Unforgettable

Unforgettable beauty. Unforgettable Gene Marshall.




Mel Odom's grand lady of cinema, in her exquisite "Phoenix" iteration produced by JAMIEshow Dolls, models one of her most iconic looks from the Ashton-Drake period.


Designed by Dolly Cipolla, the circa 1957 gown is a tribute to floral beauty.

In a wig restyled by the magical Kathy Johnson and with jewelry by VJT Designs, Miss Marshall is the epitome of not-to-be-forgotten glamour.



 Story Card by Ashton-Drake:

"New York City has always held a soft, sentimental spot in its worldly heart for Gene Marshall. After all, she was 'discovered' there working in a movie theater (which all the local point to with pride). Plus, her family is from Cos Cobb, Connecticut, and that's close enough for New Yorkers to consider Gene a hometown girl. So New York was thrilled when Gene came 'home' to film PERSONAL SECRETARY in Manhattan. All throughout shooting, the media kept anticipation at a fever-pitch with feature stories about Gene on-and-off camera. When the night of the premiere came, New Your City celebrated as only the Big Apple can. Massive spotlights swept the sky outside the same movie theater that Gene once worked as an usherette. The excitedly buzzing crowds were held back by velvet-roped stanchions, while mounted police stood by. A platinum silver limousine purred to a stop at the head of the red carpet, and out stepped Gene. She uncurled from the shadowy limo like a sleek, curvaceous feline, wearing a sultry mermaid gown of rich Dubonnet wine that lovingly graced every contour. Her platinum hair shone like sterling silver in the flashbulbs, and her acclaimed smile was as dazzling as her jewelry. With hundreds of fans cheering her. Mom and Dad in the front row, and lavish bouquets in her hotel suite form four well-known leading men... this night was unforgettable for both Gene and New York City."

Star Exquisite

Star Exquisite

A Tribute to Miss Gene Marshall on Her Twentieth Anniversary 

"I loved the name Gene because it was not only the name of one of my favorite movie stars but the basic unit of human characteristic. I decided Gene would be about being human." - Mel Odom

Mel Odom's Gene Marshall, elegant Silver Screen goddess, has made the world hold its breath with her beauty, charisma, and acting talent ever since her debut in 1995. And just like legendary star Joan Crawford, who went from MGM to Warner Brothers and then became an independent actress, Miss Marshall has adapted to the many changes in the fashion doll collecting market in order to continue to share her magic. After twenty years gracing thousands of collections and allowing us to bask in the platinum glow of her cinematic life, Gene Marshall, the groundbreaking doll of the 1990's, is nothing but a Star Exquisite.

Ethereal
Like a blue angel, an early "Monaco" by Ashton-Drake, models "Blue Goddess" designed by Tim Kennedy.




Studio Meeting
An early "Red Venus" by Ashton-Drake models a suit by Tonner Doll Company and a cape and turban set by Liz Cole for Retros.





"All About The Eyes" Gene by Integrity gives "Red Venus" a try.

"I made Gene because I wanted her as a doll, and there was nothing like her in the market. She was everything I wanted" - Mel Odom

Full Circle
Integrity's "It's A Cinch" brought back the early look of grey eyebrows and deep red lips, perfect for a black and white film.

Petit Trésor
Integrity Toy's miniaturized version of Gene, part of the "Hollywood Royalty" proves that Gene Marshall can rule at any scale.

 




Doll Perfected
For many, JAMIEShow's "Phoenix" is the ultimate expression of The Gene Marshall Mystique and perhaps the most refined version of the doll.Phoenix wears "Brave New World," a design from Sandra Stillwell's "Radio Days" convention in 2012. JAMIEShow wig cap restyled by Kathy Johnson.

 

Thrills and Chills 

JAMIEshow and FDQ collaborated on "J'adore," a saturated color beauty in smooth resin. Trent and Gene starred in Albert Smirnoff's thriller, The Northest Northpoint.

 

 Au naturel  

JAMIEShow-manufactured Trent Osborn and "White Orchid" Gene play lovers who eschew society for a life lived in the midst of nature. Wardrobe designed by Liz Cole for Retros.

Happy 20th Anniversary, 

Gene Marshall!

Le Jazz Hot!

We interrupt this program for a very important announcement!


Mel Odom's Gene Marshall and her dear friends will be holding a magnificent celebration in Chicago to celebrate their 20th anniversary and their current producer JAMIEShow's 5th!


Trent will be there!


So will Madra!

 Chicago!  From May 22nd until May 24th! And right in the center of town! Dolldom knew that The Monolithic Gang would prefer to stay away from airport hotels. Classy crowd!


A 3-day event to enjoy with longtime friends, Mr. Mel Odom, Mr. González, and sufficient time to take in the rich cultural offerings that "The Jewel of The Midwest" has to offer.

A limited number of rooms has been reserved at the posh Warwick Allerton Hotel, right on The Magnificent Mile.




 With a museum of dolls, a sales room, banquets, cocktails (with Trent!) and new doll offerings, this is a not-to-be-missed event!

I better get dressed and start packing!

For more information, contact JAMIEshow Dolls at 800-557-5939
sales@jamieshow.us



See you there!

Souvenirs du Voyage

Le souvenir: une 'image imprimée pour toujours sur l'esprit.



It was a navy blue evening back in 1953, when I walked with a heart full of rhythm to my favorite jazz mecca in Paris: 6 rue Robert Estienne, in the 8ème arrondissement...Oui, c'était The Mars Club. Billy Strayhorn would surely be there. And that evening, Violet Waters would be the featured singer. Not an evening to me missed...

But the evening delivered much more...

A woman, luminescent in the shadows, enjoyed a Kir Royale. As her eyes opened after taking a sip, I realized who she was: Miss Gene Marshall, la célèbre vedette américaine. Miss Waters was a very dear friend of hers at Monolithic Studios.



I discreetly approached the bar to catch a glimpse of véritable Hollywood royalty. To this day, I vividly recall the aura of "Je reviens" by Worth and the emanating glow from her eyes.



A moment of magic, eternal and fleeting, like all sublime instances are.



Credits:
"Phoenix" Gene Marshall is the creation of artist Mel Odom and manufactured by JAMIEshow.
Titian red hard cap wig by Ilaria Mazzoni for Time of Doll
"Crème de Cassis" gown designed by Tim Alberts for The Gene Marshall Collection.

All Hallows' Eve

All Hallows' Eve at Monolithic Studios!  The stars of Mel Odom's universe gather for a Halloween party that promises to produce many a grand photo op for the adoring public. The mood is festive and the costumes are nothing but vintage Halloween glamour. Modeled by the resin, ball-jointed models manufactured by JAMIEshow Dolls, the designs, handmade by Liz Cole for her Retros label, serve as proof of the artistry, creativity, and expertise of the Seattle designer.



Violet the Sorceress!

Slinky and ever so blue. Jewelry by Joy Jarred.


Miss Waters' coif by Ilaria Mazzoni for Time of Doll.

Oona's takes on The Addams Family

It's her turn to play Morticia! Wig by Ilaria Mazzoni for Time of Doll.


Oona is ready for her moonbath. Necklace by Joy Jarred.

Devilish Madra



Burning hot in a figure hugging pant set, La Lord is sexiest devil of them all!



Glamourous Witch

Red and black and sparkly! For no one said that flying on a broom had to be anything less than fashionable. Hair by Ilaria Mazzoni.


Miss Marshall ("Phoenix" model) is as sweet as a Red Hot and black liquorice.

Enjoy a glamorously spooky vintage Halloween 2014!

Glitter Girl

Glitter Girls. They dance and parade in exquisite anonymity. Perfect depictions of an ideal created in a space of time that continues changing every day. But it does not hurt to revisit the fantasy and in so doing, acknowledge the hard work of the many ladies of stage and screen who danced and sang with a smile hoping perhaps that one day they would be the star of the show.



In 1997, Ashton-Drake produced artist Mel Odom's "Bird of Paradise" Gene Marshall doll in a costume based on a William Ivey Long design of a circa-1949-showgirl bathed in diamonds and perfectly accessorized with the grandest of millinery plumes. The final production substituted the dramatic feathers with pink tulle for reasons- we assume- of cost and difficulty in packaging. Nonetheless, the costume captures the essence of a rich tradition of show business and spellbinding spectacle.



Dolldom revisits the original this time modeled by the exquisite resin ball-jointed "Phoenix" Gene Marshall produced by JAMIEshow Dolls. Dolldom's stylists edited the turban out and substituted it with a JAMIEshow Dolls' rooted wigcap styled with the iconic Undulation Marcel (Marcel Wave) so popular worldwide in the 1920s-30s. She wears earrings designed by Joy Jarred.







Story from the story card packaged with the doll:

"Beautiful showgirls are a dime a dozen in Hollywood. Dressed in fantastical costumes of spangles and glitter, together they are a dizzying dazzle of lookalikes. And each and every one of them cherishes a dream of discovery and stardom.

But Bird of Paradise is a script about a showgirl who didn't want to be discovered. It was this uniquely whimsical twist that charmed Gene about this light romantic comedy.

In the script, a famous director treats showgirls with contempt--if he notices them at all. When he meets Gene at the commissary he believes her to be a respected scriptwriter and is enchanted by her pretty face, lively wit, and warm heart. But Gene is actually a showgirl in his own show and fears losing him if he learns the truth. Meanwhile, the leading man wants Gene to be the "spotlight girl", the one the camera focuses on at the start of the spectacle. A hilarious cat-and-mouse chase ensues on stage as Gene tries to avoid the pursuing spotlight so her love won't notice her.

Suddenly she's caught in the brilliant spotlight, the crystal beads flashing in a dazzling rainbow of light. Like the wings of a fairytale bird, triple-beaded swags of crystal and a misty cloud of pink tulle sweep from waist to wrist. Crystal drops glisten on the shimmering feathered turban. At the lavish finale, the director has learned a valuable lesson: that under all the fancy plumage, a bird of paradise can be the sweetest, most loving songbird of all."

Noir et Blanc

Noire et blanc. 

This classic combination of light and shadows shows that opposites indeed attract. Inspiration for our new entry: the black and white organdy blouses created by Lori Lyon for JAMIEshow's  Ready-to-Wear line, currently available from their boutique. Paired with skirts and a gown from other sources, the looks evoke a bit of Karl Lagerfeld's sensibility for Chanel.

 

Who better to model such dramatic couture than the top gals of Monolithic Studios? Mel Odom's dames, produced in BJD form in soft and silky resin by JAMIEshow.

Enjoy the show!


Violet Waters enchants in JAMIEshow Ready to Wear Demure Blouse. 
Black mermaid skirt by Tyler Wentworth. Necklace and bracelet by Joy Jarred. Wig by Ilaria Mazzoni.
 

Miss Madra Lord is a woman torn between two worlds: one evoked by the wild magnetism of the leopard print skirt by Byanca Evans, the other by JAMIEshow's  Ready to Wear Provocateur Body Suit. 
Short lace gloves also by Miss Evans. Pin from The Barbie Fashion Model Collection. Wig by Ilaria Mazzoni. 


A sensational look for a premiere: JAMIEshow Ready to Wear Provocateur Body Suit is worn under a sequin strapless dress by Liz Cole. Wig by Ilaria Mazzoni.


Scintillating!


Seductive!


Sensational!