Peplum Panache

Miss Gene Marshall

The dress from Madame Alexander's "Grand Hotel" is transformed with a detachable peplum in a charming summer print.  In addition, the original black bow trim was replaced with the matching dramatic bow recycled from Integrity's "Ladies Who Launch".  Gloves and jewels are from Ashton Drake.  Handbag from PD Root.  Detachable peplum, hat, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  To Have and To Hold (restyled) Gene Marshall, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

Set of tie-on peplums in 3 styles from Butterick, circa 1947.

Peplums were a popular fashion trend in the 1940's.  Throughout the decade the home-sewing industry offered detachable peplum patterns as a way to utilize small fabric yardages as well as increase the versatility of a basic dress or skirt.

Butterick dress pattern with a detachable tie-on peplum option, circa 1947.

Credits:

Vintage pattern illustrations from CoPA Commercial Pattern Archive.  Joy Emery, Project Director.

Happy Father's Day!

Dad and me, circa mid-1950's

Man-Tailored Glam

Select a tailored jacket that takes its cue from menswear.....Add stylish accessories......The result is effortless forties sophistication.

Monolithic Studios' film star Gene Marshall wears the ultimate man-tailored jacket borrowed from Mattel's James Bond.  Hat, handbag, and earrings are from Ashton Drake.  Gloves and brooch are from Integrity.  Scarf is from Sandra Stillwell.  Skirt from The Couture Touch.  Phoenix Gene Marshall is from Jamieshow.

Film diva Joan Crawford in a double-breasted pinstriped suit from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection.  Hat and gloves are from The Couture Touch.  The dramatic fur is from PD Root.  Top from Sandra Stillwell.  Shoes from Integrity.  Cigarette holder is from Ashton Drake.  Miss Crawford is a repainted "Pin-Up" Gene Marshall from Ashton Drake, artist unknown.

Miss Marshall strikes a pose in the jacket from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection.  Vintage buttons replace the original ones.  Hat, gloves, scarf, and corsage are from The Couture Touch.  Cigarette holder is from Mystyna.  Skirt from Sandra Stillwell.  Handbag unknown.  White Orchid Gene Marshall is from Jamieshow.

Additional Credits:

Styling from The Couture Touch.

Sophisticated Summer Dressing

Embrace Summer with a Season Full of Stylish Fashion for Every Occasion.

For a day of shopping or lunch with the girls, iconic fashion model known simply as Barbie selects a chic silk suit from Bellissima Couture.  Gloves are from Mattel.  Hat and purse are from The Couture Touch.  Lingerie Silkstone Barbie is from Mattel's BFMC.

The warm summer days ahead call for a versatile, cool cotton striped dress accented with a silk sash.  Dress and jewelry are from The Couture Touch.  Straw handbag is from Mattel's BFMC.  "Friday Night Date" Reproduction Barbie is from Mattel.

Every gal on the go needs a black strapless dress in their summer wardrobe.  Randall Craig's "A La Mode" [turquoise version] silk dress with coordinating knit shrug and beaded necklace will take Barbie from sightseeing to cocktails in style.  Gloves and handbag are from Mattel.  "Gal on the Go" Silkstone Barbie is from Mattel's BFMC.

June Seasonal Accessorizing

Welcome summer by incorporating prints into your wardrobe.  Wear dresses in classic dotted fabric.  Brighten a dark solid dress with collars and matching cuffs in cheerful florals.

Jazz great Violet Waters steps out in D.A.E. Originals' delightful pink dress punctuated with tiny black all-over dots.  Gloves and re-shaped hat are from Sandra Stillwell.  Styling from The Couture Touch.  Heat Wave Violet Waters (newly coiffed) is from Integrity.

An advertisement for rayon fabrics shows the extensive range of prints that were available in the 1940s.  Photo courtesy Sew Weekly.

A pink floral collar with matching cuffs revitalizes film star Gene Marshall's basic black dress [Dark Desire].  Dress, belt, waist corsage, gloves, earrings, and newspaper are all from Ashton Drake.  Hat, detachable collar/cuffs, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Warmest Wishes Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.