In a Surreal State of Mind

Midnight Gamble Gene Marshall

Inspired by the delightful "Beignets and Coffee" ensemble from Sandra Stillwell's The Belle of New Orleans 2016 Event, Miss Gene Marshall asked her personal stylist to update her houndstooth top to reflect the whimsical surrealism of the original design. OOAK top, hat, and earrings are from The Couture Touch. Skirt is from Sandra Stillwell. Fur, belt, gloves, and feather-trimmed handbag are from Ashton Drake. Bracelet is from Facets by Marcia.

Beignets and Coffee

Inspired by this San nicholas design.
Photos courtesy Sandra Stillwell Presents.....

Blue Fox Gene Marshall

Unusual jewelry adds a playful touch to Miss Marshall's tailored suit ensemble. The restyled tweed jacket is from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection. OOAK hat, gloves, and jewelry are from The Couture Touch. Scarf and skirt are from Sandra Stillwell. Walking stick is from Ashton Drake.

Elsa Schiaparelli

The 20th Century avant-garde cultural movement known as Surrealism impacted art, literature, and even fashion. Designer Elsa Schiaparelli used whimsical, playful elements in her fashion and accessories. From jacket pockets that resemble bureau drawers complete with drawer pulls to hats in the shape of a shoe or lamb chop, she delighted in using everyday objects in unexpected ways. Even her jewelry designs often included a garden variety of forms that became the hallmark of a Schiaparelli creation.

Blue Belle Gene Marshall

Fanciful butterflies accent a luscious pink wool cocktail suit just in time for Spring. OOAK suit, wrap, reversible hat, gloves and jewelry are all from The Couture Touch.

Miss Gene Marshall

Credits:
Midnight Gamble, Blue Fox, and Blue Belle (enhanced with an Integrity articulated body) Gene Marshall are all from Ashton Drake.

Click HERE for availability and ordering information on Sandra Stillwell's fashions.

Springtime Memories

Miss Madra Lord

A change of accessories gives this dreamy gown from Ashton Drake's 2004 "Night Memories" Madra Lord costume a breath of Spring. The flowers from the original hat were used to embellish the dramatic straw hat with leopard crown as well as the waistline of the dress. The marvelous hat was borrowed from Barbie's Hollywood Movie Star Collection "Day in the Sun" ensemble by Mattel. Gloves and earrings are from Ashton Drake. "Gemstones" highlight the gold tone cuff from Integrity.

Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord

"Night Memories" Madra Lord was designed by Jose Ferrand, circa 1937.
Photo courtesy Gene Marshall Wiki

Good-Bye New York

Photo courtesy Gene Marshall Wiki.com

In 1941, a beautiful young blonde (along with her childhood teddy bear) boarded a train to Hollywood wearing a smart two-piece, fur-trimmed suit. The original "Good-Bye New York" costume was designed by Doug James for Ashton Drake's 1995 Gene Marshall Collection. It included a matching fur-trimmed hat and muff, red jersey top and gloves, jewelry, hosiery, shoes, signature hat box, and teddy bear.

Monolithic Studios' Director Ivy Jordan

Different accessories transform the iconic travel suit in dramatic fashion. The original red jersey top was replaced with the scarf from Sandra Stillwell's "Lunch with Luciano" costume. OOAK topper and coordinating gloves are from The Couture Touch. Shoes are from Integrity.

Miss Ivy Jordan

More than any other fashion accessory, the hat has the ability to completely change the appearance of a garment.

Miss Gene Marshall

Miss Madra Lord

So what else was in style for 1941?

Photo courtesy commons.wikimedia.org

This vintage Finneys' Department Store ad that appeared in The Telegraph, an Australian newspaper, shows the wide variety of styles available in 1941. Illustrated from top to bottom: A navy felt with pheasant feather, a large-brimmed brown felt accented with white bows and bandeau, a jaunty black with leopard brim, a two-tone felt in black & kasha with veiling, a black halo, and a moss green felt with brown chenille veiling.

Gene Marshall

Credits:  
The models in order of appearance: 

Pearls and Pink Ivy Jordan courtesy Integrity.
Destiny Gene Marshall courtesy Ashton Drake.
Night Memories Madra Lord and Blue Belle Gene Marshall, both enhanced with Integrity articulated bodies, appear courtesy Ashton Drake.

OOAK hats and gloves are from The Couture Touch.

Inspiring Paper Doll Fashions: 1940's

From Hollywood movie stars to the Sunday funnies, paper dolls and their fabulous fashions provide a great source of style inspiration. During last September's Milan Fashion Week, Moschino delighted patrons with a paper doll inspired fashion show, complete with human sized paper tabs.

(Picture: Estrop/Getty Images)
Courtesy metro.co.uk

Judy Garland, circa 1940's, courtesy shewasabird.blogspot.com

Eleanor Parker, late 1940's, Dover

Miss Fury, 1942 courtesy gabipaperdolls
Miss Fury, aka Marla Drake, was an early comic book heroine created by
June Tarpe Mills. It ran from 1941 - 1952.

Tillie the Toiler was a newspaper comic strip created by
Russ Westover and ran from 1921 - 1959.

From the John Robert Powers Modeling Agency set of 6 models, early 1940's, designed by Ruth Wood.
#981 Whitman Publishing. Courtesy Marges8's Blog

Ella's 1940's fashion courtesy gabipaperdolls.
I love how this one includes a change of hairstyles. Hmm...remind you of anyone?

Gene Gambles on Houndstooth for 1940's Afternoon Style

Midnight Gamble Gene Marshall

A simply smart two-piece ensemble with subtle applique detailing is poised to take Miss Marshall through a busy afternoon. A black and cream houndstooth, peplum-style top accented with tiny floral appliques re-cycled from vintage veiling is layered over a black skirt from Sandra Stillwell. Hat is from PD Root. Fur, gloves, and belt are from Ashton Drake. Shoes and earrings are from Integrity. OOAK top is from The Couture Touch.

Midnight Gamble Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.