some more fullness in my face, especially in the cheeks, a little more "doll-like" she said. “But all that will come in time,” she added.
"In time?" Did they take for granted that I was to become a per- manent photo model for the firm in the future? Or what?
The first series of photos were made, and my mother's firm sent out its first catalog with genuine modelphotos. The catalog was well re- ceived and many orders were given on the dresses I had worn.
In the meantime I passed my examination at the college and it was now my intention to attend lectures and courses at the Academy of fine Arts learning modeldrawings and designing of costumes. Before I be- gun at the Academy we found it was the best for me to take my com- pulsory military service first. Being rather small and slight I was placed in the Catering Corps. After my first stage of military training I was lucky to be able to have my own private room in the town where I could sleep at night and also several evenings model feminine clothes. In one of my leaves I was home and a new series of photos were made for another catalog. After a year 19 years old — I could leave the service and begin at the Art School. It was an advantage for me to know how a dress was worn and how it felt wearing it! Naturally my academy friends did not know anything about my special interests in these things. My two male school friends did not have the same practical insight in feminine interests as I and my ten female friends. I also began feeling a certain solidarity with the female friends at the Academy. We had some- thing together that I had not together with the male friends.
At the annual Academy fancy dress Ball it was custom that the stu- dents from the classes in fashion drawing always appeared in some very gorgeous clothes made by themselves. One of the girls suggested that we three male students also show up in the dresses we had designed. The idea was accepted with enthusiasm by our female classmates. It was ar- ranged that we three male students should come together in the home of one of our female classmates. Together with some of the other girls she would make the dresses for us and try them on us. We should prove the old words that "clothes make the man" or may we say "the woman”!
It was with a real thrill that I adopted the idea having a special ad- vantage in playing such a role. When my dress was made, I informed the others that I would let one of my friends — a professional makeup artist do my makeup. The two others boys were to be made up by one of the
17