From 1946 to 1965, the renowned photographer Richard Avedon was a staff member at Harper's Bazaar. For the magazine's September 1955 issue, Avedon was assigned to shoot a photo report on Parisian fashion. Together with a model named Dovima, he explored the city, capturing images in various locations.

One of these locations was the Cirque d’Hiver ("Winter Circus"), which still exists today. Reflecting on the shoot later, Avedon recalled:
"When I saw the elephants under the enormous canopy, I realized I needed the perfect dress. I knew it was possible to create a dreamlike image."

Indeed, Avedon managed to transform a commercial photoshoot into a work of art. This was also made possible by the "perfect dress," an evening gown from Dior's collection, designed by the then 19-year-old Yves Saint Laurent.

Avedon considered Dovima to be one of the most significant and undeniably beautiful women of her time. The model herself recalled:
"Avedon would make me do the most unexpected things, but I always knew I was becoming part of something extraordinary."

Their productive collaboration left a tremendous impact on the history of fashion photography, elevating it into an art form.

A Tribute to an Iconic Image

In 2006, as a tribute to this legendary photograph, Jean Roy recreated a similar scene for British Harper's Bazaar. Cate Blanchett was photographed in a circus setting with an elephant, wearing a Vivienne Westwood gown, paying homage to Avedon’s timeless masterpiece.