The Magazine Covers

As Hollywood began to influence style and design, film stars often appeared on the covers of noted fashion publications.  Monolithic Studios' style icons Gene Marshall and Madra Lord have been seen on a variety of covers, from popular women's journals to movie star fan magazines.  While supporting the war effort, Miss Marshall generously graced the covers of European fashion periodicals.  From the archives, here is a look back at their favorites.  Enjoy!

The Madra Lord Covers:

The Gene Marshall Covers:

Next Time:  

Miss Marshall comes out of retirement to appear on the cover of an Italian fashion magazine just in time for the holidays.

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.

Happy Father's Day!

Dad circa 1930s

Twosomes - Color Matched Hats & Gloves

Distinctive styles personally chosen by famous Hollywood stars.  Matchy-matchy never looked so chic.

Miss Gene Marshall*

During the 1930s and 40s, it was not unusual for manufacturers of quality women's accessories to partner in the dyeing of exact matching colors.

This delightful illustration from the editorial pages of the 1939 Spring Forecast issue of Vogue highlights a pair of Tiger-lily gloves from Kislav along with a Koret striped linen handbag featuring dyed to match handles.

Black is the perfect backdrop for accent color.  Madra Lord chooses a pair of suede gauntlet gloves in a rich brick color and matching chapeau inspired by a 1937 hat pattern designed by Ruth Wyeth Spears.  Suit, hat, gloves, belt, and scarf are from The Couture Touch.  Fur from Integrity.  Hat box from Robert Tonner.  Cigarette holder from Mystyna.

Director Ivy Jordan selects a striking tilt topper with matching gloves to complement her classic tailored suit - 1940 edition.  Suit, hat, and gloves are from The Couture Touch.  Blouse from Ashton Drake.  Fur from PD Root.

Sears assembled beautifully matched accessories in striking colors for their catalog, circa 1940's.  I want them all.

Gene Marshall dares to flaunt her colors with a bold pair of suede gauntlet gloves matched to the feather in her hat.  Shoulder cape, skirt, gloves, brooch, and belt are from The Couture Touch.  Top from Ashton Drake.  Portfolio from Mattel.  The updated hat is from Robert Tonner's Arrival at Port costume.

The following stars appear courtesy Monolithic Studios and Integrity:

C'est Moi Madra Lord
Pearls and Pink Ivy Jordan
Cocoa Crisp Gene Marshall

*White Orchid Gene Marshall is from JamieShow.  Costume Credits:  Hat, gloves, scarf, and crochet pin are from The Couture Touch.  Train case and restyled suit are from Ashton Drake.

Two Little Tea-Timing Mannequins

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know how much I adore vintage miniature mannequins.  It's perhaps why I was immediately taken with Ashton Drake's Gene Marshall line of fashion dolls.  They were and still are the perfect "mannequin" if you will, for those wonderful fashions of the early to mid-twentieth century.  I was delighted to find a copy of the April-May 1935 issue of Vogue Pattern Book where on the cover graced two marvelous miniature mannequins by Margit Nilsen dressed in miniature copies of Vogue patterns.

Credits:  Photo by Bruehl-Bourges.  Mannequins and setting are by Margit Nilsen.  Suit - Vogue 6904.  Bolero ensemble - Vogue 6910.  Hats were copied from Florence Reichman originals.

A press photo of Margit Nilsen with two of her amazing mannequins.  Circa 1938.


Fast forward to the 1940's where Monolithic Studios' rivals Gene Marshall and Madra Lord graciously come together to appear on the Aug-Sept 1943 cover of Vogue Pattern Book.

Credits:  Miss Lord's ensemble - Jacket, hat, gloves, and jewels are from The Couture Touch.  Skirt from Sandra Stillwell.  Scarf from Ashton Drake's Fit for a Queen.

Miss Marshall's costume - Dress from Bonnie and Blythe, handbag from So Evil My Love; both Ashton Drake.  Restyled Bonnie and Blythe hat, gloves, and belt are from The Couture Touch.  Bracelet and fur from Integrity.

Set - Sofa and coffee table are from Liz Cole for Retros.

Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord and White Orchid Gene Marshall are from JamieShow.

Vogue Pattern Book is a Conde Nast Publication.


For more on miniature mannequins, you may be interested in the following posts:
The Doll as Mannequin and Inspirations: Theatre de la Mode, 1945

Head First for a Stylish Wardrobe

A wardrobe rejuvenation is often most impactful when you start at the top. A new hat can breathe new life to a weary outfit. Whether for a film role or a star's personal wardrobe, the costume designers at Monolithic Studios frequently remodel hats from their massive collection.

For Monolithic Studios' 1930's film Riviera Romp, star Madra Lord wears her own "Golden Riviera" dress and shoes with the sequin jacket borrowed from Zita Charles' "Wrap Party" costume, all Integrity. Handbag and gloves are from Ashton Drake. Jewelry from StrayCat.

Cruella De Vil's hat from the Disney film 101 Dalmations provides the drama achieved by simply re-shaping the brim and applying new trim. A coverlet of black straw hides the original glitter crown.

Cruella De Vil from Mattel's Great Villians Collection.

Madra Lord wears a smart suit ensemble for a 1940's publicity tour. The restyled jacket borrowed from J'Adore Gene Marshall is paired with a black and white pinstriped skirt from The Couture Touch. Fur is from miniature furrier to the stars PD Root. Gloves, handbag, and jewels are from Ashton Drake. The hat from Barbie's "Sunday Best" is transformed into a black and white charmer. The original lilac trim was removed to reveal a classic cartwheel buckram style. The brim was re-shaped and trimmed with black fold-over bias tape accented with buttons and bows for a distinctive look.

Grace Kelly wearing Mattel's "Sunday Best" fashion.

Photo by Jurrie de Vries.

Additional Credits:

Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord and J'Adore Gene Marshall are from JamieShow.

The Little Black Dress Styled for 1939

The late 1930's style was smart, chic, and swank.  As hemlines inched shorter, accessories took on a stylish modernism....think Chanel and Schiaparelli.

Demonstrating her style panache, Miss Gene Marshall updates her "Little Black Dress" from Ashton Drake with striking accessories for the look of the moment.  A delightful wool boucle tweed tilt hat and matching oversized muff, accented with her monogram, play the starring role.

OOAK hat, muff, gloves, and jewels are from The Couture Touch.  The monogram brooch was borrowed from J'Adore's suit ensemble.  Miss M deftly arranged the scarf from Sandra Stillwell's "Lunch with Luciano" as a waist sash.  White Orchid and J'Adore Gene Marshall are from Mel Odom and JamieShow.

Autumn Gold

The rich, warm colors of autumn, when paired with black, create a striking combination. Two of Monolithic Studios' striking stars, Madra Lord and Ivy Jordan, graciously agree to model their favorite daytime looks for the season.

Madra Lord

Miss Lord pairs the gold blouse from Sandra Stillwell's "Cover Girl" ensemble with a black wool crepe skirt, and a luxurious fur cape from Affordable Designs by Denis Bastien. The gold lame purse is from PD Root. Skirt, hat, gauntlet gloves, belt, and pin are from The Couture Touch.

Ivy Jordan

Miss Jordan chooses smartly tailored pieces paired with a basic black dress. Plastron, hat, gauntlet gloves, belt, and earrings are from The Couture Touch. Dress and necklace are from Ashton Drake. Cigarette holder is from Mystyna.

Credits:

C'est Moi Madra Lord and "V" for Tea Ivy Jordan are from Integrity.

Change a Suit.....to suit any Occasion

It's time to fall in love all over again. Little worn fashion pieces can often be easily transformed to give them new life. Consider the original Sparkling Sepia suit from Integrity Toys.

Even a small change, such as removing the jacket collar, can yield a smart, versatile, and sophisticated new look.  Miss Gene Marshall, Monolithic Studios' star extraordinaire, models Sparkling Sepia restyled for the late 1930's period.

Fur-trimmed and fabulous! Miss Marshall is perfectly attired for an elegant dinner for two. The fur trim was recycled from A Woman for all Seasons suit. The removable trim is attached with a couple of Gene hat pins for added versatility. Floral hat is from First Stop Chicago, and cigarette holder is from Anything but Nice; all from Ashton Drake. Brooch is from Mattel, and gloves are from The Couture Touch.

A marvelous fur cape from Affordable Designs by Denis Bastien adds drama to this sophisticated traveling ensemble. Teal scarf with attached brooch is from the FAO Schwartz Exclusive Warmest Wishes by Ashton Drake. Hat, gloves, and belt are from The Couture Touch.

For weekends in the country, the skirt from Sparkling Sepia is paired with the top from Ashton Drake's A Lady Knows. The neckline detail was made from the original jacket collar. Brooch is from Robert Tonner. Fur is from Sparkling Seduction by Ashton Drake. Hat, gloves, and belt are from The Couture Touch. Handbag is from an unknown designer.

Credits:

• Star Entrance Gene Marshall is from Integrity.
• Love, Paris Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake. She is wearing the Contessa wig from Monique in chestnut brown, size 5-6. Wigs and other doll accessories are available at the Facets Boutique.

Star Entrance Gene Marshall

Gene's Rejuvenating Day at the Salon

This is a story of a beautiful star saddened by her ever increasing sallow body. With options dwindling, what's a gal to do? A day at the salon for a body transplant might just be the answer.

Ready for her treatment to begin.
Photo courtesy History in Photos

Beginning the face softening procedure. 
Photo courtesy Mashable

And in no time, Miss Marshall emerges refreshed with a new and improved body. Not only does she look and move like a supermodel but even thinks she's a bit taller. And her skintone is just the way she likes it. Now she is off in search of the perfect fashion for her new look.

Charmed Traveler by D.A.E. Originals

Hat and belt are from The Couture Touch. Gloves and bracelet are from Ashton Drake. Shoes and "alligator" train case are from Robert Tonner. Circa late 1940's.

Feather in Her Hat from the Anne Harper Collection
by Robert Tonner

Jewels, gloves, and phone are from Ashton Drake. Circa 1940's.

A Woman of Means from Sandra Stillwell's Hollywood Ahoy Event

Hat is from The Couture Touch, fur from Mattel, and shoes from Robert Tonner.  Jewels and gloves are from Ashton Drake. Scottie dog is from PD Root. Circa 1930's.

Ahh...There is nothing like a day at the salon!
Photo by Nina Leen for Time.

Now she just needs some more clothes. Oh, wardrobe......


Credits:

• Essentially Gene Blush is from Integrity. (Photo courtesy Gene Marshall Wikia.) 
• Miss Marshall's custom hairstyle is from Jim Gaddis.
• Vita replacement body for Gene Marshall is from Horsman.

Springtime Memories

Miss Madra Lord

A change of accessories gives this dreamy gown from Ashton Drake's 2004 "Night Memories" Madra Lord costume a breath of Spring. The flowers from the original hat were used to embellish the dramatic straw hat with leopard crown as well as the waistline of the dress. The marvelous hat was borrowed from Barbie's Hollywood Movie Star Collection "Day in the Sun" ensemble by Mattel. Gloves and earrings are from Ashton Drake. "Gemstones" highlight the gold tone cuff from Integrity.

Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord

"Night Memories" Madra Lord was designed by Jose Ferrand, circa 1937.
Photo courtesy Gene Marshall Wiki

Happy Valentine's Day!

Toby Wing, circa 1934
Photo courtesy Vintage Everyday

Snoods, Hoods, & Drapery

It's those little details that often set the tone for an outfit. From Pre-War drama to Post-War charm, Monolithic Studios' star Miss Gene Marshall shows her unique style with 1940's fashion details.

It's 1939 and the world is at the brink of war. Intrigue and espionage are in the air. Gene is ready with a dramatic ensemble featuring a hood that falls into draping at the neckline. Matching gauntlet gloves and a black felt tricorne hat complete the femme fatale look. Handbag is from an unknown designer. OOAK suit ensemble is from The Couture Touch. Star Entrance Gene Marshall is from Integrity.

Restaurant dining during the 1940's calls for a tailored, yet elegant and refined look. A rich silk velvet snood with matching gloves accent the beautifully detailed dress from Ashton Drake's "Lunch at the Green Parrot" Violet Waters costume. Snood, gloves, and belt are from The Couture Touch. Cuff bracelet is from Integrity. Fashion Plot Gene Marshall with restyled hair is from Ashton Drake.

 

Asymmetric styling through drapery was a popular feature in dresses during the 1940's. What better way to soften a tailored, fitted jacket than with a chiffon drape re-purposed from the FAO Schwarz Exclusive "Warmest Wishes" set. Jacket, handbag, and embroidered gloves are all from Ashton Drake. Shoes are from Integrity. Hat is from Mattel's "Publicity Tour". Skirt is from an early Gene convention suit ensemble. A re-coiffed Film Fatale Gene Marshall, enhanced with an articulated body from Integrity, is from Ashton Drake.

Madra Lord's 1932 Cover

Film star Madra Lord appears on the cover of the summer issue of Ladies' Home Journal wearing the delightful frock borrowed from Silhouette of the 1930's Zita Charles. Accessories include the gloves from Gene Marshall's Cherry Smash ensemble and a restyled hat from Mattel. C'est Moi Madra Lord, dress, gloves, and bracelet are all from Integrity. Necklace is from Ashton Drake.