A Hollywood Christmas

It's Christmas time and the stars from Monolithic Studios are celebrating in style.

A restyled White Hyacinth coat keeps diva extraordinaire Madra Lord cozy and stylish while Christmas shopping.  Hat and coat are from Ashton Drake.  Gloves, belt, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Pool Pose Madra Lord is from Integrity.

The always glamorous Zita Charles wears a simply chic black jersey gown from Sandra Stillwell.  Fur wrap is from Mattel.  Jewels are from Ashton Drake.  Parfait Zita Charles is from Integrity.

Everybody's favorite star Gene Marshall relaxes at home in the restyled peignoir from her film "Red-dy for Love" (Ashton Drake).  Bracelet is from Integrity.  Destiny Gene Marshall, re-coiffed and enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

Director Ivy Jordan all set for the holidays in a gray wool suit accented with mauve and brown tones.  A striking hat tops her smart ensemble.  Suit from Integrity.  Embroidered gloves and earrings are from Ashton Drake.  Hat is from The Couture Touch.  Pearls and Pink Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.

Jazz great Violet Waters poses for a wardrobe test for a scene in her new holiday musical "Winter Baby".  Hat, skirt, and fur "collar" are from A Woman for all Seasons.  Top and shoes are from A Lady Knows.  Fur-trimmed gloves are from Blues in the Night.  All Ashton Drake.  Fur muff is from Integrity.  Belt and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Sunset Serenade Violet Waters is from Integrity.

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.

And the Oscar Goes To

Here are the nominees for outstanding performance by an actress in a leading role:

Madra Lord for "Larcenous Lady"

Gene Marshall for "Moon Over Rio"

Violet Waters for "A Night in Capri"

Ivy Jordan for "Murder on Bothwell Street"

Zita Charles for "The Witness"

And the winner is......

Madra Lord for "Larcenous Lady"

"Thank you to all my fans!  
Oh Trent darling, I'll expect you within the hour with my statue."

A Most Unusual Hat Stand

Inspired by imaginative department store window displays for women's hats from the 1940s, this whimsical hat stand was created utilizing doll heads and found objects. An artificial topiary was used for the base along with two wire extender brackets from a closet shelving unit. This project cost nothing as I used objects I already had on hand. A trip to your local craft and/or hardware store can also yield some interesting results sure to be a conversation starter. [Left and middle hats are from The Couture Touch. Right hat is from Ashton Drake.]

No Zita....just your body!!!  One thing to keep in mind: the heads are heavy so you will need sturdy supports so they don't topple over. Pencils, small dowels, or chop sticks can be inserted into Styrofoam, or a floral oasis or frog and covered with moss and greenery. [Left and middle hats are from The Couture Touch. Right hat is from Robert Tonner.]

In this example, pencils were inserted into the Styrofoam on either side of the original topiary support. [Middle hat is from Ashton Drake, the other two hats are from The Couture Touch.]

A delightful 1940 Sibley Department Store window showing mannequin heads sprouting from branches.

This Sibley Department Store window from 1941 was my original inspiration for this project.

A 1940 window from McCurdy Department Store in Rochester New York. Those mannequin head stands remind me of candle holders. Well...you probably know where this is going!

A metal rod from an Integrity Fashion Royalty doll stand is inserted into the top of a brass candle holder. To keep the rod from toppling over, Tacky Wax was placed inside the opening where a candle would normally go. Foil was then crumbled up and inserted tightly inside the opening. The rod was inserted after poking a small hole in the foil with the sharp end of a compass. Duct tape with a tiny hole to accommodate the rod was attached across the top to further secure it. The "fur" collar from Robert Tonner's Par Excellence suit ensemble hides the duct tape. [Hat is from The Couture Touch.]

You can use any length neck support you like. This variation uses a metal retractable lip brush. [Hat and fur are from The Couture Touch. Handbag is from Robert Tonner.]

Using a doll head as a hat stand is certainly not new. Boudoir doll heads were often used to decorate vanity accessories such as powder jars, candlesticks, and of course...hat stands. This chic doll head tops a stand that has been covered with trim. The possibilities are endless.

I hope this inspires you to create your own unique hat stand perfect for displaying your doll hats.

Here's A Quick Tip:

Cover the metal rod of an Integrity Fashion Royalty doll stand with a drinking straw cut to size. [Hats from The Couture Touch, handbags from Sandra Stillwell and Robert Tonner, shoes from Facets by Marcia and Robert Tonner.]

Credits:

Sibley and McCurdy Department Store archival photos are courtesy of the Rochester New York Public Library. To view the photos at full size, right click and open in a new window.

The Doll Heads:  Azalea Ice Zita Charles, Metropolitan Madra Lord, and Blush Gene Marshall are from Integrity. Blush's custom hairstyle is from Jim Gaddis. Filigree Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Monolithic Studios Stars Raid WHOSE Closet?

Why 007 of course.....

Zita Charles

Somewhere along my travels across the web, I read where someone successfully used a Ken sewing pattern for Gene Marshall. Mattel's 2002 "James Bond 007 Ken & Barbie Gift Set" provided the costume department at Monolithic Studios a classic black gabardine jacket to add to their wardrobe. The fit was remarkably good. The sleeve length was a little short, but easily remedied with gloves. The back seam was tapered to the waist for a nipped in 1950's silhouette. The overlap at the jacket front was reversed and new buttons added. Paired with a black rayon faille slim skirt and a white satin top, the look is pure Hollywood daytime glamour.

Miss Zita Charles

Credits:
Skirt & gloves are from The Couture Touch.
Top is from Sandra Stillwell's Zoe suit ensemble.
Fur is from miniature furrier PD Root.
Hat & purse are from Ashton Drake.
Brooch is from Mattel's Barbie Fashion Model Collection.
Azalea Ice Zita Charles is from Integrity.

Gene Marshall

Miss Gene Marshall

The versatile black suit goes from boardroom to cocktails with a change of accessories. The pink & black houndstooth hat/purse set and earrings are from Ashton Drake. Gloves and brooch are from Integrity. Scarf and fur stole are from Sandra Stillwell. Black suede hat is from The Couture Touch. Phoenix Gene Marshall is from JamieShow.

So if you are looking for a basic black jacket to add to your wardrobe, look no further than....
Bond.... James Bond.

Madra Lord's 1932 Cover

Film star Madra Lord appears on the cover of the summer issue of Ladies' Home Journal wearing the delightful frock borrowed from Silhouette of the 1930's Zita Charles. Accessories include the gloves from Gene Marshall's Cherry Smash ensemble and a restyled hat from Mattel. C'est Moi Madra Lord, dress, gloves, and bracelet are all from Integrity. Necklace is from Ashton Drake.

A Star's Wardrobe Make-Over

Gene Marshall, circa 1940's

Miss Marshall's brown and cream herringbone suit from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection gets a marvelous make-over by removing the original fur collar and cuffs to reveal a sleek silhouette, perfect for accessorizing. The mother-of-pearl buttons were replaced with a delightful Bakelite button accent at the waist. Underneath a cream linen dickey maintains the clean line of this fabulous Forties suit. Fur drape is from miniature furrier PD Root. Handbag and gloves are from Ashton Drake. The crochet pin "corsage", earrings, and hat are from The Couture Touch.

Zita Charles models the original suit ensemble......

Zita Charles

Gene Marshall tops her "new" suit with the re-shaped and re-styled hat
from Madra Lord's "Top This" costume.

Sometimes inspiration for a make-over can come from a failed project. After successfully dyeing my original "Croquet, Anyone?" ensemble a charcoal grey, I purchased a second costume in order to dye it another color. The dress dyed beautifully; the jacket not so well. 

Gene Marshall

So why not make something new from something old. In this case, ripping apart the old jacket and making a pattern for a new one. The result gives this version of "Croquet, Anyone?" a smart new look. Fur from PD Root, hat from Ashton Drake's "Fashion Plot" ensemble, and gauntlet gloves from The Couture Touch.

Gene Marshall

Miss Marshall updates this versatile jacket by pairing it with the pinstriped shirt from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection and a black skirt from Sandra Stillwell. Fur is from Integrity, Black suede gauntlet gloves and felt hat are from The Couture Touch. Handbag and bracelet are from Ashton Drake.

Credits: 
The original circa 1941 "Croquet, Anyone?" ensemble was designed by Lynne Day for Ashton Drake's Gene Marshall Collection.

Miss Marshall and Miss Charles appear courtesy Monolithic Studios.

1940's Victory Rolls

Linda Darnell, circa 1940's
Photo courtesy swingfashionista.com

A victory roll was actually the name for a WWII fighter plane maneuver. The women of the 1940's took this term and made it their own. Thus the hairstyle that defined a decade was born. Many Hollywood stars happily embraced this glamorous hairstyle.

Rita Hayworth poses for a circa 1940's jewelry ad
Photo courtesy swingfashionista.com

Ann Sheridan from "Thank Your Lucky Stars" (1943)
Photo courtesy caseykoester.wordpress.com

Hair accessories such as flowers, ribbons, bows, and scarves were the perfect complement to the victory roll. One of my favorite accessory for the victory roll is a snood.  Snoods function similar to a classic hairnet that were used to keep the back hair neat. They were the perfect option for medium to longer-length hair. Snoods could be worn during the day or evening and were available in a variety of materials. Crochet or knitted snoods were the most popular, but they could also be made of the same material as a dress to create a coordinated look.

The classic 1940's crochet snood in a fabulous color.
Photo courtesy delanceydamevintage.files.wordpress.com

On the girl in blue: A sequin snood accented with a
sapphire & moonstone clip.Costumes from Nettie Rosenstein.
Jewels from Tiffany & Company.
Photo by Horst for Vogue Nov 15, 1940.

"Belle of the Ball" Gene Marshall wears a silvery knit evening
snood from The Couture Touch to complement her sensational
brunette victory rolls.

Fabric snood to match a dress or top, circa 1942
Photo courtesy vintagedancer.com

"Parfait" Zita Charles wears her victory curls in an elegant
 evening style. Ransom in Red gown is from Ashton Drake.

Back view of a tightly rolled hairstyle option, circa 1940's
Photo courtesy veiledhaven.com

"Destiny" Gene Marshall in Pinque Passion.
Gloves from Gold Sensation. All from Ashton Drake.

In search of the perfect victory roll? Try curling the hair first. Here's how I created Destiny's victory rolls.

What you will need are some regular size drinking straws, end papers (found in beauty supply stores), straight pins, jewelry pliers, eyedropper or small measuring cup, a small pot of boiling water, a small bowl of cold water and ice, and a doll hairbrush. I use a Mattel's Barbie hairbrush.

Be sure to start with clean and tangle-free hair. I sectioned Destiny's hair from ear to ear and parted slightly off-centered. Each side was rolled using a straw cut to size. Wet the hair with water (or hair gel if desired) and wrap the ends with end papers before rolling. Hold the hair taut as you roll. To hold the roller in place, insert a straight pin through the straw and into the vinyl head with jewelry pliers. Repeat with the other side.

Fill an eyedropper or small measuring cup with the boiling water and carefully pour a little over the rollers avoiding the face and remaining hair. Immediately repeat with the cold water. Blot dry with a paper towel and allow to air dry for at least 24 hours.

When thoroughly dry, remove the pins with the jewelry pliers. Carefully remove the rollers and end papers. I just positioned the curls and secured with a couple of straight pins. That's it. The remaining hair was left long and slightly curled. No cutting or trimming was necessary for Destiny's hair length.

Disclaimer: I am by no means a professional hairstylist. If I can do it, so can you. If possible begin with an Ashton Drake Gene as their hair fiber is much more forgiving. And if you don't like the result, you can always rinse it out and start over. Happy Rolling!

Love 1940's hairstyles and want more? Click HERE to read my popular 2011 post on 1940's Hairstyles: Pompadours, Rolls, & Bangs.

Credits:

"Belle of the Ball" Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake's 2001 Tulsa Oil Baron's Ball Gene Convention.

"Parfait" Zita Charles is from Integrity's 2010 Stardust Gene Convention.

"Destiny" Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Paris Hats, 1943

Bernard Blossac Illustrations, 1943
Courtesy hprints.com

By 1944, women's hats in German occupied Paris became larger, taller, and more dramatic. While clothing was strictly rationed; hats however, could be made from a variety of unrationed materials and scraps.  Whether is was just a way to stay fashionable, express their individuality or identity, or just to keep up morale in the face of adversity, Paris women embraced these uniquely marvelous hat styles.

American film star, Miss Zita Charles shows her support for the brave women of Paris by wearing a fabulously dramatic hat from The Couture Touch.  The black wool suit with sequin trim is from Robert Tonner's Theatre de la Mode collection, Le Petit Ensemble Noir.  Lace trimmed blouse is from Ashton Drake's "Blonde Lace", leathette gloves from Integrity, purse from Madame Alexander, and earrings from The Couture Touch.  A restyled City Sleeker Zita Charles is from Integrity.

Traveling with Ms. Charles on this trip to Paris is the lovely Miss Gene Marshall.  In need of an appropriate hat to wear with her new jacket, Miss Marshall deftly restyles an old hat into a sensational topper.  The embroidered jacket and hat box from Robert Tonner's "Par Excellence" Brenda Starr ensemble is worn over the sheath from Integrity's "Cherry Smash" costume.  Fur from PD Root, walking stick from "Blonde Lace", and the hat is from "Black Ribbon".  Cascade in Blue Gene Marshall is enhanced with an Integrity articulated body.

1940's Pin Up Style

Gene Marshall
Circa 1940

Film star Gene Marshall poses pin up style in a fabulous costume borrowed from Heat Wave Violet Waters.  To Have and To Hold Gene Marshall from Ashton Drake visited the salon at The Couture Touch for a new do and a new body, courtesy of Integrity.

The 1940's were probably the most popular pin up era.  They played a key role during WWII by keeping soldier's morale up, instilled hope, and provided a brief distraction from the war they were fighting.  Many Hollywood stars including Betty Grable, Ava Gardner, Jane Russell, and Carole Landis helped contribute to the war effort and became highly sought after pin ups.

Carole Landis
Photo courtesy anthropoetics.ucla.edu

Pin up art was also an important part of the period.  These colorful illustrations were usually highlighted with scantily clad girls in fun and playful poses.

"Pay Off" by Art Frahm,
1940

"Day Off"
Circa 1940

Zita Charles poses in delightful pin up style wearing a top and shorts from Integrity's Stepping High Collection.  Shoes from Ashton Drake's "Pinque Passion", bracelet from Facets by Marcia, and Scotty dog from PD Root.  Parfait Zita Charles is from Integrity.