A Young Cindy Crawford Photographed by Barry Elz in Studio, 1985

In 1985, Cindy Crawford was not yet a global household name. She was still a student at Northwestern University (studying chemical engineering) and working primarily out of the Chicago fashion scene. Barry Elz was one of the first professional photographers to recognize Crawford’s potential. He worked with her frequently during this period, helping her build the portfolio that would eventually catch the eye of major agencies in New York.

Taken in 1985 by Elz, this series of images is a window into the mid-80s aesthetic and Crawford’s early career in Chicago. This shoot occurred just as the industry was shifting away from the delicate, “waif-like” looks of the late 1970s toward the more powerful, curvy, and athletic presence that Crawford came to personify. The use of high-contrast black and white, along with the visible film borders, gives the photo a “test shoot” or “raw” quality. It highlights the transition from commercial catalog work to high-fashion editorial.

Interestingly, in many early shoots from 1984–1985, editors would occasionally airbrush out her famous beauty mark. Barry Elz was among those who captured her more naturally, allowing her unique features to stand out.

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Merle Lynn: The Vogue Muse Who Became a Novelist

Merle Lynn was a distinguished high-fashion model who became a prominent face of the early 1960s couture scene. Born in February 1943, she possessed a refined elegance that captured the attention of legendary photographers like Richard Dormer and Guy Bourdin, appearing in prestigious publications such as Paris Vogue and the Vogue Pattern Book.

Beyond her success on the runway and in beauty campaigns for brands like Estée Lauder, Lynn revealed a creative depth that extended into the literary world. Writing under the name Merle Lynn Browne, she authored novels including The Ravishers and The Arousers, often collaborating with her husband, the New York Times best-selling novelist Gerald A. Browne.

Her journey from a high-fashion muse in Paris to a published author remains a testament to her multifaceted talent. She shares a quiet, creative life with her husband in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Merle Lynn, make-up for eyes 'Evening Star' and nail polish 'White Frost' by Estee Lauder, photo by Guy Bourdin, Paris Vogue, December 1966

Merle Lynn in worsted twill dress by Susan Small, photo by Richard Rutledge, Harper's Bazaar UK, April 1966

Merle Lynn in apres-ski felt jacket with diamond pattern by Hermès, photo by Jean Louis Guégan, 1965

Merle Lynn in metallic dress with short St.Gall metallic lace bolero by Yves Saint Laurent, photo by Tom Kublin, 1965

Merle Lynn in beautiful evening dress of white silk jersey with a high waist, long floating panels on each side and one in back worn as a loose cowl hood by Patricia at Aldo Bruno, photo by Bill King, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1966

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“Grunge is Dead / Diet Grrrl” – Kurt Cobain With Frances Bean at Their Hollywood Heights Home in 1992

This series of photographs captures a remarkably tender and domestic side of Kurt Cobain, contrasting sharply with the “Grungy King” persona often projected by the media at the time. Taken in October 1992, these images by Stephen Sweet offer a rare glimpse into the Cobains’ private life shortly after the birth of Frances Bean.

At this point in 1992, Nirvana was the biggest band in the world, and the media scrutiny surrounding Kurt and Courtney Love was reaching a fever pitch. The shoot took place at their home on Alta Loma Road in West Hollywood. Many of the shots feature Kurt holding a weeks-old Frances Bean, looking exhausted but visibly enamored. These photos stripped away the artifice of rock stardom, showing a young father in a quiet, domestic setting.

Stephen Sweet’s work from this day is frequently cited as some of the most “human” documentation of Cobain. They serve as a poignant reminder of his life outside of the music industry, focusing on his role as a father during a brief period of relative domestic peace.

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Mich: The Master of the Belle Époque Poster

Michel Liebeaux (1881–1923), better known by his artistic pseudonym Mich, was a prominent French poster artist and caricaturist who defined the visual energy of the early 20th century.

Renowned for his bold, spirited depictions of the burgeoning automobile and bicycle industries, Mich had a unique talent for capturing motion and character with minimalist, sweeping lines. His work for major brands like Michelin and various cycling firms often featured humorous, elongated figures that exuded a sense of “Belle Époque” charm and modern speed.

Beyond commercial advertising, his caricatures of high-society figures in sports and maritime circles remains a vital historical record of French social life. Today, Mich is celebrated as a pioneer of the modern graphic poster, a master who could sell a lifestyle through a single, witty stroke of his pen.

Clément Cycles et Automobiles, circa 1900

La Biciyclette... J B Louvet, circa 1900

"...pourvu que j'aie un Pneu Vélo Continental", 1900

Biciclette Bianchi, le migliori, 1900

"En Automobile Botiaux... Lune de Miel", La Vie Parisienne, 1905

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Portrait of Theo Van Gogh, Taken in 2004, Was Captured the Same Year He Was Murdered

This photo of Theo van Gogh, taken in 2004, was captured the same year he was murdered. A great-grandson of Vincent van Gogh’s brother, Theo, he was killed on November 2, 2004, by a radical Islamist for his controversial film Submission, which criticized the treatment of women in Islam.

At approximately 9 a.m. on the morning of November 2, 2004, Van Gogh was shot several times and had his throat slit while cycling to work. The perpetrator, 26-year-old Dutch-Moroccan citizen Mohammed Bouyeri, also injured some bystanders and left a note pinned to Van Gogh’s stomach with a knife containing death threats to Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who went into hiding. The note also threatened Western countries and Jews, and referred to ideologies of the Egyptian organization Jama’at al-Muslimin.

Bouyeri was apprehended by police after a chase. Authorities alleged that he had terrorist ties with the Dutch Islamist Hofstad Network. He was charged with the attempted murder of several police officers and bystanders, illegal possession of a firearm, and conspiring to murder others, including Hirsi Ali. He was convicted at trial on July 26, 2005, and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. The murder sparked outrage and grief throughout the Netherlands. Flowers, notes, drawings and other expressions of mourning were left at the scene of the murder.

The primary motive for the murder was Van Gogh’s 2004 short film, Submission. The film, written by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, criticized the treatment of women in Islam and featured scenes of Quranic verses written on the bodies of women. This work was deeply offensive to some religious extremists and led to the fatal retaliation. 

Van Gogh’s murder had a profound impact on Dutch society, sparking intense national debates over freedom of speech, multiculturalism, and the integration of immigrants. It is often cited as a turning point that ended an era of perceived “tolerance” in the Netherlands regarding radical religious ideologies.

Photos of 18-Year-Old Charlize Theron Posing as Marilyn Monroe in 1993

In 1993, Charlize Theron, then an 18-year-old model, posed as Marilyn Monroe for the French magazine Madame Figaro. At the time, she was modeling throughout Europe after winning a modeling contract in Italy. The photo shoot was a tribute to the iconic actress, and Theron was praised for her ability to capture Monroe’s sensual and glamorous poses.

The year after the photo shoot, Theron moved to Los Angeles on a one-way ticket to pursue a career in acting, with the goal of becoming more than just a model. She eventually landed her first major speaking role in 2 Days in the Valley in 1996 and her breakout film in 1997 with The Devil’s Advocate.

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Jean Peters: Hollywood’s Most Private Leading Lady

Jean Peters was a captivating presence in 1950s Hollywood, known for her earthy beauty and remarkable versatility.

Unlike many of her contemporaries who sought the spotlight, Peters was famously private, often preferring roles that showcased her strength and intelligence over simple glamour. She delivered unforgettable performances in films like the gritty noir Pickup on South Street and the sweeping historical drama Viva Zapata!, where she held her own alongside Marlon Brando.

Despite her rising stardom, her acting career was relatively short-lived, Peters largely stepped away from the cameras following her high-profile marriage to the eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes. She is remembered as a performer of refined talent and quiet dignity, a woman who commanded the screen with a natural, unforced charisma that felt modern ahead of its time.

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