China Machado facts for kids

China Machado (born Noelie Dasouza Machado) was an amazing fashion model, editor, and TV producer. She was born on December 25, 1929, and passed away on December 18, 2016. China made history as the first non-white person to be featured in a major American fashion magazine. This happened in the February 1959 issue of Harper’s Bazaar.

China Machado's Amazing Life

Early Years and First Steps in Fashion

Noelie da Souza Machado was born in Shanghai, China. Her father was from Portuguese Macau and her mother was Chinese. Her family traveled a lot after World War II. They visited countries like Argentina, Peru, and Spain.

When she was 19, China moved to Paris, France. There, she found work as a model for the famous designer Hubert de Givenchy. She later modeled for other big names like Oleg Cassini and Balenciaga.

China once shared how she started modeling: "They thought I was filling in for a sick girl. So, they quickly put me in clothes and sent me into the room where they were showing the new collection. I didn't know much about modeling, so I just copied the girl in front of me. After the show, the wonderful Givenchy asked me if I wanted to join his group of models. That's how it all began!"

Becoming a Top Model

China worked for Givenchy for three years. During this time, she became the highest-paid runway model in Europe. She earned an amazing $1,000 a day!

In 1957, she married an actor named Martin LaSalle in Paris. They later moved to New York City. There, China met Diana Vreeland, a very important person in fashion. Through Diana, she met Richard Avedon, a famous photographer. China and Avedon became very close friends. She called him a "great mentor."

China and Martin had two daughters, Blanche and Emmanuelle. They later divorced in 1965. Richard Avedon once said China was "probably the most beautiful woman in the world." His photos of her were used in the historic February 1959 issue of Harper's Bazaar.

Life in New York and New Roles

China worked only for Avedon for three years. Then, he helped her get a job as a Senior Fashion Editor at Harper's Bazaar. She eventually became the Fashion Director there. She also explored other areas in publishing, fashion, and television. In 1989, she was added to the famous International Best Dressed List. This list recognizes people known for their great style.

Later Career and Legacy

In 1991, China Machado opened an art gallery in Watermill, New York. She decided to step away from the fashion industry for a while. Many famous photographers showed their work in her gallery. These included Hiro, Avedon, and Lillian Bassman. The gallery closed in 1998 when she retired.

However, China returned to modeling and the public eye when she was 82! She was featured in an article in W. She also had interviews in the Spanish and German editions of Vogue, The Sunday Telegraph, and New York. She even starred in an ad campaign for Cole Hann.

Her Personal Life

China Machado passed away on December 18, 2016. She was just a week shy of her 87th birthday. She died at Stony Brook University Hospital from a heart problem. She is remembered by her two daughters, Blanche and Emmanuelle, and her second husband, Riccardo Rosa.