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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

Serge Balkin was an award-winning fashion photographer. He worked for Conde Nast Publications for more than twenty years. His photographs were also published in some of the most famous fashion photography magazines, such as Vogue, Glamour, and House & Garden. He captured street scenes, celebrity portraits, fashion spreads, and interiors with a sense Street mediacy and elegance, using both black & white and color film.

Balkin opened a studio for advertising photography ‘Studio Associates Inc.’ with photographers Fredrich Baker, Constantin Joffé, and Herbert Matter in 1950. He was also known for his marriage to one of the first female Life magazines photographers, Nina Leen. Balkin passed away in 1990 at the age of 84.

Serge Balkin took these stunning photos of classic beauties in the 1940s.

#1 Model in a double-breasted navy blue suit from a Vogue pattern, photo by Serge Balkin, Vogue, October 1944

Model in a double-breasted navy blue suit from a Vogue pattern, photo by Serge Balkin, Vogue, October 1944

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#2 Actress Carole Landis wears a short-sleeved blue dress from a Vogue Pattern together with matching gloves and John Frederics veiled hat, 1945

Actress Carole Landis wears a short-sleeved blue dress from a Vogue Pattern together with matching gloves and John Frederics veiled hat, 1945

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#3 Bijou Barrington in grass-green shantung dress with slot neckline, unpressed pleats, Coro pin, Vogue belts, Glamour, 1945

Bijou Barrington in grass-green shantung dress with slot neckline, unpressed pleats, Coro pin, Vogue belts, Glamour, 1945

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#4 Model is wearing fisherman blue beach-suit with green belt by Carolyn Schnurer, 1945

Model is wearing fisherman blue beach-suit with green belt by Carolyn Schnurer, 1945

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#5 Model is wearing knotted-fringe beach stole of unbleached printed muslin by June Groff, Vogue, January 1945

Model is wearing knotted-fringe beach stole of unbleached printed muslin by June Groff, Vogue, January 1945

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#6 Model is wearing mattress ticking capri pants with red trim together with sleeveless turtleneck from Hi-Dee, Vogue, April 1945

Model is wearing mattress ticking capri pants with red trim together with sleeveless turtleneck from Hi-Dee, Vogue, April 1945

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#7 Model wearing gray V-midriff swim suit with polka-dot ascot, by Claire McCardell, 1945

Model wearing gray V-midriff swim suit with polka-dot ascot, by Claire McCardell, 1945

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#8 Charlotte Payne in long brown jersey blouse, Farnsworth Black Watch plaid skirt, both by Tilly Schanzer, Glamour, 1946

Charlotte Payne in long brown jersey blouse, Farnsworth Black Watch plaid skirt, both by Tilly Schanzer, Glamour, 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#9 Charlotte Payne wearing white trench coat of Russian ermine from Reine, 1946

Charlotte Payne wearing white trench coat of Russian ermine from Reine, 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#10 Dorian Leigh in robin’s egg blue dress with bows on top of bare arms, gathered skirt, gold belt by Belt Creations, gold sandals by J & J Slater, jewelry by Hattie Carnegie, Glamour, 1946

Dorian Leigh in robin’s egg blue dress with bows on top of bare arms, gathered skirt, gold belt by Belt Creations, gold sandals by J & J Slater, jewelry by Hattie Carnegie, Glamour, 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#11 Fashion, Vogue, December 1946

Fashion, Vogue, December 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#12 Fashion photo of batik-style print summer wear, Vogue, December 1, 1946

Fashion photo of batik-style print summer wear, Vogue, December 1, 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#13 Lily Carlson wearing long white stole of Russian ermine and Russian fox, Vogue, August 1946

Lily Carlson wearing long white stole of Russian ermine and Russian fox, Vogue, August 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#14 Model in backless beach-dress, 1946

Model in backless beach-dress, 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#15 Model in cocoa, short-sleeved blouse and beige skirt, wide leather belt with gold buttons by Criterion, gold sandals, 1946

Model in cocoa, short-sleeved blouse and beige skirt, wide leather belt with gold buttons by Criterion, gold sandals, 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#16 Model in corduroy white scoop-necked blouse with white skirt, both by Korday, Glamour, 1946

Model in corduroy white scoop-necked blouse with white skirt, both by Korday, Glamour, 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#17 Model is wearing batik printed shirt over white shorts, 1946

Model is wearing batik printed shirt over white shorts, 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#18 Model is wearing striped rayon jersey dress with wrapped bodice by Mildred Orrick, Vogue, 1946

Model is wearing striped rayon jersey dress with wrapped bodice by Mildred Orrick, Vogue, 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#19 Model is wearing yellow doeskin gloves and cigarette holder by Alfred Orlik, 1946

Model is wearing yellow doeskin gloves and cigarette holder by Alfred Orlik, 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#20 Model wearing Claire McCardell’s ‘Arabian Nights’ trouser set in gray rayon jersey, 1946

Model wearing Claire McCardell's 'Arabian Nights' trouser set in gray rayon jersey, 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#21 Models one standing holding a cigarette case, the other holding red Morocco purse, both wear white hand-stitched pig skin gloves, Glamour, 1946

Models one standing holding a cigarette case, the other holding red Morocco purse, both wear white hand-stitched pig skin gloves, Glamour, 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#22 Summer fashions in studio setting, Glamour, December 1946

Summer fashions in studio setting, Glamour, December 1946

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#23 Actress Bambi Lynn, star of “Alice in Wonderland”, in dress from Vogue Pattern #3173 and hat by Chanda, Glamour, 1947

Actress Bambi Lynn, star of "Alice in Wonderland", in dress from Vogue Pattern #3173 and hat by Chanda, Glamour, 1947

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#24 Dorian Leigh and Meg Mundy in print dresses by Traina-Norell, background painted by Eugene Berman, Vogue, March 15, 1947

Dorian Leigh and Meg Mundy in print dresses by Traina-Norell, background painted by Eugene Berman, Vogue, March 15, 1947

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#25 Joan Pedersen in silver mink fur coat, Paris, Vogue, July 1, 1947

Joan Pedersen in silver mink fur coat, Paris, Vogue, July 1, 1947

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#26 Meg Mundy is wearing grey muted plaid wool suit with teal blue hat, 1947

Meg Mundy is wearing grey muted plaid wool suit with teal blue hat, 1947

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#27 Model in polka-dot shorts and jersey top, 1947

Model in polka-dot shorts and jersey top, 1947

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#28 Model wearing short-sleeved print dress by Joseph Halpert, background painted by Eugene Berman, Vogue, March 15, 1947

Model wearing short-sleeved print dress by Joseph Halpert, background painted by Eugene Berman, Vogue, March 15, 1947

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#29 Ford model Sandra Nelson in wool-alpaca coat by Originala paired with winter navy accessories and ocelot hat, 1948

Ford model Sandra Nelson in wool-alpaca coat by Originala paired with winter navy accessories and ocelot hat, 1948

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#30 Jean Patchett in a black velvet theatre suit with white collar and cuffs worn with matching beret, October 1948

Jean Patchett in a black velvet theatre suit with white collar and cuffs worn with matching beret, October 1948

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#31 Model is wearing white jacket with gold trim with two-piece bathing suit to match, all by Carolyn Schnurer, June 1948

Model is wearing white jacket with gold trim with two-piece bathing suit to match, all by Carolyn Schnurer, June 1948

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#32 Model Joan Petit wearing navy, worsted wool coat by Lassie Maid and Madcaps’ pique hat in white, Glamour, 1948

Model Joan Petit wearing navy, worsted wool coat by Lassie Maid and Madcaps’ pique hat in white, Glamour, 1948

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#33 Model kneeling on white background wearing calico top based upon Jr. Vogue Pattern #6453 and black skirt based on Jr. Vogue Pattern # 3165 with cummerbund in calico, Glamour, 1948

Model kneeling on white background wearing calico top based upon Jr. Vogue Pattern #6453 and black skirt based on Jr. Vogue Pattern # 3165 with cummerbund in calico, Glamour, 1948

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#34 Model wearing dress with embroidered collar and cuffed sleeves by Nelly Don, gloves by Meyers, dyed linen shoes by Mademoiselle, and parasol by Town Umbrella Co., Glamour, 1948

Model wearing dress with embroidered collar and cuffed sleeves by Nelly Don, gloves by Meyers, dyed linen shoes by Mademoiselle, and parasol by Town Umbrella Co., Glamour, 1948

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#35 Mrs. William Paley (aka Babe Paley) in a light green wrap dress, 1948

Mrs. William Paley (aka Babe Paley) in a light green wrap dress, 1948

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#36 Katherine Cassidy in uncomplicated travel coat of Worumbo Polo Cloth, felt hat and cowhide bag, Vogue, May 15, 1949

Katherine Cassidy in uncomplicated travel coat of Worumbo Polo Cloth, felt hat and cowhide bag, Vogue, May 15, 1949

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#37 Lisa Fonssagrives in two tones of copper shantung, lighter tone dress and darker tone duster coat from Vogue Couturier Pattern no.477, Vogue, January 1949

Lisa Fonssagrives in two tones of copper shantung, lighter tone dress and darker tone duster coat from Vogue Couturier Pattern no.477, Vogue, January 1949

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#38 Mary Jane Russell in Juilliard wool tweed coat with black fox collar, 1949

Mary Jane Russell in Juilliard wool tweed coat with black fox collar, 1949

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#39 Model in yellow petal-top beachwear, Vogue, 1949

Model in yellow petal-top beachwear, Vogue, 1949

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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#40 Model wearing deep-throated two-piece dress in navy with straight little cardigan jacket in red, Glamour, 1949

Model wearing deep-throated two-piece dress in navy with straight little cardigan jacket in red, Glamour, 1949

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The elegant Fashion Photography of Serge Balkin during the 1940s

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Written by Jacob Aberto

Sincere, friendly, curious, ambitious, enthusiast. I'm a content crafter and social media expert. I love Classic Movies because their dialogue, scenery and stories are awesome.

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