Invitation to Murder

Gene Marshall and Madra Lord are invited to an historic country estate for a week-end filled with mystery and suspense.  But what they find is an invitation to Murder!

"A Lady Knows" Gene Marshall from Ashton Drake wears the Dior inspired ensemble borrowed from Moss Rose Ivy Jordan by Integrity.  Of course I gave it my own Forties spin by replacing the original pink scarf with one made from a vintage men's silk tie, and added a suede tilt topper and oversized fur muff, all from The Couture Touch.  The wonderful oxford shoes are from Integrity, gloves from Robert Tonner's "Feather In Her Hat" costume from the Ann Harper Collection, bracelet from Facets by Marcia, and the earrings and brooch from The Couture Touch.

"Top This" Madra Lord from Ashton Drake wears the black suit from Tonner's Theatre de la Mode "Le Petit Ensemble Noir" Collection.  Accessories include the high crown tilt topper and beaded guantlet gloves from The Couture Touch, and snood from Ashton Drake's "Fascination" Violet Water's costume.  Fur muff and pin from Integrity.

Credits:
Table from CED.
Telephone from Ashton Drake's "A Hot Day in Hollywood" Accessory Set.

Both dolls have been enhanced with an Integrity articulated body.

How to wear FUR, Part 2

New ways to wear FUR in the daytime.  New ways to wear FUR for late afternoon cocktails.  More FUR Fancies for Fall modeled by the stars of Monolithic Studios.

Jazz Singer Violet Waters wears Zita Charles' stunning "City Sleeker" cocktail suit paired with a luxurious fur stole wrapped as a magnificent over-sized muff and an unexpected fur-trimmed handbag.  Fur from PD Root.  Hat and gloves are from D.A.E. Original's "Grand Marnier" ensemble.  Necklace and earrings from Madame Alexander, and bracelet from Integrity.

Director Ivy Jordan wears the classic pin-striped suit from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection with the lace-trimmed blouse from Ashton Drake's "Blonde Lace" costume.  Worn the traditional way, a fabulous fur stole from Hunter-Goldblatt Designs.  Hat from The Couture Touch.  Handbag from an unknown artist.  Jewelry from Ashton Drake.  Gloves from Integrity.

Gene Marshall will definitely make a grand entrance in her favorite little black dress accessorized with sumptuous fur and blue accents.  Dress is from Ashton Drake's "Dark Desire" Madra Lord costume and shoes are from Integrity.

This smart boucle shoulder cape is accented with blue and black, color-blocked suede gauntlet gloves and a blue wool felt topper with dramatic fur trim.  A luxurious over-sized fur muff with tails complete the look.  OOAK cape, hat, muff, gloves, belt and earrings are all from The Couture Touch.

Models: 
Restyled "Heat Wave" Violet Waters, "Moss Rose" Ivy Jordan, and "Star Entrance" Gene Marshall; all from Integrity.

Persian Partners

Photo by Rawlings

These Persian Lamb partners are perfect for a chilly Autumn day.  Laced spats (LOVE), and a Breton brimmed hat.  Both designed by Tatiana du Plessix. 

Source:  Vogue, October 1, 1943.

Mileage For Your Money

Photo by Horst

Mileage for your money and wizardry for your wardrobe.  In the Fall of 1941 money was still tight and war was looming.  Vogue magazine dedicated it's October 15th issue to helping women get the most value for their money.  Featured on the cover:  A sensational wool suit from Carolyn Modes accessorized with a fabulous black fox muff and hat.

Photo by Horst

What better way to cut costs:  Make your own clothes, or have them made.  Pictured is an elegant brown wool coat lined with the same bright blue as the dress accented with a blue wool and nutria hat and huge nutria muff.  An exclusive Vogue Patterns Design.

1941 Ad for Lord & Taylor

There's a new look for Five O'Clock and On - Golden wool dinner jacket and bag encrusted with shiny black sequin and braid embroidery.  Another new look:  The tight gloves under loose bell sleeves.  Elegance and discretion for cocktails, for dinner, for restaurant dancing.  From Lord & Taylor.

Photo by Rawlings

Putting on the Ritz in this super-sophisticate in rose and purple.  Quilted silk satin jacket and shoulder bag.  Clinging silk and wool crepe dress, newest up-to-the shoulder jersey gloves.  Traina-Norell Design.

The Evening Story

Illustration by Rene Bouet-Willeumez (RBW)

Long, lean and lovely.  The prettiest tunic that's really a scarf!  Copper-silk tulle tunic, sequin embroidered, over a slim column of copper silk crepe.  An original design from Bergdorf Goodman.

Source:  Vogue, October 1, 1943

How to wear FUR, Part 1

What's new for Fall of 1942?  A little fur, a lot of Ingenuity.  Monolithic Studio's Miss Madra Lord and Miss Violet Waters demonstrate 4 ways to wear FUR this Fall. 

The canvas:  A well-tailored, houndstooth jacket from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection paired with a black velveteen skirt from Bogue's Vogues.  Lace-trimmed blouse from "Hello Hollywood Hello" suit ensemble.  Shoes from "Bandolier Morado" by Sandra Stillwell.

Here's a technique for twining your stole:  slung backwards, winding up as a muff.  Fur from PD Root, hat and gloves from The Couture Touch, jewelry and cigarette holder from Ashton Drake.

You can never wear too much FUR:  here worn as a shoulder drape and paired with a matching muff.  Fur from PD Root, hat from Ashton Drake's "First Stop, Chicago" suit ensemble, gloves from The Couture Touch.

A stole, spiralled to form dramatic arm bands of FUR.  Fur, hat, and purse from PD Root, gloves from Ashton Drake.

A fur neck scarf for warmth and style.  Fur scarf and earrings from The Couture Touch.  Hat and purse are borrowed from an ooak Barbie doll ensemble, artist unknown.  Embroidered gloves from The Star Wardrobe Collection by Ashton Drake and eye glasses from Horsman.

Models: 
A restyled "Siren in the Night" Madra Lord from Ashton Drake enhanced with an Integrity articulated body.
"Sunset Serenade" Violet Waters from Integrity.

Set:
Table from Retros by Liz Cole.
Telephone and scripts from "A Hot Day in Hollywood" Accessory Set by Ashton Drake.

American Autumn Collections, 1942

On March 8, 1942 the American Government implemented Regulation L-85 that specified restrictions for women's wardrobe due to materials needed for the war effort.  The 1942 Autumn Collections were the first made since L-85 went into effect.  The September 1, 1942 issue of Vogue magazine declared that this new collection was as beautiful as any America has ever made.  The entire issue was dedicated to these law-abiding new designs.

Photo by Rawlings

Although rationing in America was not as strict as in Britain, it certainly offered new challenges to the fashion designer.  Skirts must be narrow, jackets less than 25" long.  Metal must be saved, so drawstrings are the new fasteners.  Wool linings are forbidden, but fur linings are legal and luxurious, and what's more, they are much warmer!  Decorative flaps and pockets are banned, so along comes unrationed braid to enhance your new suit.

Suit design by Traina-Norell
Illustration by Rene Bouet-Willaumez (RBW)

The short evening look is the newest news in the Collections.  Lots of wool, it's bright with color and sparkle and full of surprises - like plaid....with beads.  It's pure elegance in the most unexpected places.

Illustration by Eric

Pictured on the left:  Hand knitted sweater paired with a wool jersey skirt blazing with paillette roses.  Traina-Norell design; crocheted black silk scarf.  On the right:  Scotch plaid English wool jacket trimmed with black bugle beads and ball fringe worn with a simple black velvet dress; pailletted veil.  Hattie Carnegie design.

Fur Side - Inside

Wool edged cape with fur side - inside.  Inside:  Hudson Seal (dyed muskret), Outside:  Black British wool.  Fabulous high-flared tricorn hat from John-Frederics.