June Seasonal Accessorizing

Welcome summer by incorporating prints into your wardrobe.  Wear dresses in classic dotted fabric.  Brighten a dark solid dress with collars and matching cuffs in cheerful florals.

Jazz great Violet Waters steps out in D.A.E. Originals' delightful pink dress punctuated with tiny black all-over dots.  Gloves and re-shaped hat are from Sandra Stillwell.  Styling from The Couture Touch.  Heat Wave Violet Waters (newly coiffed) is from Integrity.

An advertisement for rayon fabrics shows the extensive range of prints that were available in the 1940s.  Photo courtesy Sew Weekly.

A pink floral collar with matching cuffs revitalizes film star Gene Marshall's basic black dress [Dark Desire].  Dress, belt, waist corsage, gloves, earrings, and newspaper are all from Ashton Drake.  Hat, detachable collar/cuffs, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Warmest Wishes Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Happy Birthday Miss M!

Gene Marshall

On her way to meet friends for her birthday celebration, Miss Marshall graciously poses for a photo wearing a chic 1940's ensemble.  The top from D.A.E. Originals' Starmaker costume is paired with a wine velveteen skirt.  Additional accessories include a luscious fur drape and gloves from furrier to the stars PD Root.  Shoes are from Integrity.  Handbag from Ashton Drake.  Hat and styling are from The Couture Touch.

Have a Wonderful Time 

and a 

Very Happy Birthday Miss M!

Window Shopping

The Couture Touch recreates a spring display inspired by the wonderful department store windows of the 1940's and 50's.  The mannequins, bearing a striking resemblance to film stars Gene Marshall and Madra Lord, have been dressed in their finest spring regalia.

The Costumes:  Left - Shirtwaist dress is from Sandra Stillwell.  Belt from Integrity.  Gloves from Ashton Drake.  Purse from Mattel.  Right - Suit and jewels are from D.A.E. Originals.  Gloves from Ashton Drake.  Hat from The Couture Touch.  Umbrella from Fashion Boulevard.  A mannequin head, looking very much like star Zita Charles, displays a delightful floral hat from Hunter-Goldblatt Designs.

The Mannequins:  White Orchid Gene Marshall and Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord are from JamieShow.  Azalea Ice Zita Charles is from Integrity.

Season's Greetings

Miss Gene Marshall

May the gifts of the season bring you joy.

Gene's Rejuvenating Day at the Salon

This is a story of a beautiful star saddened by her ever increasing sallow body. With options dwindling, what's a gal to do? A day at the salon for a body transplant might just be the answer.

Ready for her treatment to begin.
Photo courtesy History in Photos

Beginning the face softening procedure. 
Photo courtesy Mashable

And in no time, Miss Marshall emerges refreshed with a new and improved body. Not only does she look and move like a supermodel but even thinks she's a bit taller. And her skintone is just the way she likes it. Now she is off in search of the perfect fashion for her new look.

Charmed Traveler by D.A.E. Originals

Hat and belt are from The Couture Touch. Gloves and bracelet are from Ashton Drake. Shoes and "alligator" train case are from Robert Tonner. Circa late 1940's.

Feather in Her Hat from the Anne Harper Collection
by Robert Tonner

Jewels, gloves, and phone are from Ashton Drake. Circa 1940's.

A Woman of Means from Sandra Stillwell's Hollywood Ahoy Event

Hat is from The Couture Touch, fur from Mattel, and shoes from Robert Tonner.  Jewels and gloves are from Ashton Drake. Scottie dog is from PD Root. Circa 1930's.

Ahh...There is nothing like a day at the salon!
Photo by Nina Leen for Time.

Now she just needs some more clothes. Oh, wardrobe......


Credits:

• Essentially Gene Blush is from Integrity. (Photo courtesy Gene Marshall Wikia.) 
• Miss Marshall's custom hairstyle is from Jim Gaddis.
• Vita replacement body for Gene Marshall is from Horsman.

Madra Loves Barbie

Yes, even Monolithic Studios' diva extraordinaire Madra Lord has a soft spot for Barbie. After all, those Wisconsin gals have to stick together!

"Spotted in Manhattan" Madra Lord

Miss Lord pays homage to her diminutive friend by carrying a delightful miniature replica of Barbie's 1962 hatbox case from Hallmark's Keepsake Ornament series. Suit is from D.A.E. Originals. Additional accessories include gloves from Ashton Drake, hat and earrings from The Couture Touch, and necklace/bracelet set from StrayCat.

Vogue Special Design #S-4567

This vintage 1954 Vogue home sewing pattern was no doubt the inspiration behind D.A.E. Originals' luscious suit.

"Postcards from Cannes" Madra Lord

For the 2003 Paris Fashion Doll Festival, Madame Alexander created this divine gown similar to Barbie's iconic "Enchanted Evening" (1960-63). Gloves, fur, and waist corsage are from Ashton Drake, shoes are from Integrity, and purse is from Dressmaker Details. Miss Lord is coiffed in a "Johnny" wig from Monique.

Illustration from a vintage Barbie booklet.

Tour d'Argent Re-Imagined

Tour d'Argent
Photo courtesy D.A.E. Originals

D.A.E. Originals "Tour d'Argent" costume, from the 2005 Vivian & Monty Jet Set Romance Collection, is a faithful recreation of Christian Dior's 1947 "Mystere" black wool crepe coat. The late afternoon coat dress features a pleated green collar and matching skirt inset of iridescent satin organza.

Mystere coat by Christian Dior.
Photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe for Harper's Bazaar courtesy fitnyc.edu

Although I love the original design of Tour d'Argent, which I purchased on the secondary market, the pleated collar did not lay correctly. So you probably can guess where I'm going with this.....Tour d'Argent, re-imagined!

Miss Gene Marshall

Miss Marshall wears a re-styled Tour d'Argent, now re-imagined in redingote style. A redingote is a light-weight flared coat secured at the waist and took its inspiration from historical riding attire. The 1940's and 50's versions were often paired with a coordinating print dress.

1950's Dress with Redingote
Courtesy betsyvintage.com

1950's Redingote ensemble
courtesy vintagepatterns.wikia.com

1950's Redingote with collar
courtesy vintagepatterns.wikia.com

1940's Redingote courtesy sovintagepatterns.com

Credits for Miss Marshall's restyled costume:

Underneath Tour d'Argent is the skirt from Fashion Plot and blouse from Turbulence. Accessories include the purse from Lucky Stripe and gloves from Dark Desire. All Ashton Drake. Hat is from Sandra Stillwell. Layered bow accents are from various outfits. Everything's Coming Up Roses Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Madra Lord: Night and Day

Celebrating the glamour of 1950's fashion photography, Miss Lord shows her day and night style in black and white.

Gown from "Glammed Up Ivy" by Integrity.
Earrings from Ashton Drake.

Suit from Sandra Stillwell. Wrap from The Couture Touch.
Hat from D.A.E. Originals. Gloves from Ashton Drake.

"Spotted in Manhattan" Madra Lord is from JamieShow.

Moments To Remember

A turn of the hem, a stitch of the seam....and a classic evening chemise is re-imagined as a sophisticated daytime sheath.

A column of pink dupioni silk that features a matching beaded, satin hip sash is shortened and narrowed for a chic daytime ensemble. Accessories include a fabulous straw hat from D.A.E. Originals' Haute Doll exclusive "Weekend in New York"  Vivette set, and OOAK jewelry from StrayCat. Black gloves are from Ashton Drake, shoes are from Joe Tai, and the whimsical, crystal-encrusted telephone purse is from The Couture Touch.

Credits:

"Moments To Remember" was designed by Dolly Cipolla for the 2000 Modern Doll Convention, circa 1958.
 "Symphony in G" Gene Marshall, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

On The Set with Madra Lord, 1942

Monolithic Studios' star Miss Madra Lord arrives on the set of her new film smartly dressed in a tweed plastron layered over the black crepe dress from Ashton Drake's "Dark Desire" costume. Plastron, suede color-blocked gauntlet gloves, belt and jewelry are all from The Couture Touch. Cigarette holder from Mystyna. Props are from Ashton Drake.

Miss Lord is coiffed in a wig from the famous Italian wig-maker to the Stars, Ilaria Mazzoni of Time of Doll. This miniature work of art is reminiscent of Ashton Drake's "Stolen Moments" early 1940's hairstyle.

Set in German occupied Paris during WWII, Miss Lord plays a fashion shop owner who becomes involved with spies. But which side is she on? Well, you decide. For this scene she wears a leopard plastron over a classic black dress. Plastron, belt, gloves, and train case are from D.A.E. Originals' "Charmed Traveler" costume set. Dress and earrings are from Ashton Drake. Hat from Integrity. Brooch from The Couture Touch. Miss Lord wears the Havana Nights wigcap from JamieShow. It has been cut and restyled.

"Spotted in Manhattan" Madra Lord is from Mel Odom and JamieShow.

Dressing for the Cocktail Hour

A chic daytime dress superbly executed in sumptuous silks or satins and topped with an elegant chapeau. Gloves, handbag, and costume jewelry mandatory. In the late 1940's, Dior coined the term "cocktail dress", and with it our fascination with the cocktail culture.

During the 1940's. black was the favorite color for the cocktail dress. J'Adore Gene Marshall wears a classic Bogue's Vogues black silk sheath accented with a side drape. Accessories include a marvelous black suede and pleated faille toque with jet beading accented with a lavish turquoise feather cockade and a matching structured handbag, both from The Couture Touch. "Diamond" jewelry and bow-enhanced black gloves are from Ashton Drake.

1950's cocktail dresses were either form-fitting or full-skirted with low plunging necklines and cinched waists. Silkstone Barbie Parisienne Pretty wears the navy silk stunner from Haute Doll Magazine's D.A.E. Original's exclusive "Weekend in New York" set. She wears her original earrings and hat. Pearl necklace and fur are from Mattel.

By the 1960's pastel colors were the preferred choice for cocktail dresses. Mattel's Mad Men Joan Holloway wears Integrity's Fashion Royalty yummy "Purple Factor" wiggle sheath borrowed from Adele Makeda. A perfect color for her titan tresses.

Source: metmuseum

Black, White & Striped

The striking combination of black, white, and diagonal stripes make this evening gown by D.A.E. Originals a stand-out. A #4 Lingerie Silkstone Barbie doll is ready for her grand entrance in the black and white slim sheath with detachable dramatic tiered, black ruffled train. Dress and jewelry are from "Weekend in New York", an Haute Doll exclusive Vivette gift set, circa 1950's. Floral bouquet is from Ashton Drake.

1930's black & white silk evening gown,
courtesy Mid-Century Love



1940's halter gown from Stylehive

Linda Evangelista in a Valentino rtw evening gown, 1992
Courtesy dailymail.co.uk

3 Ways with a Plastron

"Plastrons are vest-like yokes worn on the outside of the garment and tied around the waist with a sash, tie, or belt.  Fabrics range from lace and sheer metallics to fur."  Source:  The Complete Book of Sewing by Constance Talbot, 1943.

This versatile accessory piece was a great way to spice up a basic dress, coat, or separates.  Plastrons were particularly popular during the make do and mend era of the early 1940's as they were easy to make and could completely change the look of a costume.

Violet Waters wears a silk tweed plastron over the royal blue skirt from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection and the white blouse from "Doing Her Part".  A matching off-the-face brimmed hat and suede gauntlet gloves complete the stylish 40's ensemble.  Plastron with matching belt, hat, gloves, earrings, and corsage are from The Couture Touch.  Cigarette holder from Mystyna.  Fascination Violet Waters is from Ashton Drake.

Violet's plastron was inspired by this 1939 Hollywood sewing pattern featuring Universal star Danielle Darrieux.  A Persian lamb plastron is shown layered over the coat.

Gene Marshall layers the leopard plastron from D.A.E. Originals' "Charmed Traveler" costume set over the "Cashmere Noir" coat from Robert Tonner's Tyler Wentworth Collection.  The matching leopard oversized beret has been dressed with feathers and beaded trim. Embroidered gloves are from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection, brooch from Mattel, shoes from Jennifer Sue.  Train case from D.A.E. Originals.  Marceline Gene Marshall is from Integrity.

An updated version of D.A.E. Originals' plastron in a luscious nubby wool tweed is worn over Miss Marshall's favorite black dress.  Plastron, color-blocked suede gauntlet gloves, felt hat, leather belt, and brooch are from The Couture Touch.  Purse from Madame Alexander, eyeglasses from Horsman. Black crepe dress is from the Madra Lord costume "Dark Desire".  A black suede tie was added to the neckline.  Dress, shoes, and Fashion Plot Gene Marshall are from Ashton Drake.

Oscar Worthy Gowns, 1930's - 1950's

1930's

"Golden Gala" Madra Lord pairs an OOAK black wool crepe gown from The Couture Touch with the green sequin jacket from Integrity's "It's a Wrap" costume for an elegant and sophisticated evening ensemble.  Purse from PD Root, cigarette holder from Mystyna, shoes from Integrity.  Highlighting the plunging neckline is a "diamond" dress clip made from a pair of Facets by Marcia earrings.

1940's

"Sunset Serenade" Violet Waters pairs the top from D.A.E. Originals' "Star Maker" costume with the skirt from Ashton Drake's "Jackpot" evening suit for a drop dead gorgeous costume.  Fur from Dimitha, bird cocktail hat and cigarette holder from The Couture Touch, gloves from PD Root, jewelry and shoes from Integrity.

1950's

"Special Scene" Madra Lord accents the gown from "Dream Sequence" with the pink sash from Ashton Drake's "Moments to Remember".  Embroidered gloves from "Triumph" and jewelry from "Rondelet" complete the stunning evening ensemble.  "Dream Sequence", "Triumph", and "Rondelet" are all from Integrity.

Credits:  Monolithic Studios' stars Miss Madra Lord and Miss Violet Waters are from Integrity.  Telephone from Ashton Drake's "A Hot Day in Hollywood" Accessory Set, table from CED.

Leopard Luxury

The leopard print adds an air of exotic glamour and sophistication.  It's synonymous with wealth and luxury. Thought to be one of the first materials used for clothing, animal hides have been traced back to the time of the cavemen.  Throughout history, animal prints have been considered a sign of status.


Hollywood stars have long embraced the leopard print and helped set the trend for mainstream fashion.

Carol Lombard
Photo courtesy talesofamadcapheiress.blogspot.com

Barbara Stanwyck
Photo courtesy magicmonkeyboy.blogspot.com

Irene Dunne
Photo courtesy seraphicpress.com

Joan Crawford, a repainted "Pin-Up" Gene Marshall (artist unknown), pairs leopard accessories with a  rich jewel-tone dress from D.A.E. Originals.  Hat, purse, and shoes from Fashion Boulevard, black scarf from Robert Tonner's "Cashmere Noir" Tyler Wentworth fashion, gloves from Ashton Drake, bracelet from Facets by Marcia, and belt from The Couture Touch.

Moss Rose Ivy Jordan

Monolithic Studio's director, Miss Ivy Jordan, shows you can mix your leopard with other patterns as long as the color tones are in the same family.  An OOAK leopard trimmed hat from The Couture Touch is paired with the plaid jacket and embroidered gloves from Ashton Drake's "Star Wardrobe Collection".  Lace blouse from "Blonde Lace", fur muff from "Dark Desire".

"Fascination" Violet Waters

Jazz singer, Miss Violet Waters, pulls together a fabulous Forties-style suit ensemble beginning with the leopard-trimmed jacket with matching gloves from D.A.E. Originals' "Business Call".  Additional pieces include the pinstriped shirt with attached tie (trimmed) from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection, pleated skirt from Ashton Drake's "Doing Her Part", hat from "Smart Set", and fur muff from "Dark Desire".  OOAK beaded earrings from The Couture Touch.

Source:  Animal Print, The Call of the Classic by Susanne Kathol exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads