Portrait of Genia DE GORLENKO
Photography
Inventory number
2026.4.24.6.PH.FA.C1933.FRDescription
Photographic studio portrait of Genia DE GORLENKO posing for the House of France Vraiment. She is shown standing in a three-quarter pose against a plain studio backdrop, her body turned slightly to the side and her head shown in profile. One hand is raised delicately toward the lips, while the other is held near the shoulder. Her hair is arranged in an elaborate coiffure, lifted from the face and gathered at the back, with a smooth rolled section falling toward the nape.Genia wears a long evening gown with a fitted bodice and a softly rounded V-shaped neckline. Over the upper part is worn a short, close-fitting jacket with long sleeves. At the front of the jacket, a large floral appliqué is arranged diagonally near the neckline, composed of clustered blossoms and leaves. The dress descends into a full-length skirt, fitted through the hips and then widening gently toward the hem, where the fabric falls in broad, fluid folds and extends slightly behind the figure. The entire surface of the gown is decorated with a vegetal pattern, including scrolling stems, leaves, and sweet-pea-like pods and blossoms.
Génia de GORLENKO, vicomtesse de CASTEX (Ukrainian, Saint-Petersburg 1908 — 1965 Paris) was a slavic-born French mannequin, considered one of the most accomplished figures of the Paris couture world during the interwar period. Born into the distinguished Ukrainian noble family of GORLENKO, she was the daughter of Paul GORLENKO (1877–1953) and the sister of Galina de GORLENKO, baronne DELWIG, likewise a noted mannequin. Following the Russian Revolution, both sisters emigrated to France, where Génia began her modeling career in 1926. She worked for leading couture houses including Maggy ROUFF and is reported to have worked for Lucien LELONG, where her natural ability to present garments with exceptional grace made her a favourite among designers. On 26 February 1943 she married Marie Maurice Jules "Gérard" de CASTEX, vicomte de Castex (1911–1979), in Chaville, Hauts-de-Seine, assuming the title of vicomtesse, the couple divorced on 16 March 1962. Later that same year, on 28 June 1962, she married Bernard Marie Léon BARBIER (1907–1990) in Paris. A significant photographic archive documenting her career was preserved by her sister Galina in their later years.
Material
Analog photographyOrigin
circa 1933 France, ParisDimensions
Length : 19.3 cmHeight : 27.3 cm