During the same period, her twin sister Gloria Schiff was a major influence on fashion as editor for the American edition of Vogue magazine.
She grew up in Nova Scotia and was spotted as a potential model when she moved back to New York City with her mother and sister, appearing on the cover of Look magazine in 1945.
Through her choices in attire and in publishing, Crespi played a major role in influencing the fashion world and giving a boost to the careers of designers such as Fendi and Missoni.
In addition to her role as editor of Italian Vogue, Crespi's appearances at social events such as the Black and White Ball thrown by Truman Capote in 1966 were widely reported.
[2] In a best-dressed list published in 1958 by the New York Dress Institute, Crespi was ranked third, behind the Duchess of Windsor, but ahead of Queen Elizabeth II in fourth place and Audrey Hepburn in fifth.