A Bright Forecast

The Fashion News for 1941:  Bright, stimulating colors to lift the spirit.  

You can easily boost the morale of a plain dress by simply introducing accessories in vivid colors.

Monolithic Studios' film star Gene Marshall revitalizes a basic black dress with bold color accents.  The multi-colored, wool boucle, belted plastron accented with a silk bow at the neckline is paired with a dramatic suede topper, color-blocked purse, and embroidered suede gauntlet gloves.  All from The Couture Touch.  Dress is from Ashton Drake.  Custom cigarette holder is from Mystyna.  "Symphony in G" Gene Marshall, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

From the 1941 issue of British Vogue, this Wolsey fashion ad highlights the bold color trend for apparel as well as accessories.

Miss Marshall makes a bold fashion statement with a royal blue jersey turban and matching suede gauntlet gloves.  Her own Little Black Dress is punctuated with felt confetti dots.  The 1/4" and 1/8" circles were cut from wool felt scraps using a classic 1-hole punch available in a variety of sizes.  The circles were then just finger pressed to the bodice in a random fashion.  Dress, necklace, and purse are from Ashton Drake.  Hat, gloves, and belt are from The Couture Touch.  Scottie is from PD Root.  Love, Paris Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Gene Marshall for Victory

Miss Marshall continues to do her part for Victory by graciously appearing in a Monolithic Studios' promotional film on updating a black frock.  Two different looks can be achieved by layering the bolero-style vest borrowed from Madra Lord's Heartless costume with Gene Marshall's Little Black Dress.

Miss Marshall wears the vest in the traditional manner.  Gloves were borrowed from Madra's Dark Desire costume.  Additional accessories include a tweed off-the-face hat and suede belt from The Couture Touch.  The bow at the neckline was recycled from a Robert Tonner hat.  Handbag is from Madame Alexander.  Dress, vest, and gloves are from Ashton Drake.

Wearing the vest backwards gives the illusion of a yoke.  Tiny button detailing highlights the distinctive look.  Asymmetric hat and embroidered gauntlet gloves are from The Couture Touch.  Belt is from Sandra Stillwell.

Credits:

Cocoa Rose Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Heartless and Little Black Dress were designed by Tim Kennedy.

Borrowed from the Boys

Film star Gene Marshall takes the fedora from Trent Osborn's Playing the Ponies set and makes it her own for a chic 1940's man-tailored look.  A new grosgrain band and a little reshaping refresh this iconic hat style.

Appearing on the cover of Woman's Own, a British lifestyle magazine first published in 1932, Miss Marshall does her part for victory by promoting coupon-value designs for daytime.  Hat, suit, and scarf are from Ashton Drake.  Fur from PD Root.  Gloves and styling are from The Couture Touch.

Fashion Plot Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Next Time:  Ideas for recycling a man's tie.

"Where's My Hat?!"

Wartime Chic

The stars from Monolithic Studios do their part to promote the war effort by making do and looking fabulous in the process.

One of the easiest ways to change the look of an outfit is with accessories.  Hats in particular were consistently in the fashion news during the 1940s.  Not only were they unaffected by rationing, but there is nothing like a new hat to lift the spirit.

Gene Marshall updates Ashton Drake's Lucky Stripe dress with a dramatic tilt topper infused with a dash of color.  The dress was shortened slightly and the original side drape removed to reveal the pleating detail.  Fur is from Hunter-Goldblatt Designs.  Hat box from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection.  Jewels from PD Root.  Hat and gloves are from The Couture Touch.  Floral accents were recycled from other outfits.  Fashion Plot Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Little tailored hats, often accented with floral trim, were also popular during the war years.  Madra Lord chooses one with matching leopard suede gauntlet gloves to accessorize the Town and Country suit from Integrity.  Chenille bag is from Ashton Drake.  Waist corsage and neck scarf were recycled from other outfits.  Hat and gloves are from The Couture Touch.  Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord is from JamieShow.

Turbans were a fashionable trend with Hollywood film stars.  Miss Lord selects a chic mustard felt style for her stylish tailored suit ensemble.  Shirt is from Bogue's Vogues.  Handbag from Mark Middendorf.  Skirt and gloves are from Sandra Stillwell.  Jacket, hat, jewels, and cigarette holder are from The Couture Touch.  Careless Kisses Madra Lord is from Integrity.

Something New from Something Old

After WWII the country continued to face a period of economy.  Re-modeling hats became popular as there were several publications dedicated to creative hat making.

In the News:

Miss Violet Waters

While attending a creative hat designing demonstration at a recent meeting of The Thursday Club, jazz singer Violet Waters proudly shows off a new hat made with the help of author and millinery instructor Miss Dorothy Nugent.  An old brown felt disk hat is re-shaped and accented with floral millinery and the green ruffled trim re-cycled from Miss Waters' "My Sunday Chapeau".  A frothy confection promising Spring can't be far behind.

Credits:

Sunset Serenade Violet Waters appears courtesy Monolithic Studios and Integrity.  Miss Waters' hat, dress, gloves, and jewels are from The Couture Touch.  Fur and handbag are from PD Root.

The Dorothy Nugent Course in Creative Hat Designing was republished by Bramcost Publications in 2009.  This rare work was originally published in 1947.

It's a New Year - Time to Go Through Your Wardrobe

Inspired by the Make-Do and Mend era of World War II, the stars from Monolithic Studios will do their part to promote ways to maximize a winter wardrobe.  Look for ideas for updating as well as mixing and matching, storage tips, plus a new DIY project for a quick and easy skirt hanger.  Next week, Miss Gene Marshall kicks off the series with three stylish winter suits.

WWII propaganda poster from Britain's Board of Trade promoting Make-do and Mend.  Artist: Donia Nachshen.  Photo courtesy Wiktionary.

1940's Make Do Style

Despite wartime shortages and rationing, the inventive women of the 1940's made do with what they had.  Not only did this creativity boost morale but became a banner of individuality.  Ashton Drake's "Little Black Dress" set, designed by Tim Kennedy exclusively for the Gene Marshall Collection, brilliantly addressed this intriguing period in our history.

Miss Marshall refreshes her "Little Black Dress" by narrowing the skirt slightly which gives a slimmer silhouette.  The original butterfly decoration from the vest is replaced with a delightful bow pin recycled from a dangle earring.  A beret from another outfit is updated with vintage veiling and assortment of trims.  Hats during this era were often decorated with unrationed fabric flowers, bows, ribbon, and braiding.  Handbag and embroidered gloves are from Ashton Drake.

Madra Lord does her part to make do in style.  A silk tweed vest and suede color-blocked gauntlet gloves gives the "Little Black Dress" a smartly sophisticated look.  The hat from Ashton Drake's "Doing Her Part" takes a dramatic turn achieved with simple re-shaping and a touch of marabou.  Vest, gloves, and necklace are from The Couture Touch.  Handbag from an unknown designer.

It's good fashion sense and smart dollars and cents to s-t-r-e-t-c-h your wardrobe with a versatile collection of accessories.  After all...."Variety is the Spice of Life"

Additional Credits:

Cocoa Crisp Gene Marshall is from Integrity.
Azure Elegance Madra Lord, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

Styling from The Couture Touch.

Chic 1940's Accessories: Hat, Gloves, and a Gas Mask?

In 1939, Britain issued gas masks to civilians fearing the Germans would drop bombs containing toxic gas. Men, women, and children were encouraged to keep the masks with them at all times. Of course the resourceful 1940's woman needed a fashionable carrier for her mask.

For the knitter, a pattern for matching scarf, gloves, turban, and a gas-mask container.

From Women's Fair, two smart pattern styles to match your ensemble. Circa 1939.

Love this style from Ideal Home, 1941. Do I see a new handbag in Gene's future?

Thankfully, gas was never used against civilians in World War ll. For more on this fascinating subject, visit the following websites: Find My Past and Primary Homework Help.

The second and third photos are courtesy Vintage Chic.

Gene Marshall Does Her Part For Victory

1940's store window display featuring Gene Marshall mannequins.

Miss Marshall lends her star power to promote patriotism by preserving valuable resources while building a stylish wardrobe. From updating existing pieces to creative accessorizing, the women of the 1940's were encouraged to do their part for victory.

Update a classic jacket with a new skirt made from old trousers.

Add interest with clever trimming.

Credits:

Miss Marshall's jacket, gloves, and handbag are from Ashton Drake. Skirt, turban, scarf, and brooch are from The Couture Touch. Halo hat is from Mattel. Fur is from PD Root. Love, Paris doll and Filigree Gene head are from Ashton Drake. Green suede tilt topper is from The Couture Touch. "Alligator" train case is from Robert Tonner.

Build Your Own Wardrobe was published by The American Thread Company, New York, 1943.

4 Make Do & Mend Ideas to Update The Little Black Dress

There's New Life in the Old Girl Yet! *

Madra Lord, circa 1943

Monolithic Studios' star Miss Madra Lord updates the basic black dress with a belted, blue and black herringbone wool jerkin. The mustard felt topper and matching black and mustard suede color-blocked gauntlet gloves provide a pop of color to this smart ensemble. OOAK jerkin, hat, and gloves are from The Couture Touch. Shoes and belt are from Integrity. Purse is from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection. Black Widow Madra Lord, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake. 

Australian Women's Weekly
 July 31, 1943

Here are 3 more ideas to transform a black dress by adding colorful add-on pieces. From left to right: A green bolero vest and matching waist-wrap and hat. A red collar overlay that is gathered in the front and secured with a matching belt; topped with a coordinating tilt hat. A bright yellow bolero with a yoke effect with matching hat and gloves.


Click HERE for more on the inspiration behind the original "Little Black Dress" costume designed by Tim Kennedy for Ashton Drake's 2000 Gene Marshall Collection.

* Excerpt from Make and Mend For Victory, Book No.S-10, The Spool Cotton Co., 1942.