Publicity Shoot

Reprising Joan Crawford's role in a remake of the 1932 film Grand Hotel, Monolithic Studios' star Miss Gene Marshall poses for a black and white publicity shot.  Dress from Robert Tonner's Joan Crawford Collection.  Purse and shoes are from Integrity.  Styling from The Couture Touch.  Best Bet Gene Marshall, re-coiffed in a blonde Harlow wig and enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

Joan Crawford in Grand Hotel (1932).
From the MGM Collection.

Note the interesting asymmetric collar variation and button detailing of the original dress designed for Miss Crawford by Adrian.  Photo is from Gowns by Adrian, The MGM Years, 1928-1941 by Howard Gutner.  Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

Gene Marshall for Victory

Miss Marshall continues to do her part for Victory by graciously appearing in a Monolithic Studios' promotional film on updating a black frock.  Two different looks can be achieved by layering the bolero-style vest borrowed from Madra Lord's Heartless costume with Gene Marshall's Little Black Dress.

Miss Marshall wears the vest in the traditional manner.  Gloves were borrowed from Madra's Dark Desire costume.  Additional accessories include a tweed off-the-face hat and suede belt from The Couture Touch.  The bow at the neckline was recycled from a Robert Tonner hat.  Handbag is from Madame Alexander.  Dress, vest, and gloves are from Ashton Drake.

Wearing the vest backwards gives the illusion of a yoke.  Tiny button detailing highlights the distinctive look.  Asymmetric hat and embroidered gauntlet gloves are from The Couture Touch.  Belt is from Sandra Stillwell.

Credits:

Cocoa Rose Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Heartless and Little Black Dress were designed by Tim Kennedy.

Inspiration....Illustrated

A wonderful resource for design inspiration, the fashion illustration depicts period styles with clarity in details. Here are two 1940 originals from my personal collection. Enjoy!

Artist: Eunice Moray. Also signed Miss Doctoroff, perhaps an instructor.
Notations indicate that this was a costume suit for the Duchess of Kent, #17, 1940.

Artist: S. Morreale.  Notations indicate the costume is made from doeskin.
The Havelock is of canary yellow silk jersey.  [A havelock is a cap with fabric hanging from the sides and back.]