Lauren Bacall, with her mezmerizing eyes and deep, sultry voice, was a one-of-a-kind grande-dame. She epitomized the quintessential film noire woman, with a genorous hint of danger and an unsurpassed cool factor. When she walked in any room, whether it be on set or in everyday life, she could ignite the desire of any mortal man… even Humphrey Bogart. There was a power to her type of charismatic beauty yet at the same time she exuded grace and charm. She was born to be an icon. 

As a teenager she was working as a department store model when she was spotted by fashion legend Diana Vreeland, then editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar. Just one year later Bacall debuted on the magazine’s cover at the age of 17. She was styled as a Red Cross nurse, with red lips, a sultry expression, and what soon became her signature glamorous waves.

Hollywood director Howard Hawks saw the issue, brought her out to Los Angeles and created the lead role in To Have and Have Not for the young model. Hawks risk paid off and the duo of Bacall and Bogart was a hit, both professionally and personally. “You do know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve?” she famously told him in that first movie. “You just put your lips together and … blow.”

The two starred together in three more films, The Big Sleep, Dark Passage, and Key Largo. At age 21 Bacall married Bogart, and the two were together until his death in 1957. It was Bacall who coined the famous phrase ‘Rat Pack’.

The star had a handful of signature looks throughout the years. She was a lover of jumpsuits, draping dress-shirts and high-wasted trousers, cutout dresses and bandeau tops. Even in the 40’s she was baring her midriff in the most sophisticated, yet playful, ensembles. She was friendly with many great designers including Pierre Cardin,Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Paul Gaultier, to name a few. She loved glamour, yet was perfectly at home lounging on a sailboat with the boys.

It’s impossible not to be intrigued by her effortless presence and mysterious, tilted eyes. She will forever be lauded as one of the true great screen legends of Hollywood’s Golden Age.