Green Eyes

Released in 2007, Green Eyes was inspired by a 1951 design from Hollywood costume designer William Travilla. Known simply as Travilla, he was the mastermind behind the Subway Dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in "The Seven Year Itch." Gene Tierney was the actress who wore the original inspiration in a film titled "On the Riviera."



This limited edition of 500 came with the following description:

There must be some place – some time – some occasion – beautiful enough to wear this gown: perhaps in a garden with the moonlight reflecting in Green Eyes. A fitted bodice of silver satin is spangled with translucent sequins beneath a sweetheart neckline ringed with matching silver ribbon and tied with a sumptuous bow in the back. The full layered-tulle skirt is a rainbow of pastel hues, combined to resemble nothing so much as the fragile surface of a child’s soap bubble. Long silver blue gloves and embroidered shoes are the details of this ensemble, as “diamonds” at the ears and a “diamond” bracelet are the jewelry. This dream of a dress brings the spotlight with you and makes the moon your balloon wherever you go. Green eyes, silver moon, perfection.



This is one of my favorite Integrity dolls; not so much for the outfit, but for the face paint and hair.

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Ginger Gene for The New Year

This circa 1951 creation was released in 2003. Like "The Kiss," this one also makes me think of Jean Harlow, which puts it closer to the 1930's. Either way, J'Adore is gorgeous with her ginger hair and green satin gown. She is ready for New Year's Eve! I decided to "plus" the jewelry (Facets by Marcia) and shoes (Jamieshow) from what Ashton-Drake offered with the original outfit.



From the Story Card:

"Who's double crossing who? Or is it 'whom'? Crosser or crossee, you'll never know whodunnit 'til the end!"

So went the ad campaign for Criss Crossed, Gene Marshall's 1951 mystery thriller.

Gene had already made Tango and Daughter of the Nile that same year—and this foray into an atmospheric "dark old house" melodrama was a welcome change.



The tale of the reunion of thirteen casual former school chums at a gloomy and forbidding beach house had audiences on the edges of their seats. Gasps and nervous laughter filled the theater at every showing (along with appreciative whistles whenever Gene as the glamorous Christina Cross appeared in a new gown).

Shadowy hallways, dark passages, and a chilling chase crossing the craggy coast for the climax confounded moviegoers as to who the killer was—right up until the last few minutes of the film. And many an office watercooler jockey was told off after revealing the surprise ending to coworkers who hadn't seen the movie yet!



Gene loved her role so much in Criss Crossed that she jumped at the chance to spread the word about the film—even appearing in a one-hour radio version that recreated the film…right up to the final revelation! The day after the broadcast, theaters across the country bulged with eager fans dying to know exactly WHODUNNIT!!!

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Little Blessings

Released in 2001, this circa 1951 maternity outfit was designed by Vince Nowell. If you've ever read Carolyn Cook's fantastic book about Gene, then you'll know that Vince's creation changed a bit once his sketch left the drafting board.

"It was a shock when I saw this as a maternity outfit! It was originally designed to be a companion piece to Meet Me In Paris and was to be a vacation outfit. The scoop-necked sheath dress is sexy and tight fitting — collectors can take the coat off if they don't want Gene to look pregnant! The top was not originally that boxy — it was to be a dusty pink which a soft drape - the French trapeze that Saint Laurent made popular."

Vince is definitely right; the polka dot sheath that he designed is va-va-voom on White Orchid!





Here's the story that goes along with the outfit that was released:

The film Little Blessings told of a young couple separated by the Korean conflict. Following them from their first chance meeting through their emotion-charged reunion, crowds responded with tears and cheers to a story that hit as close to home as yesterday's headlines.

Gene shone in a part that seemed perfectly tailored to her talents. Breathlessly innocent and beautiful in her opening scenes, she captured the audience's hearts right at the start. Then she captured their funny bones as the young bride shares an off-base home with another army wife when their husbands are stationed in the South. Gene's sense of comedy was at an all-time high during her battle with a pot of grits.



But the key moment comes as Gene reads a loving letter from her husband, who has been sent to the front. She folds the letter and gives it a little kiss. Just then, a knock. In a tight close-up, a look of concern comes over Gene's face. Still in close-up, she goes to the door and opens it. Standing there is an officer, hat in hand. "Ma'am," he says, "I'm afraid I have bad news. Your husband has been reported missing." Gene gasps—and the audience gasps even louder as the camera pulls back to reveal her impending motherhood for the first time...

But all ends happily, and the family is reunited just in time for the new father to witness his little one's first steps—just one more of the "little blessings" that true love can bring!

Cinched in with a belt, the outfit becomes completely different. Which do you prefer?



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Cognac Evening: The Backstory

I have posted photos before of Cognac Evening, one of my very favorite outfits made for Gene Marshall. Recently, designer José Ferrand was kind enough to write for me the behind-the-scenes story of how he came to create this gorgeous Circa 1951 outfit that was released in 1999:

I had started making this dress for my own enjoyment, before I even dreamed of becoming part of "The Gene Team." It turned out to be a good thing since, after meeting Mel at the Plaza during Toy Fair and approaching him the following day at FAO Schwarz, I had only a few weeks to make a small collection to show him and Joan Greene. It was bought on the spot, once they saw it along with "Love, Paris" and a third one that would develop into "Honeymoon." The design was a result of copious sketching and it owes a little to Dior's Oval collection (1951) and also to old family pictures. The original hat was more of an Ann Boleynish cap with beading along the edges, burnt orange marabou feathers on one side, and black netting over her forehead. The much loved final hat was designed by someone at Ashton Drake (most likely Michelle Tibbetts).

Here are two photos of Cognac Evening with the original hat:





And the final outfit, as photographed by Steven Mays for the original Gene Marshall publicity materials:



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