashion Industry again after an absence of over 20 years. Good to be in contact with you again.
Lots of Love,
Chad

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Lauren Ackerman on February 23, 2010 at 5:26 pm said:

Beautiful photos, Patty! Thanks so much for sending this. Renee’s look really captured the spirit of the times in such a beautiful way!

Best,

Lauren

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Morgen on February 23, 2010 at 6:56 pm said:

Hi Patty!
Love, this! It’s great to know that women we ‘looked up to’ and were inspired by, have grown into wonderful Mother’s, Business Women & Real-Life-Role Models! I think you are on to something here! Not surprised! Love you! Morgen

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Rafat mahdi on February 23, 2010 at 7:19 pm said:

Patty,
Lovely pictures! What a great idea! As usual very well done !

Rafat

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anees mahdi on February 23, 2010 at 7:21 pm said:

Dear Patty,
You always come up with such fantastic ideas. Beautiful pictures of a beautiful model so well presented by a beautiful person. Thanks,

Anees

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laura on February 24, 2010 at 1:11 am said:

Patty, this is such a great idea….congratulations you really did a lovely honor for Renee. Not sure if you remember me but I rep’d Canada in the first Face of the 80′s. and worked with Ford in NY…. Bravo laura morton

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Linda Morand on February 24, 2010 at 1:58 am said:

How stunning. Thank you so much for presenting these great beauties and telling us their stories.

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GARETH GREEN on February 24, 2010 at 10:29 am said:

Patty,
I’ve always been a huge fan of Renee!!!!I miss seeing her so much. she is truly a ONE IN A BILLION MODELS!!! I would love to do an exclusive interview with her!! What a perfect way to start my day by seeing her!!!! thanks Patty!

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gabrielle on February 24, 2010 at 10:38 am said:

Dearest Patty ,
i never met Renee personaly and i admire her great beauty .
hope she has a happy life today .
thank you for caring so much about us .
gabrielle

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peggy palmer on February 24, 2010 at 11:52 am said:

Wow! Just a spectacular beauty!
Thankyou for sharing these beautiful photos of Renee!
xoxo
Peggy Palmer

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Julie Wolfe on February 24, 2010 at 7:34 pm said:

Thanks Patty- BEAUTIFUL- such a nice girl also- we went to Tokyo together for Bloomingdales and I never laughed so much! xxoo Julie

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renee toft simonsen on February 25, 2010 at 2:42 am said:

This is amazing, to read all these comments about myself. Very lovely though, and surprising not to say the least, its been so long…… thanks Patty – from Denmark with love

Renée

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- ATHENA TSITSI (GREECE) on August 18, 2010 at 4:14 am said:
  
  Love to say few truly words to Renne.
  My name is Athena 38years old from Athens.You are my icon. Obviously try to find a new face with your stracture but RENEE IS THE ONE AND ONLY. JUST IAM A FAN OF YOU WATCHING YOUR NEWS FROM DENMARK PLEASED TO KNOW YOUR FACE YOUR TALENTS AND YOUR CHARACTER (THROUGHT PRESS).
  
  LOVE ATHENA
  
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Michelle Larner on February 25, 2010 at 3:19 pm said:

So beautiful! One of my favorite models! I loved all those cover girl ads, I think I bought everything you had on! Studying those ads, helped me become a makeup artist today! Best Wishes! : )

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Sir Terance White on February 28, 2010 at 12:13 am said:

Renee, wherever you are, I send you my blessings. You have always been wonderful. Peace.

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dottie on March 1, 2010 at 9:06 am said:

Hi Patty, Although I never worked with or met Renee I so enjoyed the photos. They did bring me back to a wonderful time. The people above who commented also bring me back. How the hell are all of you? xoxo

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Glori Illames on March 1, 2010 at 9:47 am said:

Hi Patty,

Wow, I’m impressed! This is such a great idea. I think young girls that are looking to get into the industry would benefit from this and would love to see how the models from the past evolved. Awesome!

xoxoxo
Glori

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Alexandra on March 3, 2010 at 11:09 am said:

There is no one like Renée and thanks ever so much for remembering her. Usually she is forgotten in the reports about “model-comebacks” or “successful models over 40″, but the career she made is so interesting and impressive! There is really a life after a model career! ;-)

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Lynn Howland on March 3, 2010 at 1:20 pm said:

Hey Patty!
So enjoyable to remember that time…and admire such exquisite beauty! Renee was and…I am
sure still is…a lovely and intelligent woman! Thanks for putting together these glimpses into
the lives of the Ford Beauties!!!
Love,
~Lynn Howland

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Stephen Keyes on March 7, 2010 at 5:36 pm said:

Hi Patty. I used to draw her face from magazine covers when I was an art student back in the early 1980s.So beautiful! She was one of my alltime favorites along with Julie Wolfe. Thanks for this stroll down memory lane! Stephen

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Lauren on March 8, 2010 at 10:45 am said:

Stunning, stunning, stunning! Oh how I miss authentic beauty in the fashion industry. I wish the agencies would revisit what it means to be a model and not just some bizarre politically correct version of what is considered attractive. Ford ladies are goddesses.

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bradpittwantsme on March 24, 2010 at 8:02 am said:

Renee has always been the most beautiful model in the world. Then and now. Today’s models can’t hold a candle to Renee. Her face is stunning and I wish she were back full-time with Ford!

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Lottis on March 25, 2010 at 9:07 am said:

Thanks Patty for sharing parts of Renee,s extraordinary career. wow so beautiful she is. and smart ;)
xxx
Lottis

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May on July 20, 2010 at 12:12 am said:

I love Renee
I have been collecting for years now
I have a website
take a look
there is lots of new stuff on her
;o)

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Johanna on October 3, 2010 at 8:27 am said:

The most beautiful woman I have ever seen. With or without make-up.

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Kelly on January 9, 2011 at 12:55 am said:

So radiant – one of the greatest natural beauties of all time in my humble opinion. I’m happy to read that her life after modeling has been good.

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