Anything for Erwin Blumenfeld

Have you seen this 1939 photo for Vogue by Erwin Blumenfeld? It's what the Lady Dior handbag campaign with Marion Cotillard, shot by Peter Lindbergh, was based on (I'm assuming, it seems pretty obvious).

Considering the date and how things appear, it does make you wonder "Is she really standing out there with nothing but her hand to steady her?" Photography tricks were around then but they were more about cool effects such as surrealist works than creating realistic Photoshop-type imagery.

Model Lisa Fonssagrives did in fact go above and beyond the call of duty as she whooshed her skirt out dramatically over the edge of the Eiffel Tower with nothing between her and the ground but the fresh Paris air. Erwin Blumenfeld must have been an awfully charming man.

Here are more photos from the wonderful fashion photog and filmmaker:

Love this, can't find a date


Fashion collage, circa 1950s


Menina. Silver Gelatin print, 1936


Peony


Vogue, 1945


Flowers