Hidden Treasure

Sometimes what's hidden beneath another piece of clothing turns out to be an unexpected treasure.  It could be a fabulous pair of shoes under a long gown or a beautifully tailored dress under a jacket or coat.

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This navy satin dress from Madame Alexander's Greta Garbo Grand Hotel ensemble is not often seen without its navy wool coat and matching cloche.  I decided to make it the standout piece by accenting it with a silk navy and black herringbone cape, black suede hat, and suede gloves, all from The Couture Touch.   The necklace and earrings are borrowed from Fringe Festival Ivy Jordan's evening ensemble.  The purse is original to the dress and the shoes are from Ashton Drake.  Moss Rose Ivy Jordan is my model/muse.

Hollywood Stars and Sewing Patterns

At the height of film star Gene Marshall's popularity, Ashton Drake and Mel Odom partnered with Vogue Patterns to produce a line of sewing patterns exclusively for Gene and her rival Madra Lord.

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I found the original patten (Vogue 5317) illustrated in my copy of the Dec-Jan 1944-45 issue of Vogue Pattern Book.  The article was titled "Six Good Little Black Dresses".

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Gene is Traveling First Class in my color-blocked version of the pattern.  I re-positioned the bodice and yoke seaming and used 100% merino wool jersey.  The hat, jewelry, and gloves are from The Couture Touch.  The fur drape from PD Root.  Shoes from Ashton Drake.  The gloves are a new design based on an actual pair of 1940's gloves that I own.  My model/muse is Covent Garden Gene with her hair restyled.

Our love affair with movie stars is certainly not new and many companies including the home sewing industry capitalized on the public's fascination with these film icons.

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In the 1930's, Butterick obtained the exclusive rights to market patterns based on the clothing worn in specific films by well-known stars such as Katherine Hepburn.  These patterns were called Butterick "Starred Patterns".

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Hollywood Patterns (1932 - 1947) featured stars publicity photos on the cover of their pattern envelopes.  Carol Lombard, Claudette Colbert, and Katherine Hepburn were just a few A-list stars that were used.  These patterns were not exact copies of the stars' costumes as were the earlier Butterick "Starred Patterns".

In the late 1940's, the short-lived Companion Star Patterns (1947) featured costumes copied from the movie wardrobes of popular actresses such as Lucille Ball and Jane Wyman.

Resources:

If you're interested in sewing and/or vintage fashion, I highly recommend Wade Laboissonniere's books titled Blueprints of Fashion, Home Sewing Patterns of the 1940's and Blueprints of Fashion, Home Sewing Patterns of the 1950's.  They are excellent resources for the history of the home sewing industry as well as an archive of pattern envelope illustrations that document the fabulous styles of the 1940's and 1950's.

Hollywood Patterns are available to purchase at  So Vintage Patterns.  They have an amazing selection of original vintage sewing patterns from the 1900's - 1980's with emphasis on the 1940's and 1950's.

Barbie is Tres Chic in Bogue's Vogues

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Spa Getaway Barbie is looking tres chic in a new dress from Bogue's Vogues.  I just love this color combination. The two-piece outfit features an organdy blouse accented with a black bow in the same fabric as the ruched waistline of the skirt.  I added one of my own ooak hats to accent.  The gloves, bracelet, and shoes are from Mattel.  Purse from Integrity.   Bogue's Vogues Etsy Shop

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Here's a close-up of Spa Getaway Barbie sans her wig(s).  I don't know why, but I prefer the look of her molded hair.  I think she looks so sophisticated!  The picture on the table is a miniature replica of a Mel Odom illustration courtesy of Gigi's Dolls & Sherry's Teddy Bears in Chicago.

Happy Father's Day!

My dapper Dad, circa 1930's.

A Hot Day in Hollywood, 1930 - 1950

Join me for a summer stroll through the decades with Hollywood stars Gene Marshall, Madra Lord, and Joan Crawford.  It's going to be a hot day in Hollywood folks.....

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Golden Riviera Madra Lord (Integrity) looks surreal in Tonner's delightful Tyler sweater (a la Schiaparelli) layered over her sleeveless white dress.  Shoes are also from the original outfit.  Purse from Integrity, bracelets from Tonner, gloves from Ashton Drake, and OOAK hat from The Couture Touch.

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Cinema Siren Joan Crawford is ready to lunch at the Press Club in Tonner's Brenda Starr "Press Club Luncheon" 1942 ensemble.  Earrings from PD Root.

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A restyled Simply Gene Marshall (Ashton Drake) is simply fabulous in D.A.E. Original's "Steppin Out", a delicious 1940's ensemble.  Love the dramatic hat and lace corsage accents.  The shoes and purse are borrowed from Tonner's Brenda Starr.

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Bronze Madra Lord from The Steppin' High Collection (Integrity) looks cool and fresh in "Spotted In The Park", a 1950's halter style dress.  Designed by Veronica Alvarado, Young Designer of America.

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Best Bet Gene Marshall (Ashton Drake) plays the 50's bombshell in the wiggle sheath from "Little Blessings" designed by Vince Nowell.  Atomic sunglasses from Integrity, shoes from Joe Tai, bracelet from Ashton Drake, lucite purse and cig holder from The Couture Touch.  Best Bet Gene has been wigged and her original body replaced with an articulated body from Integrity.

Set Credits:    Table and chair from Gene's Patio Set (Ashton Drake)
                      Accessories from A Hot Day in Hollywood Set (Ashton Drake)

Joan Crawford Selects A Chic 1930's Suit

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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. 

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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.

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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).

The All Seasoned Suit

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Here is a suit that can span the seasons just by changing the accessories.  For Spring/Summer:  Shades of lilac complement Integrity's Town and Country taupe suit.  Floral tilt hat, lucite purse, and reversible gloves are from The Couture Touch, shoes from Joe Tai, bracelet from Facets by Marcia.  Gilty Girl Gene Marshall from Integrity is my model/muse.

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The jacket lining was my inspiration for the color of the accessories.  You can see a hint of the lilac and white dotted lining in this close-up shot.  I replaced the original jacket buttons with beading.

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The same suit, this time accessorized with a fur hat and muff from one of Ashton Drake's Hat Sets.  I reversed the gloves to the slightly deeper shade of pink, eliminated the bracelet and changed the earrings.  A perfect, soft look for Fall/Winter.

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Inspiration for Integrity's Town and Country ensemble?  Adele Simpson designed this suit that was featured in an ad for Juilliard's St. Regis 100% Virgin Wool suiting fabric.  Source:  Vogue, August 1, 1948 issue.