Occasionally we sit 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
Sunny Griffin modeled for Ford Models between 1962 and 1980. The Maryland native had always wanted to be an actress and after graduating university she went to New York in search of work. In the final year of her undergraduate studies she was selected by Glamour magazine as one of the ten best dressed college girls in America in 1962 — the previous year’s top ten included one Martha Stewart. Once in New York Sunny scheduled an appointment at the Ford Models agency and by the time she made it into Eileen Ford‘s office one late afternoon, she was made to wait an hour whilst Mrs. Ford took a call from model Suzy Parker. When Mrs. Ford eventually ended the call, however she told Sunny to go into the next room to meet booker Jane Halloran. Once there Sunny was asked to fill out cards with her name, phone number, and sizes and told to phone the agency every morning, noon, and night for bookings. Long story short, Sunny was now a Ford Model!
Over the years Sunny worked with a number of photographers during her career including Jimmy Moore, Bill Helburn, Francisco Scavullo, Neil Barr, Joel Brodsky, Bob Richardson, Norman Parkinson, and more. She recalls fondly the editorial shoots she did for Harper’s Bazaar as well as campaigns for Kayser, Celanese, DuPont, Jack Winter, Russ, Virginia Slims, Kay Windsor, Clairol, and Avon. Sunny also starred in the 1969 motion picture John and Mary alongside Dustin Hoffman and Mia Farrow.
Today Sunny has a natural botanical skincare line called Astara Skin Care. She is the mother of two children and lives with her husband of six years in Telluride.
Slide Show
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Sunny Griffin | Good Housekeeping 1964 -
Sunny Griffin -
Sunny Griffin | Celanese Acetate -
Sunny Griffin | Harper -
Sunny Griffin -
Sunny Griffin -
Sunny Griffin | Vogue Pattern Book April/May 1967 -
Sunny Griffin | Harper -
Sunny Griffin | Harper -
Sunny Griffin | Avon -
Sunny Griffin | Family Circle 1972 -
Sunny Griffin | Harper -
Sunny Griffin | Harper -
Sunny Griffin | Avon
What a wonderful beauty Sunny!!!
breath taking..
hi beautiful Sunny ,
i hope you are as happy as you are beautiful .
greetings from sunny Mexico from one of your glamour sisters of the past.
Gabrielle
Hi Gabrielle,
How wonderful to hear from you. I still see wonderful photos of you from time to time. Are you still modeling? Do you live in Mexico now?
Sunny
HI Sunny,
I started as a booker the year that you left 1980 – I’m glad we got to meet and work on this project together… You are a great beauty, and a great model that all could aspire to …
Love,
x
Patty
And I remember you as beautiful in Little Dix Bay, Working with Hiro.
XX Gideon
OMG Gideon!!! How the heck are you? Do you remember the nude photo Hiro did of me in the ocean very early one morning when we were in Little Dix Bay? I am really into raw food and am doing a website of raw recipes and am thinking of calling it “Sunny in the Raw” and using that photo. I hope Hiro won’t mind.
Through out Fashion decades from 60′s to 70′s you can see how far this field has changed in history…
The main thing I get out of these posts of yester-year’s models are how current they look: Sunny could easily be a model today and would do very well. So despite the trends, a beautiful girl is a beautiful girl is a beautiful girl, and they never go out style.
I remember you -not only as beautiful but as a good friend to work with -strong and smart -always with some ideas to talk about- and I’m not suprized at all that you came up with the best skin-care products that I’ve EVER had!!!- Anyone that has’nt tried them -DO!-it made my old prune feet into peaches in two days! And my face as shiny as a teenagers…Love her!Ulla Andersson
so nice to see you again = I remember so well our time together at Ford and your wonderful career —- Love to
you and so glad to share these special memories … Sue
Dear Sunny,
Such beautiful photographs!
What wonderful memories we have of our modeling days. How fun it would be to see you again. I wish you continued success!
Love and Best Wishes,
Martha
Hi Martha,
I would so love to see you. We worked together soooo much. Are you going to the Ford/Nina Blanchard reunion in L.A. in July?
Hi Sunny – so fun to see your beautiful photos. I just remember you as the most down to earth girl- so friendly and helpful to newcomers-a kindness I will always be grateful for.
Love, Susie
She’s gorgeous! I love the throwback prints too, these are some great photos.
Thank you so much for featuring Sunny Griffin. I have always loved her look. She is amazingly beautiful still and her skincare products are wonderful. I received a package of them from a friend for my birthday last year. Sunny was very helpful in starting miniMadMOD60s in the beginning, lending her image and name to the project.
Hi Sunny! The Harper’s Bazaar tears could be in any of our current magazines..The shots are stunning…Thankyou for sharing this with us, It’s a great legacy to pass on..
Joy Bell
Sunny is so the right name for that great gal!
Her photos really exude the real Sunny!!
Always beautiful and fun and always up!
Happy to see these beautiful pictures!
xoxo
Peggy Palmer
I cannot begin to say how thrilled and honored I am. Thank you Patti and Fords, and thank you all for your wonderful comments. It is so great to hear from old friends and new.
Sincerely, Sunny Griffin
WoW!
We’ve been best friends since the 60′s… I do love ya.
You are still sexy and beautiful.
and Steven is a keeper.
You will always be my favorite cousin. You get more beautiful every year…both inside and outside. Wishing you success with your business and much joy in your new home. Love to all.
i love it
also i have a1940 s VOGUE is been with me sines i have 7 years old
yes Sunny ,i live in Mexico at the lake chapala , but travel the world .
i still get offers to work but have not since 2005 .
i do not need to anyway . life is good !!
hugs to you
Gabrielle
I worked with you on “John and Mary” and am a former Breck girl and would like some information on the reunion. Please get in touch with me regarding the reunion. Susan Berr
Hi Sunny, Since I have seen you recently I can confirm that you are as beautiful and glamorous as ever and you still have your Lovely, youthful smile. Looking at these photographs brings back so many memories and reminds me of many parties, often hosted by you. You are amazing! We miss you now that we rarely visit Telluride. Please call us when you come to NYC. Love to Stephen. Helaine Carlin
Sunny…I remember being a pre-teen and seeing you in this commercial that said Curlers In Your Hair…Shame On You”..that was you, rigth? Have loved your look and style for years!
Hi Sunny, I stumbled across these pictures on the internet. They bring back memories of when Priscilla and I got to know you after we met at Club Med in Martinique in 1971. We had some good times together at our place and in your homes on Park Ave., Westport and Frenchtown. Kerry and Kelly must be in their 40′s by now. Wow – how time has flown by. Hope you are well and enjoying life. — Sol
Sunny: I remember you at Hood College in the 1960s. We played “Under Milkwood” I was a GI at Ft Detrick,Md. What a beautiful life you are living! Jerry Knowlton