Season's Greetings!

Miss Gene Marshall

Best Wishes for the Holidays and Happiness Throughout the New Year!

A Season for Travel

"Portraits of Fashion" by Flexees Foundations. Vogue, November 15, 1940.

A classic tailored ensemble will carry you to your destination in style.  It is a fashion for all locales, all climates, all seasons.

Miss Gene Marshall

Chic Gene Marshall is all set to go places in a smartly tailored suit ensemble.  Jacket, gloves, and brooch are from Ashton Drake.  Scarf from Mattel.  Hat, skirt, earrings, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Cocoa Rose Gene Marshall appears courtesy of Monolithic Studios and Ashton Drake.

Photo Credit:  Collection Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris.

A chic woolen suit by Jacques Fath perfect for everyday wear around town.  The double-breasted jacket style with vertical pocket detailing was a favorite of Fath's until 1945.  Photographed in Paris, circa 1942.

Resources:

Vogue, November 15, 1940.

Fashion, The 20th Century by Francois Baudot.

December Seasonal Accessorizing

For a dramatic effect, layer a rich wool boucle plastron over a basic dress.  Add a matching hat, gloves, and handbag.

Miss Gene Marshall

Costume Credits:  Dress, handbag, and necklace are from Ashton Drake.  Plastron, hat, beaded gauntlet gloves, belt, and earrings are from The Couture Touch.  Caribbean Kiss Gene Marshall [re-coiffed] appears courtesy of Monolithic Studios and Ashton Drake.

I hope you enjoyed this series inspired by the make do and mend era of the 1940s.  With interchangeable accessories, you can always be fashionably dressed with a minimum of time and expense.

Bibliography:

The Complete Book of Sewing by Constance Talbot, published 1943.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Honey....We're going to be late for Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma's house!

Wishing You a Safe Holiday Filled with Family, Food, and Friends.

Photo Credit:  Vintage Buick ad from Vogue, November 15, 1940.

Catalog Divas

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Hollywood divas Joan Crawford and Madra Lord appear in an upscale mail order catalog modeling the latest in fall fashion.

Glamorous Furs!

Miss Joan Crawford

Costume Credits:  Fur cape, gloves, and earrings are from Ashton Drake.  Dress from Fashion Blvd.  Handbag from PD Root.  Hat, belt, brooch, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Awards Night Joan Crawford is a Robert Tonner Exclusive for Sandra Stillwell's 2009 Hollywood Ahoy! Event.

You Need A Hat That's Tailored!

Miss Madra Lord

Costume Credits:  Hat and shoulder cape are from The Couture Touch.  Top is from Ashton Drake.  Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord is from Jamieshow.

"Say, did you hear.  Two Hollywood divas are featured in our fall/winter issue.  Do you think we can get their autographs?"  

Photo Credit: Chicago Mail Order Company, Fall/Winter 1941-42.

Add Flair To Fall Separates

Pair a basic skirt with a knit top.  Add a hint of sparkle and a touch of fur for a lush fall look.

Gene Marshall

A beaded applique for sparkle and recycled fur from another outfit updates Miss Marshall's top.  A dramatic tilt topper with coordinating suede gauntlet gloves completes this stylish ensemble.

Costume Credits:  Top and earrings are from Ashton Drake.  A "Nouveau Nouveau" Hat by Sharon has been embellished with feather and floral trim.  Handbag from an unknown designer.  Skirt, gloves, and styling are from The Couture Touch.

Symphony in G Gene Marshall, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

November Seasonal Accessorizing

Add a sequin collar to a basic dress.  A detachable collar is a great way to transition a daytime dress for dinner, cocktails, or the theater.

Monolithic Studios' director Miss Ivy Jordan in the knit dress from "Warmest Wishes", an FAO Schwarz 1998 Fall Exclusive designed by Tim Kennedy.  A detachable sequin collar replaces the original cowl neck scarf transforming this dress from daywear to evening sophistication.  Dress and gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Hat, fur muff, and waist corsage are from The Couture Touch.  The sequin collar was recycled from another doll.  Lady Director Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.

A pearl encrusted green velvet tie-on collar from Hattie Carnegie is the perfect addition for a late-day dress.  Photo is from the October 1, 1943 issue of Vogue magazine highlighting new ways to wear new accessories.