In 1949, LIFE magazine sent famed photographer Nina Leen to document the daily life of a sassy troupe of young women who had run off and joined the famous Barnum & Bailey Circus in Sarasota, Fla. What developed was a portrait of a sisterhood formed over acrobatics that mixed high-flying wire acts with fashionable high-waisted shorts. Sarasota was once considered “the home of the American circus”. Here: an aerialist smoking while rehearsing for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Sarasota, FL in 1949. (Photo By Nina Leen/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)

A model backstage before the Issa London runway show at London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012 on September 17, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

A model showcases designs on the catwalk during the NE(degrees)¤TIGER Couture 2012 on the second day of China Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012 on October 25, 2011 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)

Holly Spring, a New Zealand photographer, says she is inspired by her daughter Violet, who was born with multiple ailments; Hirschsprung’s Disease, a blockage of the large intestine and Symbrachydactyly, a limb abnormality. The series was designed to show her daughter that she “can live a life without obstacles”. (Photo by Holly Spring)

A model showcases designs by Antonia Paris during the Women's RTW 3 catwalk during Rosemount Australian Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011/12 at Overseas Passenger Terminal on May 5, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images)

A model showcases designs by Isola by Megan Gale on the catwalk at the David Jones Spring/Summer 2011 season launch at the Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park on August 3, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Models pose backstage at the Boy and Girl by Band of Outsiders Spring 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on September 10, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images)

A model walks the runway at the Hakaan Spring Summer 2012 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on October 4, 2011 in Paris, France. (Photo by Nathalie Lagneau/Catwalking/Getty Images)