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."

Tall, Dark, and Handsome

Every movie studio needs at least one: a tall, dark, and handsome star. At Mel Odom's Monolithic Studios, Trent Osborn incarnates this idealized type. 


Trent Osborn's biography was documented in his splashy Ashton-Drake debut back in 2001:

"Born Theodore O'Bannion, young "Teddy" was quite the little neighborhood Romeo, stealing kisses from beneath the playground Pollyannas' pipe curls. He also always had a flair for the dramatic, prodding his playmates into staging elaborate pirate adventures on the bounding waters of the ponds in Philly's most prestigious parks - much to the chagrin of the local police force!

After graduating from high school, he longed for adventure, even working as a truck driver to escape the city limits. But soon he discovered the local theater groups, where he was quickly spotted by a casting director for the Theatre Guild and whisked off to The Great White Way. His refined good looks, coupled with a certain aura of reckless abandon, brought him role upon role - and the attentions and intentions of an army of beautiful young actresses and debutantes.

After playing the gamut of juvenile roles on Broadway, Teddy, now known as Trent Osborn to the New York theater goers, was brought to Hollywood in 1935. A mainstay at Monolithic Studios, he appeared in scores of films, and his most frequent leading ladies included such glamorous stars as Gene Marshall and Madra Lord.

As flamboyant a figure in Hollywood nightlife as he was on the screen, Trent Osborn broke countless hearts. But when he turned on those bedroom eyes, everyone from starlet to seasoned veteran melted at a glance."

Mr. Odom's protomacho (as the concept is referred to in the literary world of Gabriel García Márquez) was a success since his inception for finally in the fashion doll arena of the 21st century there was a male movie star, and one that descended from the stunning works of Mr. Odom's exploration of male beauty.

Mr. Odom's collaboration with JAMIEshow Dolls continues to permit the evolution of his beloved characters, now in the non-toxic Smooth-J resin that the company uses for the manufacture of all of its dolls. The JAMIEshow iterations of Mr. Odom's characters are exquisitely stylized and realized (by hand) making them luxurious mannequins to model fashions and to play out the collectors' fantasies of The Golden Age of Hollywood. They are also heirlooms in their own right as well as unique effigies for the non-dollector to display.


In this exclusive photo portfolio,  JAMIEShow's Trent Osborn reaches the apex of masculine style and beauty as defined by the art of his creator, Mr. Odom. Dolldom congratulates Mr. Odom and JAMIEshow for yet another successful collaboration. May you keep surprising us with more beauty!

Mel Odom's Monolithic Gang as manufactured by JAMIEshow Dolls

L to R: Violet Waters, Oona, Trent Osborn, Madra Lord, and Gene Marshall.

Wardrobe test photo for When You Have It. JAMIEshow's wool plaid pants, vest, and cotton shirt paired with a black bow tie convey timeless style.


For the film In the Hands of the Lonely, Trent surprised audiences as a blond.


His pin-stripped suit, produced by Ashton-Drake, is knows as "Neat as a Pin."


Prince Albert? No, Prince Charming!


The success of his blond style led to a reappearance in Kingdom of Love. His "Royal Military" fashion was designed by George Sarofeen.




Acapulco Antics! Trent and Oona danced and sang in  Maracas for My Love filmed in Technicolor in beautiful locations in Mexico's famed resort. The wardrobe by Liz Cole for Retros featured animal prints and plenty of hand beading.


The famous kiss scene that got gossip columnist Cora Harper's knickers in a twist.


Trent is an expert maraca player.


The film How High, Society? allowed Trent to show off his athletic prowess in the many polo scenes.


Men everywhere copied the style, wearing cashmere sport coats over jodhpurs, even when not at the country club.


Varying the look with a plaid jacket by JAMIEshow made the look even more irresistible.




In "Cabana Capers" Trent showed off his swimmer's physique in DAE Original's "Calypso Nights"


L'exotisme!


For a party celebrating Twenty Century Fox's 20th anniversary, Trent arrived dressed as aristocrat Major Rama Safti from the film The Rains Came.


This traditional Indian style was worn in the scene of the Maharaja’s reception for Lord Albert and Lady Edwina Esketh. Swoon is the word!

Secret Agent? Absolutely! Trent took on the bad guys in Stirred, Shaken, and Straight Up in the classic white dinner jacket fashion "Dinner for Two" issued at 2003's "Derby Dreams" convention.

Perhaps now that the Trent body has been sculpted, could JAMIEShow and Mr. Odom be preparing the appearance of director Erik von Sternberg (he who discovers Gene!) in tridimensional form?

Dolldom hopes so.

Illustration of Erik von Sternberg by Mel Odom

All Hallows' Eve 2013

It's that time of year! Dolldom's very special tribute to the best of all holidays. For at Dolldom, Halloween is imbued with the images of Halloween celebrations of old, those based on vintage and antique postcards that portray the magical powers of the Earth, right before cold Winter comes to lay us all to sleep. It's a time for dancing and singing to the Harvest Moon around a crackling bonfire, for carving turnips to hold candles with which to find our way home at night, for reading ghost stories while drinking one's spirit of choice, and for turning into ghouls and goblins by means of an artful disguise.

For this year's celebration, Dolldom enjoys the presence of old and new friends who come together to partake of a good vintage Halloween time. So grab a fistful of candy corn and enjoy the fun.


Bruja bella. Nothing like a glamorous woman in orange and black to define Halloween magic. Tonner's Déjà Vu line introduces basic Emma Jean McGowen, who in Retro's sensational witch costume and Joy Jarred's jewelry, is nothing but the essence of fashion witchcraft!


A classic vampire film is de rigueur this time of year.


And Phoenix Gene Marshall by Mel Odom,produced by JAMIEshow, is our beautiful and eternal beloved.


In her Retros' Morticia Adams dress, cluster of diamonds nekclace and spider bracelet by Joy Jarred, and raven beehive by Ilaria Mazzoni, Phoenix Gene Marshall is the ultimate vamp.



But wait! Here comes the enchantress of all. In her royal blue gown with batty sleeves, also by Retros, J'adore Gene casts the ultimate fashion spell. Her necklace is by Joy Jarred. Her blond pompadour wig by Ilaria Mazzoni for Time of Doll.


You MAY kiss her hand now.


Emma Jean McGowen, the inimitable heroine from Tonner's Déjà Vu line, models a curve hugging sheath by Liz Cole for Retros and a witch hat by Peggy Feltrope. Jewelry by Joy Jarred. The little ghost costume was created by Our Sweet Creations.


Boo! Sad Sally is here!


Wilde Imagination's big eyed girl with the vivid orange cotton candy hair is the ideal poster child for vintage Halloween.


Look into my eyes....and suddenly the air turns cold, cold as ice...


Who is the magnificent apparition who stands in the middle of the ruins?


It's Wilde Imagination's One More Time Evangeline Ghastly in her ethereal gown, perfect for flying through the midnight sky in search of her beloved.


Vintage seven and half inch Genevieve doll is a Japanese beauty made of very malleable vinyl. For this classic Halloween scene, Genevieve models a Retros dress with gathered neckline and full skirt. Her Salamander Poliwogg friends all agree that she is the cutest witch of all. Felt hat also by Retros.


A Gotham Halloween, you say?


But of course! Barbie and Ken, in their original vintage sculpts, impersonate Catwoman and Batman, circa 1960's.


Trick or Treat! The Poliwogg Pumpkin Twins salute you on Halloween!


What would Halloween be without the quintessential scary old witch?
This fabulous lady boasts a uniquely expressive sculpt. Witch Polywogg by Salamander.


And she's ready to fly away on her broom along with her half moon charm.


Mel Odom's Madra Lord closes - and some say - steals the show in her purr-fect and ever so seductive sheath with pussycat print fabric by Retros and a classic witch  hat by Peggy Feltrope. The Enid Collins purse reproduction is also by Retros. Madra's big pumpkin is from Target.

This is Halloween!

Pelo Italiano

In pursuit of the perfectly scaled head of hair, Dolldom meets gifted artists who comprehend the utter relevance of proportioned hairstyling, as this element alone will make or kill a doll. Much to our delight, Italian wig maker Ilaria Mazzoni of Time of Doll, crafts wigs using a hard cap and applying the best quality Saran or mohair fibers directly to it. This method and her meticulous manipulations of hair fibers allow her to achieve styles that will make a doll look supremely well styled and yes, even more beautiful.

Not unlike the hirsute creations that graced the heads of the mythical dolls of Le Théâtre de la Mode, Ilaria's wigs are veritable gems of hair couture and as such very much worth the investment.




In this exclusive portfolio, Dolldom shows how Mel Odom's Gene Marshall, produced by JAMIEshow transforms with these beautifully crafted styles.Modeling fashions by Liz Cole for Retros and jewelry by Joy Jarred and Mark G. Harris, the eternal star of Monolithic Studios exemplifies the ultimate chameleon of style.

Brava, Ilaria!






The classic bob. In beautifully rich brown makes Phoenix Gene a more coquettish presence.


In her silk qi pao by Retros and necklace by Joy Jarred, Gene is classic chic.






A blonde pompadour with chignon gives Gene the 1940's elegance that many of her period fashions require. 


In her vintage silk and tulle cocktail dress by Retros, Gene gives us sparkle supreme.






A raven chignon and beehive combination will allow Gene to play villains and perhaps even a vampire.


But in this silk dress by Liz Cole for Retros, Gene is all eye candy. Necklace by Mark G. Harris for Mode de M. 

 For more information, visit Ilaria Mazzoni's Flickr site.