Updating Hats with Flowers & Bows

We asked two famous film stars to select a hat from their personal wardrobe to update.

Gene Marshall

The simple addition of a black felt bow elevates the hat from Integrity's Daily Threads set.  Paired with Robert Tonner's Arrival at Port suit (sans the belt), Miss Marshall is ready to greet her fans.  Handbag is from Madame Alexander.  Gloves, jewels, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  "Symphony in G" Gene Marshall, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.  A braided hairpiece purchased at a local beauty supply house was added to her coiffure.

Madra Lord

The hat from Miss Lord's Top This suit ensemble is reshaped and trimmed with pink tulips and a dramatic spray of feathers, both recycled from other outfits.  Hat, Jacket, and gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Fur and handbag are from furrier PD Root.  Skirt, scarf, jewels, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Careless Kisses Madra Lord is from Integrity.

The Couture Touch would like to thank our stars for taking time out of their busy schedules for this project.

3 Ways with Flowers & Bows

From the pages of a leading fashion magazine, Monolithic Studios' film stars Gene Marshall and Madra Lord along with iconic fashion model Barbie show their favorite ways with flowers and bows.

The jacket from Love, Paris is updated with a floral accented bow at the neckline and two small black bows at the waistline.  Teamed with a slim, black pleated skirt gives Miss Marshall's ensemble panache.  Re-shaped hat is from Sandra Stillwell.  Jacket and jewels are from Ashton Drake.  Handbag from Robert Tonner.  Skirt, gloves, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Destiny Gene Marshall, re-coiffed and enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

Appearing on the editorial page, Miss Lord wears a delightful three strand pearl necklace accented with a ribbon flower recycled from Gene Marshall's Press Conference hat.  A small metal hook from a hook & eye closure was sewn to the back of the flower.  The flower is attached by simply hooking it over the pearls.  If necessary, use a mini, needle nose jewelry plier to adjust the hook in order to accommodate larger pearls.  Top is from Ashton Drake's A Lady Knows.  Special Scene Madra Lord is from Integrity.

The designers of Barbie's chic suit were right on trend with the jeweled ribbon bow accent.  A jeweled button could also be sewn on a ribbon bow for a similar effect.  The OOAK turban is from The Couture Touch.  Trace of Lace Silkstone Barbie (re-styled) and the Tweed Indeed suit are from Mattel.

Must Haves for Updating a 1940's Wardrobe

Photo from the cover of British Vogue, September 1941.

The use of florals and bows in women's apparel were popular fashion trends during the 1940s.  Both were the perfect choice for giving new life to old clothes as well as uplifting morale during the war years.  From the pages of vintage Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, here are ideas for embellishing with flowers and bows.

Not your traditional way to wear flowers, but delightful indeed.  A small bouquet tucked into a belt at the waist.  Rembrandt dress ad from British Vogue, 1941.

And don't forget hats.  A bunch of violets with the stems still attached are perched on top a flaring, blue, silk satin snood from Lilly Dache.  The flowers are repeated in the corsage on the jacket.  Photo from Vogue, 1941.

Three suits accented with bow trim from Charles Armour, Inc., New York City.  Eve Tartar hats.  From Vogue, 1943.

Four small strategically placed bows accented with jeweled clips add interest to this suit-dress from the Doctor Dress Company, Inc.  Photo from Harper's Bazaar, 1942.

A black, silk crepe dress from Traina-Norell is accented with a marvelous brooch mounted on ribbon bows.  Bonwit Teller ad from Harper's Bazaar, 1942.

The same brooch appears in this color photo by Rawlings for Vogue, 1942.  Tailored ensemble from Traina-Norell.

Love this idea for a bow accented necklace.  La Tausca Pearls, New York.  Hat by Lilly Dache.  Photo from Vogue, 1942.

A cherry red wool suit-dress from Jacqmar features a turned back lapel to reveal an oversized velveteen bow.  Illustration from British Vogue, 1941. 

January Seasonal Accessorizing

Brighten a winter coat or jacket by adding a flower corsage in a rich, vivid color.  Carry a muff and repeat the flowers on the muff, or match your gloves or handbag to the flowers.

Monolithic Studios' grande dame Miss Madra Lord accents her tweed car coat with dramatic roses matched to the piping on her handbag.  The corsage is actually the hair ornament from Ashton Drake's Pinque Passion evening ensemble.  Hat, jacket, skirt, and scarf are from The Couture Touch.  Handbag and gloves are from Sandra Stillwell.  Top This Madra Lord, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

Director Ivy Jordan wears a tweed wool suit ensemble updated with rich florals that were salvaged from Ashton Drake's The Perfect Gift.  The fur collar from Sandra Stillwell's Lotta Moola costume was fashioned into the dramatic muff.  Suit is from Ashton Drake.  Gloves from Sandra Stillwell.  Suede, detachable, wrist gauntlets were added to the gloves.  Hat, ascot, belt, bar pin, and gauntlets are from The Couture Touch.  Lady Director Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.

Changing accessories with the season is one of the easiest ways to look fresh and up-to-the-minute.  Join us each month as we highlight ideas for updating a wardrobe with seasonal accessorizing.