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| Illustration by Rene Bouet-Willaumez (RBW) The Guiness Guide to 20th Century Fashion by David Bond |
Monday, April 29, 2013
RBW Fashion Illustration, late 1930's
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Black, White, and a Pop of Color
On The Avenue Gene Marshall changes the look of the jacket and skirt from Integrity's "Gilt-y Girl" suit ensemble with a pop of color courtesy of a fabulous striped cummerbund and hat band made from a rare wide vintage grosgrain ribbon. Hat, gloves, top, cummerbund, and earrings are from The Couture Touch. Umbrella from Fashion Boulevard.
Marceline Gene Marshall pairs the jacket, hat, gloves, and purse from "My Heart's Song" with the versatile black sheath from "Black Ribbon". The belt is from "Embassy Luncheon"; all from Ashton Drake. A hair ornament becomes a corsage. Bracelet from Facets by Marcia. Earrings from Robert Tonner's Monica Merrill Collection.
Gene's "Patio Set" is from Ashton Drake.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
3 Ways with a Plastron
"Plastrons are vest-like yokes worn on the outside of the garment and tied around the waist with a sash, tie, or belt. Fabrics range from lace and sheer metallics to fur." Source: The Complete Book of Sewing by Constance Talbot, 1943.
This versatile accessory piece was a great way to spice up a basic dress, coat, or separates. Plastrons were particularly popular during the make do and mend era of the early 1940's as they were easy to make and could completely change the look of a costume.
Violet Waters wears a silk tweed plastron over the royal blue skirt from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection and the white blouse from "Doing Her Part". A matching off-the-face brimmed hat and suede gauntlet gloves complete the stylish 40's ensemble. Plastron with matching belt, hat, gloves, earrings, and corsage are from The Couture Touch. Cigarette holder from Mystyna. Fascination Violet Waters is from Ashton Drake.
Violet's plastron was inspired by this 1939 Hollywood sewing pattern featuring Universal star Danielle Darrieux. A Persian lamb plastron is shown layered over the coat.
Gene Marshall layers the leopard plastron from D.A.E. Originals' "Charmed Traveler" costume set over the "Cashmere Noir" coat from Robert Tonner's Tyler Wentworth Collection. The matching leopard oversized beret has been dressed with feathers and beaded trim. Embroidered gloves are from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection, brooch from Mattel, shoes from Jennifer Sue. Train case from D.A.E. Originals. Marceline Gene Marshall is from Integrity.
An updated version of D.A.E. Originals' plastron in a luscious nubby wool tweed is worn over Miss Marshall's favorite black dress. Plastron, color-blocked suede gauntlet gloves, felt hat, leather belt, and brooch are from The Couture Touch. Purse from Madame Alexander, eyeglasses from Horsman. Black crepe dress is from the Madra Lord costume "Dark Desire". A black suede tie was added to the neckline. Dress, shoes, and Fashion Plot Gene Marshall are from Ashton Drake.
This versatile accessory piece was a great way to spice up a basic dress, coat, or separates. Plastrons were particularly popular during the make do and mend era of the early 1940's as they were easy to make and could completely change the look of a costume.
Violet Waters wears a silk tweed plastron over the royal blue skirt from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection and the white blouse from "Doing Her Part". A matching off-the-face brimmed hat and suede gauntlet gloves complete the stylish 40's ensemble. Plastron with matching belt, hat, gloves, earrings, and corsage are from The Couture Touch. Cigarette holder from Mystyna. Fascination Violet Waters is from Ashton Drake.
Violet's plastron was inspired by this 1939 Hollywood sewing pattern featuring Universal star Danielle Darrieux. A Persian lamb plastron is shown layered over the coat.
Gene Marshall layers the leopard plastron from D.A.E. Originals' "Charmed Traveler" costume set over the "Cashmere Noir" coat from Robert Tonner's Tyler Wentworth Collection. The matching leopard oversized beret has been dressed with feathers and beaded trim. Embroidered gloves are from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection, brooch from Mattel, shoes from Jennifer Sue. Train case from D.A.E. Originals. Marceline Gene Marshall is from Integrity.
An updated version of D.A.E. Originals' plastron in a luscious nubby wool tweed is worn over Miss Marshall's favorite black dress. Plastron, color-blocked suede gauntlet gloves, felt hat, leather belt, and brooch are from The Couture Touch. Purse from Madame Alexander, eyeglasses from Horsman. Black crepe dress is from the Madra Lord costume "Dark Desire". A black suede tie was added to the neckline. Dress, shoes, and Fashion Plot Gene Marshall are from Ashton Drake.
Monday, April 15, 2013
1932 Daytime Frocks
Here's a sampling of daytime frocks from McCall Patterns that were available to the home sewer for Spring, 1932. Enjoy the fashion show.
And don't forget your hat.....
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Daily Threads Separates
Think you can't take a skirt and top and make it sassy and chic? A few well chosen accessory pieces take the geometric patterned top and solid grey skirt included in the "Daily Threads" Gift Set from the 2010 Stardust Gene Marshall Convention from ordinary to extraordinary.
I belted the blouse with the brown patent belt borrowed from Director Ivy Jordan, and utilized the hat, shoes and purse from Robert Tonner's "Arrival at Port" Daphne Dimples costume. Fur from PD Root, gloves from D.A.E. Originals, a hair ornament from Ashton Drake turned into a corsage, and a cigarette holder from Mystyna complete the sophisticated ensemble. Siren in the Night Madra Lord is my model/muse.
I belted the blouse with the brown patent belt borrowed from Director Ivy Jordan, and utilized the hat, shoes and purse from Robert Tonner's "Arrival at Port" Daphne Dimples costume. Fur from PD Root, gloves from D.A.E. Originals, a hair ornament from Ashton Drake turned into a corsage, and a cigarette holder from Mystyna complete the sophisticated ensemble. Siren in the Night Madra Lord is my model/muse.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Inspirations
What inspires you? If you are a regular follower of this blog, then you know that most of my design inspirations come from period sources such as vintage fashion magazines, vintage sewing patterns, Hollywood stars from the golden age of film, and actual garment or accessory pieces. I do on occasion find vintage inspiration from modern sources. The following photos are images from my personal files that I have collected over the years. Enjoy!
I love this vintage-styled black and white photograph by Matthew Rolston from Harper's Bazaar, 1992.
I remember making a point of picking up the American Vogue issue from 1996 just for the fashion photos of Madonna as Evita.
Inspiration can come from many sources including jewelry, shoes, even a room. Here's a fabulous combination of modern and vintage. Demi Moore, one of Harper's Bazaar's 10 Most Beautiful Women, wearing a stunning 1950's gold necklace and bracelet from Demner, New York.
I love the look of layered necklaces with a simple neckline. Wouldn't this make a sensational 1950's dress? Just add gloves and a fabulous hat.
Black caviar beads form tiny flowers on a white satin pump by Marc Jacobs. Photo by Francois Halard.
Elaborately adorned satin sling-backs with pearl beading and Austrian crystals by Manola Blahnik. Photo by Francois Halard.
Flowers embroidered on a white leather pump by Marc Jacobs. Photo by Francois Halard.
A fabulously chic retro bedroom featured in the Spring 2004 issue of At Home. Love the drapes, but I WANT that mirrored dressing table.
A beautiful mix of soft pattern and color give this room from Canadian designer and antiques dealer Donald Kirkby a serene feel. Featured in the January 2003 issue of Country Living.
I love this vintage-styled black and white photograph by Matthew Rolston from Harper's Bazaar, 1992.
I remember making a point of picking up the American Vogue issue from 1996 just for the fashion photos of Madonna as Evita.
Inspiration can come from many sources including jewelry, shoes, even a room. Here's a fabulous combination of modern and vintage. Demi Moore, one of Harper's Bazaar's 10 Most Beautiful Women, wearing a stunning 1950's gold necklace and bracelet from Demner, New York.
I love the look of layered necklaces with a simple neckline. Wouldn't this make a sensational 1950's dress? Just add gloves and a fabulous hat.
Black caviar beads form tiny flowers on a white satin pump by Marc Jacobs. Photo by Francois Halard.
Elaborately adorned satin sling-backs with pearl beading and Austrian crystals by Manola Blahnik. Photo by Francois Halard.
Flowers embroidered on a white leather pump by Marc Jacobs. Photo by Francois Halard.
A fabulously chic retro bedroom featured in the Spring 2004 issue of At Home. Love the drapes, but I WANT that mirrored dressing table.
A beautiful mix of soft pattern and color give this room from Canadian designer and antiques dealer Donald Kirkby a serene feel. Featured in the January 2003 issue of Country Living.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Jonquil Sass Remodel
Miss Madra Lord is out for a stroll in her newly remodeled "Jonquil Sass" ensemble from Robert Tonner's Monica Merrill Collection. The coat was shortened and faux pocket detailing was added. Bands of black seam binding were added to the dress. Accessories include the black straw picture hat from Ashton Drake's "Little Black Dress" costume, purse from Randall Craig, leather gloves and pearl 3-strand necklace from Integrity, earrings from The Couture Touch. Miss Lord's dogs are from Ashton Drake. "Flame" Madra Lord is from Integrity's Stepping High Collection.