The legendary Vogue magazine has been in publication—hard to imagine—since 1892. Initially launched as a weekly newspaper, Vogue later adopted the magazine format we know today. Starting in the 1930s, a tradition was established to release a special Christmas edition at the end of November or the beginning of December. Inside, the magazine served as a guide for readers, offering tips on how to prepare for the holidays, what gifts to buy, and how to style their outfits and decorate their homes. On the outside, the covers always featured a creative, artistic approach.

The British Vogue, launched in 1916, also adopted this format. The festive cover of the December 1938 issue is one of the brand’s most memorable.

The main feature of that issue, titled “Simplified Christmas,” was written by long-time contributor June Platt, known for her cookbooks. The article focused on simplifying traditional holiday preparations. For instance, it suggested replacing a natural Christmas tree with a minimalist design solution. The article’s opening photo depicted a stunning model (whose appearance, unlike the tree, was far from simplified) delicately crafting ornaments to hang on a spiral rod-shaped Christmas tree.

It’s hard to say how many homemakers in 1938 Britain decided to embrace this “simplified Christmas,” but the photograph certainly made its mark in history.