Happy Memorial Day!

Gene Marshall

Miss Marshall salutes the men and women who valiantly serve our country.

Queen of Hearts Gene Marshall wears the stylish dress from "My Hearts Song" accessorized with short black mesh gloves, and gold and pearl star jewelry; all from Ashton Drake. The delightful tilt hat is from The Couture Touch, and shoes are from Robert Tonner.

A Star's Wardrobe Make-Over

Gene Marshall, circa 1940's

Miss Marshall's brown and cream herringbone suit from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection gets a marvelous make-over by removing the original fur collar and cuffs to reveal a sleek silhouette, perfect for accessorizing. The mother-of-pearl buttons were replaced with a delightful Bakelite button accent at the waist. Underneath a cream linen dickey maintains the clean line of this fabulous Forties suit. Fur drape is from miniature furrier PD Root. Handbag and gloves are from Ashton Drake. The crochet pin "corsage", earrings, and hat are from The Couture Touch.

Zita Charles models the original suit ensemble......

Zita Charles

Gene Marshall tops her "new" suit with the re-shaped and re-styled hat
from Madra Lord's "Top This" costume.

Sometimes inspiration for a make-over can come from a failed project. After successfully dyeing my original "Croquet, Anyone?" ensemble a charcoal grey, I purchased a second costume in order to dye it another color. The dress dyed beautifully; the jacket not so well. 

Gene Marshall

So why not make something new from something old. In this case, ripping apart the old jacket and making a pattern for a new one. The result gives this version of "Croquet, Anyone?" a smart new look. Fur from PD Root, hat from Ashton Drake's "Fashion Plot" ensemble, and gauntlet gloves from The Couture Touch.

Gene Marshall

Miss Marshall updates this versatile jacket by pairing it with the pinstriped shirt from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection and a black skirt from Sandra Stillwell. Fur is from Integrity, Black suede gauntlet gloves and felt hat are from The Couture Touch. Handbag and bracelet are from Ashton Drake.

Credits: 
The original circa 1941 "Croquet, Anyone?" ensemble was designed by Lynne Day for Ashton Drake's Gene Marshall Collection.

Miss Marshall and Miss Charles appear courtesy Monolithic Studios.

Lucky is the Lady

Miss Madra Lord, circa 1940's

While taking a break from filming in Monte Carlo, Monolithic Studios' diva Madra Lord tries her luck at a casino wearing Gene Marshall's "Lucky Stripe" dress and making it her own. The original striped panel was removed and a belt and floral accent were added to highlight the asymmetric pleating. Black suede gauntlet gloves, a marvelous slouch hat, and sumptuous fur add drama to this 1940's ensemble. Additional accessories include a beaded drawstring bag from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection, and necklace/earring set from Ashton Drake. Gloves, hat and bracelet are from The Couture Touch. Fur from Hunter-Goldblatt. Metropolitan Madra Lord is from Integrity.

The original "Lucky Stripe" afternoon ensemble was designed by Tim Kennedy for Ashton Drake's 1999 Gene Marshall Collection. It was based on this 1946 Lucien Lelong dinner dress illustration by Rene Gruau.

Tour d'Argent Re-Imagined

Tour d'Argent
Photo courtesy D.A.E. Originals

D.A.E. Originals "Tour d'Argent" costume, from the 2005 Vivian & Monty Jet Set Romance Collection, is a faithful recreation of Christian Dior's 1947 "Mystere" black wool crepe coat. The late afternoon coat dress features a pleated green collar and matching skirt inset of iridescent satin organza.

Mystere coat by Christian Dior.
Photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe for Harper's Bazaar courtesy fitnyc.edu

Although I love the original design of Tour d'Argent, which I purchased on the secondary market, the pleated collar did not lay correctly. So you probably can guess where I'm going with this.....Tour d'Argent, re-imagined!

Miss Gene Marshall

Miss Marshall wears a re-styled Tour d'Argent, now re-imagined in redingote style. A redingote is a light-weight flared coat secured at the waist and took its inspiration from historical riding attire. The 1940's and 50's versions were often paired with a coordinating print dress.

1950's Dress with Redingote
Courtesy betsyvintage.com

1950's Redingote ensemble
courtesy vintagepatterns.wikia.com

1950's Redingote with collar
courtesy vintagepatterns.wikia.com

1940's Redingote courtesy sovintagepatterns.com

Credits for Miss Marshall's restyled costume:

Underneath Tour d'Argent is the skirt from Fashion Plot and blouse from Turbulence. Accessories include the purse from Lucky Stripe and gloves from Dark Desire. All Ashton Drake. Hat is from Sandra Stillwell. Layered bow accents are from various outfits. Everything's Coming Up Roses Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.