Inspirations: Accessories

The accompanying part of a costume, known as accessories, serve both a functional as well as an aesthetic need.  They are the costume completers.

Vogue magazine has long been considered the ultimate fashion authority.  Here are some inspiring ads for fashion accessories from inside the pages of vintage 1930's and 40's issues.

Sensible yet stylish walking shoes, perfect complement to a tailored suit ensemble.  Circa 1936.

This uniquely styled handbag was available in black, brown, and important new fall colors for 1938.  I'll take one in each color please!  

Belts were a popular fashion accessory in 1939....and beyond.  

Wonderful stitching detail highlights these sueded cotton gloves.  Circa 1941.

Smart and comfortable shoes for 1943.  Love those oxford styles.

There are many ways to tie a scarf.  Here's a stylish solution for a bad hair day, circa 1943.

High fashion has moved down from the shoulder to the arm, yet still hands free.  New proportions for 1947.  Handles designed to take your arm.

Now you might be asking yourself, where are the hats!?!  Click HERE for more inspiring vintage ads.

Vogue is a Conde Nast Publication.

Stars Endorse Neutrals for Fall

Autumn is the perfect time to think of a rich neutral color palette.  Smart women build their fall wardrobe around a neutral such as beige, taupe, or black.  They are especially effective used for investment pieces such as a suit.  Timeless and elegant, neutral tones blend effortlessly with any color.  They can provide a canvas for soft, muted shades as well as dramatic bursts of color.

Actress Gene Marshall wears a smart black and brown suit accented with a pop of color at the neckline.  A stylish mink on felt hat tops the late 1930's travel ensemble.  Suit, hat, and scarf are from The Couture Touch.  Gloves and train case are from Ashton Drake.  Bracelet is from Integrity.  Brooch from Robert Tonner.  Blue Fox Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

While location scouting in Chicago, director Ivy Jordan agrees to pose for a local department store's magazine ad.  A little publicity never hurts.  A classic 1940's suit is paired with ochre accents while a dramatic mink and felt hat tops the distinctive look.  Jacket and handbag are from Ashton Drake.  Hat, gloves, scarf, brooch, and skirt are from The Couture Touch.  Cigarette holder is from Mystyna.  Lady Director Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.

Mauve and taupe make the perfect pairing for Miss Marshall's delightful mid-forties suit ensemble.  Suit, scarf, and handbag are from Integrity.  Hat was borrowed from D.A.E. Originals' Business Class costume.  Gloves, bracelet, and Cocoa Rose Gene Marshall are from Ashton Drake.

Credits:

Gene Marshall and Ivy Jordan appear courtesy Monolithic Studios.

Styling from The Couture Touch.

Two Little Tea-Timing Mannequins

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know how much I adore vintage miniature mannequins.  It's perhaps why I was immediately taken with Ashton Drake's Gene Marshall line of fashion dolls.  They were and still are the perfect "mannequin" if you will, for those wonderful fashions of the early to mid-twentieth century.  I was delighted to find a copy of the April-May 1935 issue of Vogue Pattern Book where on the cover graced two marvelous miniature mannequins by Margit Nilsen dressed in miniature copies of Vogue patterns.

Credits:  Photo by Bruehl-Bourges.  Mannequins and setting are by Margit Nilsen.  Suit - Vogue 6904.  Bolero ensemble - Vogue 6910.  Hats were copied from Florence Reichman originals.

A press photo of Margit Nilsen with two of her amazing mannequins.  Circa 1938.


Fast forward to the 1940's where Monolithic Studios' rivals Gene Marshall and Madra Lord graciously come together to appear on the Aug-Sept 1943 cover of Vogue Pattern Book.

Credits:  Miss Lord's ensemble - Jacket, hat, gloves, and jewels are from The Couture Touch.  Skirt from Sandra Stillwell.  Scarf from Ashton Drake's Fit for a Queen.

Miss Marshall's costume - Dress from Bonnie and Blythe, handbag from So Evil My Love; both Ashton Drake.  Restyled Bonnie and Blythe hat, gloves, and belt are from The Couture Touch.  Bracelet and fur from Integrity.

Set - Sofa and coffee table are from Liz Cole for Retros.

Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord and White Orchid Gene Marshall are from JamieShow.

Vogue Pattern Book is a Conde Nast Publication.


For more on miniature mannequins, you may be interested in the following posts:
The Doll as Mannequin and Inspirations: Theatre de la Mode, 1945

Are You Ready For Fall

A New Season.....A New Suit

In fact, a trio of distinctive suits updated just in time for those chilly days ahead.

Monolithic Studios' diva Madra Lord wears a re-imagined version of Gene Marshall's J'Adore suit.  The jacket buttons were changed and a black linen asymmetric band was added to the skirt hemline for a decidedly 1930's feel.  Hat, gloves, scarf, belt, and shoes are from The Couture Touch.  Brooch from Mattel.

Film star Gene Marshall tops Integrity's Suited for Fur with a marvelous topper from The Couture Touch.  Gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Handbag from Michael Scott.  The "fur" cuffs had been previously removed from the jacket for an earlier post.  They were left intact so they easily slide back on the sleeves.  Liberties were taken as to the placement.

Miss Lord accessorizes a versatile black suit with elegant brown tones for a smartly tailored look.  Suit, hat, belt, gloves, and scarf are from The Couture Touch.  Fur from miniature furrier to the stars PD Root.  Cigarette holder from Mystyna.

Credits:

Siren in the Night Madra Lord, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

White Orchid and J'Adore Gene Marshall are from JamieShow.

C'est Moi Madra Lord is from Integrity.