Now Is the Time for Prints

When your clothes suddenly look dreary. When you whimsically wish for a little color. Then the time is right to add a print dress to your Fall wardrobe.

Monolithic Studios' diva extraordinaire, Miss Madra Lord, asked (or rather demanded) her stylist design a new dress to wear with her favorite asymmetric suede and straw topper. And after all, a star has to look fashion-forward even on her day off. As luck would have it, a trip to the local fabric store yielded this delightful and perfectly scaled print fabric. Dress, suede gauntlet gloves, and topper are all from The Couture Touch. Fur muff and handbag are from PD Root. Metropolitan Madra Lord was a 2007 MetroDolls Exclusive dressed doll.

Early 1940's fabric advertisement
Courtesy sewweekly.com

1940's fabric advertisement
Courtesy thelifenostalgic.com

During the 1940's, rayon was the fabric of choice and available in a wide variety of colors and designs. At just a few cents per yard, a woman could update her wardrobe with a stylish new dress.

The cost of Miss Lord's dress: $1.27   Even a diva can look smart on a dime!

Accessorizing the Little Black Suit

As with the little black dress, the basic black suit is a wardrobe staple that lends itself perfectly to accessorizing. Monolithic Studios' star Miss Gene Marshall demonstrates three ways to accessorize a classic wool suit, circa 1946. Move over black and white, the LBS gets ready for daytime drama in the rich shades of Autumn.

Brown and black is so chic ....especially when paired with a magnificent mauve high-crown asymmetric feathered topper for a distinctive daytime look. Brown suede gauntlet gloves and hat are from The Couture Touch. Scarf from Sandra Stillwell, fur-trimmed purse from PD Root, and cigarette holder from Mystyna.

A delightful floral hat dresses up the classic suit for late afternoon cocktails. Gauntlet gloves are from The Couture Touch, scarf from Mattel, fur and purse from PD Root. The hat, with the original veil removed, is from Ashton Drake's "First Stop Chicago" ensemble.

All lines point to high style courtesy of a dashing red wool felt hat paired with a coordinating ascot, both from The Couture Touch. Fur-trimmed gloves are from Ashton Drake, handbag from PD Root, shoes from Integrity.

Credits:
Ashton Drake's "Symphony in G" Gene Marshall has been enhanced with an articulated body by Integrity.

Miss Marshall's black wool suit is a variation of Vince Nowell's HLAYG exclusive pattern, "Fan Club Meeting".

The News from Paris & Schiaparelli

The sharply angled silhouette....the spiral flounces wired to flare out....paired with the high severity of black silk jersey....as illustrated by Eric for Vogue, October 1, 1948.

Madra Lord embraces the softer side of the new silhouette by pairing a knit bodysuit from Robert Tonner's Urban Sport fashion set from the Tyler Wentworth Collection with the plaid ruffled skirt from Integrity's Willow Madra Lord. Easy elegance for an evening out or at-home entertaining.

Ashton Drake's Black Widow Madra Lord has been enhanced with an articulated body from Integrity.

Autumn, 1950

It's Time to Romance the Suit.

Two of my favorite styles....the fitted jacket with nipped-in waist and a belted jacket that features a dramatic peplum, both worn over a "pencil" slim skirt.  Elegant and sophisticated silhouettes for those cool days ahead.

Actress Gene Marshall wears the drama of a wool OOAK, belted, peplum jacket accented with over-sized pockets and button detailing from The Couture Touch. A wing collar and 3/4 length cuffed sleeves complete this chic ensemble. Muff from Mattel. J'Adore Gene Marshall wears her original black felt hat that has been restyled.

Ivy Jordan, renowned director for Monolithic Studios, dons a recreation of a Pierre Balmain suit by Debora West and styled by The Couture Touch. The double-breasted, fitted jacket features a funnel neckline with tucking detail. The sleeve can be worn as shown or folded back to reveal contrast pink cuffs. Miss Jordan accessorizes her suit with a dramatic black suede hat and coordinating color-blocked clutch, both from The Couture Touch. "Diamond" brooch from Facets by Marcia.

The suit was created based on this Studio Commissary header photo of a Pierre Balmain (1914-82) design. His designs echo his architectural background and tended to favor a narrow silhouette for his tailored suits.

Moss Rose Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.
J'Adore Gene Marshall is the FDQ Exclusive BJD from Mel Odom and JamieShow.