obituary

Matriarch of one of Europe’s biggest modelling agencies who fought misogyny and built a reputation as the ‘best eyes in the business’

In 1965, Valerie Askew’s life was the epitome of drudgery. She had four children under five, lived in a crumbling London flat with no heating or hot water and had to manhandle a pram up four flights of stairs. Because her unemployed husband was half Indian, they could not find any decent accommodation from racist landlords. With no money, she took in sewing until her...In 1965, Valerie Askew’s life was the epitome of drudgery. She had four children under five...In 1965, Valerie Askew’s life was the epitome of drudgery. She had four children under five...