Invitation to Murder

Gene Marshall and Madra Lord are invited to an historic country estate for a week-end filled with mystery and suspense.  But what they find is an invitation to Murder!

"A Lady Knows" Gene Marshall from Ashton Drake wears the Dior inspired ensemble borrowed from Moss Rose Ivy Jordan by Integrity.  Of course I gave it my own Forties spin by replacing the original pink scarf with one made from a vintage men's silk tie, and added a suede tilt topper and oversized fur muff, all from The Couture Touch.  The wonderful oxford shoes are from Integrity, gloves from Robert Tonner's "Feather In Her Hat" costume from the Ann Harper Collection, bracelet from Facets by Marcia, and the earrings and brooch from The Couture Touch.

"Top This" Madra Lord from Ashton Drake wears the black suit from Tonner's Theatre de la Mode "Le Petit Ensemble Noir" Collection.  Accessories include the high crown tilt topper and beaded guantlet gloves from The Couture Touch, and snood from Ashton Drake's "Fascination" Violet Water's costume.  Fur muff and pin from Integrity.

Credits:
Table from CED.
Telephone from Ashton Drake's "A Hot Day in Hollywood" Accessory Set.

Both dolls have been enhanced with an Integrity articulated body.

Fur Trimmed and Fabulous!

"Easy To Take"

Gene Marshall (Ashton Drake's "On the Avenue") in the velvet and fur-trimmed dress and capelet given as a souvenir at the 2004 Hollywood Memories Gene Convention.  It is a recreation of a costume worn by Marsha Hunt in the 1936 film "Easy To Take".  Shoes are borrowed from Integrity's "Marceline" Gene.  The OOAK hat and cigarette holder are from The Couture Touch.

"Business Class"

Madra Lord (a restyled "Siren in the Night" by Ashton Drake) in D.A.E. Originals "Business Class", a leopard fur-trimmed suit ensemble, circa 1940's.  Embroidered gloves, shoes, and earrings are from Ashton Drake.  The OOAK hat is from The Couture Touch.

"Feather in Her Hat"

Metropolitan Madra Lord in "Feather in Her Hat" suit ensemble from The Ann Harper Collection by Robert Tonner.  Circa 1940's.  Love the unusual sleeve treatment of contrast fabric accented with bands of fur trim.  The fur muff from Ashton Drake's "Jackpot" and gloves from "Lotta Moola" Madra costumes are the perfect compliment to this stylish suit.  Earrings from The Couture Touch and bracelet from Facets by Marcia

Additional Credits:
CED Table
Phone and fan from Ashton Drake's "A Hot Day in Hollywood" Accessory Set
Leopard "statue" is actually a trinket box collectible from Hobby Lobby
Salon chair from Haute Doll
Backdrop from RaiHing

A Re-take on Fresh Take

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Flame Madra Lord from Integrity's "Stepping High Collection" shows off her new hat to complement her stylish 1940's suit from The Anne Harper Collection by Robert Tonner.  OOAK felt hat, blouse, earrings, and corsage are from The Couture Touch.  Bracelet from Madame Alexander, fur muff from Ashton Drake's "Dark Desire" ensemble.  Telephone and script from "A Hot Day in Hollywood" Accessory Set by Ashton Drake.  Table from Liz Cole/Retros.  Flame's bangs have been re-combed into a pompadour-style roll. 

Gene Marshall & Company Discover Anne Harper

Dateline Hollywood:  Director Ivy Jordan will use the studio's new costume designer Anne Harper for her latest film "Broadway Babes" starring Gene Marshall and Madra Lord.

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The new Anne Harper Collection by Robert Tonner features a selection of fabulous suits and gowns worthy of a Hollywood star of the 1940's and 1950's era. 

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"Captivatingly Coy" is my favorite of the 3 outfits I have.  I love the asymmetrical detailing of this pink and black ensemble.  A perfect choice for Ashton Drake's "Black Widow" Madra Lord with an Integrity articulated body.  I was pleasantly surprised as to how well this one fits.  Most Tonner fashions can be a little big especially in the waistline area. 

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Here is a close-up of the fabulous hat and intricate detailing of the jacket.  Jewelry from Ashton Drake.  OOAK cigarette holder.

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The best part of this "Fresh Take" black suit is the woven ribbon detailing. So 1940's!  As you can see, I replaced the original white blouse trimmed with pom-poms with a more tailored version in green.  I love this shade of green with red. I also eliminated the cuffs and added the oversized corsage.  The shoes are borrowed from Silo 30's Zita and the muff from Dark Desire.  This suit did not fit as well as "Captivatingly Coy".  I pinned both the jacket and skirt in the back for a closer fit.

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I wish the hat looked more like Tonner's prototype pic.  But I think this works with my restyled Ashton Drake Gene's new hairdo.  The feather detailing on the hat is wonderful.

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"Venus Rising" is a fabulous charmeuse gown with chiffon ruffles at the hemline.  The chiffon arm drapes really make this gown a stand-out.  The wonderful color looks perfect on this redhead diva, Metropolitan Madra from Metrodolls.  I also love the grey t-strap shoes with rhinestones.  Why is it the best shoes are hidden under gowns? 

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Here is a shot of the gown without the arm drapes.  I just love those hemline ruffles!  The neckline is a tad low on Madra, but she can certainly pull it off! 

Gene & Company (and I) will be looking forward to future collections by Anne Harper, studio designer.