A Classic Wardrobe Staple

The tailored suit featuring a longer length, fitted jacket with masculine shoulders, cuff-less sleeves, and pocket detailing.  Neutral colors are sound choices for maximum versatility.

Monolithic Studios' film star Gene Marshall wears a tailored jacket with the matching slim, straight skirt.  A tilt topper, color-blocked gauntlet gloves, a bold black and white dotted scarf, and jeweled lapel ornament gives this costume a smartly sophisticated look.  OOAK ensemble is from The Couture Touch.

In a dashing manner, Miss Marshall pairs the jacket with a black, A-line skirt.  Dramatic accessories complete this chic ensemble.  Suit, hat, gloves, scarf, and jewels are from The Couture Touch.  Fur and matching fur-trimmed handbag are from PD Root.  Cigarette holder is from Ashton Drake.

Director Ivy Jordan borrows the jacket from Miss Marshall and teams it with a pleated skirt [Doing Her Part], blouse [Star Wardrobe Collection], and jewels; all from Ashton Drake.  Gloves are from Sandra Stillwell.  Jacket, hat, and fur muff are from The Couture Touch.


Cocoa Crisp Gene Marshall and Pearls and Pink Ivy Jordan appear courtesy Monolithic Studios and Integrity.

From Sketch to Costume

The costume designer often begins with a sketch of an idea.  "To sketch an idea is the surest way to capture it, the clearest way to explain it. "  Patricia L. Rowe

Irene's sketch of the suit worn by Joan Crawford in "They All Kissed the Bride"
(Columbia, 1942).

Irene Lentz-Gibbons, known simply as Irene, developed a style of boldly signed fashion sketches that became her trademark.  She was a successful designer of not only costumes for film but of the personal wardrobes of Hollywood's most noted stars.

Joan Crawford in the suit by Irene.

Sketches were also commonly utilized within the pages of fashion magazines such as Vogue.

This 1943 illustration from Vogue London highlights fashion collections designed under wartime regulations.  On the left, a tailored suit in oatmeal tweed by Bery.  On the right, a grey tweed coat from Brenner Sports.

Credits:

In a Glamorous Fashion, The Fabulous Years of Hollywood Costume Design by W. Robert Lavine. 

Shorthand Fashion Sketching by Patricia L Rowe.  Fairchild Publications, New York.

Fashion Illustrated, A Review of Women's Dress 1920 - 1950 by Deborah Torrens.

A Shorts Story

Designed by Vince Nowell for Ashton Drake's 2000 Gene Marshall Collection, this stylish short set is perfect for relaxing on a hot summer day.  Miss Marshall's personal stylist added the scarf from "A Woman For All Seasons" set and the cork-soled wedges from "It Happened in Monterey";  all from Ashton Drake.

The stunning Love at First Sight Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.  The pearl and "diamond" pin is from Mattel.

July Seasonal Accessorizing

Anne Adams #4881 Pattern

Doll up a basic dress by adding flowers at the neckline and for extra flattery repeat the flowers on your hat.

Ivy Jordan

Embroidered flower motifs, recycled from vintage veiling, were applied in an asymmetric fashion on the bodice of Miss Jordan's two-piece navy dress as well as on the hat trim.  Dress [Ladies Who Launch] is from Integrity.  Handbag is from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection.  Earrings from Mattel.  Cigarette holder from Ashton Drake.  Hat, gloves, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Pearls and Pink Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.

Against All Odds

Monolithic Studios' film star Miss Madra Lord