May Seasonal Accessorizing

Add a fresh touch of white to a conservative costume with a jabot.  The traditional jabot is fashioned from white lace and either gathered or pleated into straight ruffles.  However, as you will see, a jabot does not have to be made of lace to give the same effect.

Madra Lord accents her tailored two piece ensemble with the lace jabot borrowed from Gene Marshall's Little Black Dress costume.  It has been updated with a new black bow and tiny black beads.  Top and jabot are from Ashton Drake.  Hat, gauntlet gloves, skirt, and belt are from The Couture Touch.  Handbag is from Randall Craig.  Pool Pose Madra Lord is from Integrity.

A unique pearl encrusted "jabot" dresses up Gene Marshall's Little Black Dress.  The "jabot" is actually a beaded applique with tiny magnets attached to the back.  A festive belt, white gloves, pearl jewelry, and detachable lace cuffs complete the look.  Dress, cuffs, and gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Handbag is from Robert Tonner.  Styling from The Couture Touch.  Creme de Cassis Gene Marshall (restyled) is from Ashton Drake.

And from the archives:

The original lace jabot from Miss Marshall's Little Black Dress is paired with the dress from Madra Lord's Dark Desire.  Both from Ashton Drake.  Wool herringbone jerkin and coordinating gauntlet gloves are from The Couture Touch.  Shoes and belt are from Integrity.  Hat is from Robert Tonner.  J'Adore Gene Marshall, wearing a restyled wig cap from Phoenix Gene Marshall, is from Jamieshow.

A Parade of Spring Hats

Monolithic Studios' iconic film star Gene Marshall selects a few of her favorite hats from the  costume archives.  Enjoy!

Jacket/dress from Ashton Drake. Handbag from Robert Tonner. Hat, earrings, and styling are from The Couture Touch. Blue Fox Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Jacket/dress from Ashton Drake. Hat and styling are from The Couture Touch. J'Adore Gene Marshall is from Jamieshow.  

Suit ensemble from Ashton Drake. Phoenix Gene Marshall is from Jamieshow.

Suit from Integrity. Hat from Buenos Aires Victoire Roux [Integrity]. J'Adore Gene Marshall is from Jamieshow.

Suit and muff from Sandra Stillwell. Gloves and styling are from The Couture Touch. Restyled hat is from Ashton Drake's Song of Spain. Symphony in G Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

A Simply Magnetizing Idea

A brooch, often referred to as a pin, brings interest to a basic suit, dress, or even a muff.  In the 1940's, the brooch was meant to be worn at the center-front of the neckline.  Lapel ornaments were in the form of a pin, novelty clip, or pendant-type.

You can easily make your own unique brooch for a favorite fashion doll.  Old earrings, broken necklaces, and unusual buttons can be recycled for a distinctive look.  Antique malls, thrift stores, flea markets, and even the clearance jewelry section of your local department store can often yield interesting pieces.  Of course, my motto is to first shop your own jewelry box as I did for the following examples.

Madra Lord

A black onyx and "diamond" earring gives just the right amount of elegance to Miss Lord's garnet suit.

Gene Marshall

Even the modern earring lends itself perfectly to Miss Marshall's chic 1950's suit ensemble.

Components from a broken necklace add a touch of surrealism to a wool boucle muff.

Here's what you will need:

• Magnets, 1/4" or smaller
• E6000 adhesive
• Wire cutters
• Emery board
• Safety glasses
• Latex gloves

A Word of Caution:  

Be sure to carefully read any warnings on your package of magnets and adhesive before you purchase.

To convert an earring to a brooch: 

1. Wearing safety glasses, remove the post with your wire cutters.  Smooth any sharpness with the fine side of an emery board. 
2. To prepare the surface for the adhesive, lightly roughen the back of the earring with the emery board.  Wipe the surface clean before applying the glue. 
3. Apply adhesive and attach a magnet.  Let dry according to package directions.  For better control, squeeze a small amount of glue onto a paper plate or a piece of foil.  Use the tip of a pin or toothpick to apply the glue to the back of the earring. 

Madra Lord

A colorful, jeweled button becomes the perfect accent for a luscious fur drape.

Credits:
Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord and J'Adore Gene Marshall are from Integrity.
Like A Fox Madra Lord is from Ashton Drake.

Autumn, 1950

It's Time to Romance the Suit.

Two of my favorite styles....the fitted jacket with nipped-in waist and a belted jacket that features a dramatic peplum, both worn over a "pencil" slim skirt.  Elegant and sophisticated silhouettes for those cool days ahead.

Actress Gene Marshall wears the drama of a wool OOAK, belted, peplum jacket accented with over-sized pockets and button detailing from The Couture Touch. A wing collar and 3/4 length cuffed sleeves complete this chic ensemble. Muff from Mattel. J'Adore Gene Marshall wears her original black felt hat that has been restyled.

Ivy Jordan, renowned director for Monolithic Studios, dons a recreation of a Pierre Balmain suit by Debora West and styled by The Couture Touch. The double-breasted, fitted jacket features a funnel neckline with tucking detail. The sleeve can be worn as shown or folded back to reveal contrast pink cuffs. Miss Jordan accessorizes her suit with a dramatic black suede hat and coordinating color-blocked clutch, both from The Couture Touch. "Diamond" brooch from Facets by Marcia.

The suit was created based on this Studio Commissary header photo of a Pierre Balmain (1914-82) design. His designs echo his architectural background and tended to favor a narrow silhouette for his tailored suits.

Moss Rose Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.
J'Adore Gene Marshall is the FDQ Exclusive BJD from Mel Odom and JamieShow.

Les Femmes Chic

Dateline:  Paris, France.....

The chic women of Monolithic Studios, Miss Gene Marshall and Miss Madra Lord, took time off from filming to attend Paris Fashion Week. The ladies graciously agreed to model their favorite Fall fashions from the show.

Miss Madra Lord

Miss Lord wears a striking gown from Integrity's Gene Marshall Collection. A blush pink satin bodice is worn over black tulle accented with black feathers and sequins. Long black gloves and "diamond" jewelry complete this stunning 2008 W Club Exclusive. Miss Lord's pale blonde, size 4/5, "Brittany" wig from the Monique Collection is available in several colors from facetsbymarcia.

Madra Lord

Miss Lord models the chic daytime dress from D.A.E. Original's "Charmed Traveler" ensemble topped with a dramatic black suede hat from The Couture Touch. Additional accessories include beaded color-blocked gauntlet gloves, belt, and brooch: all from The Couture Touch. Earrings and the delightful structured handbag are from Ashton Drake.

Miss Gene Marshall

For those crisp Autumn days ahead, Miss Marshall wears "Sparkling Sepia", a smart tweed suit from Integrity. The jacket has been belted and at the neckline, a soft peach flirty bow. Additional accessories include a fur hat and embroidered gloves, both from Ashton Drake.

Credits:

"Spotted in Manhattan" Madra Lord and J'Adore Gene Marshall are from Mel Odom and JamieShow.

Creative Millinery

During WWII, the U.S. implemented clothing restrictions (referred to as Limitation Order L-85) to the apparel industry in order to conserve materials needed for the war effort. The rationing of supplies sparked creativity as well as renewed self-expression.

Even Hollywood was impacted by the wartime restrictions. At the Monolithic Studio's wardrobe department, stylists work their millinery magic with available materials to refresh some of their early costumes.

The result:  Five glorious hats....each one star-approved by Monolithic's leading ladies, Miss Gene Marshall and Miss Madra Lord.

J'Adore Gene Marshall wears a fashionable red leather tilt hat made from a vintage shoe clip. The clip was removed and a circle of felt was added to finish the underside of the hat. Ashton Drake's red crepe jacket/dress ensemble is now the perfect "Smart Set".

Blue Fox Gene Marshall accents her black and cream striped dress with a delightful black ribbon tilt hat that began as a flower lapel pin. "Lucky Stripe" gets a make-over by adding a belt and moving the side drape so the beautiful pleating is visible. Dress, jewelry, gloves, and Miss Marshall are all from Ashton Drake.

The hat from Robert Tonner's "Fresh Take" gets a fresh re-take by re-shaping the wired bandeau into a dramatic red feathered tilt topper perfect for Tonner's Reporter in Red suit ensemble from the Brenda Starr Collection. Jewelry from The Couture Touch. "Fresh Take" costume is from the Ann Harper Collection. Like A Fox Madra Lord is from Ashton Drake.

The satin ribbon hat from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection brown accessories set was updated with vintage millinery trim for a spectacular floral confection. Suit, gloves, and jewelry are from Ashton Drake. J'Adore Gene Marshall is the FDQ exclusive doll from Mel Odom and JamieShow.

Dark Desire Madra Lord graciously poses for the cover of Movie Star magazine wearing a fabulous tilt hat that was once the little tam from Ashton Drake's "Bonnie and Blythe" costume. The red pom pom and black vinyl trim were removed from the original hat. Buckram was inserted for shape and support and the underside finished with felt. Dramatic vintage trim accents the "new" hat. Dress, jewelry, and Miss Lord are from Ashton Drake. Fur cape from Dimitha.

Next time:  Make a circa 1940's tilt hat for Miss Marshall.

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

On The Plaza with Miss Gene Marshall

On The Plaza is an impeccably tailored suit ensemble from Sandra Stillwell's Holiday Collection that she presented at the 2013 Every Day's A Holiday event held in Kansas City. It was inspired by a Betty Rose design, circa 1950's.

Photo courtesy sandrastillwellpresents.blogspot.com

The Betty Rose label was trademarked in 1926 by the Stern-Slegman Prins Company, Kansas City, MO. The company designed women's coats and suits as well as girl's coats under the Betty Rose label.

Courtesy trademarkia.com

This chic and sophisticated black and white tweed suit is accented with subtle shots of silver metallic thread woven throughout the fabric. The highlight is the perfectly scaled decorative tabs and Swarovski crystal buttons. Accessories include a red wool felt platter hat trimmed with wine velvet, red gloves, drop earrings, and the most marvelously detailed red-trimmed black suede shoes.

Join Miss Marshall On The Plaza as she models this fabulous suit styled by The Couture Touch.

The original hat was re-modeled to form a heart shape meant to be worn off the face. The fur stole is from Integrity's "C'est Moi" Madra Lord ensemble, shoes and purse are from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection, and the gloves are from Ashton Drake. A pre-made satin bow is tucked under the front overlay and accented with a tiny matching flower. A restyled "To Have and To Hold" Gene Marshall from Ashton Drake has been enhanced with an Integrity articulated body.

Perfect for Spring: red and black accessories. The perfect topper: the black straw hat from Mattel's Muffy Roberts Silkstone Barbie doll. Red gloves are from Robert Tonner, the red corsage and black alligator handbag are from Integrity, and the earrings and white with black dotted scarf are from The Couture Touch. J'Adore Gene Marshall is the FDQ Exclusive BJD from Mel Odom and JamieShow. She wears the black, one-bun chignon from JamieShow.

Another delightful Spring look courtesy of the OOAK floral hat from Hunter-Goldblatt Designs. Yellow scarf and black gloves are from Ashton Drake, the OOAK "lucite" handbag is from The Couture Touch, shoes are from Integrity. The tweed jacket is paired with a black skirt from Bogue's Vogues. A white with black dotted pre-made bow is again tucked under the front overlay for accent. "Cocoa Crisp" Gene Marshall is from Integrity.

A fabulous tilt hat from The Couture Touch and the fur drape from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection provide the drama and gives this 50's suit a 40's flair. Brooch and gloves are from Ashton Drake, and the handbag is from Mark Middendorf. The gray feathered hair ornament from Integrity's Rich Girl ensemble was re-purposed as trim for the hat. "Symphony in G" Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Be sure to visit sandrastillwellpresents.blogspot.com for availability of fashions from her events.

3 Reasons I Love Dark Desire's LBD

Madra Lord Dark Desire from Ashton Drake
Photo courtesy immafiercecreature.blogspot.com

1. Style - This circa 1942 tailored dress is exceptionally well-cut and well made. I love the front asymmetric banding and pleat detailing. The dress includes padded shoulders, a round neckline, and 3/4" sleeves.

Butterick 5281 dress pattern, circa 1940's

2. Color - Don't we all have at least one little black dress in our wardrobe? In 1926 American Vogue published a fashion illustration of a simple black, crepe de chine dress designed by Coco Chanel. A month later, French Vogue declared it the "uniform of the modern woman". The concept was perhaps a little ahead of its time, and it wasn't until a decade later that the "little black dress" became a popular phrase in advertising with major department stores heralding it as the piece of clothing a modern woman "can't live without".

Chanel's 1926 "Ford" dress
Photo courtesy onthisdayinfashion.com

Chanel did not "invent" the LBD. A year earlier the New York Times mentioned a "particular smart model" from Lanvin, "a dinner dress built of black satin with no trimming". In 1916 the English magazine, The Queen, used the phrase "little black satin dress", and as early as 1902 Henry James describes "a little black frock" in The Wings of a Dove. The LBD was around before Chanel's crepe de chine number appeared in Vogue, but she told us to wear it, and so we did. - Ali Basye, On This Day In Fashion.

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, 1939
Fox Photos, Getty Images
Courtesy realsimple.com

The style and color lends itself nicely to the 3rd reason I love this dress....

3. Versatility - Accessories are the perfect way to change the look of a basic black dress. They can include everything from shoes and hats to collars, belts, and jewelry. Over the past few years I have shown this dress with a variety of looks. Here are 2 more:

Gene Marshall accessorizes the LBD with a belted blue and black wool herringbone jerkin and matching gauntlet gloves from The Couture Touch. The lace jabot is from Ashton Drake's earlier "Little Black Dress" costume. The over-sized breton hat is from Robert Tonner's Par Excellence suit ensemble. Oxford shoes are from Integrity. J'Adore Gene Marshall is the FDQ Exclusive BJD doll from Mel Odom and JamieShow. Miss Marshall's restyled wig cap is from Phoenix Gene.

The LBD takes a dramatic turn courtesy of a black and white striped turban with attached scarf from The Couture Touch. The gloves are original to Dark Desire. The white fur muff from A Touch of Hospitality has been embellished with various trims. Brooch is from Ashton Drake and the black and white t-strapped shoes are from Tonner. A restyled Shadow Song Gene Marshall is from  Integrity.

Sources: onthisdayinfashion.com   realsimple.com

"Puttin' on the Ritz" for New Year's Eve

Monolithic Studio's star, Miss Gene Marshall, is ready to make her New Year's Eve entrance in a stunning 1930's inspired gown borrowed from "Postcards from Cannes" Madra Lord. Floral corsage from Ashton Drake. Cigarette holder from The Couture Touch. J'Adore Gene Marshall is the FDQ exclusive BJD from Mel Odom and JamieShow. Platinum marcel wig is from facetsbymarcia.

Puttin' on the Ritz was written by Irving Berlin and published in 1929. The title of this popular song derives from the slang expression "putting on the Ritz" meaning to dress very fashionably. The expression was inspired by the opulent Ritz Hotel.

Happy New Year!

"The Lady or The Spider"

Gene Marshall, who replaces Madra Lord in "The Lady or The Spider", tests a costume for a scene from this 1942 film noir about a black widow suspected of murdering her third husband. 

The original black crepe dress from Ashton Drake's "Dark Desire" is updated with dramatic accessories from The Couture Touch. Cigarette holder is from Madra Lord's "Anything But Nice" costume. J'Adore Gene Marshall borrows the brunette wig cap from White Orchid Gene. 

"The Best of Everything"

J'Adore Gene Marshall wears "The Best of Everything" suit designed by James Bogue for the 2001 Idex Christina St. Clair Fashion Boulevard collection, circa 1950's.  Black knit top is from Sandra Stillwell, gloves from Ashton Drake, and luggage from D.A.E. Originals.  Hat, bracelet, and shoes are from Integrity. Umbrella from Fashion Blvd. Miss Marshall's black one-bun chignon wig cap is from JamieShow.

Slip Into Something Fabulous for Cocktails

Gene Marshall slips into the fabulous Cognac Evening cocktail dress, circa 1951, designed by Jose Ferrand exclusively for the 1999 Ashton Drake Gene Marshall Collection.  Miss Marshall chooses to wear a matching pleated velvet hat from The Couture Touch.  Additional accessories include the gold lame clutch from PD Root and cigarette holder by Mystyna.  Her gold and jet choker is a combination of two Ashton Drake necklaces.  J'Adore Gene Marshall is the FDQ Exclusive BJD from Mel Odom and JamieShow.

A 1952 Legroux Soeurs hat.  Photo by Norman Parkinson courtesy My Vintage Vogue.

The Versatile Miss Marshall

J'Adore Gene Marshall

Miss Gene Marshall, Mel Odom's latest incarnation of Monolithic Studios' iconic film star, demonstrates her style versatility spanning two decades.

1930's

The sensational slack suit and embroidered gloves from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection are paired with the blouse accented with a chenille flower from "Fashion Plot". Accessories include the hat from "Smart Set", walking stick from "Blonde Lace", OOAK cigarette holder from Mystyna, and fabulous fur from PD Root.  Miss Marshall's size 4-5, white blonde, synthetic mohair wig called Marcel is from facetsbymarcia.

1940's

The jacket, gloves, and blouse are paired with the charcoal grey, pleated skirt from Integrity's "Daily Threads".  A wool felt, scoop-brimmed hat from The Couture Touch perfectly complement Miss Marshall's restyled blonde wig cap borrowed from Phoenix Gene Marshall. The train case is from Ashton Drake's "Fit For a Queen".

JAdore Gene Marshall is a Fashion Doll Quarterly exclusive BJD by Mel Odom & JamieShow.

Set Credits:
CED table
Telephone from "A Hot Day in Hollywood" Accessory Set