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Vogue, 1952 -

Frances McLaughlin-Gill was the first woman ever to sign a contract as a photographer with Vogue, this in 1943 when she was only 24 years old.

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Vogue, 1952 -

Before that, she was a finalist in Vogue's Prix de Paris competition for young photographers.

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Jackie Kennedy, 1948 -

Her submission was this photo of then 18-year-old Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, who would later become First Lady of the United States.

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Vogue, 1952 -

She worked as a stylist and a photographer's assistant in her early twenties, and was mentored by the famous female photographer Toni Frissell.

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Vogue, 1952 -

She got her big break when Frissell introduced her to Vogue's art director, Alexander Liberman, who was immediately impressed with her.

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Glamour, 1957 -

Liberman was said to be somewhat unimpressed with fashion. His aim was to inject "the grit of life into this artificial world."

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Glamour, 1960 -

McLaughlin-Gill's youthful, spontaneous style was exactly what he was looking for.

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Glamour, 1958 -

She started out with Vogue's junior magazine, Glamour, which was aimed at a younger audience. She went on to do photo shoots for Vogue and many other reputable publications.

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Glamour 1947 -

Prior to the rise of Frances McLaughlin-Gill, magazine covers were rather stilted. The poses were formal and there was a strict format to adhere to.

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Glamour 1954 -

McLaughlin-Gill created a new style that spoke to the young American woman. The poses were dynamic and the women had confidence and personality. 

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Vogue, 1956 -

She also diversified the settings for the photo shoots and showed the models in action. She placed women in modern, everyday settings, which made them more accessible to readers.

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Glamour, 1954 -

As her career took off and she began to redefine fashion photography, she had the opportunity to shoot many celebrities of the era.

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Grace Kelly, 1955 -

Here McLaughlin-Gill shot the incredible Grace Kelly for the cover of Glamour in 1955.

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Gloria Vanderbilt, 1944 -

She also photographed the famous heiress of the Vanderbilt family. Gloria Vanderbilt was an artist, actress, author, and fashion designer.

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Cole Porter, 1955 -

Cole Porter was one of the best-known composers and lyricists of the 20th century. He wrote the song 'I've Got You Under My Skin,' famously sung by Frank Sinatra.

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George Bush Sr. and family, 1950 -

This candid outdoor shot shows future US president George H.W. Bush with his wife Barbara and daughter Pauline. His son, another future US president, George W. Bush leans on the horse.

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Michael Redgrave, 1956 -

Sir Michael Scudamore Redgrave was an actor and director, as well as a member of the Redgrave acting dynasty. His daughter, Vanessa Redgrave, was one of the biggest stars of her time.

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Kaye Ballard, 1954 -

Kaye Ballard was a famous singer and actress, as well as being one of the earliest female comedians.

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Rex Harrison, 1952 -

Actor Rex Harrison was photographed for Vogue with his wife in 1952. He's known for his starring roles in 'Dr. Doolittle' and 'My Fair Lady.'

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Barbara Mullen, 1953 -

McLaughlin-Gill photographed actress Barbara Mullen for fashion editorials on multiple occasions. This street shot is a fine example of McLaughlin-Gill's ability to capture a unique moment. It looks more like a still from a movie than a page from Vogue!

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Glamour, 1960 -

McLaughlin-Gill said that she preferred to cast models who could act, as they were able to capture a filmic quality that inspired her. She wanted models who could improvise within the situations that she created for them. Her work told a story in a way that hadn't been seen before.

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Glamour, 1952 -

Fashion photographs tend to become outdated very quickly, but McLaughlin-Gill's work is the exception.

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Glamour, 1961 -

Even though the clothing and makeup styles are instantly recognizable as belonging to a different era, the composition, poses, and style haven't changed all that much.

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Glamour, 1962 -

The freedom in her work makes it somewhat timeless. Thanks to the cycle of fashion, photos like this one are similar to what you find in Vogue today!

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Vogue, 1961 -

She carried on contributing to Vogue and other magazines into the '60s, but went on to become an accomplished director of TV commercials, an author, and a teacher. She died a fashion legend at the age of 95, this in 2014.

For a more candid look at vintage fashion, check out these rare photos of major celebrities backstage.

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