Casual Summer Dressing

Two incomparable divas show just how chic casual dressing can be.  Mix and match separates begin with a core wardrobe basic, the notched collar blouse....a staple in any era.

Mabel Lorkovic (aka Madra Lord) teams the blue and white window pane checked blouse from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection with a navy pencil thin skirt and matching belt.  Mustard accessories give the ensemble a sophisticated look.  Circa 1950's.

Barbara Millicent Roberts (aka Barbie) wears her iconic yellow body blouse with a multi-colored, floral, gathered skirt (Country Fair #1603, Mattel).  The casual look is elevated with pops of black and white.  Circa 1960's.

Credits:

OOAK hats are from The Couture Touch.
Handbags are from Mattel.

The Divas:

Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord is from JamieShow.
Walking Suit Barbie is from Mattel's Silkstone Barbie Fashion Model Collection.

Fashionably Pink

The perfect transition to warm weather dressing: a pink wool crepe suit with luscious matching fur cuffs. Pops of black and white accent this smart suit worn by Monolithic Studios' star Miss Gene Marshall. Accessories include black gloves and a pearl-handled walking stick from Ashton Drake, hatbox from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection, and a fabulously dramatic tilt hat from The Couture Touch. Cocoa Crisp Gene Marshall is from Integrity. Click HERE for instructions on making a variation of Miss Marshall's hat.

Lilli Ann ad featured in California Bride magazine.
Photo courtesy pintuckstyle.blogspot.com

"Paradise in Pink" costume was created for the 2004 Annual Gene Hollywood Convention by Ashton Drake. It was based on this 1946 Lilli Ann suit worn by actress Marsha Hunt for her wedding.

Accessorizing the Little Black Suit

As with the little black dress, the basic black suit is a wardrobe staple that lends itself perfectly to accessorizing. Monolithic Studios' star Miss Gene Marshall demonstrates three ways to accessorize a classic wool suit, circa 1946. Move over black and white, the LBS gets ready for daytime drama in the rich shades of Autumn.

Brown and black is so chic ....especially when paired with a magnificent mauve high-crown asymmetric feathered topper for a distinctive daytime look. Brown suede gauntlet gloves and hat are from The Couture Touch. Scarf from Sandra Stillwell, fur-trimmed purse from PD Root, and cigarette holder from Mystyna.

A delightful floral hat dresses up the classic suit for late afternoon cocktails. Gauntlet gloves are from The Couture Touch, scarf from Mattel, fur and purse from PD Root. The hat, with the original veil removed, is from Ashton Drake's "First Stop Chicago" ensemble.

All lines point to high style courtesy of a dashing red wool felt hat paired with a coordinating ascot, both from The Couture Touch. Fur-trimmed gloves are from Ashton Drake, handbag from PD Root, shoes from Integrity.

Credits:
Ashton Drake's "Symphony in G" Gene Marshall has been enhanced with an articulated body by Integrity.

Miss Marshall's black wool suit is a variation of Vince Nowell's HLAYG exclusive pattern, "Fan Club Meeting".

Gene's New Hat

As Sandra Stillwell Presents opens her Toast of Manhattan event this weekend, Monolithic Studios' darling Miss Gene Marshall shops for a new hat for her favorite cocktail suit from Sandra's 2011 Golden Gate Glamour convention. Bandolier Morado is a luscious silk, tailored suit featuring alternating black and tonal lilac stripes. There was never any doubt that Miss Marshall would find the perfect hat: a delightful concoction of lilac and rose-colored flowers embellishing the little black matador-style hat from Ashton Drake's Song of Spain costume. Ole!

Additional costume credits: Muff from the 2005 Annual Gene Convention costume Lotta Moola, scarf from Robert Tonner's Cashmere Noir, and pin from Facets by Marcia's 2004 Hollywood Set. Black suede gauntlet gloves, bracelet, earrings, and re-styled hat are from The Couture Touch.

"Symphony in G" Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Transitional Dressing

A classic sheath in a great color + a change in accessories = a look that easily transitions from late Summer to Fall beautifully.  Removing the original teal chiffon scarf and pin from the dress designed by Tim Kennedy for the FAO Schwarz 1998 Fall Exclusive "Warmest Wishes", reveals a flattering silhouette featuring a jewel neckline, dolman-sleeves, and working pockets. This style was common in the late 1940's and continued well into the 1950's.

Miss Gene Marshall's rich make-up palette complements the rust-colored, knit sheath topped with an unusual-shaped, crown-less, suede hat. Additional accessories include a suede belt, brooch and earrings, all from The Couture Touch. Gloves are from Ashton Drake's "Winged Inspiration" ensemble, bracelet from Integrity, and handbag from an unknown artist.

Perfect for the crisp Fall days ahead: a tweed shoulder cape and coordinating green suede topper with feather accent from The Couture Touch. Bracelet from Facets by Marcia, green leather clutch from PD Root.

Ashton Drake's "Blue Belle" Gene Marshall has been enhanced with an Integrity articulated body.

Persia in Randall Craig

Persia, the exquisite handmade resin doll by Darrell Wallace, makes a fashion statement in Randall Craig. Speak Low (worn backwards) is a smart black and grey knit sheath with zebra accents on the collar and cuffs. Persia swaps out the original white belt with a black patent belt from Mattel. Brooch is from Robert Tonner's Tiny Kitty collection. Gloves and shoes are from Integrity. Dramatic black suede hat is from The Couture Touch.

Hats They Choose

When an actress is her own costume designer for her off-screen role, what does she wear? These three busy, beautiful stars were invited to come to our studio and bring their favorite hat. Here are the results.

Joan Crawford

Miss Crawford graciously stopped by our studio on her way to a benefit luncheon wearing a stylish checked topper perfectly coordinated with her jacket ensemble. Hat, jacket, necklace and earrings are from The Couture Touch. Gloves are from PD Root, handbag and bracelet from Integrity. The belt was borrowed from J'Adore Gene Marshall. Underneath is the strapless black sheath from Cherry Smash.

The asymmetric topper utilizes the same fabric as the covered buttons on the jacket. The floral trim was recycled from an Ashton Drake hair ornament. Miss Crawford was originally a Pin-Up Gene Marshall (artist unknown).

Ivy Jordan

Miss Jordan, who prefers being behind the camera instead of in front of it, drove up to the studio wearing a smart royal blue fedora accented with a dramatic feather and netting detail. Hat and fur from miniature furrier PD Root, jacket from The Couture Touch, and earrings from Ashton Drake. Dress is a dyed version of Croquet, Anyone?

Gene Marshall

Miss Marshall arrived in a tweed jacket and black skirt. The hat she chose - an extravagant red felt topper. Hat and scarf from The Couture Touch, fur drape from PD Root, jacket from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection.

Creative Millinery

During WWII, the U.S. implemented clothing restrictions (referred to as Limitation Order L-85) to the apparel industry in order to conserve materials needed for the war effort. The rationing of supplies sparked creativity as well as renewed self-expression.

Even Hollywood was impacted by the wartime restrictions. At the Monolithic Studio's wardrobe department, stylists work their millinery magic with available materials to refresh some of their early costumes.

The result:  Five glorious hats....each one star-approved by Monolithic's leading ladies, Miss Gene Marshall and Miss Madra Lord.

J'Adore Gene Marshall wears a fashionable red leather tilt hat made from a vintage shoe clip. The clip was removed and a circle of felt was added to finish the underside of the hat. Ashton Drake's red crepe jacket/dress ensemble is now the perfect "Smart Set".

Blue Fox Gene Marshall accents her black and cream striped dress with a delightful black ribbon tilt hat that began as a flower lapel pin. "Lucky Stripe" gets a make-over by adding a belt and moving the side drape so the beautiful pleating is visible. Dress, jewelry, gloves, and Miss Marshall are all from Ashton Drake.

The hat from Robert Tonner's "Fresh Take" gets a fresh re-take by re-shaping the wired bandeau into a dramatic red feathered tilt topper perfect for Tonner's Reporter in Red suit ensemble from the Brenda Starr Collection. Jewelry from The Couture Touch. "Fresh Take" costume is from the Ann Harper Collection. Like A Fox Madra Lord is from Ashton Drake.

The satin ribbon hat from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection brown accessories set was updated with vintage millinery trim for a spectacular floral confection. Suit, gloves, and jewelry are from Ashton Drake. J'Adore Gene Marshall is the FDQ exclusive doll from Mel Odom and JamieShow.

Dark Desire Madra Lord graciously poses for the cover of Movie Star magazine wearing a fabulous tilt hat that was once the little tam from Ashton Drake's "Bonnie and Blythe" costume. The red pom pom and black vinyl trim were removed from the original hat. Buckram was inserted for shape and support and the underside finished with felt. Dramatic vintage trim accents the "new" hat. Dress, jewelry, and Miss Lord are from Ashton Drake. Fur cape from Dimitha.

Next time:  Make a circa 1940's tilt hat for Miss Marshall.

A New Hat to Lift the Spirits

It's been a long, hard winter and even a miniature Hollywood film diva occasionally needs to rejuvenate the soul. And what better way to lift the spirits than with a new hairstyle and a new hat!  After a trip to the beauty salon, Miss Gene Marshall visits her favorite milliner at The Couture Touch atelier. Miss Marshall selects an off-the-face style chapeau to complement her new bangs. The winter white, wool felt hat features a split-brim accented with black marabou.

Miss Marshall's re-styled tweed jacket is from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr collection. The black leather handbag and fur drape are from miniature furrier PD Root. Print scarf is from Sandra Stillwell. Hat, jewelry, and black suede gauntlet gloves are from The Couture Touch. Fashion Plot Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

An Outrageous New Hat for Gene

The hat from Ashton Drake's "Goodbye New York" suit ensemble gets a dramatic, asymmetric, over-the-top restyle from The Couture Touch. The original fur has been replaced with the fur trim from Madra Lord's "A Woman for All Seasons" suit and the bow from Miss Marshall's "Press Conference" hat.  Gene's top is from "A Lady Knows", fur stole from Integrity's Marceline, and the necklace is from Madame Alexander.  Symphony in G Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Goodbye New York costume designed by
Doug James for Ashton Drake's Gene Marshall Collection.
Photo courtesy Gene Marshall Wiki.com

Victoire's Paris Dress

No burlap potato sack or horse's feedbag for Victoire Roux.  Wearing Mattel's 2002 recreation of the iconic costume from the 1956 I Love Lucy episode "Lucy Gets a Paris Gown", Victoire looks as if she just stepped off a page from a French fashion magazine. The delightful black suede asymmetric brimmed hat is from The Couture Touch.

Photo courtesy lucyfan.com

"I Love Lucy" & "Lucy Gets a Paris Gown" are trademarks of CBS Worldwide, Inc.

Buenos Aires Victoire Roux is from Integrity Toys.

Slip Into Something Fabulous for Cocktails

Gene Marshall slips into the fabulous Cognac Evening cocktail dress, circa 1951, designed by Jose Ferrand exclusively for the 1999 Ashton Drake Gene Marshall Collection.  Miss Marshall chooses to wear a matching pleated velvet hat from The Couture Touch.  Additional accessories include the gold lame clutch from PD Root and cigarette holder by Mystyna.  Her gold and jet choker is a combination of two Ashton Drake necklaces.  J'Adore Gene Marshall is the FDQ Exclusive BJD from Mel Odom and JamieShow.

A 1952 Legroux Soeurs hat.  Photo by Norman Parkinson courtesy My Vintage Vogue.

Styled for Drama

Monolithic Studios' Queen of the Silver Screen, Miss Madra Lord, accents the jacket from Integrity's "Cherry Smash" and skirt from Ashton Drake's "Fashion Plot" with a black corded beret and matching handbag.  All accessories are from The Couture Touch.  Black Widow Madra Lord is from Ashton Drake.

Miss Lord accessories her black crepe dress from her "Rich Girl" ensemble with a sensational silk draped hat with attached snood, "fur" cape from Affordable Designs, handbag from PD Root, cigarette holder from Mystyna, and jewelry from Ashton Drake.  OOAK hat, gloves and corsage are all from The Couture Touch.  Siren in the Night Madra Lord is from Ashton Drake.

Both dolls have been enhanced with an Integrity articulated body.

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.

More Hat Tricks

A boucle hat, 2 ways.  Miss Gene Marshall shows how a quick change in the trim on a hat can achieve two different looks.  First, cabbage roses adorn the reshaped brim of a boucle halo hat, circa 1940's.  OOAK hat and matching gauntlet gloves are from The Couture Touch. Suit from Mark Middendorf.

Pure femme fatale!  A simple sleek feather changes the look of the same hat this time worn with the black crepe dress from "Dark Desire" accented with the lace jabot from "Little Black Dress".  Fur from PD Root, purse from Robert Tonner, hat and gloves from The Couture Touch.

1940's OOAK Hats

"Black Widow" Madra Lord

Miss Madra Lord wears a fanciful suede and tweed pillbox hat accented with a dramatic vintage bird.  Checked jacket from Ashton Drake's "Doing Her Part", lace blouse from "Hello Hollywood Hello", skirt from "Press Conference", fur and purse from PD Root. Hat and gloves from The Couture Touch.

Moss Rose Ivy Jordan

Director Ivy Jordan updates her classic blazer from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe collection with a smart topper from The Couture Touch.  The black suede asymmetric brim is accented with a beige straw crown and green vintage ribbon trim.  Blouse is from Bogue's Vogues, slacks from "Blonde Lace", and gloves from Integrity.  On the table: purse from the Star Wardrobe brown accessory set, hanky from Ashton Drake, compact and lipstick from Mattel. Table from CED.

Star Entrance Gene Marshall

Miss Gene Marshall looking chic in a molded wool felt turban accented with a "bakelite" button trim.  Black wool crepe draped dress borrowed from Integrity's Rich Girl Madra Lord, necklace from "Lunch at the Green Parrot" accented with a brooch from Robert Tonner.  Hat and leopard suede gloves are from The Couture Touch.

Hat Tricks

Almost every woman has a few old hats lying around that she can't bear to part with and wishes she knew how to utilize them in a new way.  Miss Gene Marshall and Miss Madra Lord, stars of the miniature silver screen, have a few tricks up their sleeve and demonstrate how to update that favorite old hat.

"Symphony in G" Gene Marshall

Miss Marshall refreshes her red and black checked tilt hat from Ashton Drake's "Little Black Dress" ensemble with miniature millinery fruit and a feather tucked into the brim.  Top from "A Lady Knows", necklace from "Lunch at the Green Parrot".

"Fashion Plot" Gene Marshall

A chic turban can easily be made from a piece of fabric.  In this case, the tartan beret from a 14" Betsy McCall by Robert Tonner is folded, tucked and twisted into this delightful topper. Shirt from Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection, skirt from "Fashion Plot", vest from "Little Black Dress", and cigarette holder from Integrity.  Director's Chair is from Ashton Drake.

"Like A Fox" Madra Lord

Miss Lord takes her cue from the colors of Autumn for this fabulous Forties tilt hat.  The base of the hat is from Nouveau Hats by Sharon.  The original Victorian style trim has been replaced with vintage feathers and a miniature millinery flower bud.  "Reporter In Red" suit and fur are from Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection.

Paris Hats, 1943

Bernard Blossac Illustrations, 1943
Courtesy hprints.com

By 1944, women's hats in German occupied Paris became larger, taller, and more dramatic. While clothing was strictly rationed; hats however, could be made from a variety of unrationed materials and scraps.  Whether is was just a way to stay fashionable, express their individuality or identity, or just to keep up morale in the face of adversity, Paris women embraced these uniquely marvelous hat styles.

American film star, Miss Zita Charles shows her support for the brave women of Paris by wearing a fabulously dramatic hat from The Couture Touch.  The black wool suit with sequin trim is from Robert Tonner's Theatre de la Mode collection, Le Petit Ensemble Noir.  Lace trimmed blouse is from Ashton Drake's "Blonde Lace", leathette gloves from Integrity, purse from Madame Alexander, and earrings from The Couture Touch.  A restyled City Sleeker Zita Charles is from Integrity.

Traveling with Ms. Charles on this trip to Paris is the lovely Miss Gene Marshall.  In need of an appropriate hat to wear with her new jacket, Miss Marshall deftly restyles an old hat into a sensational topper.  The embroidered jacket and hat box from Robert Tonner's "Par Excellence" Brenda Starr ensemble is worn over the sheath from Integrity's "Cherry Smash" costume.  Fur from PD Root, walking stick from "Blonde Lace", and the hat is from "Black Ribbon".  Cascade in Blue Gene Marshall is enhanced with an Integrity articulated body.