Claude Virgin: Elegant Fashion Photography of Mid-Century Britain

Claude Virgin (1928–2006) was an American-born British fashion photographer known for his elegant and influential work in the 1950s and ’60s. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he moved to New York and later settled in Britain, where he became a leading contributor to British Vogue.

Renowned for his refined sense of style and ability to capture the essence of British fashion and culture, Virgin’s photographs combined sophistication with a natural, effortless grace. His images helped shape the visual identity of postwar British fashion photography and left a significant mark on the industry during the golden era of magazine photography.

These sophisticated fashion photographs by Claude Virgin beautifully capture the refined elegance and timeless style of mid-century British fashion.

Simone d'Aillencourt in sequined dress by Frederick Starke, photo by Claude Virgin, Vogue, September 1958

Jennifer Hocking in in brown and gray tweed houndstooth coat over a brown gray blend tweed suit, both by Jaeger, photo by Claude Virgin, Vogue UK, October 1958

Nancy Egerton in the "hairdryer hat", a transparent black bell of organdie gathered in the back in a black-leaved white-petaled rose by Rudolph, photo by Claude Virgin, British Vogue, 1958

Fashion photo by Claude Virgin, Vogue UK, December 1959

Fashion photo by Claude Virgin, Vogue UK, December 1959

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Some Adorable Photos of a Young Jennifer Lopez at High Shool

Before becoming a global superstar, Jennifer Lopez attended Preston High School, an all-girls private Catholic school located in the Bronx, New York, graduating in 1987. During her high school years, she was a dedicated student-athlete and performer, establishing the foundations of her legendary multi-hyphenate career.

Lopez frequently refers to herself as a “tomboy jock” during her youth. Her athletic background was extensive: She competed in middle-distance running events (such as the 800m and 1,500m) at a national level. She even famously claimed to have run a blazing 4:49 mile. She trained as a gymnast, which heavily aided her high-energy choreography skills later in life. She was an active member of the school’s varsity softball team.

Alongside sports, her passion for the entertainment industry began developing right on the high school stage: She actively participated in the school’s musical theater program. She landed a major lead role in a high school production of the musical Godspell, where she sang “Day by Day.”

“I remember watching Rita Moreno in West Side Story and going, ‘That’s what I want to do. I want to sing and I want to dance and I want to act,’” she said.

Upon graduating from Preston High School, she briefly took up a job at a law office and attended Baruch College for a single semester. She ultimately decided to drop out to pursue full-time dance training, which paved the way for her breakout gig as a “Fly Girl” dancer on In Living Color.

Jehan Georges Vibert: Master of Satirical Ecclesiastical Art

Jehan Georges Vibert (1840–1902) was a prominent French academic painter and illustrator, best known for his witty, satirical, and highly detailed depictions of ecclesiastical life.

A master of genre painting, Vibert specialized in humorous scenes featuring cardinals, monks, and clergy in lavish settings, often poking gentle fun at the opulence and human foibles of the Catholic Church. His works are characterized by rich colors, meticulous attention to textures, and a narrative quality that blends realism with subtle humor.

Widely popular in both Europe and America during the late 19th century, Vibert’s paintings remain admired for their technical brilliance and clever social commentary on religious institutions of his time. These masterful paintings showcase Jehan Georges Vibert’s brilliant wit and technical skill, offering delightful glimpses into the opulent yet human world of the 19th-century clergy.

The Fortune Teller

A Night Class

A Plate of Cakes

A Secret Letter

A Tasty Treat

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34 Stunning Photographs of a Young and Beautiful Stephanie Seymour Taken by Arthur Elgort in the 1980s

Stephanie Seymour (born July 23, 1968) is an American model and actress. During the 1980s and 1990s, she was one of the most popular supermodels, being featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and on the cover of Vogue, as well as being a former Victoria’s Secret Angel. She had a book published about beauty tips and has participated in advertising campaigns for clothing and cosmetic products.

Arthur Elgort photographed Seymour extensively for Vogue in the mid-to-late 1980s (notably 1986–1989), during her rise as a supermodel. Elgort’s signature style—relaxed, candid “snapshot” aesthetics with natural light, movement, and real-world or studio settings that felt alive—suited Seymour’s youthful, versatile look perfectly. He broke from stiff, overly posed studio work by encouraging models to move freely, often shooting outdoors or in dynamic indoor setups.

Elgort rarely asked models to freeze in rigid, geometric poses. Instead, he shot Seymour in motion—laughing, walking, balancing on furniture, or interacting with her surroundings. Moving out of dark studio spaces, Elgort favored open air, city streets, cafes, and natural daylight. This gave Seymour’s portraits a fresh, sunlit warmth rather than a heavy, artificial polish.

While the clothing remained central to Vogue and commercial assignments, Elgort prioritized Seymour’s natural vitality, athletic posture, and expressive charisma. This emphasis on individual persona was key to birth of the 1980s and 1990s “supermodel” phenomenon. Using lighter, mobile camera setups, Elgort worked quickly, capturing split-second candid reactions between formal takes, moments that often became the final chosen editorial shots.

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Rare Photos of 18-Year-Old Slash at His Home in LA, California in 1983

In 1983, Saul Hudson, better known as Slash, was just 18 years old and still a few years away from global fame with Guns N’ Roses. At that time, he was living in Los Angeles and actively immersed in the local rock scene. He had recently taken up the guitar seriously, having started in his mid-teens after a brief stint on BMX bikes.

Around this time, Slash formed a band with Steven Adler and Duff McKagan called Road Crew, inspired by the Motörhead song “We Are The Road Crew.” The band struggled to find a singer and ultimately disbanded, but it laid the groundwork for future collaborations. The main riff for what would become Guns N’ Roses’ “Rocket Queen” was reportedly written during this period.

Slash was intensely dedicated to playing guitar, often practicing for up to 12 hours a day. He was influenced by bands like Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith, and teachers helped him refine his skills. He was also reportedly playing a B.C. Rich electric guitar and a handmade Les Paul copy around this time.

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Joan Shawlee: Classic Comedienne of Hollywood’s Golden Age

Joan Shawlee (1926–1987) was an American actress and comedienne known for her distinctive voice, sharp wit, and memorable supporting roles in classic films and television.

Often cast as brassy, sassy, or comedic characters, Shawlee is best remembered for her appearances in several Billy Wilder films, including The Apartment (1960) and Some Like It Hot (1959), where she played Sweet Sue, the tough-talking leader of the all-girl band.

With her bold personality and reliable comic timing, Shawlee brought energy and humor to dozens of films and TV shows throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, making her a familiar and beloved face in Hollywood’s Golden Age. These vintage photos capture the bold personality and sharp charm of Joan Shawlee, a memorable supporting actress known for her witty roles in classic films.

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James Brothers and Charles Fletcher Taylor in a 1867 Photograph

In this striking photograph taken around 1867 by C.C. Giers in Nashville, Tennessee, Frank and Jesse James sit beside their fellow Confederate guerrilla, Fletch Taylor. It is an image steeped in the lingering shadows of the Civil War, a visual testament to three young men forged by violence and vengeance. Frank, dressed in a Confederate uniform, carries a composed, almost intellectual air, hinting at his earlier life as a student of classical literature before turning to the Southern cause. Beside him, Jesse, wearing a light hat and bearing a youthful, defiant expression, already projects the restless energy that would soon define his legend. He was barely out of his teens, yet seasoned by war.

Frank James, dressed in a Confederate uniform (seated), posed with younger brother Jesse (in light-colored hat) and guerrilla comrade Fletch Taylor in this circa 1867 photograph taken by C.C. Giers of Nashville, Tennessee.

The bond between the three men runs deeper than blood or friendship, it was forged in fire. During the Civil War, they served in Missouri’s guerrilla bands under notorious leaders like William Quantrill and “Bloody” Bill Anderson, engaging in raids marked by extreme violence and deep personal stakes. Fletch Taylor, seated with a calm yet worn demeanor, had lost an arm in a failed ambush, a permanent reminder of the life they led. Their loyalty to each other and to the Confederate cause was unshakable, even as the South fell and the formal conflict ended. The photograph is more than a portrait; it’s a glimpse into the psyche of men shaped by a war that was as much about ideology as it was about revenge and survival.

Although the war had ended by the time this image was taken, its emotional and political residue clung to these men. For Frank and Jesse James, peace brought no closure, only new enemies and fresh grievances. Disillusioned and embittered by the Union's victory and the treatment of former Confederates during Reconstruction, the James brothers viewed their turn to outlawry not as crime, but as continued resistance. Bank robberies and train heists became acts of rebellion, framed in their minds as justified blows against a system they believed had betrayed them. This rare photograph captures them at a pivotal moment—still young, not yet outlaws in the public eye, but standing at the threshold of infamy.