Gelatin silver print, 22.5 16.7 cm.

Im just a good clothes hanger, said Fonssagives-Penn when she was on the cover ofTimein September 1949. and the story was really about this so-called billion-dollar babys success, as measured by her hourly rate.

These are images that had been given to the model by the photographers with whom she worked.

Image may contain Lisa Fonssagrives Adult Person Wedding Dancing Leisure Activities Clothing Dress Face and Head

Attributed to George Platt Lynes, “Volutes” jacket in carbon blue jersey and white leather by Elsa Schiaparelli, 1937. Gelatin silver print, 22.5 × 16.7 cm.

Some of them, being variations of images that ran inVogueor other publications, might be familiar.

Her path to modeling was through dance.

After studying the art in Berlin, Fonssagrives returned home to teach herself.

Image may contain Lisa Fonssagrives Dancing Leisure Activities Person Adult Performer Solo Performance Face and Head

Fernand Fonssagrives,Élan,Noirmoutier beach, France, 1935. Gelatin silver print, 35.2×27.7 cm. Collection MEP, Paris. From the Tom Penn Archive.

It was there she met and married Fonssagrives, a fellow dancer.

She recalled, They asked me to do a test with Horst and I arrived terrified.

I had never seen a fashion magazine; I didnt know what fashion was.

Image may contain Lisa Fonssagrives Photography Face Head Person Portrait Clothing Coat Plant Tree and Formal Wear

Fernand Fonssagrives, Untitled, 1935-1939. Gelatin silver print, 34.2×26.5 cm. Collection MEP, Paris. From the Tom Penn Archive.

It was very hard work!

But there were benefitsfor the model and the rest of us.

Together they went on to create some of fashions most indelible images.

Image may contain Photography Face Head Person Portrait Adult Clothing Knitwear Sweater Mortar Shell and Weapon

Erwin Blumenfeld, evening cape by Weill in white ermine, on the Eiffel Tower, forVogueFrance, May 1939. Gelatin silver print, 28.3×21.8 cm. Promised gift from the Tom Penn Archive.

Fernand Fonssagrives,Elan,Noirmoutier beach, France, 1935.

Gelatin silver print, 35.227.7 cm.

Collection MEP, Paris.

Image may contain Dancing Leisure Activities Person Face Head and Dance Pose

Fernand Fonssagrives, Untitles, 1940s. Gelatin silver print, 35.2 × 27.6 cm. From the Tom Penn Archive.

From the Tom Penn Archive.

Fernand Fonssagrives, Untitled, 1935-1939.

Gelatin silver print, 34.226.5 cm.

Image may contain Lisa Fonssagrives Clothing Dress Fashion Formal Wear Gown Wedding Wedding Gown Adult and Person

Louise Dahl-Wolfe, untitled, circa 1946. Chromogenic development print, 35.2 × 28.6 cm. Promised gift of the Tom Penn Archive.

Collection MEP, Paris.

From the Tom Penn Archive.

Gelatin silver print, 28.321.8 cm.

Image may contain Lisa Fonssagrives Person Clothing Pants Brush Device Tool Footwear Shoe and Jeans

Irving Penn, Untitled. (Color varianteVogue,August 1, 1949.) Gelatin silver print, 22.6 × 19.2 cm. From the Tom Penn Archive.

Promised gift from the Tom Penn Archive.

Fernand Fonssagrives, Untitles, 1940s.

Gelatin silver print, 35.2 27.6 cm.

Image may contain Lisa Fonssagrives Clothing Dress Formal Wear Evening Dress Fashion Gown Adult Person and Wedding

Irving Penn, dress by Antonio del Castillo pour Lanvin. Color variant published on the November 1, 1949 cover ofVogue.Gelatin silver print, 25 × 20.2 cm. From the Tom Penn Archive.

From the Tom Penn Archive.

Louise Dahl-Wolfe, untitled, circa 1946.

Chromogenic development print, 35.2 28.6 cm.

Promised gift of the Tom Penn Archive.

Irving Penn, Untitled.

(Color varianteVogue,August 1, 1949.)

Gelatin silver print, 22.6 19.2 cm.

From the Tom Penn Archive.

Irving Penn, dress by Antonio del Castillo pour Lanvin.

Color variant published on the November 1, 1949 cover ofVogue.Gelatin silver print, 25 20.2 cm.

From the Tom Penn Archive.