Lucien Lelong: The Savior of Parisian Haute Couture

Lucien Lelong (1889–1958) was a visionary French couturier and a monumental figure in the history of haute couture, best known for his impeccable craftsmanship and his heroic leadership during World War II.

As the president of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne during the Nazi occupation of France, Lelong famously defied the German authorities’ attempt to move the entire Parisian fashion industry to Berlin, arguing that “it is in Paris that couture is created, or it is nowhere.” Beyond his diplomacy, he was a pioneer in business, being one of the first designers to create a successful line of luxury perfumes and a high-end ready-to-wear (prêt-à-porter) collection, which democratized fashion without sacrificing elegance.

While Lelong was not the primary illustrator of his house, he acted as a brilliant artistic director who mentored legendary designers like Christian Dior, Pierre Balmain, and Hubert de Givenchy, forever cementing his influence on the “New Look” and the future of global fashion.

Model wearing Rose Descat hat, and beaver-trimmed coat and scarf, both by Lucien Lelong, photo by George Hoyningen-Huene, 1932

Natalie Paley modelling for husband, designer Lucien Lelong, photo by Horst, French Vogue studio, Paris, 1934

Cora Hemmet in evening gown by Lucien Lelong, jewelry by Cartier, photo by Horst P. Horst, 1935

Louise Sheldon in evening gown by Lucien Lelong, photo by Horst P. Horst, 1936

Princess Nathalie Paley wearing a Persian lamb bolero, a three-quarter-length wool dress by Lucien Lelong, and a striped hat by Reboux, photo by André Durst, Vogue, December 1936

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Some Amazing Polaroid Shots of Donna Summer

Donna Summer (born LaDonna Adrian Gaines, December 31, 1948 – May 17, 2012) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress—widely celebrated as the “Queen of Disco.” She was one of the most influential artists of the 1970s and a key figure in shaping modern dance and electronic pop music.

Summer rose to global fame with the 1975 hit “Love to Love You Baby” and the groundbreaking electronic track “I Feel Love” (1977), often cited as the origin of synth-pop and techno. She was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200. She achieved four No. 1 singles within a single year (1979).

Beyond disco, she excelled in rock, R&B, and gospel. She was the first Black artist to win a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female (for “Hot Stuff” in 1979). Following the “disco backlash,” she successfully transitioned into new wave and pop, releasing the working-class anthem “She Works Hard for the Money” (1983). 

Summer sold an estimated 100 to 140 million records worldwide. A five-time Grammy Award winner, she was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. She was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy in 2024.

In December 2025, she was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognizing her work co-writing 8 of her 10 biggest hits.

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20 Amazing Photos of Gong Li on the Set of “Raise the Red Lantern” (1991)

In the 1991 masterpiece Raise the Red Lantern, Gong Li delivers what is widely considered one of the greatest performances in world cinema. Playing the lead character, Songlian, she portrays a 19-year-old educated woman forced to become the “Fourth Mistress” (concubine) of a wealthy merchant in 1920s China.

Gong Li’s performance is noted for its “haunting” quality, tracing Songlian’s shift from a defiant, self-possessed young woman into a victim broken by a rigid patriarchal system. Her character initially believes she can navigate the system with her education and pride. However, she becomes trapped in a “deadly snake pit” of competition with the other three wives for their husband's favor—symbolized by the lighting of the red lanterns and the privilege of a foot massage.

Gong Li represents a “tragic victim” who unintentionally becomes an executioner for other innocent victims within the house, eventually descending into madness as the cruelty of the household rituals takes its toll.

The film uses “penetrating close-ups” of Gong Li to convey her emotional isolation and internal struggle. This was the second major collaboration between Gong Li and director Zhang Yimou, following Red Sorghum, and it remains one of their most critically acclaimed works.

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Daniela Bianchi: Elegance and Charm in 1960s Cinema

Born 1942 in Rome, Daniela Bianchi is an Italian actress best known for her iconic role as Tatiana Romanova, the beautiful Soviet corporal and love interest of James Bond, in the 1963 film From Russia with Love.

Before her rise to international fame, Bianchi was a professional ballet dancer and a successful fashion model, finishing as the first runner-up in the Miss Universe 1960 pageant. Her portrayal of Romanova is often cited as one of the most memorable “Bond Girl” performances, characterized by a perfect blend of elegance, vulnerability, and classic cinematic charm.

Despite the massive success of the Bond franchise, Bianchi chose to retire from the film industry in 1970 after marrying a prominent Italian shipping tycoon, leaving behind a brief but luminous legacy as one of the definitive beauties of 1960s European cinema.

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Rare Photos of a Very Young Anthony Hopkins During His Time in the British Army

Before he became the legendary face of Hannibal Lecter or Odin, a young Philip Anthony Hopkins served his country as a soldier in the British Army. His service took place during the twilight of the National Service era, just before he launched into the formal acting training that would define his life. He completed two years of mandatory National Service in the British Army from 1958 to 1960. He served in the Royal Artillery and was officially known as 23449720 Gunner Hopkins.

Having graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in 1957, Hopkins was called up for his mandatory two-year National Service. For a young man who was a gifted pianist and a “dreamer” who struggled with traditional academics, the transition to the disciplined environment of the Royal Artillery was a stark contrast.

Hopkins has often noted that he wasn’t naturally suited for the rigid, "no-nonsense” structure of the military. However, he has reflected that the experience instilled a sense of discipline and “standing up straight” that mirrored the advice of his father, a hard-working baker from Port Talbot.

Even while serving, his passion for performance remained. Upon his demobilization in 1960, he didn’t return to a “standard” trade; instead, he made his professional stage debut in Swansea in a play titled Have a Cigarette.

His time in the army acted as a bridge between his early studies in Wales and his move to London, where he won a scholarship to the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 1961.

Though his military career was brief, Hopkins would later return to the uniform many times on screen. His real-life experience as a “Gunner” likely informed his portrayals of high-ranking military figures, such as Lt. Col. John Frost in A Bridge Too Far (1977) and Captain William Bligh in The Bounty (1984).

The 1902 Panhard et Levassor Type A2: A Pioneer of Modern Engineering

The 1902 Panhard et Levassor Type A2 stands as a pivotal milestone in automotive history, representing the era when the automobile began to move away from the “horseless carriage” design toward a more modern architecture.

As one of the premier French manufacturers of the early 20th century, Panhard et Levassor utilized the revolutionary Système Panhard, which placed the engine at the front of the vehicle and used a rear-wheel-drive configuration, a layout that would become the industry standard for decades. The Type A2 was typically powered by a Centaure two-cylinder engine, producing around 5 to 7 horsepower, which was sufficient to propel the elegant wooden-spoke-wheeled vehicle at modest speeds.

Often featuring a “Tonneau” body style with rear-entry seating, the A2 was not only a feat of engineering but also a symbol of luxury and status during the dawn of the motoring age. Below is a collection of amazing photos of the 1902 Panhard et Levassor Type A2.

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40 Funny Photos of Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance in “Chris's New Year's Eve Party” (1962)

Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance in “Chris’s New Year's Eve Party” (1962), the fourteenth episode of the first season of The Lucy Show. It first aired December 31, 1962 on CBS. When her daughter Chris’s party is a flop, Lucy and Viv revive it with their silent movie sketch featuring Lucy as Charlie Chaplin. Not exactly a full scale show, it is still performed for an audience – Chris’s teenage friends.

Chris exacts a promise from Lucy that she can throw a New Year’s Eve party without Lucy’s interference. Neighbor, Harry Connors is pressed into service to chaperone the party, leaving Lucy and Viv on their own for the night.

Lucy and Viv take the boys to the Elm Tree Inn to stay out of Chris’ way. After a sweet but dull dinner with the boys, Viv’s boyfriend, Eddie, drops by to tell them that the party is a disaster and Chris needs their help.

Everyone rushes home to help. Lucy, with assistance from Viv and Harry, entertains Chris’ guests with a Charlie Chaplin routine that ushers in the New Year with great success. Photographer Ralph Crane captured this performance in a series of black and white photographs for LIFE magazine:

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