Elegant Fashion and Advertising Photography by Jerry Plucer-Sarna in the 1940s

Jerry Plucer-Sarna was a multi-talented artist and photographer known for his work in fashion and advertising. Born in 1904, he began his career as an illustrator in Paris, creating drawings for publications like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. His work for these magazines caught the attention of editors, leading to him becoming a full-time collaborator.

In the 1940s, as photography became more prominent in fashion, Plucer-Sarna transitioned from illustration to photography. He was noted for his innovative approach, shooting models in real-world settings rather than just in a studio. His subjects included famous figures like Marlene Dietrich and Lauren Bacall.

After the war, Plucer-Sarna continued to work in both photography and painting, focusing on advertising campaigns for major brands. He later returned to France and continued his artistic pursuits until his death in 1991. Take a look at these vintage photos to see Jerry Plucer-Sarna’s fashion and advertising work from the 1940s.

Elise Daniels and model in Everfast cotton dresses, photo by Jerry Plucer, Harper's Bazaar, April 1945

Lisa Fonssagrives in supple Onondaga crêpe dress in a ballerina print styled by Philip A. Vogelman, dress and hat by Ben Reig, photo by Jerry Plucer, Vogue, February 1, 1945

Model in contrasting light and dark Enka rayon and crêpe dress by ETA, photo by Jerry Plucer, Harper's Bazaar, February 1945

Model in lovely portrait dress in a Ponemah rayon in Cat Tail print designed by Louise Barnes Gallagher for Bonwit Teller, photo by Jerry Plucer, Vogue, February 15, 1945

Models in beautiful Everfast fabric dresses by Joset Walker, photo by Jerry Plucer, Harper's Bazaar, May 1945

Model in beautiful Stonecutter fabric gown, jewelry by Lacritz, Inc. photo by Jerry Plucer, Vogue, February 1, 1946

Model in lovely evening dress of Everfast by Adele Simpson, photo by Jerry Plucer, Harper's Bazaar, April 1946

Model in pure wool twill suit by Swansdown, photo by Jerry Plucer, Harper's Bazaar, January 1946

Natalie Paine in awning-striped Everfast cotton dress, photo by Jerry Plucer, Harper's Bazaar, May 1946

Revlon's new color "Bachelors' Carnation", Bernardo sandals designed for Revlon by B. Rudofsky, photo by Jerry Plucer, Vogue, June 1, 1946

Dorian Leigh in Enka rayon crêpe dress with molded torso and stitched pleated skirt by Martini, hat by Jeanne Tête, photo by Jerry Plucer, Harper's Bazaar, October 1947

Dorian Leigh in Ponemah Spoven ply fabric print dress and matching gloves by Pattullo, photo by Jerry Plucer, Vogue, April 1, 1947

Inga Lindgren in draped dress of Ponemah Spoven fabric by Adele Simpson, photo by Jerry Plucer, Harper's Bazaar, March 1947

Inga Lindgren in lovely Stonecutter's misty, sheer rayon gown tossed with twinkling silver sequins by Foxbrownie, photo by Jerry Plucer, Vogue, April 1, 1947

Model in a slim black town dress in rayon faille with drapery at the shoulder and waist, a Milgrim original, hat by John Frederics, photo by Jerry Plucer, Vogue, June 1, 1947

Model in black melton suit, the hip-length jacket edged in Persian lamb over a straight skirt from B. Altman & Co., photo by Jerry Plucer, Harper's Bazaar, October 1947

Model in Everfast Bahamian plaid playsuit by Claire McCardell, photo by Jerry Plucer, Harper's Bazaar, January 1947

Model in Everfast cotton print playdress by B.H.Wragge, photo by Jerry Plucer, Harper's Bazaar, May 1947

Model in lovely late-day dress of gossamer nylon in brown or black at B. Altman & Co., photo by Jerry Plucer, Vogue, November 15, 1947

Model in Stonecutter's rich wool-and-rayon bengaline suit by Larry Aldrich, hat by Mme. Reine, photo by Jerry Plucer, Vogue, February 1, 1947

Barbara Mullen in a rayon summer suit-dress by Arkin-Zweig, hat by Mary Goodfellow, photo by Jerry Plucer, Vogue, May 1, 1948

Model in an Everfast cotton Batik print dress by Ted Shore, photo by Jerry Plucer, Vogue, May 1, 1948

Model in Everfast cotton batik-print play dress by Mary Stevens, photo by Jerry Plucer, Vogue, February 1948