A Modern Take on Vintage

Gene Marshall, the iconic star of Monolithic Studios, wears a modern gown that gives a nod to the Art Deco style of the 1930's and early 1940's. Many of the glamorous gowns of this period made use of color-blocking and geometric shapes.

1930's illustration courtesy uglycutedesigns.blogspot.com
 

The color combination of mustard yellow and black was frequently seen during the Art Deco period, not only in fashion but home decor as well.

Tall, faceted, black & yellow Palda vase
 courtesy artdecocollection.com

Mustard yellow crepe gown with black accents
courtesy 1937 Dry Goods

Mustard yellow and black satin gown with color-blocked detail was borrowed from Main Feature Elsa Lin by Integrity. Black suede gauntlet gloves are from The Couture Touch, earrings and black/gold beaded bracelet are from Ashton Drake, cuff bracelet is from Integrity.  Priceless Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Black, White & Striped

The striking combination of black, white, and diagonal stripes make this evening gown by D.A.E. Originals a stand-out. A #4 Lingerie Silkstone Barbie doll is ready for her grand entrance in the black and white slim sheath with detachable dramatic tiered, black ruffled train. Dress and jewelry are from "Weekend in New York", an Haute Doll exclusive Vivette gift set, circa 1950's. Floral bouquet is from Ashton Drake.

1930's black & white silk evening gown,
courtesy Mid-Century Love



1940's halter gown from Stylehive

Linda Evangelista in a Valentino rtw evening gown, 1992
Courtesy dailymail.co.uk

Resort Wear

It's that time of the year again....The Holidays are over and the weather outside is frightful.....Time to relax and get away to a tropical destination.....Ah, Summer!

Photo from Life magazine, 1947
Courtesy piroskawolf.blogspot.com
 

Resort wear (sometimes referred to as "cruise wear") was a specialized clothing style originally marketed by upscale boutiques, department stores, and designers to their affluent clientele who would spend the post-Christmas/New Year's weeks in a warm-weather locale. Resort collections included beach/swim wear and accessories, as well as day and evening dresses.

Photo courtesy violetsvintagevault.wordpress.com

Photo courtesy stylebubble.co.uk

1930's beach pajamas were first created by Coco Chanel to be worn at chic seaside resorts. They were available in an array of delightful patterns and bright colors.

Film diva Madra Lord does a little sightseeing on the Riviera, 1930's style!  For a chic daytime ensemble, the dotted top from Integrity's Stepping High Collection is worn over Miss Lord's white dress from Golden Riviera. Topping it off is an OOAK beaded, knit cap (artist unknown).

5 bathing beauties from the 1940's
Courtesy glossi.com

Gene Marshall relaxes in a black and white play suit designed by Joan Greene for Ashton Drake. This late 1940's, early 1950's style was based on an actual bathing suit from Valentino's of Hollywood. Handbag, bracelet, and floral hair comb are from Ashton Drake, sunglasses from Madame Alexander, earrings & shoes are from Robert Tonner. Queen of Hearts Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake and has been enhanced with an articulated body from Integrity.

1940's Lawson of California ad
Courtesy glossi.com

Tropical prints and side-draped skirts, or sarongs added a touch of glamour to 1940's resort wear.

Café Society, circa 1945
In a private collection

Madra Lord is ready for those glamorous warm nights in a simple yet stunning black and white gown. The white satin cowl top from Miss Lord's Golden Riviera set is layered over the black strapless, satin under-dress from Dream Sequence. Belt is from Madame Alexander's Betrayal gown. Jewelry from Ashton Drake, cigarette holder from The Couture Touch.



"Puttin' on the Ritz" for New Year's Eve

Monolithic Studio's star, Miss Gene Marshall, is ready to make her New Year's Eve entrance in a stunning 1930's inspired gown borrowed from "Postcards from Cannes" Madra Lord. Floral corsage from Ashton Drake. Cigarette holder from The Couture Touch. J'Adore Gene Marshall is the FDQ exclusive BJD from Mel Odom and JamieShow. Platinum marcel wig is from facetsbymarcia.

Puttin' on the Ritz was written by Irving Berlin and published in 1929. The title of this popular song derives from the slang expression "putting on the Ritz" meaning to dress very fashionably. The expression was inspired by the opulent Ritz Hotel.

Happy New Year!

Inspirations: Theatre de la Mode, 1945

The French fashion industry was a vital part of France’s economic and cultural identity. After the liberation of Paris in 1944 couturiers, jewelers, milliners, hairdressers and theatre set designers joined together with unprecedented cooperation and creativity to present Théâtre de la Mode  (theater of fashion). Since materials were in short supply at the end of WWII, the exhibition featured miniature mannequins, or fashion dolls, to display the new designs.

 

 

These 27.5 inch mannequins with wire armatures were dressed in the most amazing fashions. The meticulous attention to detail was striking. The ensembles featured working zippers and buttons with real buttonholes. The handbags contained tiny wallets and compacts. Even miniature undergarments were crafted to go under the couture designs.
 

In March 1945, the Théâtre de la Mode opened with great success at the Louvre in Paris.

Photographer Béla Bernand covered the exhibition in 1945. His fascinating, previously unpublished,  behind the scenes photography including close-ups of some of the costumes can be seen here. 

All photos are from the Flickr Photostream of Béla Bernand.

 

Happy Holidays from The Couture Touch

Fashion Doll Display Ideas

How do you display your dolls? Some collectors are lucky and have an entire room devoted to displaying their collection, however you don't necessarily need a lot of space. I have found that less is generally better when it comes to displaying fashion dolls. Over the past few years I have edited my collection and now display less dolls but rotate them more often for variety. For me it's all about the fashion; the doll is truly a miniature mannequin meant to complement the ensemble.

There are many ways to display a doll collection: Theme or subject matter, color, season, event, by size, type of doll, or by era. Dolls can be displayed with their furniture or other objects to create little scenes or vignettes. Shop your home, flea markets, garage sales, Goodwill, and party stores for inexpensive yet unique items to use in your displays.

Still life with doll from Glasgow School of Art

This still life painting shows a lovely doll displayed effectively with everyday objects. Tip: Why not display Gene Marshall dressed in Ashton Drake's "Baking Cookies" costume with a small collection of vintage baking items.

Moss Rose Ivy Jordan

A single doll artfully displayed on a stack of vintage sewing books can make the perfect statement on a small table or the corner of a desk. OOAK jerkin, hat, gloves, & jewelry from The Couture Touch, dress & shoes from Ashton Drake.

Photo courtesy StrayCat

Here's an example of a simple yet delightful Halloween display utilizing just a single doll. OOAK Madra Lord doll by StrayCat.

J'Adore resin BJD Gene Marshall

One of my favorite ways to display is with framed art. Here Miss Marshall is celebrating the Make Do & Mend era of the early 1940's. I framed a vintage Make and Mend sewing booklet and added some additional antique sewing objects and bottle brush trees to the vignette. Miss Marshall's OOAK jerkin, hat, & gloves are from The Couture Touch, dress and jewelry from Ashton Drake, & shoes from Integrity.  Tip: You can frame just about anything! Besides old photos; sheet music, maps, patterns, vintage cards, newspaper, advertisements, fashion illustrations, uncut paper dolls....just to name a few.

Dolls from the collection of Sue Tarr

Odd numbers are more visually appealing than even numbers. Three delightful Spanish dolls are artfully posed on a shelf. Tip: Research old fashion magazines and vintage fashion window displays for posing ideas for your articulated dolls.

Photo courtesy myhgtv.com

Shadow boxes mounted on a wall can be an effective space-saving display option but they can be expensive. Why not make your own. Here's a great idea using old dresser drawers and wallpaper to create a unique display for smaller sized dolls.

And here are some more ideas to get your creative juices flowing.....

Photo courtesy antiquewhs.com



Make Do & Mend display courtesy studio-seven.net

Window display homage to famed designer Dorothy Draper by Kate Kendall for Madeline Stuart Designs.
Photo courtesy fashionfrillsandbaileysthrills.wordpress.com