Doris VanSchoyck

Appeared on cover of Life magazine

Doris Van Schoyck, a fashion model who enjoyed later renown as a handbag designer, died Friday.

Mrs. Van Schoyck, a 54-year resident of Franklin Lakes, was 90.

As Doris Bryn, the Ohio native graced the covers of national magazines in the '40s and '50s. She modeled "strange looking garments" called leotards on the cover of Life in September 1943 and also appeared on Cosmopolitan, Look and Ladies Home Journal.

In an advertising spread for Camay soap, the radiant Mrs. Van Schoyck wore a bridal gown and enthused over the wonders of mild Camay: "I've been getting the most thrilling compliments about my complexion."

Mrs. Van Schoyck began her business career while still a cover girl. She and her husband, Roger Van Schoyck, whom she met at the University of Cincinnati, launched the Roger Van S. line of handbags and accessories. Mrs. Van Schoyck, who went by Mrs. Roger Van S. during this phase of her career, was the chief designer at the company, which had manufacturing operations in Paterson.

Lord & Taylor, B. Altman, Neiman-Marcus and other major department stores sold Roger Van S. handbags through the 1960s. In 1966, Mrs. Van Schoyck received a handbag designing award from the Leather Industries of America.

Today, Roger Van S. handbags are coveted by collectors of vintage clothing.

Doris and Roger Van Schoyck were a loving and inseparable team, said their son Peter. They sold Bergen County real estate together for many years after they stopped creating handbags.

Mrs. Van Schoyck is survived by her children, Stephen Van Schoyck of Langhorne, Pa., Peter Van Schoyck of Glen Rock, Sandra Ferrer of Franklin Lakes and Judy Van Schoyck of Malibu, Calif.; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her husband died in 2007.

Visiting is Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Vander Plaat-Vermeulen Memorial Home, Franklin Lakes. The funeral Mass will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at Most Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, followed by burial in Christ the King Cemetery, both in Franklin Lakes.

E-mail: levin@northjersey.com