Inspiration: Vintage Window Displays

Vintage window displays can be a wonderful source of inspiration for creating unique fashion doll dioramas. Travel with me back in time to tour a sampling of delightful fashion windows from the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's. 

1930's window courtesy johnnydepp-zone.com

1938 swimwear window from Grace Bros., Sydney Australia
Photo courtesy vintagevenus.blogspot.com

McCurdy Department Store display, 1940
Photo courtesy Rochester NY Public Library

McCurdy Department Store display, 1940
Photo courtesy Rochester NY Public Library

McCurdy Department Store display, 1940
Photo courtesy Rochester NY Public Library

Sibley Department Store display, 1940
Photo courtesy Rochester NY Public Library

Sibley Department Store display, 1941
Photo courtesy Rochester NY Public Library

Spring window display, circa 1950's

Window display for Fox stoles, Daytons, Minneapolis, MN., 1957
Photo courtesy wildrosevintage.blogspot.com

1940's Christmas window
Photo courtesy threadforthought.net

Cold Shoulder

Miss Marshall is stunning in the sage green, asymmetric gown designed originally for Madra Lord by Jose Ferrand, circa 1942. The Grecian-styled design was inspired by the illustrations of Salvador Dali, Christian Berard, and Marcel Vertes in the 1930's and 40's. OOAK cigarette holder is from Mystyna. Encore Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Salvador Dali illustration for Vogue, 1930's
 

Christian Berard illustration
Marcel Rochas design, c 1930's
 

Marcel Vertes illustration for Henri Bendel, 1936

Fashion Inspiration, 1948

Illustration by Eric for Coty's Emeraude fragrance from Vogue, November 1, 1948.

"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. 

Inspirations: Film Costume

The 1940's Howard Hawks film His Girl Friday starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell features one of my all-time favorite costumes: a fabulous chevron striped coat and matching hat worn by Russell in the scene where she arrives back in the newsroom.  It was designed by Columbia Pictures' resident costume designer Robert Kalloch.

For more detailed information and photos of this costume, visit Clothes on Film by Chris Laverty.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Autumn Noir"

Monolithic Studios' star Miss Gene Marshall travels this holiday in style wearing an OOAK suit and tilt topper from The Couture Touch, circa mid-1930's.  Additional accessories include the fabulous fur from miniature furrier PD Root, train case from Ashton Drake's "Travel in Tweed" and ascot from "Turbulence".  Phoenix Gene Marshall is from Mel Odom and JamieShow. Wig from Monique.

"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.