During our last visit to see my parents I managed to watch a film on Netflix called 'Blondie.' I had previously heard some music from it and had downloaded it, so was curious to see the movie. It is a bio pic of the life of Norma Jean Baker (aka Marilyn Monroe). While not the greatest film I had ever seen it was not that bad either. This is despite the film getting a critical panning and a Golden Turkey award for its troubles. It did however contain some very sexually graphic and disturbing scenes that were both pertracted and uncomfortable to watch. Especially that is when your Mum is in the same room watching it with you !!! But it did show Norma Jean Baker as a very troubled and lonely woman bereft of a father figure in her life and early death. Very human with all our complications and far from the sex symbol and icon she has become today. So in the end it is quite a moving film in many ways. Norma Jean certainly did not deserve the abuse and treatment she got at the hands of the men in her life, Hollywood or the press. Sad.
Anyway, film critique aside, it did get me thinking of doing a shoot along the lines of some of her most iconic looks and pictures. And to this end I needed a model to pull this off … Enter fashion model Elle Jones.
Elle Jones and I had been contacting each other regarding doing something together in the studio for a long time. Since way before COVID came along, so I thought she would be perfect for the job. And she was. While not a blond like Marilyn, these images are not so much a carbon copy but rather a 'In the style of ….' look. Elle was brilliant and slayed the job completely. Shadrine at Kavour Beauty provided the hair and makeup and Phil Lynam provided the studio and lighting. Amy was as always my assistant. So I would like to give a big thank you to all there and for making these Elle Jones in the style of Norma Jean Baker pictures worth a second glance
