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Donna Jordan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Donna Jordan (born 1950) is an American model and actress. Dubbed the "Disco Marilyn," she is best known as a Warhol superstar. Jordan was also one of "Antonio’s Girls," a muse of fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez, and a muse of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.[1]

Life and career

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Donna Jordan was working as a sales girl in New York when she was discovered at a park by fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez.[2][3] She had "buck teeth and mousey brown hair," he recalled.[4] Her signature look was created by makeup artist Corey Tippin, who bleached her hair platinum blonde, shaved her eyebrows, and applied bold makeup, which was then dramatized by Lopez in his illustrations.[5] "Antonio had his eye on Donna and we transformed her," said Tippin.[5]

In 1970, Jordan joined artist Andy Warhol's milieu at the Factory and became a visible personality in his entourage. Jordan co-starred with her friend, Warhol superstar Jane Forth, in the film L'Amour (1972).[6] Filming took place in Paris in the fall of 1970, and Jordan stayed there once it was over.[7][5] While in Paris, Warhol and his crew befriended fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.[6] Jordan became Lagerfeld's favorite model, wearing the designs he made for Chloé.[2] In the spring of 1971, Jordan accompanied Warhol to Hollywood and was interviewed by Regis Philbin on Tempo, Los Angeles Channel 9.[8]

Jordan was an in-demand Wilhelmina model, much desired for her vintage style and electric personality.[6][1] She posed for renowned photographers such as Helmut Newton, Guy Bourdin, and Oliviero Toscani.[9] Dubbed the "Disco Marilyn," she appeared on the front covers of Vogue Italia and Vogue Paris.[10] Her favorite moniker, "Queen of Kitsch," was mirrored in the eccentric outfits she assembled.[2][11] Yves Saint Laurent's Spring 1971 collection was reported to have been inspired in part by Jordan's 1940s fashion.[12][13] "She is The Courageous Fashionable," declared fashion designer Halston.[13]

By 1974, Jordan had relocated to Milan, where she owned a boutique and modeled.[14][15] She appeared in a controversial but lucrative advertisement campaign for Jesus Jeans.[16] The first billboard featured Jordan in front, from the waist to her thighs, with her pants' zipper open. "Though shalt have no other jeans but me" was the slogan.[14] The second billboard with the slogan "Whoever loves me, follows me," showed Jordan from the backside in high-waisted shorts that were cut by her then-boyfriend, photographer Oliviero Toscani.[17][16] She later worked as an editor of Glamour magazine's Italian edition.[18]

In 2010, Jordan and her daughter Kate Ballo modeled resort 2011 looks for Organic by John Patrick.[19][20] In 2018, Jordan was reunited with model Pat Cleveland to celebrate fashion designer Kenzo Takada.[21] Jordan was chosen as one of the 100 celebrated women to cover the September 2020 issue of Vogue Italia.[22]

Jordan resides in the United States and owns an organic food store.[17]

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b Donna Jordan. Ongoing exhibit. Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh.
  2. ^ a b c Monique (May 31, 1972). "She goes platinum, finds gold". Daily News. New York. p. 56.
  3. ^ Backman, Melvin (October 22, 2019). "Fashion Illustrator Antonio Lopez Sketched His Dreams—and Made Fashion Reality". GQ. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  4. ^ Corbett, Patricia (February 2, 1976). "Illustrator prefers functional fashions". Syracuse Herald-Journal. p. 15.
  5. ^ a b c Padilha, Roger (2012). Antonio Lopez: Fashion, Art, Sex & Disco. New York: Rizzoli. pp. 146–149, 153. ISBN 978-0-8478-3792-2.
  6. ^ a b c Christy, Marian (February 7, 1971). "Andy Warhol doesn't trust you". The Boston Globe. pp. 76–A. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  7. ^ Gopnik, Blake (2020). Warhol. New York, NY: Ecco. pp. 721–722. ISBN 978-0-06-229839-3.
  8. ^ Hallowell, John (June 27, 1971). "Mr. Warhol Comes to Hollywood". The Los Angeles Times West Magazine. pp. 7–10, 12–13. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  9. ^ Colacello, Bob (July 1975). "Out". Interview. 5 (7): 43.
  10. ^ Maurice Kavanagh (September 13, 2015). "Donna Jordan, among the Most Influential Models of All Time |". Agnautacouture.com. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  11. ^ Cunningham, Bill (November 24, 1971). "Paris babes stage a kitschy coup". Daily News. New York. pp. 9C.
  12. ^ Fury, Alexander (February 17, 2017). "Ten Looks That Defined Yves Saint Laurent". T Magazine.
  13. ^ a b Christy, Marian (March 23, 1971). "New troops for Halston's tents". The Boston Globe. p. 19. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  14. ^ a b "'Jesus jean' ads cause Italian furor". The Albuquerque Tribune. April 17, 1974. pp. D-1.
  15. ^ "Who loves me, follows me. - Art & Glamour Magazine". Art & Glamour Magazine. December 2, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Storia e successo di Jesus Jeans, il denim più clamoroso della storia". Harper's BAZAAR (in Italian). May 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Ecco Se L'Hanno Seguita". Oggi: 41–42. May 25, 2023.
  18. ^ Jordan, Donna (April 4, 1978). "Italian join the army". Daily News. New York. p. 36.
  19. ^ Yaeger, Lynn (June 17, 2010). "A Look at Resort 2011: Organic, as Worn by Donna Jordan and Her Daughter". Vogue. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  20. ^ "Organic by John Patrick Resort 2011 Fashion Show". Vogue. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  21. ^ Glass, Joshua (January 31, 2018). "Pat Cleveland and Donna Jordan relive Kenzo's glory days". Document Journal. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  22. ^ Italia, Vogue (August 27, 2020). "Vogue Italia's September issue: the 100 covers". Vogue Italia (in Italian). Retrieved November 21, 2024.
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