Vintage-Inspired Contest Entry

In the early 80's I had the opportunity to enter a design contest (for humans, not dolls).  The grand prize winner would have their design manufactured and sold in retail stores across the country.  Although I didn't win, I enjoyed the process and still do today.  Only now for dolls, not humans. LOL! Recently I ran across some photographs of my entry and thought I would share.

The stone green gabardine 2-piece suit with contrasting red Ultrasuede accents certainly had a 40's vibe. The illustrations were done by a professional artist.

Madra's Seeing Red

With all the excitement and focus on the new resin BJD Gene Marshall from Mel Odom and JamieShow, rival Madra Lord is seeing RED!!!  So while Miss Marshall is out signing autographs for her adoring fans, Miss Lord sneaks into her dressing room .....

Well, you can guess the rest.  Miss Lord was able to get the suit jacket from the FDQ exclusive, J'Adore Gene Marshall.  Her stylist, who's under a confidentiality agreement, replaced the original red buttons with black jet beads and re positioned the brooch.  Worn over a black pleated skirt and new accessories, the suit ensemble has a decidedly 40's flair. Skirt, red and black checked high-crown tilt topper, beaded color-blocked guantlet gloves, neck scarf, and earrings are from The Couture Touch. Handbag from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr collection and shoes from Facets by Marcia.  Like a Fox Madra Lord, her director's chair, and scripts are from Ashton Drake. Clapboard and film can are from Integrity.

There's a New Femme Fatale in Town

And her name is Gene Marshall!  With those smoldering eyes and come hither look, this latest BJD femme fatale is ready to give rival Madra Lord a run for her money.  J'Adore Gene Marshall is FDQ's exclusive BJD by Mel Odom and JamieShow.  Her blond wig cap borrowed from Phoenix Gene Marshall has been restyled.  She wears a luscious suit from Sandra Stillwell's Golden Gate Glamour Event called "Bandolier Morado".  Cigarette holder from Mystyna, and hat from Ashton Drake's "Blonde Lace" ensemble.

Autumn Forecast: Hats

Photo by Horst for Harper's Bazaar, October 1942

Two Hat Originals: made-to-order (your exact measurements, your own pick of colors) hats available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman.  Lower left - "Sunny Day" black felt bowler-style with a fringed bow of mauve-pink grosgrain and a flirt of grass-green feather.  Upper right - "Crest of the Evening" black evening head-dress of three plumes above a dramatic background veil.

Photo by Horst for Vogue, August 1, 1938

Suzy black felt "D'Artagnan" mammoth tricorn folded obliquely, trimmed with brandenburg braid.  Jewels by Boucheron.

Photo by Horst for Vogue, August 1, 1938

Round Hats, Square Shoulders:  Hat from Marjorie Dunton.  Heim's Persian lamb coat.

Styled for Drama

Monolithic Studios' Queen of the Silver Screen, Miss Madra Lord, accents the jacket from Integrity's "Cherry Smash" and skirt from Ashton Drake's "Fashion Plot" with a black corded beret and matching handbag.  All accessories are from The Couture Touch.  Black Widow Madra Lord is from Ashton Drake.

Miss Lord accessories her black crepe dress from her "Rich Girl" ensemble with a sensational silk draped hat with attached snood, "fur" cape from Affordable Designs, handbag from PD Root, cigarette holder from Mystyna, and jewelry from Ashton Drake.  OOAK hat, gloves and corsage are all from The Couture Touch.  Siren in the Night Madra Lord is from Ashton Drake.

Both dolls have been enhanced with an Integrity articulated body.

Fashion Completers

What are Fashion Completers?  They're those fabulous accessories that complete an ensemble.  From hats to shoes, to everything in-between, Fashion Completers give the wearer's outfit a polished, distinctive, and finished look.

Illustration by Rene Bouet-Willaumez (RBW) for
Vogue, September 15, 1941

What better to accessorize black than with bold color.  Hat from Lilly Dache.  And the ultimate accessory?  A luxurious Stein and Blaine natural stone-marten stole.

Photos by Haus Jorgensen for Harper's Bazaar, October 1942

Chinese red accessories all dyed from one lot of leather in the same vat, and then sent their separate ways to meet again on one happy person.  A totally new concept in matching accessories.  Pictured top to bottom:  Doeskin turban by DePinna, Doeskin sandals by I. Miller, Doeskin gloves by Aris, and Doeskin bag from Pichel.

Illustration by RR Bouche for Vogue, September 15, 1941

Monotone in Wild Plum.  Black plum (yummy) from top to toe for a smart, monochromatic look. On the left - wool jacket and dress from Fox-Brownie, velour hat from Garfunkel.  Right - wool jacket and skirt by Frank Gallant, felt hat by Stylepark.

Photo by Horst for Vogue, September 15, 1941

Beautifully simple yet elegant black wool suit accented with fabulous gilt serpents for clasps. Completing it - a hat of black wool jersey and wool mesh, and a black fox bag.  Accessories and the original design suit from Marshall Field.

Celebrities at Longchamp, 1938

Dateline Paris France, Longchamp Racecourse:  Where fashionable society women and celebrities go to be seen and photographed in the latest fashions.  Spotted are three American film icons, Monolithic Studios' lady director Miss Ivy Jordan along with stars Miss Gene Marshall and Miss Madra Lord. While in France filming a new movie, the trio is taking some much needed time off and enjoying the racecourse.

Miss Ivy Jordan

Director Ivy Jordan wears the chic navy tweed jacket from Ashton Drake's "Travel in Tweed" belted over the matching skirt from Madame Alexander's Aunt Amanda Fairchild ensemble. The berry fur collar from "Lotta Moola" was fashioned into an oversized muff.  Suede detachable wrist gauntlets were added to the matching berry gloves.  Corsage is from "The Perfect Gift".  OOAK hat, ascot, and belt are from The Couture Touch.  Ivy Jordan, Lady Director is from Integrity.

Miss Madra Lord

Miss Lord pairs the classic checked jacket from Ashton Drake's "Doing Her Part" with a black skirt from Bogue's Vogues.  Accessories include a fabulous high-crown tilt topper from The Couture Touch, fur from Dimitha, and handbag from Madame Alexander.  Black gloves and ascot complete the sophisticated look.  C'est Moi Madra Lord is from Integrity.

Miss Gene Marshall

Miss Marshall looks smart in an OOAK color-blocked suit, suede topper and gauntlet gloves, all from The Couture Touch.  The lace blouse is from Ashton Drake's "Hello Hollywood Hello" ensemble, and fur drape from miniature furrier PD Root.  Blue Fox Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Periodicals such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal as well as French publications such as Les Modes, Femina, and L'Officiel covered fashion at the Paris races.  It became a popular feature as it showed real women wearing the latest fashion.

Jay Thorpe, 1942

Jay Thorpe Coat and Suit
Source: Harper's Bazaar, September 1942

1940's Film Noir Style

Madra Lord shows her film noir style as only she can do.  Here is a still from Miss Lord's new film Strange Encounter, Monolithic Studios, 1944.

Costume Credits:  Dress and fur from PD Root, hat from Ashton Drake's "Fashion Plot", snood from "Fascination", purse from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection, and gloves from The Couture Touch.  The restyled Siren in the Night Madra Lord from Ashton Drake has been enhanced with an Integrity articulated body.