Thursday, July 25, 2019

Fan Club Meeting, Take 3

Fan favorite Madra Lord wears a distinctive 1940's suit adapted from the Vince Nowell HLAYG pattern "Fan Club Meeting".  The fitted jacket featuring a diagonal closure lends itself well to customizing for one-of-a-kind looks.

Siren in the Night Madra Lord
Madra Lord
Two-tone details and cuffs highlight this stylish version.  Suit, hat, scarf, earrings, and cigarette holder are from The Couture Touch.  Gloves from Ashton Drake.  Siren in the Night Madra Lord, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

Acknowledgments:


Illustration of Fan Club Meeting, an exclusive pattern for HLAYG by Vince Nowell.
An exclusive pattern for HLAYG.

You may also like:


Fan Club Meeting, Take 2

Fan Club Meeting, 1946



Thursday, July 18, 2019

Inspired by a French Fashion Plate

An Easy DIY Hat for Gene Marshall & Friends


Siren in the Night Madra Lord

Film diva Madra Lord updates the tweed jacket from Gene Marshall's Fit For A Queen travel ensemble with a stylish red felt topper accented with bow and feather detailing recycled from another hat.  Inspired by a French fashion illustration, this easy to make hat will be the perfect addition to your favorite diva's fall wardrobe.  Jacket and gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Muff from Integrity.  Brooch is from Mattel.  Hat, scarf, and earrings are from The Couture Touch.


French fashion illustration
Idées (Manteaux et Tailleurs), Winter 1940.

To make this hat, here's what you will need:

Wool felt.
Hand sewing needle.
Thread to match felt.
Scissors.
Dressmaker chalk.
A glass or other round object for tracing a circle.
Emery board.
A bow.  [Pre-made bows are available at fabric or craft stores.  The recycled bows used for Miss Lord's hats measure 2" across.  If desired, you can use smaller ones as pictured in the original fashion illustration shown above.]

To begin, trace a 2-1/2" diameter circle on to wool felt and cut out.  Soften the cut edge by lightly sanding with the fine side of an emery board.  Form 2 tucks as shown in the photo below.


Secure the tucks with tiny hand stitches.  Attach a bow either with a needle and thread or with fabric glue.  The bow will hide any stitches that may show.  The hat is secured to the hair with a straight pin.


Siren in the Night Madra Lord

Miss Lord wears a mustard felt variation trimmed with a delightfully dotted sheer bow.  Jacket and gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Brooch from Mattel.  Cigarette holder from Mystyna.  Hat, scarf, fur muff, and earrings are from The Couture Touch.

Credits:

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

Fashion illustration from 1940's Fashion: The Definitive Sourcebook by Charlotte Fiell and Emmanuelle Dirix.  Published by Goodman Book Co., UK.


Thursday, July 11, 2019

First Look at Fall

Hot off the press, the July issue of Mademoiselle looks ahead to fall.  It's required reading for the new season's colors, fabrics, silhouettes, and design details.

Dusk to Dawn Barbie

Cover girl Barbie wears the timeless cardigan style jacket and matching slim skirt from Mattel's American Airlines Stewardess (#984) with the blouse from her "Walking Suit" ensemble.  The original bow has been replaced with one borrowed from Gene Marshall's collection.  Handbag is from a Gay Parisienne reproduction.  Fur from PD Root.  Hat and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Dusk to Dawn Barbie is from Mattel.


Shanghai Siren Gene Marshall wearing On the Plaza

Spotted in a fashion ad, Hollywood film star Gene Marshall models a chic suit from Sandra Stillwell inspired by a Betty Rose design.  Gloves and scarf are from Ashton Drake.  Handbag and bracelet from Integrity.  Hat and earrings are from The Couture Touch.  Shanghai Siren Gene Marshall, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.


And the news from Paris....



Victoire Roux

Mademoiselle Victoire Roux is featured in the magazine's editorial section highlighting the latest hats from Paris.  Blouse is from Bogue's Vogues.  Hat, fur, and earrings are from The Couture Touch.  Buenos Aires Victoire Roux is from Integrity.


Thursday, July 4, 2019

A Forties-Style Fourth

Fabulous Forties Barbie celebrates July 4th pin-up style.


Credits:

The Fabulous Forties Barbie is from Mattel.  Styling from The Couture Touch.