Released in 1996, Afternoon Off is a circa 1947 design created by Doug James. Over a year ago, I attempted my first photo shoot of Gene wearing this outfit. I just was not crazy at all about the photos. I loved this particular costume, but the jacket just didn't drape right (once on Gene, the way it hung on her betrayed the scale) and the plaid on the skirt also seemed out of scale. In addition, the particular doll I chose didn't seem right either.
Flash forward to the present; I decided to give White Hyacinth a crack at wearing Afternoon Off. I was also fortunate enough to get the version of this ensemble that had the smaller plaid pattern on the skirt. Finally, I was happy with what I was able to shoot. The faux movie magazine that comes with this set was the perfect accessory!
From the story card:
At last! You have a chance to take an afternoon off from your ever-busy film and promotion schedule to do whatever suits your fancy! So what will it be? Shopping for a new gown to wear to that upcoming gala? Consulting with the florist to fill your home with custom arrangements? Perhaps a test-drive of that darling little silver roadster with the red leather interior?
Gene has done all these things, as genuine stars do...but she is determined that this afternoon off will be different.
She manages to slip away to a local grocery store, incognito, to pick out the ingredients for homemade vegetable soup, a favorite from her childhood. Then later, when the pot is simmering and the aroma of home cooking fills her home, she relaxes in a favorite easy chair and flips through a fan magazine in which she is prominently featured. Oh, my…just when she thinks she's read it all…can you believe what they've gone and written about her now?
For her short trip into town and the relaxing hours that follow, Gene wears a simple multi-checked skirt and a flared-cut matching grey flannel jacket. Her classic ivory sweater has beading at the neckline. Grey "suede" shoes with stylish ankle straps complete this well-tailored outfit. The exciting "exposés" in the fan magazine really do make Gene smile in spite of herself…because after all, that's Hollywood!
See more Gene Marshall Afternoon Off photos on my Gene Marshall web page.
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