October Seasonal Accessorizing

Rejuvenate a solid-colored suit, dress, or coat with the addition of plaid accessories.

A marvelous plaid hat along with a matching wing-collared dickey adds panache to Gene Marshall's suit ensemble.  The jacket is a restyled coat dress from D.A.E. Originals' Tour d'Argent.  Skirt, gloves, and cigarette holder are from Ashton Drake.  Hat, dickey, belt, earrings, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Blue Belle Gene Marshall, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

A hat, a dickey, a pair of gloves, a belt, or just a handbag.  You don't need a large area of plaid to enliven a basic suit or dress.

A fabulous plaid handbag is all that is needed to complement this Couturier suit from Vogue Patterns, circa 1943.

One Tweed Suit, Two Inspired Looks

Two famous stars from Monolithic Studios choose their favorite look for a classic navy tweed suit.  The quickest way to change the look of an outfit is with accessories.  Let's see what our stars have chosen.

Actress Gene Marshall goes for drama with bold red accessories.  Hat, scarf, and belt are from The Couture Touch.  Brooch is from Mattel.  Gloves are from Ashton Drake.

Jazz singer Violet Waters chooses a stylishly sophisticated look.  Hat, crochet lapel ornament, handbag, and earrings are from The Couture Touch.  Red knit top and gloves are from Ashton Drake's "Good-Bye New York" suit ensemble.  Luscious fur from PD Root replaces the original cape.

Credits:

Ashton Drake's Limited Edition "Travel in Tweed" suit ensemble was designed by Lynne Day for the 2004 Gene Marshall Collection.

Fashion Plot Gene Marshall and Mood Indigo Violet Waters appear courtesy Monolithic Studios and Ashton Drake.

Styling from The Couture Touch.

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.

Between Takes

Solid black wool together with black and white wool houndstooth was used for this smart suit Gene Marshall wears in a 1940 film noir from Monolithic Studios.  Suit, a black wool jersey dickey, cigarette holder, and earrings are from The Couture Touch.  Shoes from Robert Tonner,  The hat from Ashton Drake's "Doing Her Part" has been restyled by adding a white ribbon band and reshaping the brim.  Best Bet Gene Marshall, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.  Her wig is from Monique.

September Seasonal Accessorizing

Transform a jacket by adding braid or cording trim.  Depending on how it is used, the effect can either be subtle or dramatic.

Ivy Jordan

Even a small touch such as black cording shaped into a cluster of medallions to form a pocket motif adds distinction to a tailored jacket.  Suit ensemble is from The Couture Touch.  Gloves are from Integrity.  Handbag from Randall Craig.  "V for Tea" Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.

During WWII unrationed braid was available in a variety of colors and unique designs.  In addition, furniture departments carried fringed sofa edgings that could be creatively utilized as trim for clothing.  Here are two examples from the September 1941 issue of British Vogue magazine.

Madra Lord

Black loop braiding adds panache to Integrity's remodeled suit [Sparkling Sepia].  Following the seam line, the braiding was hand tacked to the jacket and the ends were tucked under the hem.  Hat and gloves are from The Couture Touch.  Scarf is from Ashton Drake.  Handbag from an unknown designer.  Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord is from Jamieshow.

This Harzfeld's department store fashion ad from the September 1942 issue of Harper's Bazaar features a Nettie Rosenstein beige and black wool suit trimmed with black passementerie.

Madra Lord

From the archives, the white crepe jacket [Par Excellence] from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection is embellished with black trim giving it that distinctive forties look.  Scarf and matching gloves are from The Couture Touch.  Hat and skirt are from Sandra Stillwell.  Booties and doggies are from Ashton Drake.  Deep Rose Madra Lord is from Integrity.

"Hollywood Director"

This 1946 fashion ad for a Rosenblum tailored suit pays homage to lady directors in this illustration titled "Hollywood Director" by artist Ben Stahl.

Wearing a casually chic ensemble, Monolithic Studios' actress turned director Miss Ivy Jordan is hard at work on the set of her new film.  Jerkin, belt, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Shirt is from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection.  Skirt is from Sandra Stillwell.  Gloves from Ashton Drake.  Cigarette holder is from Mystyna.

Credits:

Harper's Bazaar, October 1946.

Lady Director Ivy Jordan appears courtesy Monolithic Studios and Integrity.

What Are You Doing This Evening?

If you're dining in a restaurant where there is dancing, wear a dress with a full skirt for ease of movement.  Cocktail ensemble embellished with "fur" cuffs, and jewels are from Ashton Drake.  Cigarette holder from Mystyna.  Shadow Song Gene Marshall is from Integrity.  Hair styled by The Couture Touch.

For little dinners at home, wear something easy and effortlessly elegant such as this ruffled skirt from Integrity paired with a knit turtleneck bodysuit from Robert Tonner.  Cuff bracelet is from Integrity.  Cigarette holder from The Couture Touch.  Necklace unknown.  Twilight Rumba Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

For opening night at the ballet or the theater, choose a stylish satin suit such as this one from Integrity accessorized with a feathered hat and matching gloves from D.A.E. Originals, and sumptuous fur from PD Root.  Necklace and earrings are from Madame Alexander.  Heat Wave Violet Waters is from Integrity.  Hair styled by The Couture Touch.

If you're going nightclubbing, look for an outfit guaranteed to turn heads such as this sequin embellished top from D.A.E. Originals paired with a satin skirt with a dramatic velvet flounce from Ashton Drake.  Fur cape is from Dimitha.  Jewels and shoes are from Integrity.  Gloves from PD Root.  Hat and cigarette holder are from The Couture Touch.  Sunset Serenade Violet Waters is from Integrity.

If attending a ball, go for all-out glamour with a black velvet gown, "diamond" jewelry, and a luscious fur stole.  Evening ensemble is from Ashton Drake.  Shoes from Integrity.  Queen of Hearts Gene Marshall, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

Credits:

Harper's Bazaar, October 1946.

Styling from The Couture Touch.