Synopses & Reviews
The Varga Girl is the eternal pinup: alluringly beautiful, yet simultaneously warm, innocent and approachable. During the 1940s she enchanted and motivated thousands of American soldiers before the postwar age spelled her demise. However, although the Varga Girl is inextricably linked with World War II, her appeal still endures today, and her unique place in American popular culture has made her a collector's item.
Graphic artist Alberto Vargas's luscious Varga Girl was introduced to the world on 15 October 1940 by Esquire magazine. As well as ordinary girls, Vargas used icons such as Betty Grable, Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo as his models, complementing their natural glamour with the sinuous elegance and delicate coloring typical of his inimitable style. With the entry of the United States into World War II, the Varga Girl, with her subtle combination of eroticism and wholesomeness, proved invaluable in raising the morale of the American troops serving in Europe and the Pacific. However, by 1947 Esquire magazine no longer required her services, and the Varga Girl was relegated to the realms of nostalgia.
Packed with a multitude of stunning illustrations, Varga tells the poignanat story of both the Varga Girl and her creator. Still young and fresh today, this beautiful color collection presents the Varga Girl in all her enchanting guises, and is guaranteed to revive happy memories for many, and to fascinate generations to come.