Mystery model who inspired Duran Duran's 'Rio' album cover identified 42 years later – and she had no idea

Model Marcie Hunt said she danced to “Rio” at her wedding but didn't know a fashion spread she did in 1981 inspired the famous album cover.

In 1982, Duran Duran took the world by storm with Rio, an album that featured hits like “Hungry Like the Wolf” and the title track. But for decades, the identity of the dark-haired beauty who graced the album cover remained a mystery.

Forty-two years later, a dedicated fan account has tracked down the model who inspired this art – and it's news to her!

On June 8, an Instagram account called Patrick Nagel Arts revealed that they had finally found the modeling photo that inspired illustrator Patrick Nagel to create the cover art for Rio.

The source of the image was an editorial by fashion designer Angelo Tarlazzi that appeared in the February 1981 issue of Vogue Paris, and model Marcie Hunt wore a black hat, red lipstick and yellow sunglasses.

Although Nagel, who died in 1984 at the age of 38, took some creative liberties in creating the Rio cover, as if ditching the hat and sunglasses, the resemblance was unmistakable, and his technical art assistant Barry Hahn confirmed the discovery to the owner of the Instagram account.

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“We suspect the model and possibly the band Duran Duran had no idea Nagel was influenced and used this image to create the cover for their musical masterpiece Rio,” the caption reads , which credits user @nagel_angel with making the discovery. “He certainly changed a lot of things, including taking off his glasses, but he obviously loved his smile. And that smile has been an iconic part of Duran Duran history for decades.

Duran Duran eventually reposted the Instagram, adding: “WOW!”

This eventually caught the attention of Hunt herself, who commented on the group's post saying she didn't know her photo was the inspiration, but was a longtime Duran Duran fan.

“It's so cool! I had absolutely no idea until now that this photo of me was being used for the Rio cover,” she wrote. “Very exciting! I love Duran Duran and often danced to their music in the 80s. And later at my husband Tom's house and at my wedding. Thank you all for your wonderful comments. And yes, I am still in life !

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Hunt then shared a longer post on the Instagram account she runs for her Dos Lagos wine company, and said “Rio” played at her wedding almost 31 years ago.

“Always so impressed with the tours and the music that Duran Duran has created and continues to create. So amazing!❤️ Many thanks to the illustrator of this album cover, Patrick Nagel, who is no longer with us,” she wrote. “And now Barry Hahn, her technical assistant who confirmed that the cover and smile are inspired by this photo.

Rio was Duran Duran's second album. The group composed of Simon Le Bon, Roger Taylor, John Taylor and Nick Rhodes has released its 16th album. Dance of Death in October.

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