Model industry icon Eileen Ford, who founded the Ford Modeling Agency, celebrated her 90th birthday at Le Cirque on Monday. Ford, who discovered and nurtured cover girls Rene Russo, Maude Adams, Janice Dickinson and Steve McQueen’s wife Barbara Minty, told 15 of her past protegees who had graced the pages of Seventeen and Vogue among other glossies: “It wasn’t easy for women in business when I first started, but I’m proud to have brought modeling to the next level. I’ve loved and protected all of you like my own children.” Le Cirque’s Sirio Maccioni arranged for the birthday girl’s cake. Among those applauding was Lady Liliana Cavendish.