I'm Ready for My Close-up

Monolithic Studio's resident jazz artist Miss Violet Waters celebrates the glamour of Hollywood and the Silver Screen in stunning Italian jewels and silk evening gown by Camilli De Bellis of Coverdolls.

Swingtime Serenade Violet Waters is from Ashton Drake.

Winter White from Bogue's Vogues

Spa Getaway Silkstone Barbie doll models an impeccably tailored, winter white, cashmere dress from the talented James Bogue of Bogue's Vogues. Topping the ensemble is a fabulous toque in black velveteen and satin. Shoes, gloves, bracelet, brooch, and hatbox are all from Mattel.

Click HERE to purchase the latest designs from Bogue's Vogues.

And the Bride Wore.....a Suit

WWII Army couple
Courtesy edelweisspatterns.com

WWII history is filled with stories of romance surrounded by pain and suffering. In order to accommodate boyfriends that were coming home for a short leave, many women arranged wartime weddings within a few days. Frequently there was no time to get a traditional gown, and many women could not have afforded the rationing coupons needed for one. Suits were a popular and necessary source for the bride as they were already a wardrobe staple. They were often in subdued tones of grey, taupe, blue, green, and other neutral colors. They were worn with hats in a variety of shapes and styles including floral tilts, halos, and felt toppers accented with feathers, flowers, and veiling.

1940's Wedding couple
Courtesy micheletaylorcoach.me.uk

Early 1940's Wedding couple
Courtesy bilgrimage.blogspot.com

The happy bride, groom & fabulous muff
Courtesy Ephemera Obscura on Etsy

Madra Lord as a 1943 war bride!?!  Only in the movies, my dear.

Monolithic Studio's film diva Miss Madra Lord makes a pensive war bride wearing Integrity's "Town and Country" taupe suit. The original buttons were replaced with beaded ones. Accessories include the wonderful 2-tone shoes from D.A.E. Originals, gloves and floral corsage from Ashton Drake, brooch and fur muff from Integrity.

Pool Pose Madra Lord from Integrity tops her suit with a delightful feathered hat from The Couture Touch. And tucked inside her muff....a prayer book.

Line drawing of a similar suit style for 1943 by
Pauline Weston Thomas courtesy
www.fashion-era.com

In warm weather, wartime brides often wore dresses instead of traditional suits. Two-piece dresses that looked like suits were a popular choice.

Photo courtesy vintagebrideemporium.co.uk

Photo courtesy vintage.es

My mom, on her wedding day in May 1944, wearing a blue 2-piece dress with black velvet epaulets.

Cyril and Winifred Kirk
September 9, 1940
Photo courtesy bbc.co.uk

Click HERE for a poignant short story archived on the BBC of Cyril and Winifred Kirk - A Wartime Wedding by their son, David Kirk.

Source: fashion-era.com

An Outrageous New Hat for Gene

The hat from Ashton Drake's "Goodbye New York" suit ensemble gets a dramatic, asymmetric, over-the-top restyle from The Couture Touch. The original fur has been replaced with the fur trim from Madra Lord's "A Woman for All Seasons" suit and the bow from Miss Marshall's "Press Conference" hat.  Gene's top is from "A Lady Knows", fur stole from Integrity's Marceline, and the necklace is from Madame Alexander.  Symphony in G Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Goodbye New York costume designed by
Doug James for Ashton Drake's Gene Marshall Collection.
Photo courtesy Gene Marshall Wiki.com

A Modern Take on Vintage

Gene Marshall, the iconic star of Monolithic Studios, wears a modern gown that gives a nod to the Art Deco style of the 1930's and early 1940's. Many of the glamorous gowns of this period made use of color-blocking and geometric shapes.

1930's illustration courtesy uglycutedesigns.blogspot.com
 

The color combination of mustard yellow and black was frequently seen during the Art Deco period, not only in fashion but home decor as well.

Tall, faceted, black & yellow Palda vase
 courtesy artdecocollection.com

Mustard yellow crepe gown with black accents
courtesy 1937 Dry Goods

Mustard yellow and black satin gown with color-blocked detail was borrowed from Main Feature Elsa Lin by Integrity. Black suede gauntlet gloves are from The Couture Touch, earrings and black/gold beaded bracelet are from Ashton Drake, cuff bracelet is from Integrity.  Priceless Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

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

Resort Wear

It's that time of the year again....The Holidays are over and the weather outside is frightful.....Time to relax and get away to a tropical destination.....Ah, Summer!

Photo from Life magazine, 1947
Courtesy piroskawolf.blogspot.com
 

Resort wear (sometimes referred to as "cruise wear") was a specialized clothing style originally marketed by upscale boutiques, department stores, and designers to their affluent clientele who would spend the post-Christmas/New Year's weeks in a warm-weather locale. Resort collections included beach/swim wear and accessories, as well as day and evening dresses.

Photo courtesy violetsvintagevault.wordpress.com

Photo courtesy stylebubble.co.uk

1930's beach pajamas were first created by Coco Chanel to be worn at chic seaside resorts. They were available in an array of delightful patterns and bright colors.

Film diva Madra Lord does a little sightseeing on the Riviera, 1930's style!  For a chic daytime ensemble, the dotted top from Integrity's Stepping High Collection is worn over Miss Lord's white dress from Golden Riviera. Topping it off is an OOAK beaded, knit cap (artist unknown).

5 bathing beauties from the 1940's
Courtesy glossi.com

Gene Marshall relaxes in a black and white play suit designed by Joan Greene for Ashton Drake. This late 1940's, early 1950's style was based on an actual bathing suit from Valentino's of Hollywood. Handbag, bracelet, and floral hair comb are from Ashton Drake, sunglasses from Madame Alexander, earrings & shoes are from Robert Tonner. Queen of Hearts Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake and has been enhanced with an articulated body from Integrity.

1940's Lawson of California ad
Courtesy glossi.com

Tropical prints and side-draped skirts, or sarongs added a touch of glamour to 1940's resort wear.

Café Society, circa 1945
In a private collection

Madra Lord is ready for those glamorous warm nights in a simple yet stunning black and white gown. The white satin cowl top from Miss Lord's Golden Riviera set is layered over the black strapless, satin under-dress from Dream Sequence. Belt is from Madame Alexander's Betrayal gown. Jewelry from Ashton Drake, cigarette holder from The Couture Touch.