More Felts with Forties Flair

What better way to refresh a tailored suit for a new season than with a new hat.  Monolithic Studios' stars Madra Lord and Gene Marshall choose their favorite felt with a decidedly forties flair.

Madra Lord

Luscious spring blooms and a coordinating grosgrain hat band accents Miss Lord's stylish topper.  Suit is from Integrity.  Gloves and scarf are from Ashton Drake.  Handbag from PD Root. 

Gene Marshall

Miss Marshall's asymmetric hat features a dramatic floral trimmed bow and a scarf draped to one side.  Jacket is from Ashton Drake.  Skirt and gloves are from Sandra Stillwell.  Earrings from Facets by Marcia. 

Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord and White Orchid Gene Marshall are from Jamieshow.

Hats and styling are from The Couture Touch.

Top of the Morning to You!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

May the luck of the Irish by with you.

Chic Neutrality

Black and white paired with muted shades of earth tones can give an outfit a refined sense of elegance and sophistication.

Spotted at a press event, film star Gene Marshall wears a stylish suit ensemble in chic neutral tones.  Jacket and handbag are from Robert Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection.  Fur drape is from PD Root.  Cigarette holder from Mystyna.  Miss Marshall's hat, gloves, scarf, skirt, and jewels are from The Couture Touch. 

Cocoa Crisp Gene Marshall is from Integrity.  

March Seasonal Accessorizing

Begin to add a touch of spring with detachable collars and cuffs in bright colors and patterns as well as in white.

Playful dots on a bright green background gives film star Madra Lord's basic black dress a chic way to transition to spring.  Dress [Dark Desire] and belt [Embassy Luncheon] are from Ashton Drake.  Gloves from Sandra Stillwell.  Hat, earrings, and detachable collar and cuffs are from The Couture Touch.

Featured in the February/March 1940 issue of Vogue Pattern Book, a detachable bib-style double collar trimmed with ruffles in fresh white.  Matching narrow cuffs and a delightful white floral accented hat complete the look.

Miss Lord shows her softer side in an alternative variation:

A subtle play of patterns highlight this stylish bib-style collar and matching cuffs.  Dress [Dark Desire], belt [Embassy Luncheon], handbag [Star Wardrobe Collection], and restyled hat [Doing Her Part] are all from Ashton Drake.  Gloves from Sandra Stillwell.  Detachable collar and cuffs are from The Couture Touch.

A yoke-style collar with matching cuffs in a spring floral pattern gives Gene Marshall's "Little Black Dress" a fresh, updated look.  Dress and gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Restyled hat is from Sandra Stillwell.  Purse from Madame Alexander.  Detachable collar and cuffs are from The Couture Touch.


Careless Kisses Madra Lord is from Integrity.

Cocoa Rose Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Spring Hats in Bloom

Hats accented with flowers can be worn with your furs, your tweeds, your tailored town suits, your dinner suits.  They are the perfect escape from winter.

From Vogue 1941, red roses are planted on a black and white striped tilt hat accented with a dramatic siren veil.  From Walter Florell.

Monolithic Studios' film star Madra Lord wears a Sandra Stillwell hat updated with pink tulips.  Suit ensemble is from The Couture Touch.  Bracelet from D.A.E. Originals.  Top This Madra Lord, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

A delightful floral topper adds whimsy to Miss Lord's Town and Country suit.  Jacket with replaced buttons is from Integrity.  Scarf from Ashton Drake.  Hat and gloves are from The Couture Touch.  Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord is from Jamieshow.

Credits:

January 15, 1941 issue of Vogue magazine from the author's personal collection.

A Felt with Forties Flair

Monolithic Studios' star Gene Marshall along with pal Ivy Jordan debut a stylish new topper that is actually a 2 inch felt craft hat available in black and ready for custom trimming.  The hat's vintage shaping makes it the perfect accessory for 1940's tailored suits.

Gene Marshall

The hat trimmed simply with a narrow black suede band and a dramatic feather.  Jacket from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection.  Scarf, earrings, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Fab Lab craft felt hat is from Jo-Ann Fabrics.

Ivy Jordan

A similar style craft hat is accented with a grosgrain band and floral trim.  Jacket from D.A.E. Originals.  Scarf, earrings, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Marigold Market black felt top hat is from Hobby Lobby.


"Symphony in G" Gene Marshall, enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

"V for Tea" Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.

The 1940's Turban

The turban has been a renowned fashion staple with women for a number of decades.  In the late 1930's milliner Lilly Dache revived the turban elevating it to high fashion prominence.  Carmen Miranda, the Brazilian singer, gave the turban enormous publicity by wearing it festively adorned with fruits, flowers, and feathers.

The turban was available ready to wear or could be wrapped by the customer when she put it on.  They were available in a variety of fabrications and suitable for day or evening wear.  The stars from Monolithic Studios prefer their turbans wrapped by their personal stylist.

Diva Madra Lord goes for drama wearing a turquoise blue turban trimmed with a floral corsage accented with beading.  Top and corsage are from Ashton Drake.  Hat, gauntlet gloves, skirt, belt, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Pool Pose Madra Lord is from Integrity.

Two illustrations from McCall Patterns showing turbans paired with dresses for a chic daytime look.  Turbans could be cleverly manipulated into an incredible variety of flattering styles.

Large cabbage roses with stems accent Gene Marshall's jewel-tone turban.  Dress and jewels are from Madame Alexander.  Fur drape and purse are from PD Root.  Hat and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Gloves and Miss Marshall are from Ashton Drake.

Miss Marshall in a chic, asymmetrically draped turban.  Jacket from Jamieshow.  Handbag from Sandra Stillwell.  Restyled jewels from Facets by Marcia.  Belt from Integrity.  Hat, gauntlet gloves, scarf, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Pink tulips are thrust through loops in Loretta Young's cashmere turban by Lilly Dache.  Jewels by Flato.  Photo by Rawlings for Vogue, 1940.

An animal print turban tops Miss Lord's smart suit ensemble punctuated by a pop of color.  Restyled suit is from Integrity.  Fur from PD Root.  Handbag and gloves are from Ashton Drake.  Hat, ascot, belt, brooch, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Moulin Noire Madra Lord is from Ashton Drake.

Credits:  

Color and Design in Apparel by Bernice G. Chambers, 1942.