Reportage illustration was a major part of Oscar Cahén's editorial work. A number of his assignments were for stories on nightlife - he was possibly chosen due to his flamboyant tastes and love of jazz. For "Charm School," Cahén was likely commissioned because he was known as an illustrator of luscious women, who populated his fiction, cover, spot and cartoon illustrations.

Cahén's experiences in eastern Europe in the Nazi occupation also led to his being commissioned to illustrate articles on war and its aftermath.