Deja Vu: Dramatic Entrance

I was pleasantly surprised by this Tonner outfit for their Deja Vu line. It actually looks as good in person as the photos. Other than the typical white stitching on black fabric, I found very little to nitpick over. Black Lipstick Gene Marshall models the 1920's era dress and coat which is very reminiscent of Cruella de Vil.



The location is West Hollywood's historic 1929 El Mirador Apartments. These shots could not be duplicated today, as the place is all boarded up.



If you are interested in buying this outfit from Tonner, just be aware that the dress is a bit tight in back. I was able to get it to button, but it took a lot of stretching.

See more Gene Marshall photos on my regular website.

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The Bride of Tommy

I have subscribed to a blog called Tommydoll. Each one of Tommy's posts are typically long but they are well worth the time it takes to read (don't skim!). Informative, funny, and a doll collector's dream. Most of his posts detail the outfits that he creates by hand. The planning and detailing that goes into each one of his creations is amazing. On his latest post, I was blown away by the wedding dress that a client commissioned him to make. I was even more astounded that the client changed his mind at the end and decided that they didn't want it. Yup. If you are fortunate, you could be the owner of this sumptuous bridal ensemble. Read all about it at Tommy's Blog: http://tommydoll.com/2015/06/10/the-art-of-the-bride/

See more Gene Marshall photos on my regular website.

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The Arrival of Black Lipstick

Yesterday, the much anticipated 20th Anniversary Gene Marshall Black Lipstick arrived. I don't think I have ever unpacked and photographed a doll so quickly.



LOVE her facepaint. The makeup seems a bit heavier, more reminiscent of the Integrity days, and that is exactly what I was hoping for. Even the eyelashes seem fuller…still in scale, but thicker. Hey Tonner! Pay attention! Good 16" doll lashes do exist.



My one wish would have been for the skin tone to be a bit lighter; less gray and more milky. Still, she photographs like a dream.





She looks fantastic with raven hair, too. I will definitely be doing a lot more photos of her wearing darker wigs.



What is next for Gene? Who knows, but in this shot she is definitely looking forward to it!



See more Gene Marshall photos on my regular website.

Trent in Kid Valentine

Released in 2001, "Kid Valentine" was one of the first Trent Osborn outfits from Ashton Drake. Jamieshow Trent does a great job modeling this, with a nod to 1939 "Kid Nightingale" starring John Payne.



From the story card:

I’ve been boxing ever since I was big enough to make a fist. Back before there was even such a thing as the Golden Gloves. Back when you went to the local gymnasium and volunteered to be a sparring partner or when Father Pat put together a match at the Parish to keep fighting off the streets and under the eye of a watchful and fair adult.

So when my film Kid Valentine went into production, I knew all the right moves. It just took a little training to get back into shape.



What a great script! It all revolved around college professor Mr. Heart (a bookish type played by yours truly) who hears of a student trapped in a shady boxing syndicate. The student, trying to earn enough to get through school, is just about to fall into the clutches of the bad guys (not to mention the boss’s sultry wife, played by Madra Lord), when who should come to his rescue? Bookish Professor Me, who is really a professional boxer, once known in the ring as Kid Valentine.

Ordering his student into hiding, Professor Heart once again dons the fighting togs of Kid Valentine and faces up to the syndicate (along with his compatriots from the college’s law school), winning the bout and his students’ respect at the same time. And so Kid Valentine hangs up his gloves again—at least until he’s needed to fight for justice one more time.

They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore...

See more Trent Osborn photos on my regular website.