Stars Endorse Neutrals for Fall

Autumn is the perfect time to think of a rich neutral color palette.  Smart women build their fall wardrobe around a neutral such as beige, taupe, or black.  They are especially effective used for investment pieces such as a suit.  Timeless and elegant, neutral tones blend effortlessly with any color.  They can provide a canvas for soft, muted shades as well as dramatic bursts of color.

Actress Gene Marshall wears a smart black and brown suit accented with a pop of color at the neckline.  A stylish mink on felt hat tops the late 1930's travel ensemble.  Suit, hat, and scarf are from The Couture Touch.  Gloves and train case are from Ashton Drake.  Bracelet is from Integrity.  Brooch from Robert Tonner.  Blue Fox Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

While location scouting in Chicago, director Ivy Jordan agrees to pose for a local department store's magazine ad.  A little publicity never hurts.  A classic 1940's suit is paired with ochre accents while a dramatic mink and felt hat tops the distinctive look.  Jacket and handbag are from Ashton Drake.  Hat, gloves, scarf, brooch, and skirt are from The Couture Touch.  Cigarette holder is from Mystyna.  Lady Director Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.

Mauve and taupe make the perfect pairing for Miss Marshall's delightful mid-forties suit ensemble.  Suit, scarf, and handbag are from Integrity.  Hat was borrowed from D.A.E. Originals' Business Class costume.  Gloves, bracelet, and Cocoa Rose Gene Marshall are from Ashton Drake.

Credits:

Gene Marshall and Ivy Jordan appear courtesy Monolithic Studios.

Styling from The Couture Touch.

Are You Ready For Fall

A New Season.....A New Suit

In fact, a trio of distinctive suits updated just in time for those chilly days ahead.

Monolithic Studios' diva Madra Lord wears a re-imagined version of Gene Marshall's J'Adore suit.  The jacket buttons were changed and a black linen asymmetric band was added to the skirt hemline for a decidedly 1930's feel.  Hat, gloves, scarf, belt, and shoes are from The Couture Touch.  Brooch from Mattel.

Film star Gene Marshall tops Integrity's Suited for Fur with a marvelous topper from The Couture Touch.  Gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Handbag from Michael Scott.  The "fur" cuffs had been previously removed from the jacket for an earlier post.  They were left intact so they easily slide back on the sleeves.  Liberties were taken as to the placement.

Miss Lord accessorizes a versatile black suit with elegant brown tones for a smartly tailored look.  Suit, hat, belt, gloves, and scarf are from The Couture Touch.  Fur from miniature furrier to the stars PD Root.  Cigarette holder from Mystyna.

Credits:

Siren in the Night Madra Lord, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

White Orchid and J'Adore Gene Marshall are from JamieShow.

C'est Moi Madra Lord is from Integrity.

 

Fashion News from Paris

Join us for a fantasy look at two miniature style icons as seen on the editorial pages of our favorite fashion magazine.

Gene Marshall

"Wear them with flair, as a triumphant badge of individuality..."
 declares Vogue about the new bold color choices for Winter, 1936. Monolithic Studios' darling Miss Gene Marshall picks a ripe raspberry wool suit from Robert Tonner. Hat is from Sandra Stillwell, gloves are from The Couture Touch, and jewels are from Integrity. Miss Marshall's hairstyle is from Jim Gaddis.

Victoire Roux

In the early 1950's, Christian Dior moved away from his ground breaking "New Look" and opted for a slim "H" line silhouette featuring a belted jacket and pencil-thin skirt. Paris sensation Victoire Roux wears the jacket from Mattel's 2012 BFMC exclusive "Afternoon Suit" with a black wool jersey skirt. Hat and skirt are from The Couture Touch. Gloves and jewels are from Mattel. Poodle is from Randall Craig.

The Models:

• Blush Gene Marshall, enhanced with Horsman's Vita replacement body made especially for Gene, is from Integrity.
• Buenos Aires Victoire Roux is 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

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Autumn Noir"

Monolithic Studios' star Miss Gene Marshall travels this holiday in style wearing an OOAK suit and tilt topper from The Couture Touch, circa mid-1930's.  Additional accessories include the fabulous fur from miniature furrier PD Root, train case from Ashton Drake's "Travel in Tweed" and ascot from "Turbulence".  Phoenix Gene Marshall is from Mel Odom and JamieShow. Wig from Monique.

The Versatile Miss Marshall

J'Adore Gene Marshall

Miss Gene Marshall, Mel Odom's latest incarnation of Monolithic Studios' iconic film star, demonstrates her style versatility spanning two decades.

1930's

The sensational slack suit and embroidered gloves from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection are paired with the blouse accented with a chenille flower from "Fashion Plot". Accessories include the hat from "Smart Set", walking stick from "Blonde Lace", OOAK cigarette holder from Mystyna, and fabulous fur from PD Root.  Miss Marshall's size 4-5, white blonde, synthetic mohair wig called Marcel is from facetsbymarcia.

1940's

The jacket, gloves, and blouse are paired with the charcoal grey, pleated skirt from Integrity's "Daily Threads".  A wool felt, scoop-brimmed hat from The Couture Touch perfectly complement Miss Marshall's restyled blonde wig cap borrowed from Phoenix Gene Marshall. The train case is from Ashton Drake's "Fit For a Queen".

JAdore Gene Marshall is a Fashion Doll Quarterly exclusive BJD by Mel Odom & JamieShow.

Set Credits:
CED table
Telephone from "A Hot Day in Hollywood" Accessory Set

Celebrities at Longchamp, 1938

Dateline Paris France, Longchamp Racecourse:  Where fashionable society women and celebrities go to be seen and photographed in the latest fashions.  Spotted are three American film icons, Monolithic Studios' lady director Miss Ivy Jordan along with stars Miss Gene Marshall and Miss Madra Lord. While in France filming a new movie, the trio is taking some much needed time off and enjoying the racecourse.

Miss Ivy Jordan

Director Ivy Jordan wears the chic navy tweed jacket from Ashton Drake's "Travel in Tweed" belted over the matching skirt from Madame Alexander's Aunt Amanda Fairchild ensemble. The berry fur collar from "Lotta Moola" was fashioned into an oversized muff.  Suede detachable wrist gauntlets were added to the matching berry gloves.  Corsage is from "The Perfect Gift".  OOAK hat, ascot, and belt are from The Couture Touch.  Ivy Jordan, Lady Director is from Integrity.

Miss Madra Lord

Miss Lord pairs the classic checked jacket from Ashton Drake's "Doing Her Part" with a black skirt from Bogue's Vogues.  Accessories include a fabulous high-crown tilt topper from The Couture Touch, fur from Dimitha, and handbag from Madame Alexander.  Black gloves and ascot complete the sophisticated look.  C'est Moi Madra Lord is from Integrity.

Miss Gene Marshall

Miss Marshall looks smart in an OOAK color-blocked suit, suede topper and gauntlet gloves, all from The Couture Touch.  The lace blouse is from Ashton Drake's "Hello Hollywood Hello" ensemble, and fur drape from miniature furrier PD Root.  Blue Fox Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Periodicals such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal as well as French publications such as Les Modes, Femina, and L'Officiel covered fashion at the Paris races.  It became a popular feature as it showed real women wearing the latest fashion.

Black, White, and a Pop of Color

On The Avenue Gene Marshall changes the look of the jacket and skirt from Integrity's "Gilt-y Girl" suit ensemble with a pop of color courtesy of a fabulous striped cummerbund and hat band made from a rare wide vintage grosgrain ribbon.  Hat, gloves, top, cummerbund, and earrings are from The Couture Touch.  Umbrella from Fashion Boulevard.

Marceline Gene Marshall pairs the jacket, hat, gloves, and purse from "My Heart's Song" with the versatile black sheath from "Black Ribbon".  The belt is from "Embassy Luncheon"; all from Ashton Drake.  A hair ornament becomes a corsage.  Bracelet from Facets by Marcia. Earrings from Robert Tonner's Monica Merrill Collection.

Gene's "Patio Set" is from Ashton Drake.

Time Travel, In Tweed

How do you change the look of a suit from one era to another?  Add a belt, a couple of buttons, and a longer length skirt; and you have now taken a circa 1948 suit back to the late 1930's.  Ashton Drake's "Travel In Tweed" suit ensemble originally designed for the Gene Marshall Collection by Lynne Day is a classic late 40's, early 50's suit style.  Simply by belting it and adding buttons to the pockets changes the dynamics.  I paired the jacket with the skirt from Madame Alexander's Aunt Amanda Fairchild suit. The fabric is identical.  A fabulous OOAK wool felt hat and fur jabot and the original cape complete the look. The gloves are from "Goodbye New York", and the shoes are from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection.  The train case is from "Travel In Tweed".

"Symphony in G" Gene Marshall looks smashing in the OOAK red wool felt hat and fur jabot from The Couture Touch.  The buttons were loosely sewn on the pocket flaps so they can easily be removed in order to return the jacket to it's original style.  Another tip is to bring the lapels closer together and secure with a straight pin.

Red

"Simply wearing red is an act of confidence that commands attention"..... from Fashion and Color by Mary Garthe.

From bright red to the deepest burgandy, red evokes strong emotion.  Red advances visually, an attribute that makes it seem closer to the viewer than any other color.  When worn alone, red is hot, passionate, and powerful.  When subdued by the addition of black or white, as in burgandy, red retains its impact, but takes on an air of mystery.

Here's a look at red through the decades as modeled by the stars of Monolithic Studios.

Gene Marshall is sublimely elegant in the berry colored wool suit from Robert Tonner's Mrs. Coulter. The tri-corne hat from Diane on Whidbey Island with the addition of vintage veiling lends a mysterious aire to this circa 1930's ensemble.  Shoes and purse from Integrity, gloves from Ashton Drake, and jewelry from Bogue's Vogues.  My model is "Everything's Coming Up Roses" Gene Marshall by Ashton Drake.

Madra Lord knows that opposites attract in this delightful pairing of the black dress from Integrity's "It's A Cinch" with the green jerkin (vest) from Ashton Drake's "Little Black Dress" costume.  Black and green make the perfect backdrop to red in this circa 1940's ensemble.  The ooak red and black houndstooth tilt topper is accented with the black snood from "Fascination".  Hat, beaded suede color-blocked gauntlet gloves, and jewelry are from The Couture Touch.  Shoes from Integrity, purse from Tonner's Brenda Starr collection.  My model is "Top This" Madra Lord enhanced with an Integrity articulated body.

The perfect ensemble for late afternoon cocktails, circa 1950's, is worn by a no bangs "A Lady Knows" Gene Marshall by Ashton Drake.  Red accessories become the punctuation mark for this classic navy tweed suit called "Travel in Tweed" designed by Lynne Day.  Underneath is the red knit playsuit from Ashton Drake's "Crimson Sun" costume.  The dramatic navy straw picture hat borrowed from Madame Alexander's Aunt Amanda Fairchild is accented with an artfully tied, red jersey scarf with vintage millinery floral.  OOAK lucite purse, navy suede gloves, and earrings are from The Couture Touch, bracelet from Ashton Drake, pin from Mattel.

Table from CED
Telephone from Ashton Drake's "A Hot Day in Hollywood" Accessory Set

OOAK Suit Ensembles, Late 1930's

Click photo to enlarge

This nubby tweed, belted suit ensemble is a great example of the sophisticated, yet witty look of the 1930's.  Nipped-in waists were accented with belts as the natural waistline returned.  The period between 1934-40 was also the heyday for unusual buttons.  I found these unique antique buttons at a local flea market.  Of course, no daywear look is complete without a fabulous suede topper.  Gloves and belt are from Ashton Drake, shoes from Integrity.  My model/muse is USO Gene Marshall from Ashton Drake.

Click photo to enlarge

Another popular suit style in the 1930's featured short, fitted jackets with either a notched or shawl collar, or as in this case, a rever [sometimes referred to as a reverse lapel].  Paired with a longer length, bias-cut skirt, this suit style was the epitome of 1930's elegance.  Appliqued suede leaves lend a surreal accent to the jacket.  A grand, high-crown topper, matching gauntlet gloves and scarf, and spectator pumps complete the look.  Shoes from D.A.E. Originals.  My model/muse is C'est Moi Madra Lord by Integrity.

Click photo to enlarge

Here is a variation of the same pattern, this time utilizing an oversized shaped rever accented with a vintage flower and feather corsage.  Additional 1930's details include a silk velvet ascot, matching suede gauntlet gloves, navy suede purse, and a felt swagger-brimmed, slouch hat.  Shoes from Integrity.  My model/muse is Night Memories Madra Lord from Ashton Drake enhanced with an Integrity articulated body.

All OOAK suit ensembles are by The Couture Touch and are from my private collection.

The Stars at Monolithic Love Adrian

Click photo to enlarge

Moss Rose Ivy Jordan wears an emerald green satin gown inspired by legendary Hollywood Costume Designer, Gilbert Adrian.  This sophisticated 1930's evening ensemble is from "Olympia" Gene Marshall by Integrity.

Click photo to enlarge

Joan Crawford in the original white silk crepe gown with black bugle beads.  From "Letty Lynton" (MGM, 1932). 

Click photo to enlarge

Ivy Jordan, Lady Director, means business in Greene & Lam's "A Woman of Means" suit ensemble from Sandra Stillwell's Hollywood Ahoy 2009 Convention.  It was inspired by a costume from the film "Chained" (MGM, 1934).  The shoes are from Integrity and the cigarette holder from The Couture Touch.

Joan Crawford with Otto Kruger from Chained

Click photo to enlarge

It's a Wrap Zita Charles wears a fabulous Judy Owen's recreation of an Adrian costume from "No More Ladies" (MGM, 1935). 

Click photo to enlarge

Joan Crawford in the stunning wool crepe suit and matching wide brimmed hat from "No More Ladies".

Joan Crawford Selects A Chic 1930's Suit

Click photo to enlarge

Tonner's Award Nights Joan Crawford from the Hollywood Ahoy Convention selects various pieces from Gene Marshall's wardrobe for a chic 1930's suit ensemble fit for a star. 

Click photo to enlarge

The jacket is from Ashton Drake's Doing Her Part, Black linen shirt, velvet straight skirt, and purse from Bogue's Vogues, fabulous fur and hat from PD Root, gloves from The Couture Touch, cream ascot from Ashton Drake's Turbulance, cig holder from Ashton Drake's Anything But Nice.  Pin from unknown source.  Joan wears her own shoes.

Click photo to enlarge

This photo of popular 1930's German actress, Martha Eggerth, was my inspiration for Joan's chic daytime ensemble. Eggerth emigrated to the United States due to the political situation in Germany.  She was highly successful in such Broadway hits as "The Merry Widow" and "Polonaise".  She also appeared in several films most notably with Gene Kelly and Judy Garland in "For Me and My Gal (1942).