Lone Star Soirée

Lone Star Soiree was the name of this Gene Marshall doll from the 2006 Lone Star Doll Convention, released in an edition of 350. There was a blonde helper version, edition of 55. While I do like the outfit and its bold splash of red, the hairstyle is not one of Gene’s best looks.



Here’s the mermaid-style gown without the dramatic cape and collar:



Oh that hair…



Using Jamieshow Phoenix instead with a wig cap styled by Kathy Johnson, I am much happier with the result!



She prefers the collar down!



Giving the blondes a chance, I let Ashton Drake’s Fit For A Queen doll have her turn.



The inspiration for this outfit came from the fashion show sequence in “Lucy Gallant” (1955). The story involves a dressmaker who is forced to choose between love and a career. Does she get both? You’ll have to watch the movie. Jane Wyman played the title character (a role originally envisioned for Joan Crawford) and Charlton Heston as Casey Cole, her love interest. Costume designs were by Edith Head.





Jane looks stylish in her simplistic little black dress.



Here, Edith Head herself attempts to style the gown for the model. A perfect “caption this” opportunity!



See more Gene Marshall fashion doll photos at my website.

Diane Wagner's "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"

The Marilyn Monroe movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" is one of those movies that I consider sheer perfection. I cannot think of a single moment that should be changed. The chemistry between Jane Russell and Monroe is fantabulous, and the supporting cast is no less brilliant. This leopard-trimmed outfit that Monroe wears as she enters the cruise ship is one of my very favorite costumes that she wears in the film. Designed by Travilla, it fits her like a glove and shows off every sensuous curve of her body.



Recently, Diane Wagner did her take on this outfit and I snatched it up. It sure looks beautiful on "Fit For A Queen" Gene Marshall.



I did my best to match the jewelry Monroe wore, but at some point in the future will probably do another photo shoot with pieces that come closer. The "diamond" brooch is from the All About Eve trunk set.



The outfit was barely out of the carton before I was photographing it - I like it that much!





Many thanks to Diane for bringing this outfit to life; she hit another home run as far as I'm concerned!

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Fit For A Queen, Pt. 2

The end of this tale from the story card:

Hurrying to her stateroom, she took stock of what had made it onto the ship. “All right,” she smiled. “If I mix and match this blouse with this skirt…”

That night at dinner, a resplendent Gene stepped into the Queen of the Sea’s plush dining room. And from the applause of the other diners (and the smile on the handsome captain’s face), she knew her ensemble was a success. “What a funny scene. I’ll have to remember this in case I ever do a movie on a cruise ship,” Gene thought, as she accepted the captain’s outstretched hand and sat down to dinner…

Today’s photo that I shot shows the alternate “outfit” that Gene creates when necessity (and misplaced luggage!) forces her to become creative. To see more Queen Mary photos, visit my regular website. To see more Gene Marshall photos, visit my regular website.

Fit For A Queen

Soon as I saw this one on the Doll Peddlar website, I had to have it. It had the perfect vintage look to it with the tweed fabric and the tailoring, and the accessories were amazing! The purse, the luggage, the cape...yup, had to have it. This circa 1948 outfit was created by Hollywood costumer Lynne Day. For today’s setting, Gene is aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach. From the story card:

“All ashore who’s going ashore!”

Gene watched as the gangplank of the Queen of the Sea took leave of the side of the ship. Standing at the rail, she waved goodbye to the crowd on the dock—and to her luggage, which she saw sitting comfortably on a cart next to a dockworker frantically waving back!

Hurrying along the deck, she found the purser. “I don’t mean to be a bother,” gasped Gene, “but most of my luggage is still in New York…”

The purser leaped into action. Shortly, he returned with a sheepish look. “I am so sorry, Miss Marshall. We’ll try to get your luggage to the ship as soon as possible. In the meantime your luggage that did make it on board has been placed in your stateroom—and the Captain requests the pleasure of your company at his table this evening.”

Now it was Gene’s turn to leap into action.

For the second shot, I posed Gene in the Bridge of the Queen Mary (thanks, Lee!). Apparently, the Captain gave her a tour after dinner!



Come back tomorrow for the conclusion to this one! To see more Queen Mary photos, visit my regular website. To see more Gene Marshall photos, visit my regular website.