Traveling in Tweed and Mink

Miss Gene Marshall will travel in style this Holiday season in Ashton Drake's classic "Travel in Tweed" navy suit.  The silk cape is accented with mink trim recycled from a vintage dress.  A dramatic boucle hat and suede gloves complete the ensemble.  Cape, hat, gloves, and jewelry are from The Couture Touch.  Hatbox and cigarette holder are from Ashton Drake.  My model/muse is a restyled "To Have and To Hold" Gene Marshall from Ashton Drake with an Integrity articulated body.

In Loving Memory of my Mother, 1923 - 2011

My Mother on her wedding day, May 1945

Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

What's Madra Lord's favorite accessory?  Why diamonds of course!  And diamonds are the perfect choice to accessorize this enchanting gown by Madame Alexander created exclusively for the 2003 Paris Fashion Doll Festival.  This stunning gown resembles another famous diva's early 1960's ensemble called "Enchanted Evening".  I couldn't resist adding the floral accent to the waist and the luxurious fur wrap.  Gloves and fur are from Ashton Drake's Gene Marshall Collection.  The shoes are from Integrity.  The clutch purse from Dressmaker Details. 

Recognize Madra?  She's "Postcards from Cannes" Madra Lord by Integrity.  She now rules the 1950's in her new Johnny wig from Facets by Marcia.  I just love her attitude!   Look for more of her in upcoming posts.

Vintage Inspiration

Source:  McCalls 1939

A Colorful Autumn

Gene Marshall is ready to make a colorful Autumn entrance in this 1950's era cocktail suit by The Couture Touch.  A rich burgundy Ultrasuede pillbox hat and matching structured handbag complete the ensemble.  Gloves are from Ashton Drake and the jewelry and shoes from Integrity.  My model/muse is "Symphony in G" Gene Marshall by Ashton Drake.  I find I am falling in love all over again with these early Gene dolls.  Although not articulated, these bodies have a beautiful silky feel and graceful look to them.  And I love the gorgeous, Vargas-like faces of Ashton Drake's version of Gene.

Vignette Inspiration

I love browsing flea markets and antique malls for items I can use in my fashion doll display vignettes.   Recently I came across a pair of wall display shelves that would be perfect for my "Couture Salon" vignette for my larger fashion dolls such as Gene Marshall and Madra Lord.  They were just the right size to display some of Gene's many fabulous accessories, and they didn't have to be mounted on a wall.

Aren't these shelves fabulous?  I couldn't believe my luck in finding them.  After the Holidays I plan to cover some thin cardboard with scrapbook paper in an elegant design to insert behind the shelves for a different look. 

Here's a full view of my "Couture Salon" vignette dressed for the Holidays.  The display is located on top of a bureau in my studio/office/doll room.  I may eventually cover a cardboard tri-fold display board with wallpaper for a proper backdrop.  The sofa and ottoman were display pieces from a local jewelry store that went out of business.  I added the pillows which I made from silk scraps.  The flooring is simply wrapping paper that covers the top of the bureau.  A vintage bottle brush tree surrounded with miniature packages is placed on a glass top table.  The glass top is from Gene's Patio Set table and the legs are a candle stand.  The dress form is from Ashton Drake's Gene Marshall Collection.  The gown on display is from the Devil May Care Madra Lord costume by Ashton Drake.

I found this mirrored credenza a few years ago at local doll shop.  The drawer is perfect for added storage.  The hat stands are actually place card holders from the Bridal section of Hobby Lobby.

Evening Mist Zita Charles models Joan Crawford's Portrait evening ensemble from Robert Tonner for Golden Gala Madra Lord.  After all, Miss Lord needs a new gown for the Holidays!

I hope this inspires you to create your own vignettes for your favorite fashion doll.