Tutti-Frutti Girls

Carmen Miranda, popular Brazilian singer and actress during the 1930's and throughout the 1940's, popularized the fruit and floral adorned turban that she wore when she performed "The Lady in the Tutti-Frutti Hat" routine in Busby Berkeley's 1943 musical "The Gang's All Here".  Exotic millinery became her trademark and even as early as 1939, Saks Fifth Avenue developed a line of turbans and jewelry inspired by her fabulous costumes.  In 1943, Macy's featured Carmen Miranda themed windows. 

Film star Gene Marshall [Caribbean Kiss] shows her exotic flair by adding miniature fruit and floral accents to her Rio Rumba turban.  This fabulous 40's inspired costume was designed by Tim Kennedy for Ashton Drake's Gene Marshall Collection.  Circa 1956.  I added the opera-length gloves and restyled Gene's hair.

Usherette Barbie from Mattel's Silkstone Fashion Model Collection gives my original Sheath Sensation [1961-1964] 40's flair with a turban fashioned from a scarf and accented with miniature fruit.  The red platform shoes were a lucky find from a doll show.