Tutti-Frutti Girls

Carmen Miranda, popular Brazilian singer and actress during the 1930's and throughout the 1940's, popularized the fruit and floral adorned turban that she wore when she performed "The Lady in the Tutti-Frutti Hat" routine in Busby Berkeley's 1943 musical "The Gang's All Here".  Exotic millinery became her trademark and even as early as 1939, Saks Fifth Avenue developed a line of turbans and jewelry inspired by her fabulous costumes.  In 1943, Macy's featured Carmen Miranda themed windows. 

Film star Gene Marshall [Caribbean Kiss] shows her exotic flair by adding miniature fruit and floral accents to her Rio Rumba turban.  This fabulous 40's inspired costume was designed by Tim Kennedy for Ashton Drake's Gene Marshall Collection.  Circa 1956.  I added the opera-length gloves and restyled Gene's hair.

Usherette Barbie from Mattel's Silkstone Fashion Model Collection gives my original Sheath Sensation [1961-1964] 40's flair with a turban fashioned from a scarf and accented with miniature fruit.  The red platform shoes were a lucky find from a doll show.

Three Dobbs Resorters

A trio of Dobbs famous Resorters for 1939.  Each one is distinguished by a new wool "masque" treatment on their smart crowns.  Pictured from the left:  A swing brim for sports, a Directoire for town, and a dashing side roll for travel.  Ad from Vogue.

Weekend Swimwear Glamour

All this month, the weekends are reserved for swimwear glamour!

There is nothing quite like the elegance of basic black.  Trench Setter Barbie from Mattel's Silkstone Fashion Model Collection wears a classic one-piece suit accented with the hot colors of Uptown Chic Barbie's striped wrap.  Vintage flowers adorn the cartwheel style straw hat borrowed from an early Candi doll ensemble.

Adventures in Dyeing

When I recently discovered that my Ashton Drake Croquet, Anyone? white linen ensemble had begun to show signs of tea staining, I decided to try my hand at dyeing. 

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USO Gene wears Croquet, Anyone?  a circa 1941 ensemble designed by Lynne Day for Ashton Drake's 2000 Gene Marshall Collection.  My little blue OOAK suede hat was an experiment.  I wanted to bring out the powder blue top-stitching detail.

Now the last time I dyed anything was back in the 1970's for a school project.  So I consulted the RIT website for hints and color options.  They even have a blog!  Who knew there was a community of faithful RIT users.  It's amazing all the stuff that can be dyed.

I removed all of the buttons and snaps from the jacket and dress. Boy were there a lot of them!  I also removed the attached belt and tie on the dress.  I gathered my supplies:  dye, rubber gloves, bleach (to clean up afterwards), stainless steel pot, wooden spoon, and lots and lots of paper towels.  I even lined my sink with foil leaving an opening around the drain.  I sure hope I can dye better than I can cook!!!

And now for the reveal......

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I have to say I'm totally pleased with the results.  I love how the top-stitching now pops.  I replaced the original buttons with tiny grey ones eliminating the ones on the lapel.  And of course I had to make a new hat and purse just for this "new" ensemble.  The gloves are from Ashton Drake and the fabulous oxfords are from Integrity's C'est Moi Madra.  My model/muse is Azure Elegance Madra Lord from Ashton Drake. 

Wondering what happened to the original hat?  I decided at the last minute not to dye it, but reshaped it to make it more of a cloche style.

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I always thought this great 30's dress needed a hat.  I reshaped the hat and replaced the original trim.  Luckily it doesn't show any signs of changing colors.  The dress, shoes, and gloves are borrowed from Integrity's Silhouette of the 1930's Zita Charles.  My model/muse is a wigged It's a Cinch Gene Marshall from Integrity.

Thanks for joining me in this adventure in dyeing.

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.

Happy Birthday America!

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Barbie is ready for the July 4th parade in "Roman Holiday" ensemble.  Both doll and outfit are reproductions from Mattel.

Ahh....Summer!

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Our favorite film star is seen soaking up the sun in Integrity's "Swim Suited to a T" ensemble.  Table, Tiki, and grape cluster from Liz Cole/Retros.  Umbrella and miniature Coke bottle from Ashton Drake's 2001 "April Showers Coca-Cola Calendar Girl" ensemble. Bracelet from Ashton Drake.  Shoes from Tonner's Brenda Starr Collection.  Relaxing on the wicker chaise is Ashton Drake's "Spring In Central Park"  Gene Marshall with an Integrity articulated body.

Look for more swimwear glamour throughout the month.