Catalog Divas

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Hollywood divas Joan Crawford and Madra Lord appear in an upscale mail order catalog modeling the latest in fall fashion.

Glamorous Furs!

Miss Joan Crawford

Costume Credits:  Fur cape, gloves, and earrings are from Ashton Drake.  Dress from Fashion Blvd.  Handbag from PD Root.  Hat, belt, brooch, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Awards Night Joan Crawford is a Robert Tonner Exclusive for Sandra Stillwell's 2009 Hollywood Ahoy! Event.

You Need A Hat That's Tailored!

Miss Madra Lord

Costume Credits:  Hat and shoulder cape are from The Couture Touch.  Top is from Ashton Drake.  Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord is from Jamieshow.

"Say, did you hear.  Two Hollywood divas are featured in our fall/winter issue.  Do you think we can get their autographs?"  

Photo Credit: Chicago Mail Order Company, Fall/Winter 1941-42.

Fabric of the Season: Herringbone Tweed

The herringbone pattern is a distinctive V-shaped design typically found woven in wool fabric.  It is distinguished from a plain chevron by the break at reversal, which makes it resemble a broken zig-zag or the bones of a fish such as a herring.  Herringbone wool tweeds were often used for tailored suits and outerwear during the 1940's.

Film star Gene Marshall wears a bold black and white wool herringbone tweed jacket that will stand up to the first chill winds of fall.  Jacket, hat, and brooch are from The Couture Touch.  Skirt is from Sandra Stillwell.  Scarf and gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Handbag from Madame Alexander.  Re-designed earrings from Facets by Marcia.  Miss Marshall appears courtesy of Monolithic Studios and Ashton Drake.

From the Chicago Mail Order Company Fall-Winter 1941-42, a wool herringbone tweed coat in versatile black and white.

The Classic Forties Chubby Fur

It's what every woman wants.  The wear-with-everything chubby fur jacket.  It was the most popular fur fashion trend of the 1940s.

A beautiful silver-dyed imported fox from the Chicago Mail Order Company.  You could purchase it for $49.95 cash or buy it on credit.  It also included a matching fur strip, to trim your own hat!

Two more from the Chicago Mail Order catalog.  On the left a silky, fluffy Guanaco fur.  A rich, mink-dyed Coney fur on the right.  These jackets easily go from daytime to evening with a simple change of accessories.

Monolithic Studios' director Ivy Jordan wears a Donna Salyers' Fabulous Furs coat originally designed for Barbara Millicent Roberts aka Barbie.  The faux fur coat was altered exclusively for Miss Jordan.  Hat, skirt, corsage, jewels, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Color Deal Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.

Credits:

Donna Salyers is known for her faux fur women's clothing and home furnishings.

Catalog images are from the Chicago Mail Order Company, Fall/Winter 1941-42.

1940's Outerwear

Furred casuals from the Chicago Mail Order Company, Fall/Winter 1941-42.  Soundly tailored tweed coats mounted with full, fluffy furs.  Stylish yet warm, you will be yearning for chilly weather.

Only cashmere and mink will do for Monolithic Studios' star Gene Marshall.  Mink trim accents the versatile coat from Robert Tonner's Tyler Wentworth Collection.  Cashmere Noir transcends the decades with its classic design.  Hat, scarf, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  "Fur" muff and gloves are from Integrity.  Midnight Gamble Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Fur collars broaden the shoulders and make your waist appear smaller.  A flared hemline gives grace to your walk.  From The Chicago Mail Order Company, a luscious blonde lynx-dyed Guanaco fur collared coat.  Fall/Winter 1941-42.

Victoire Roux is ready for a Winter in New York with a stylishly classic black wool coat accented with contrasting blonde "fur" collar and cuffs.  Hat and scarf are from The Couture Touch.  Bracelet from Joshard.  Coat and gloves are from Mattel.

Wrap it....please.  A new fur coat for '41.  Beaver coat and sash from Ritter Brothers.  Hat from Lilly Dache.   Photo by Rawlings for Vogue.

It's a wrap....The enormously chic "fur" coat from Ashton Drake's Warmest Wishes is worn wrapped and cinched at the waist with a leopard "fur" belt from Fashion Boulevard.  The toasty-warm winter coat flares voluminously below the knee.  Hat and scarf are from The Couture Touch. Gloves and Fashion Plot Gene Marshall are from Ashton Drake.

Happy Father's Day!

Looking for a great gift idea?  How about this new California style loafer coat with leather button holes for $5.95.  And don't forget to add the mix and match smart cashmere slacks for just $2.99.  Illustration from the Chicago Mail Order catalog, 1941-42.

Get Yourself a Halo!

In the 1940's women's hat styles were varied, from berets to turbans to tilt hats.  One popular style was the off-the-face or "halo" hat.  They were young, fresh and a perfect compliment for hairstyles with a center-part or pompadour ("Victory") rolls.  Sears advertised the "Hollywood Halo Hat" worn by Movie stars such as Loretta Young.  They proclaimed, "Yes!  You Can Wear These!", "Different, but definitely flattering!", and "Every New Dress Deserves a New Hat!".

The Chicago Mail Order Company, in their Fall/Winter 1941-42 catalog, declared:  "It's big hats for Fall ----not just for Summer!  Women love their Drama!" 

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Here are 2 Halo hats geared for Juniors.  The left hat is a kettle-style brim that can be worn either up or down.  It was available in a variety of colors such as Flag red, Black, Santos brown, Royal blue, and Chilean wine.  In 1941, the cost was .95 cents!  The hat on the right is a wool felt accented with a glitter-like gold star-spangled ribbon band that frames the face.  It came in Kelly green with luggage tan, Bright red with black, Black with red, Brown with kelly green, and Royal blue with navy.  The cost was $1.59.

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This Charmcraft, wool felt, kettle brim hat is accented with dramatic veiling and a big ribbon bow in the back.  In addition to all Black and all Brown, it was available in Flag red with a Black veil, Soldier Blue with Navy veil, and Chilean (dark) Wine with Navy veil.  The cost was $1.98.

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Genuine Mink tails highlight a wide V-cut through this unusual Halo brim.   Veiling bands tie the head-hugging crown and floats off in streamers in the back.  This dramatic wool felt hat was available in Black, Dark Brown, Soldier blue, Chilean wine, or Timber (dark) green; all with brown mink fur.  The cost was just $1.69.

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Halo hats are also a great way to update an old dress!  Case in point, a Couture Touch OOAK tweed halo hat and matching gauntlet gloves give a new look to Ashton Drake's "Dark Desire" black crepe dress.  I also added the lace jabot from "The Little Black Dress" ensemble. Fur from PD Root. Purse from Robert Tonner. My model is Ashton Drake's "Love at First Sight" Gene Marshall doll. 

So the next time you are in the market for a new hat, just Get Yourself a Halo!