Happy Memorial Day!

Miss Gene Marshall

The Couture Touch salutes the brave men and women who proudly serve our country.

WWII pin-up girls photo courtesy imgur.com

Miss Marshall's Costume Credits:

Two-piece outfit borrowed from Heat Wave Violet Waters. Hat from Golden Riviera Madra Lord set. Both from Integrity.

Earrings, flag, and chair are from Ashton Drake. The restyled Film Fatale Gene Marshall, enhanced with an articulated body by Integrity, is from Ashton Drake.

A Swell Pin-Up

During WWII, many Hollywood leading ladies led recruitment and bond drives, entertained the troops, and even graciously posed for pin-up photos to bolster the morale of our fighting men.

Donna Reed 
Photo courtesy Blu-ray Forum

Donna Reed, best known for It's A Wonderful Life (1946) and The Donna Reed Show (1958-66), was a popular pin-up for many GIs. Her "girl-next-door" good looks and warm onstage personality contributed to her popularity. She took the time to personally answer letters from servicemen stationed overseas.

Photo courtesy The New York Times.

Miss Reed saved hundreds of letters from star-struck WWII servicemen. For nearly 65 years they were kept in a shoe box inside an old trunk long stored in the garage of her home in Beverly Hills. Discovered by her children in 2008, some of the letters were made public by her family in the 2009 New York Times article "Dear Donna: A Pinup So Swell She Kept GI Mail." Click HERE for the fascinating story.

Donna Reed
Photo courtesy Combatsim Forum

1940's Suits from My Personal Collection

What started as a modest vintage hat collection soon expanded to other accessories, and....of course tailored suits and dresses. Here are three suits from my vintage closet.

Suit labeled Rosenthal, Chicago. A second label, sewn inside the lining of the jacket, reads Tailored by Irving Rosenthal for a specific client, dated 3/23/1946. Turban style hat labeled Lamson's, Toledo Ohio.

Sadly no label in this marvelous jacket. Hat is labeled Lilly Dache along with a Marshall Field's French Room Label.

A late 40's suit with double peplum and banding detail. Paired here with a black skirt. No label.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mom, 1944

The Originator, 1946

The Originator was a unique sketchbook of modern fashion trends and ideas. The monthly publication featured authentic designer sketches to illustrate style variations and creative applications for smart designs. Whether a new pocket, a beautiful neckline, or a basic silhouette, the Originator's unique feature was to show its ultimate use in various garments such as blouses, dresses, suits, and coats. During the 1940's and 50's, The Originator Publishing Company also sold an expensive, highly stylized line of sewing patterns similar to Modes Royale.

For your viewing enjoyment, the following scans are from the 1946 Summer and Fall issue.

Credits:
The Originator Publishing Company, New York, NY.
Blueprints of Fashion, Home Sewing Patterns of the 1950's by Wade Laboissonniere.