Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Books can take you to wondrous places!

Literature Becomes the 
Muse For Modern 
Three Piece Collections



It's no secret that we at CoutureDollShop.com love Fashion Doll Quarterly magazine.  So it follows that we are always proud when we have a feature article in there.  The July issue, just out, includes an article about the three piece collections some of our shop owners designed and produced.  

The theme for this month's Happening is Literature, and in the article it tells about the piece of literature each artist used as their muse.   This article also features Item number one of their three piece collection.  Be sure to pick up a copy of the latest FDQ and check it out.

Then, here on the blog, you will see Item two, and at the end of this blog you'll find the  link to our secondary webpage where we'll be showing you Item number three for each collection.   So be sure to read the magazine article, and witness all the eye candy there.  Next, on with Part Two of our Literature show. 


Frances Weir

Novel: The Great Gatsby

The ensembles in this collection have been created to evoke memories of an opulent, lavish time of untrammeled pleasures, and of a lonely romantic hero, Jay Gatsby.  Sheer black chiffon and black silk combine with unique sequins and chain to create the next naughty ensemble. This model is a flapper and a vamp and she is ready for any and all of Gatsby's grandiose entertainments.

Manhattan  and cigarette in hand, she will sip and puff her way from pool deck to salon, ready to dance the Charleston and generally kick up her heels. The dress is accessorized with a non-opening handmade beaded purse, a most fashionable cigarette holder and a sequinned headband embellished with more chain, crystal beads, and genuine ostrich feathers. Will she outlast the night's adventures?  


Denise Beaudin

    Novel: Memoirs of a Geisha           

This second outfit is entitled "Traditional."   The knee length kimono is constructed from a heavily embossed black satin fabric.  Kimono has wide style, and three quarter length sleeves.  A matching wide obi belt ties at the back to fasten the kimono.  Edges of the kimono and belt  are finished with a gold colored satin trim.  Trousers are constructed of black satin fabric.



Cindi Stowell

Novel: Somewhere in Time

  It's a beautiful Spring day in the country and our gal is going to go for a ride in the new Ford Model A car. Mackinac Island is beautiful in the crisp cool Springtime when the geraniums are in bloom. It's the time of year for romance.  

The second item in this collection features a blue jacket and white skirt outfit.The lined jacket is made from soft blue velvet and the skirt is made from flowing fabric, and lined with a tulle underskirt for added fullness.





Pauline Lyngard
BW Designs

Novel:  Pride and Prejudice

The Cotton Day dress and Spensor jacket were inspired by the day dresses that Regency ladies wore out walking, shopping, and at casual get togethers.  It's the perfect dress for a P&P girl to strut her stuff today - if your fave doll is a hopeless romantic she may love this dress, too!


John Prewitt 
Novel: Sayonara

All three furniture pieces in John's collection are made from oak hardwood that has been painted a glossy black, and feature bamboo inlays. 

The platform bed comes with a cream colored underlay and pillow, a brocade comforter, and two brocade accent pillows. 



Peggy Burney
 Novel: The Princess Diaries


The Princess wanted something a little edgier than the run of the mill formal  strapless tulle gown, and she just knew it had to be a red dress.  This is what she chose.  Her gown is constructed of a full skirt of red silk stitched in a diamond pattern with gold sequins at each intersecting thread of the diamonds.  The hem is trimmed with red and gold  beadwork matching the bodice. 

Her special dress has a lining of silk habotai, and a four-layer tulle underskirt.  The bodice is an asymmetrical strapless style of red tulle covered with red and gold bead work with a V-shape at the waist - front and back.  It has a hook and eye closure in back.  This literary selection is not terribly dated, but Peggy did try to modernize her collection somewhat.  




Elizabeth Fenton

Novel:  War and Peace
"Floral Mums" is a scalloped sheath that was inspired by a lovely yellow day dress with a scalloped collar worn by Audrey Hepburn in War and Peace. This sheath is fitted, is above the knee, and has princess seams. It has three attached tiers, and the bodice is boned, and has shoulder straps. It is cut from grey and gold floral silk brocade, and is lined with silk charmeuse.




Anna Castanes

Novel:  Gone With The Wind

Scarlett was packing up her bedroom to return to Tara. With Rhett gone she could not stay in this house any longer. As she packed her different bedding sets away in the trunk each one brought back so many memories.  First she touched the white set (which is her Item number two in her collection).  She remembered the day she stood along side her sister  looking over the land she loved so much in devastation and near-ruin brought on by a senseless war.

The White Bedding Set  includes one white cotton and lace coverlet, two large white cotton and lace pillows, one triangle cotton and lace pillow.  Bed not included.  


Ina Murphey

Novel:  Father of the Bride

Obviously this piece of literature includes a wedding so Ina designed a wedding gown for her Item number one.  Next she designed two gowns for the bridal party, and this is the one she designated as Item number two.  

This is a luscious pink silk satin gown with variegated pink ribbon roses peeking out from the lace edged draped skirt.  Each ensemble in this collection is accessorized with coordinating Swarovski crystal jewelry and bouquets of small silk flowers. 


PetraElise

Novel:  Must Love Dogs


Item number two for Petra Elise is simply titled "Black." It is perfect for a romantic walk in the park with the dogs, and features a pair of metallic denim jeans.  It is complimented with an abstract silk chiffon top which is gathered in the front. The details are in shades of olive and taupe.

How did you like our collections so far?  If you have any comments, please make sure to make them here.  Then hurry on over to our special webpage to see the rest.  Use these urls:


Treat yourself to a new book, and travel places you could only imagine.  Treat your dolls with a new ensemble from CoutureDollShop.com!  Whatever you do this month = have fun!!  See you next month.