Joe’s Clients | Pilates History Research

Francis Scavullo

Famous fashion photographer, Francis Scavullo, photographed Ron Fletcher and his student and was also a student himself at Joe’s original NYC studio. In this 1970s article snippet, Scavullo mentions that John Winters was his teacher. Although he suggests that he put John Winters into his book, he did not.

Also interestingly, the article pictures Scavullo uses a rowing machine in his house. Too bad its not a reformer!

Images first shared 11/25/2023.

Francis Scavullo Photographer, article mention of John Winters.
Joseph Pilates client Elain Malbin opera singer

George Hoyningen-Huene

This is a collection of research photos from the archives of George Hoyningen-Huene, Joe Pilates’ student and the photographer for Return to Life Through Contrology. These images depict his reformer workout estimated from the late 1930’s-early 1940’s. I first learned of this collection through a comment made by pilates history researcher, Stacy Redfield, in a post on January 11, 2023 when Stacy mentioned her previous research of Huene’s collection at Harvard and suggested that they have a large number of photos from his personal pilates practice there. Thank you, Stacy.  Images first shared on 3/13/23.

George Hoyningen-Huene research photos pilates reformer archive collection contact sheet
George Hoyningen-Huene research photos pilates reformer archive collection contact sheet
George Hoyningen-Huene research photos pilates reformer archive collection contact sheet
George Hoyningen-Huene research photos pilates reformer archive collection contact sheet
George Hoyningen-Huene research photos pilates reformer archive collection contact sheet
George Hoyningen-Huene research photos pilates reformer archive collection contact sheet

Here are another two special photos from the archives of George Hoyningen-Huene at Harvard’s Houghton Library. These images are unique in that they depict George using a Bench Mat on the porch of what is believed to be on the front of Joe Pilates’ Berkshires studio, now owned by Sean Gallagher.  Images first shared on 3/13/23.

George Hoyningen-Huene on Bench Mat pilates history archives Harvard Houghton Library
George Hoyningen-Huene on Bench Mat pilates history archives Harvard Houghton Library
Joseph Pilates client Elain Malbin opera singer

Elaine Malbin 

Elaine Malbin appeared in multiple articles demonstrating Contrology with and for Joe. Here is an example of a photo from one of those articles. For my vast research on Elaine Malbin and her work with Joe, and to see most of the articles I have found depicting her, go to Joe Pilates Articles. Image first shared February 18, 2023.

Joseph Pilates client Nedda Casei

Nedda Casei

Nedda Casei was a famous opera singer of her time, one of Joe Pilates’ star students, and a regular model for articles about the pilates studio and method. Image first shared February 18, 2023.

Related topics: Joseph Pilates Articles

Roberta Peters

This article appeared in Life Magazine and was about Roberta Peters. It depicted her time in the studio with Joseph Pilates as well as a voice lesson with William Herman. Images first shared on 10/15/21.

Diva with Muscle Roberta Peters pilates archive article
Diva with Muscle Roberta Peters pilates archive article
Diva with Muscle Roberta Peters pilates archive article

Pepper Shaker

Pepper Shaker was one of a number of Burlesque performers who frequented Joe’s studio. I love how it says that she goes to her Contrology Class to “sharpen the use of her dynamic tensions.” Image first shared on 2/18/21.

Joe's Clients: Pepper Shaker

Evelyn Myers

Evelyn Myers was a popular burlesque performer who also modeled for Joe on the V-Bed. He used this photo for advertising his V-Bed invention and it appeared in newspapers. Images first shared on 3/31/21.

Evelyn Myers Apollo archive article
Evelyn Myers Billy Minsky archive article

Evelyn famously posed in Joe’s V-Bed for this news piece that ran in the papers in the 1930’s. Images first shared on 3/31/21.

Evelyn Myers Feature News Pictures archive article
Evelyn Myers bednasium archive article

Ruth St. Denis

Ruth St. Denis was an American dancer and choreographer, and one of the founders of modern dance. She was also married to Ted Shawn for a period of time, and was one of Joseph Pilates clients. Image first shared on 3/31/21.

Ruth St. Denis loveliest woman archive article

Thomas Gomez

Thomas Gomez was a performer and dance teacher. Image first shared on 3/31/21.

Thomas Gomez pilates client archive article

Tom Scott and Jorge Bolet

This article mentions two performers who reportedly went to Joe’s studio, Tom Scott and Jorge Bolet. Image first shared on 3/31/21.

Tom Scott and Jorge Bolet Pilates archive article

Roberta Peters

Roberta Peters is one of the most well known, famous clients of Joseph Pilates, primarily because she appeared in Life Magazine working out with Joe and Clara in the studio. She was also a student of William Herman. Image first shared on 3/31/21.

Roberta Peters Opera archive article

Jose Ferrer

Popular performer, Jose Ferrer (ex-husband of Rosemary Clooney), was a client of The Pilates Studio and also had a Bednasium in his dressing room on Broadway. This article vaguely alludes to the V-Bed that he had. Image first shared on 3/31/21.

Jose Ferrer pilates archive article

Elinor Ross

Elinor Ross was an opera singer and student of both William Herman and Joseph Pilates. In this article she mentions her time at The Pilates Studio. Images first shared on 3/31/21.

Elinor Ross pilates archive article
Elinor Ross pilates archive article

Jean Ellyn

Jean Ellyn was a famous radio voice of the 1940s. She was known for playing the role of a woman who suffered a perilous fate on radio shows of the times. The way I found out about Jean Ellyn was because I purchased a copy of the 1945 edition of Return to Life and there is an inscription inside written to Jean Ellyn from Joseph Pilates. When I researched who she was, I found the following articles. Images first shared on 3/31/21.

Jean Ellyn Return to Life Joe signature
Jean Ellyn "Valiant Lady" pilates archive article
Jean Ellyn pilates archive article
Jean Ellyn pilates archive article
Jean Ellyn pilates archive article
Jean Ellyn radio star pilates archive article
Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top