The Little Black Dress Styled for 1939

The late 1930's style was smart, chic, and swank.  As hemlines inched shorter, accessories took on a stylish modernism....think Chanel and Schiaparelli.

Demonstrating her style panache, Miss Gene Marshall updates her "Little Black Dress" from Ashton Drake with striking accessories for the look of the moment.  A delightful wool boucle tweed tilt hat and matching oversized muff, accented with her monogram, play the starring role.

OOAK hat, muff, gloves, and jewels are from The Couture Touch.  The monogram brooch was borrowed from J'Adore's suit ensemble.  Miss M deftly arranged the scarf from Sandra Stillwell's "Lunch with Luciano" as a waist sash.  White Orchid and J'Adore Gene Marshall are from Mel Odom and JamieShow.

A Walk in the Park

Gene Marshall

Smart accessorizing gives the fabulous suit from JamieShow's Palm Springs Convention Collection a decidedly early Forties look. Hat, gloves, and jewels are from The Couture Touch. Scarf is from Sandra Stillwell, "beaver" fur is from Mattel, and purse is from Madame Alexander. Shanghai Siren Gene Marshall, enhanced with an articulated body from Integrity, is from Ashton Drake.

Swan Song

At the height of her career, Monolithic Studios' star Miss Gene Marshall stuns Hollywood by announcing her retirement.

For her cover photo, White Orchid Gene Marshall wears the marvelous Madra Lord Palm Springs wigcap in auburn. Both from JamieShow. Her stunning gown is borrowed from "Violet Nights", a Violet Waters costume from Ashton Drake. Jewels are from Robert Tonner. Fur and purse are from Integrity.

Miss Marshall is no stranger to magazine covers. Here are two from the archives showing the evolution of her look.

Ashton Drake's "A Lady Knows"

"Star Entrance" from Integrity

So what does the future hold for Miss Marshall?  Our prediction: we haven't seen the last of our favorite Hollywood star!

Miss Marshall relaxing in the bathing suit from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection.

A Well-Suited Hollywood Production

Between takes Madra Lord wears a smartly tailored suit ensemble from a scene in her new film, The Black Widow. The film's costume designer took her inspiration from the classic 1940 edition suit featuring a longer length, notched collar, nipped-in waist, and an unexaggeratedly broad padded shoulder. The new, shorter length skirt is still long enough to cover the knees when you walk.

The versatile jacket can be successfully paired with a variety of skirt and even hat styles. This dashing two-piece suit from New York Patterns includes a flared skirt [#1358].

A fabulous suit from Falkenstein is paired with a delightful turban from Lilly Dache. Photo by Horst for Vogue.

The Black Widow Madra Lord appears courtesy Monolithic Studios, produced in cooperation with Mel Odom and Ashton Drake.

Costume Credits:

OOAK suit and hat are from The Couture Touch. Fur from PD Root. Scarf from Mattel. Gloves from Ashton Drake.

You might also enjoy....The Classic Tailored Suit - 1940 Edition