Meet Me In Paris

Vince Nowell hit a home run with this gorgeous Paris Fashion Doll Convention outfit from 2000. With a small edition of 500, this circa 1949 outfit & doll can be difficult to find.



Thanks to some vintage family photos, Gene is able to pose in front of some well known Parisienne landmarks.





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Happy (Belated) Birthday, Shirley Temple Black

Shirley Temple Black, the child star phenomenon from the 1930’s, turned 83 on Saturday. The original Shirley Temple doll, produced by Ideal Toys, was an incredible sensation. Coming in a variety of sizes and outfits (most based on Shirley’s movie outfits), the Shirley Temple doll saved Ideal Toys from the brink of disaster.



Although Ideal Toys is no longer in biz, The Danbury Mint continues to make dolls authorized by Shirley herself. One of my favorites is this reproduction of the Ideal version of “The Little Colonel.”



Produced in porcelain rather than composition as the originals were, it sure is a beauty and captures the innocence of the era.



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Promenade

This one is definitely appropriate for the Easter/Spring season in a beautiful shade of lavender. Expertly designed by Tim Kennedy, this circa 1945 ensemble was released in 1997.



From the story card:

Always being under the public eye can be trying at times for a Hollywood star. Everywhere you go flashbulbs pop. Yet Gene is always ready with a smile and wave, because she knows these fans helped her achieve her dream of stardom.

The paparazzi scramble to take Gene’s picture when she takes her two beloved dogs, Dottie and Dashiell, for their walk. Gene loves to be outdoors, even in the immaculately tended landscapes of Beverly Hills. She always stops to chat with her neighbors as they walk their dogs. There is the powerful German producer with his dachshund, the heartthrob singing idol with his poodle, and even a deposed European prince with a proud Afghan hound.

Dashiell and Dottie begin straining at their leashes as they near the Green Parrot Restaurant, the place where the stars go to dine. The terriers know there will be a rare Delmonico steak for them in the cloakroom, and Gene would love a cool iced coffee and Oysters Rockefeller for lunch. Suddenly…”Smile, Miss Marshall!” FLASH!!

“Promenade,” said the movie magazine caption under a photo of Gene wearing this springtime lavender walking suit…even in the grainy magazine photo, her fashion panache shines through.















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Happy Birthday, Gene!

According to the Gene Marshall story line, today is her birthday...she certainly doesn’t look 88! To enjoy the celebration, Gene is wearing Love at First Sight, the outfit she wore for one of her first modeling assignments.



That cake sure looks tasty!








Mel - if you see this, thanks a million for making such a cool creation for all of us to share!

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Cognac Evening

Even though it took awhile for me to finally shoot it, Cognac Evening is one of my favorite Gene Marshall outfits. I love the color...the sheen of the fabric. José Ferrand hit a home run as far as I'm concerned on this circa 1951 ensemble, released in 1999.



From the story card:

During visits back home in Cos Cob, Gene was always happy to accept an invitation to enjoy a reception at the governor's mansion. As one of Connecticut’s most famous “children,” she relished the opportunity to sit with friends and catch up on events in her home state.

Tonight, resplendent on the arm of the state representative from her district, Gene once again proved the perfect guest: listening intently as the others spoke of their experiences adjusting to life in Connecticut since the War; regaling the party with stories of the lighter side of film making; sharing heartfelt moments of nostalgia.



Later, as the others settled in to enjoy cognac, cigars, and tea in the library, Gene politely excused herself. The trip back to Cos Cob needed to be made, and her train to California left much too early from New York City’s Grand Central Station the next day.

As she started to leave, the governor warmly took her gloved hand in his own. “Gene,” he said, “you’ve added just the right touch to the gathering. You are truly one of Connecticut's finest exports.”



Gene felt her blue eyes start to get a little misty. For even though she was the toast of Hollywood, a world-traveler, and adored by millions, at heart she was still always little Katie Marshall from Cos Cob—and tonight, that's exactly who she wanted to be.

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Meet Me In St. Louis, Pt. 2

Madame Alexander only sold one "Meet Me in St. Louis" doll, despite the fact that there are several very cool costumes that Judy Garland's character wears throughout the movie. To help fill the void, I enlisted the help of Diane from Whidbey Island. The care and attention to detail that she lavishes on her doll clothes is out of this world. Feast your eyes on her recreation of the outfit Judy wore when she sang “The Trolley Song.”













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