The Star

Legendary Joan Crawford went from MGM to Warner Brothers and then became an independent actress. She adapted and survived. And so does Gene Marshall.

The divine Gene reappears on the scene after a well-deserved break, bidding adieu to the world of vinyl and entering regally into the real of resin. Miss Marshall and her creator Mel Odom have partnered with resin doll maker JAMIEshow and the results of this collaboration are utterly luxurious. After almost twenty years gracing thousands of collections and allowing us to bask in the glow of the Silver Screen, Gene Marshall, the groundbreaking doll of the 1990's, is nothing but a Star Exquisite.



Dolldom celebrates Gene with an exclusive portfolio featuring the acclaimed actress modeling a trousseau of her own selection. Miss Marshall used a simple criteria: the fashions had to ooze glamour, bring back fond memories, be the inspiration of talented friends, and above all, be fun to wear.

Here's to Miss Gene Marshall. Long live The Star.


Phoenix Gene is an IDEX exclusive offering. In this photo she wears Violet Water's Dior-inspired Sunset Serenade, produced by Integrity Toys and a necklace by Joy Jarred.


Pin-Up, designed by Tim Kennedy, was Gene Marshall's first lingerie set. Amazing then, amazing now. This time, Gene chose a raven wig produced by Tonner Doll Company for Anne Harper to update the look. A turquoise necklace by Mode de M matches Gene's eyes.


Tea Time is Gene's favorite interview dress and was designed by Lynne Day. Paired with a black satin top hat with tulle veil, Gene will turn tea time into a glamour fest for everyone at The Plaza Hotel.


In the spectacular Vendôme column gown by Michael Basala, Gene provides the gold standard for a grand entrance.


The face of Phoenix Gene. Hand painted perfection.


In a delightful coat and dress set by James Bogue, Gene is ready for a day in Paris.


Mr. Bogue chose a vintage flower print for this springtime look. The ultimate tough of drama comes from the turban, an accessory that Miss Marshall admits loving.




If by whim Gene's day of museum hoping turns into an evening of champagne cocktails, all the actress needs to do is shed the coat and turban to turn of the sex-appeal.


Confident, seasoned, elegant. A woman's face indeed. Gene's necklace by VJT Designs.


Gene thinks that My Favorite Bow, designed by Tim Kennedy, deserves more attention. She takes matters in her own hands by wearing this sculptural wonder once again.


Fim noir supreme. Gene wears Dark Desire, designed by George Sarofeen and produced by Ashton Drake for Marda Lord, to pose with Trent Osborn. Madra wore it in The Lady or The Spider but it is Phoenix Gene who owns it in this photo.  Pin by Facets by Marcia.


Exotique, an engrossing mystery directed by Ivy Jordan, allows Gene to play the bag girl once again. But what's a bad girl to wear?


For this  film noir project already in the works, Gene wears Retros by Liz Cole and a chunky Lucite necklace by Joy Jarred.


Gene found it amusing to play Morticia Adams in Liz Cole's perfect rendition of the iconic gown. Now, why didn't Trent play Gómez? Necklace by Joy Jarred.


Bon Voyage! In Fit for A Queen's suit, designed by Lynne Day, and a turban by Liz Cole, Gene is the epitome of first class Transatlantic travel.


All jewels on board! Pin on Gene's right lapel by Joy Jarred.The turban drop is a Dolldom creation.


Twilight Rumba? Absolutely. Designed by Doug James (designer of FDQ's J'adore Gene exclusive), the silk sarong-style ensemble is a beaded tour de force.


Allons enfats de la patrie! The ultimate hat for the ultimate face and the ultimate attitude. Hat and dress by Liz Cole for Retros. Crème Orange jewelry by VJT Designs.


Cocktail culture. In All About The Eyes' dress and a chinois hat by Liz Cole, drinks will be both stirred and shaken. Such is the power of glamour. Bar created by Darren Cole for Retros. Pin by Robert Best for Barbie Fashion Model Collection.


Gene celebrates with some of her friends, all ecstatic about her new resin iteration. But where's Madra? In the back of the room, La Lord observes with perhaps more than just a tad of envy. Poor Madra! How long before she too receives the JAMIEshow treatment?

Haute Décor

"There seems to be within all of us an innate yearning to be lifted momentarily out of our own lives into the realm of charm and make believe."
--- Dorothy Draper

Most dollectors would readily agree with the fabulous Miss Draper, doyenne of American decorating and iconic tastemaker, for it is in very often in our collections that we find the much-needed respite from the travails and humdrum of our personal and professional lives. And nothing adds more to the enjoyment of a fashion doll display than a well-appointed room, a realistically detailed environment, in which, perfectly posed and dressed-to-the-nines, dolls live out the many fantasies and dramas concocted for them by their dotting keepers.

Darren Cole, Ann Morrison Maillard and Ron Shivvers are three freelance master artists who currently produce the very best in handmade furniture for various sizes of fashion dolls. If you, like we at Dolldom, believe that the future of fashion dolls is handmade, you will also agree that investing in the acquisition of their finely crafted pieces is a sure-fire way to add layers of meaning and substance to a diorama. Be it for the sole shelf in the studio apartment or for the spacious cabinets of the doll room, these miniaturized furniture masterpieces will engage not only those who appreciate doll art but also anyone interested in interior design and excellence in craftsmanship.

Darren Cole for Retros

Darren Cole is a collector of furniture from the 40s and 50s (Haywood Wakefield being a favorite) with which to decorate the 1943 Cape Cod style house that he shares with his lovely and equally talented wife Liz, designer of the famed Retros line of handmade doll clothing A while back, Liz enlisted Darren to create mid-century doll furniture to go with her hand-sewn doll fashion creations. But once friends and colleagues saw Liz’s dioramas, it was impossible to keep it in the family. Darren’s knowledge of mid-century modern style is evident in his exuberantly happy creations in both one-sixth and one-fourth scales.


My Doll’s a Collector
This credenza display cabinet is made of .75-inch pine with light maple wood veneer. The interior is painted white with a clear Plexiglass shelf that holds a doll’s treasure trove. Two clear Plexiglass sliding and a back crinkle-textured clear panel allow as much light as possible into the cabinet. A small light may be placed behind it for added effect.


What a Swell Party
Gene Marshall welcomes all for cocktails. Her Italian style bar boasts Plexiglass shelves and a black lacquered wood top. Mr. Cole interpreted a Mid Century Modern Italian design that he found in a book to satisfy two important functions: drinks and display.

Ann Morrison Millard for Morrison Furniture Studio

Thrilled to the core as a child by her sister’s Barbie’s Dream Kitchen, Annie Morrison Millard’s infatuation with the miniaturized world of the iconic doll, led her to create Morrison’s Furniture Studio. Her amazingly detailed furniture pieces have garnered her an enthusiastic fan base, this writer included. One of the best compliments that Miss Morrison has ever received was from a gentleman who wrote to her for the measurements of a sofa and coffee table she was featuring on e-Bay; he wanted to be sure it would fit up the stairs to his apartment.


Cocktails on a Roll
Miss Morrison does much of her woodworking with a band saw, scroll saw, and belt sander. The drill press is her secret weapon. She loves to use good wood, such as cherry, maple or oak. However, the scale of the grain needs to be right, as well, as seen in this rolling cocktail cart.

 
 Luxury Suite
Annie Morrison believes that although Barbie was given a couture wardrobe, a handsome boyfriend, and excellent accessories, she needed a well tailored home. This set exemplifies Miss Morrison’s philosophy that a doll’s display should be as fabulous as the fashion and accessories she wears. Mid-century modern has inspired Miss Morrison since long before it was called by a name. Danish Modern, Eames, Nelson, Heywood Wakefield, Lane—were all names that meant something to the artist because they indicated solid, clean and, in her opinion, timeless style.

Ron Shivvers

Ron Shivvers’ love of the woodcrafter’s art is evidenced in everything that he creates regardless of the scale. In fact, Ron’s mastery of his craft for human-sized furniture is exactly translated into one-sixth scale. Ron’s aim is to allow the natural beauty of the wood to take center stage and never stains or dyes any of his designs. Mr. Shivves crafts his furniture with the hope that it will become the treasure of tomorrow and an inheritance for generations.


Order in The House!
Everything has a place in Ron Shivver’s realistic tables with functional drawers created in miniature from one of his signature designs for humans. The inside-outside curve and taper of the leg is not only beautiful and unique but adds strength, stability and overall balance to these beautiful pieces of furniture finished with permits the wood grain to continue over the edge of the table. 1:12 dollhouse keys created by Cliff Feltrope.


Home Sweet Home
Lilli Lalka and Allan show off their new entertainment center furniture set by Ron Shivvers. Ron finely sands and hand-rubs his creations with Tung oil to a smooth satin finish that is resistant to stains from moisture. In cozy forest green suede, the set’s pillows provide warmth for many a chilly evening. Hand-knit throw and bolster pillows created by Christine Ward for Dollyknickers.

For more on these featured artists, check out the November issue of Haute Doll magazine.