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Bjornson, Karen (1952-)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1952-

Biography

Karen Bjornson is a fashion model who has worked in the industry for about 40 years. Born and raised in the Midwestern U.S., Bjornson began modeling in the 1970s when Halston hired her and she became a "house muse." Along with a few other chosen models, Bjornson traveled the world with Halston. The designer was not greedy and encouraged the young model to walk for other designers. Bjornson retired in 1989 to raise her daughters but returned to the runway in 2002, walking for Ralph Rucci. After the Rucci show, Bjornson rejoined the Ford Models agency and has continued to model.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Karen Bjornson, 1973

 Item
Identifier: SC.387.1.16
Scope and Contents

Framed black and white photograph of model Karen Bjornson at the Grande Divertissements à Versailles.

Dates: 1973

Karen Bjornson interview, 2010 April 8, 2010 April 8

 Item
Identifier: SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.13
Scope and Contents

Karen Trivette interviews model Karen Bjornson for the Ford Model oral histories series. The interview explores Bjornson’s start in modeling, her interaction with Wilhelmina right out of high school, and even shares her personal romantic life. Bjornson discusses her most memorable modeling experiences and what it was like to work with designers such as Halston and Ralph Rucci.

Dates: 2010 April 8

Nancy North photographs and sketches, 1973

 Collection
Identifier: SC.387
Scope and Contents This collections is comprised of seventeen (17) 18x16" black and white framed photographs by Bill Cunninham taken at the Grand Divertissement à Versailles in 1973. Persons featured in photographs include Marisa Berenson, Karen Bjornson, Alva Chinn, Dennis Christopher, Pat Cleveland, Bill Dugan, Heidi Lieberfarb, China Machado, Nancy North, Chris Royer, Ramona Saunders, and Andy Warhol. Also included in the collection are twenty-five (25) 17 x 11" original marker sketches by Halston and a...
Dates: 1973