Buenos Aires, 1941. Photo courtesy Time |
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Saturday, December 31, 2016
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Holiday Dress-Up Glamour
Vintage 1950's party photo courtesy Tiki Lounge Talk |
What's a gal to wear to her next Holiday party?
Santa Baby Gene Marshall |
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Fashion...able Holiday Greeting Cards
Who doesn't love receiving and displaying those cherished Holiday cards. Since as early as the Victorian times, sending and receiving greeting cards has become as much a part of the Holiday tradition as the turkey and all the trimmings.
Here are some fashion....able favorites.
Credits:
Integrity's Buenos Aires Victoire Roux wears The Walking Suit from Mattel's Barbie Fashion Model Collection. Hat and jewelry from The Couture Touch. Handbag from Joshard. Wreath from Robert Tonner's Timy Kitty Collection.
Here are some fashion....able favorites.
Circa 1930's greeting card courtesy Violet's Vintage Vault |
Circa 1940's |
Norcross greeting card, circa 1950's |
Circa 1960 |
Credits:
Integrity's Buenos Aires Victoire Roux wears The Walking Suit from Mattel's Barbie Fashion Model Collection. Hat and jewelry from The Couture Touch. Handbag from Joshard. Wreath from Robert Tonner's Timy Kitty Collection.
Thursday, December 1, 2016
A Quick Holiday Decorating Tip
Don't have a mannequin? No problem. A doll will do just fine....
Gene Marshall is decked out in festive Holiday attire achieved by using artificial garland and vintage Christmas picks for her delightful bubble skirt. Paired with the top from Crimson Sun, she makes a whimsical yet chic addition to any tablescape or Holiday display. Midnight Gamble Gene Marshall, top, gloves, and bracelet are from Ashton Drake. Earrings are from The Couture Touch.
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Fall For Suits
When the weather turns cool, it's time to fall in love with suits again. Two iconic stars of stage and screen pick their favorites.
Miss Marshall punctuates a black wool suit with pops of red accents. Suit ensemble from The Couture Touch. "Beaver fur" from Mattel. Spring in Central Park Gene Marshall, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.
Miss Lord struts her stuff in a regal taupe and black checked wool suit topped with a silk print, tilt hat with attached snood. Suit, hat, and gauntlet gloves are from The Couture Touch. Blouse is from Ashton Drake. Fur from miniature furrier PD Root. Shoes from Integrity. Umbrella from Fashion Blvd. Siren in the Night Madra Lord, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.
Gene Marshall |
Madra Lord |
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Two Fashion Attitudes Toward Autumn
Two dress styles...each one perfectly positioned for Fall. A classic shirtwaist in a delightfully tasty fall harvest print, and the sleek, modern lines of a cozy merino wool jersey sheath.
A vintage reproduction, brunette ponytail Barbie wears a chic knit sheath topped with a whimsical black felt hat, both from The Couture Touch. Gloves and fur muff are from Mattel. Bracelet and earrings are from Ashton Drake. Brooch is from Integrity.
Credits:
Vintage Reproduction and Silkstone Barbie dolls are from Mattel.
Monday, October 24, 2016
Repurposing Household Items for a Chic New Look for Madra Lord
Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord |
Credits:
OOAK ensemble is from The Couture Touch. Handbag is from Integrity. Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord is from JamieShow.
Click HERE to see how Miss Lord's hat was made.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Miss Marshall Makes Fall Fashion News
Film star Gene Marshall is a veritable "Lady in Red" in the tailored crepe suit borrowed from reporter and friend Brenda Starr. Her lampshade style chapeau is oh so chic!
Miss Gene Marshall |
Reporter in Red suit and Par Excellence hatbox are from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection.
Hat, gloves, and jewelry are from The Couture Touch.
Star Entrance Gene Marshall is from Integrity.
Don't cry Brenda, you'll get your suit back....eventually!
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Monolithic Studios Stars Raid WHOSE Closet?
Why 007 of course.....
Somewhere along my travels across the web, I read where someone successfully used a Ken sewing pattern for Gene Marshall. Mattel's 2002 "James Bond 007 Ken & Barbie Gift Set" provided the costume department at Monolithic Studios a classic black gabardine jacket to add to their wardrobe. The fit was remarkably good. The sleeve length was a little short, but easily remedied with gloves. The back seam was tapered to the waist for a nipped in 1950's silhouette. The overlap at the jacket front was reversed and new buttons added. Paired with a black rayon faille slim skirt and a white satin top, the look is pure Hollywood daytime glamour.
Credits:
Skirt & gloves are from The Couture Touch.
Top is from Sandra Stillwell's Zoe suit ensemble.
Fur is from miniature furrier PD Root.
Hat & purse are from Ashton Drake.
Brooch is from Mattel's Barbie Fashion Model Collection.
Azalea Ice Zita Charles is from Integrity.
The versatile black suit goes from boardroom to cocktails with a change of accessories. The pink & black houndstooth hat/purse set and earrings are from Ashton Drake. Gloves and brooch are from Integrity. Scarf and fur stole are from Sandra Stillwell. Black suede hat is from The Couture Touch. Phoenix Gene Marshall is from JamieShow.
So if you are looking for a basic black jacket to add to your wardrobe, look no further than....
Bond.... James Bond.
Zita Charles |
Miss Zita Charles |
Skirt & gloves are from The Couture Touch.
Top is from Sandra Stillwell's Zoe suit ensemble.
Fur is from miniature furrier PD Root.
Hat & purse are from Ashton Drake.
Brooch is from Mattel's Barbie Fashion Model Collection.
Azalea Ice Zita Charles is from Integrity.
Gene Marshall |
Miss Gene Marshall |
So if you are looking for a basic black jacket to add to your wardrobe, look no further than....
Bond.... James Bond.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Styled for Fall
With help from her personal wardrobe stylist, Miss Gene Marshall updates some favorite wardrobe pieces just in time for Fall.
Monolithic Studios' star Gene Marshall |
"White Orchid" Gene Marshall |
"Phoenix" Gene Marshall |
"Symphony in G" Gene Marshall |
"Blue Belle" Gene Marshall |
Additional Credits:
Gene Marshall Collection costume source: Gene 3rd Edition by Carolyn E. Cook.
The Models:
White Orchid and Phoenix Gene Marshall are from JamieShow.
Symphony in G and Blue Bell Gene Marshall (both enhanced with Integrity articulated bodies) are from Ashton Drake.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Madra Loves Barbie
Yes, even Monolithic Studios' diva extraordinaire Madra Lord has a soft spot for Barbie. After all, those Wisconsin gals have to stick together!
Miss Lord pays homage to her diminutive friend by carrying a delightful miniature replica of Barbie's 1962 hatbox case from Hallmark's Keepsake Ornament series. Suit is from D.A.E. Originals. Additional accessories include gloves from Ashton Drake, hat and earrings from The Couture Touch, and necklace/bracelet set from StrayCat.
This vintage 1954 Vogue home sewing pattern was no doubt the inspiration behind D.A.E. Originals' luscious suit.
For the 2003 Paris Fashion Doll Festival, Madame Alexander created this divine gown similar to Barbie's iconic "Enchanted Evening" (1960-63). Gloves, fur, and waist corsage are from Ashton Drake, shoes are from Integrity, and purse is from Dressmaker Details. Miss Lord is coiffed in a "Johnny" wig from Monique.
"Spotted in Manhattan" Madra Lord |
Vogue Special Design #S-4567 |
"Postcards from Cannes" Madra Lord |
Illustration from a vintage Barbie booklet. |
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Inspired by.....Chanel
Vintage McCalls sewing pattern. |
Included in Barbie's 1959 wardrobe, was a nod to the Chanel jacket. Commuter Set (1959-60) featured a two-piece navy cotton jersey suit, and a white satin sleeveless body blouse for elegant dinners. A casual blue and white mini-checked blouse was also included along with a delightful three-flower silk hat, gloves, jewelry, shoes, and hatbox.
Illustration from a vintage Barbie booklet. |
Mattel's Dusk To Dawn Gift Set from the 2001 Barbie Fashion Model Collection included a similar Chanel-style suit re-interpreted in timeless black. A legendary classic look perfect for a legendary diva's wardrobe.
Dusk to Dawn Barbie styled by The Couture Touch. |
Thursday, September 8, 2016
From Smart to Sizzle
First came the cool sophistication of City Smart....then the refined elegance of Sunday Best. Now get ready for some sizzle!
Inspired by Mattel's 2003 "City Smart/Sunday Best" fashion, Barbie wears a chic daytime ensemble guaranteed to turn heads. Sheath and hat are from The Couture Touch. Purse, gloves, and necklace are from Mattel. Chinoiserie Red Sunset Barbie Doll was a 2004 Barbie Bazaar Special Offer.
City Smart |
Sunday Best |
City Smart and Sunday Best are from Mattel's Barbie Fashion Model Collection.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Nostalgic for Barbie
A reproduction brunette ponytail Barbie in my vintage Campus Belle (1964-65). |
Thursday, August 25, 2016
An Iconic 1959 Sheath Dress
Nothing could be more chic than the modern, sleek lines of a surprisingly flattering, form-fitting sheath.
The Apple Print Sheath #917 (1959 - 1960) was a smart, figure-hugging dress that accented Barbie's every curve. The rolled collar and delightful print made this an eye-catching ensemble. The identical sheath was also paired with a black faille coat in one of the most coveted outfits from the 900 series, Easter Parade #971 (1959). It was Haute Couture at its finest!
Photo courtesy fashion-doll-guide.com |
The sheath saw its greatest popularity during the 1950's and 1960's. Its simplistic design gave the wearer a sense of glamour and sophistication. In 1962 Mattel created the Fashion Paks for Barbie that included the Silk Sheath (1962 - 1963). The slim skirt and fitted bodice were accented with a wider rolled collar and self-bow accent. The sheath was available in pale yellow, black, turquoise, red, green, white, and golden yellow.
Bias rolled collar sheath pattern with interesting seam detailing designed by Luis Estevez. Made by McCalls exclusively for The Quaker Oats Co., 1959. Photo courtesy vintagepatterns.wikia.com |
A decade earlier, Dior created an antithesis to his New Look called the "Vertical Line", a sleeker sheath with fitted bodice and a longer, pencil-thin skirt. It often featured a scoop or boat neckline enhanced with collars and bows.
Photo by Gordon Parks, 1949. Courtesy glamourdaze.com |
The versatility and elegance of the iconic sheath dress make it a must-have for every miniature fashion diva's wardrobe.
Credits:
The Models & Fashions:Trench Setter Barbie from the Barbie Fashion Model Collection wears the apple print sheath from the vintage reproduction Easter Parade (1994). Bubblecut wig was borrowed from a vintage Fashion Queen. All from Mattel.
Holiday Hostess Thanksgiving Feast Barbie wears a vintage pale yellow silk sheath. Dress & accessories are from Mattel. Purse is from Randall Craig.
Trench Setter Barbie wears an OOAK periwinkle sheath ensemble from The Couture Touch. Purse & bracelet are from Randall Craig. Shoes & earrings are from Mattel.
Bibliography:
Barbie Fashion, Vol. 1 by Sarah Sink Eames.
History of the Sheath Dress from the fashion archives at startupfashion.com
The Second New Look of 1949 from glamourdaze.com
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Can We Talk?
Screen shot from The Women, 1939. Photo courtesy annazeitlin.blogspot.com |