Gene: Spring in Central Park

This FAO Schwarz exclusive was released in 2002 in an edition of 1000. Designed by Tim Kennedy, “Spring in Central Park” is the perfect ensemble for this time of year…especially in New York’s Central Park! I combined my photos of Gene with shots of Central Park that I snapped back in 2016.






Even Super Models get tired and need to rest!





Manhattan Holiday is one of my favorite Integrity Genes; I believe she is just about the loveliest. She is also modeling “Spring in Central Park.”



While she’s a beauty, the Ashton Drake Genes have a certain versatile retro-beauty that the Integrity Genes do not.



See more Gene Marshall fashion doll photos at my website.

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.

Red Parasol in Park Avenue Prowl

Park Avenue Prowl was an FAO Schwarz exclusive limited edition gift set of 300, released in 2007. This is one of those sets that at first glance I thought, “Wow! So many options!” Once unboxed and put on the doll, the quantity of what was in the box gave way to the actual functionality/look of what the pieces were. The leopard coat trimmed with fox is interesting, but quite bulky on the doll. This is one of the main difficulties in designing for a 16" doll; the scale and drape of the fabric don’t hang the way that they would at a larger size. This is why most fashion dolls look so painfully thin. If these dolls were designed with normal sized proportions, any kind of clothing on top of the vinyl would make these poor little ladies look like the Michelin man. I was not crazy about the doll itself, either. For this shoot, I used Red Parasol instead. Her facial paint and hairdo are much more accessible.



Sequins are rarely a good choice on a vinyl fashion doll unless they are micro-sized. These aren’t awful, but once again, the size of the sequin make it difficult to achieve a form-fitting drape. The shoes look decent, but sparkle atop a faux leather strap do not equal fun playtime. By the time human sized fingers can get the straps in place, the shoes begin the splitting/disintegration process.



This set also comes with a very va-va-voom lingerie set. Other than the plastic clips for the hose, I really do like this look on Gene. It still amazes me how Gene can go from good girl to vamp in the blink of an eye, depending upon the outfit and pose. Mel Odom sure knew how to create a versatile character.





The last photo from this session shows our girl giving a little sass, wishing that the sequins had been smaller. Oh well, what’s a girl to do?



See more Gene Marshall fashion doll photos at my website.

Mardi Gras with Gene

The saying “You never forget your first time” is so true…when it comes to Sandra Stillwell Conventions! My first was 2016’s Belle of New Orleans, held in (where else?) that fabled Louisiana city where Mardi Gras is celebrated annually. I hope you enjoy my parade of fashions that Sandra unveiled for her guests almost seven years ago. First up is Magic Season, which is probably my very favorite outfit from the convention) and its blue alternative, Merci Beaucoup:



The convention’s namesake outfit in silver and gray was what every girl would want to wear to the Mardi Gras Ball:



With the tiara, fur wrap, and scepter, it’s a total knockout! Sandra pluses her ensembles with the perfect accessories.



Queen of the Carnival was one of the highly coveted centerpiece fashions:



Oona wanted her chance to model this gown, too:



If ball gowns aren’t your thing, My Years and Seasons is a very elegant alternative:





For Under Her Spell, Gene dons the attire of a voodoo priestess:





A Mardi Gras post wouldn’t be complete without this non-Sandra outfit from Ashton Drake, appropriately named Mardi Gras Magic (modeled by Ivy Jordan):



Happy Mardi Gras! I think I’m going to see if I can find a good beignet nearby. Any suggestions?

See more Sandra Stillwell Gene Marshall Belle of New Orleans fashion doll photos at my website.

Ambassador’s Ball for Valentine's Day

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Gene dons Ambassador’s Ball, from the 2021 Sandra Stillwell Ambassador of Fashion convention. Inspired by the Jacques Griffe design shown below:



I agree with the ad copy: 100!



See more Sandra Stillwell Gene Marshall fashion doll photos at my website.

Dangerous Curves

“Dangerous Curves” was a fashion for Gene Marshall released in 2007 by Integrity Toys as part of the  Rare Deal Convention (an FAO Schwarz exclusive). Inspired by a 1951 Ben Reig design in rayon crêpe, it fit in perfectly with the film noir theme of the convention. Here’s the Harper’s Bazaar vintage ad, with photo by Francesco Scavullo, modeled by Sunny Harnett:


Who better to model this outfit than JAMIEshow’s own Marlena?



With or without the chapeau, she looks incredible.



See more Gene Marshall Integrity fashion doll photos at my website.

Yves and Trapeze

At the 2017 Sandra Stillwell Eternal Style Convention in Richmond, I was able to see the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit at the VFMA (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts). Called “The Perfection of Style,” it was my first real introduction to the famed designer’s work. This post focuses on the dress called "L'Eléphant Blanc," which he created in 1958.



Here is the description from the catalog when it was on exhibition at The Met in New York:

Creating the trapeze silhouette for Dior, Saint Laurent has a rigid understructure veiled under a fly-away cage. A boned corset anchors the dress but allows the delusion of a free swinging cone. Seeking a shape for independence, though still tethered, the “Eléphant Blanc” dress also employs a shimmering embroidery on net that requires a finishing flourish to the thread work on a transparent surface. Thus, in both surface decoration and in structure, Saint Laurent gained the effect of ethereal, bouyant freedom while retaining the structure of the couture. From the earliest works at the house of Dior through the designer's accomplishments in his own house, Saint Laurent has practiced and perfected this modernist wielding of couture construction and proficiency to seem wholly unfettered. Manufacturer: Rébè. Date: spring/summer 1958. Culture: French Medium: silk, metallic thread, glass, plastic.

In short, it was nothing short of an architectural masterpiece in addition to being a groundbreaking piece of fashion.

Sandra Stillwell took on the daunting challenge of recreating this piece in miniature, despite the many challenges, such as the intricate beading. Here’s the promotional photo I took for Sandra at the convention:



What she had her “elves” put together is definitely a miracle in miniature.



One of the most difficult things about creating miniature is getting the fashion to hang properly without looking too bulky. This one does as well as can be expected, considering the amount of layers (there is an undergarment) and of course the lining.



The wig that was sold to go with Trapeze (Sandra’s title for the dress) was the perfect choice, beautifully executed by the famed doll wigmaker Ilaria Mazzoni.

See more Sandra Stillwell doll fashion photos at my website.

Sandra Stillwell Goes to New Orleans, Pt. 7

It's been so durn long since my last installment you probably forgot I had one more report to go. Better late than never? I hope so!

The Saturday Night PJ Party showcased a beautiful tribute the late Marilyn Hook. Titled "Sweet Dreams Marilyn," it also came in purple.



I thought it was such a beautifully vintage creation!



Here's the original fashion that inspired Sandra's design:



Attendees also got to see this amazing OOAK outfit by Michael Basala titled Sazerac:



Helen Hall won the doubloon collecting game and was crowned Queen of the Mardi Gras; her prize was Sazerac. I admit I was a little jealous; I should have worked harder at collecting doubloons!



You could tell that the contests were Michael's favorite part of the weekend. He made each one so much fun.



Larry Pemble, Susan Fowler, and Judy Richardson were the finalists in the PJ contest:



Judy took home top honors:





The next morning, Garden Party Farewell Breakfast attendees were greeted by the centerpiece Camellia Pink:



A beautiful miniature basket of pink roses was given to all:



Michael unveiled the attendee gift outfit, Fleurty Girl:



A slide show of inspirations revealed that the intricate outfit Vivien:



...was inspired by this gown that actress Vivien Leigh wore to the re-premiere of "Gone with the Wind" in 1964:



The last photo shows the crew that worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to make this convention a smashing success that people are still talking about today. From left to right: Kay Stemnock, Sandra Stilwell, Helen Hall, Michael Basala, Sherlyn Lovell, Michael Zepada, and Florie Hirsch. They were all amazing and deserve a HUGE round of applause. Many thanks to them for making my first Sandra Stilwell Experience so memorable!



See more Sandra Stillwell Belle of New Orleans Convention photos at my website.