Fur Glamour

Monolithic star, Miss Gene Marshall, poses for a publicity photo wearing Adrian's "A Woman of Means" jacket from the 1934 film Chained accessorized with dramatic fur.  The fabulous hat and shoulder accents are from Madame Alexander's "Houndstooth" Cissette.  Cigarette holder from The Couture Touch.  Jacket from Sandra Stillwell.  "Marceline" Gene Marshall is from Integrity.

My inspiration for this photo shoot were two Travis Banton costumes designed for Marlene Dietrich.

Scarlet Empress, 1934
Photo courtesy Michael Hoppen Gallery

Desire, 1936

Travis Banton, chief costume designer for Paramount, was probably the most sought-after designer of his era and best known for shaping the style of such icons as Marlene Dietrich.  His designs were deceptively simple yet expertly cut, often on the bias, and enhanced with luxurious fabrics and extravagant decorations such as fur, feathers, and beading.

Blonde Lace

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For the 1937 film Angel, Travis Banton applied one of his signature trademarks of using men's clothing for women in this fabulous costume designed for Marlene Dietrich.  Dietrich often chose to wear masculine clothes off screen as well as on.  Other actresses tried to emulate her style, but few could pull it off as well as she could. 

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Here is a scene from the Ernst Lubitsch film showing Marlene Dietrich in the costume designed by Travis Banton.  Like many of the costume designers in Hollywood, Banton designed for Dietrich on and off the screen.

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Golden Gala Madra Lord looking sophisticated in the miniature version called "Blonde Lace".  The ensemble was designed by Tim Kennedy exclusively for the 1995 Ashton Drake Gene Marshall Collection.  Circa 1941.