Marilyn Monroe Happy Birthday Dress

 The dress Marilyn Monroe wore to wish President Kennedy happy birthday. here's what Christies Auction Catalog says,

A full length evening sheath dress of flesh colored souffle gauze encrusted with graduated rhinestones embroidered in a rosette motif. Worn by Marilyn Monroe at the famous birthday tribute to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden where she sang "Happy Birthday Mr. President" on May 19, 1962. The dress sold for $1,150,000.

        Now i don't know anyone who has that kind of cash to spend on a dress, so my version is quite a bit simpler and more affordable. I started with a light flesh colored spandex and a white mesh with silver sequins already attached. The most time consuming part of this dress is attaching all those rhinestones, so finding a fabric that already has the sparkle saves a lot of time. I draped the bodice lining, using a cream lingerie mesh, and the bra cups i would be using and attached boning to the lining just in the front to help support the bust line. Marilyn's dress was much lighter weight fabric that was matched to her skin tone and meant to show off every curve. Some people say that you could see through her dress. For my version i went with something that is not see through and has a bit more structure, the bra is built in so there is no worry about the back being low or having visible elastic lines from your under garments.

I then drafted the pattern using the lining as a starting point. The shape is very simple, fitted to the knee with a slight fishtail in the back for walking. Marilyn was apparently sewn into the dress but since i cant be there to sew my customer in, i went with a standard zipper ( invisible zippers are not as strong and tend to get stuck in tight dresses) I love how it came out, the spandex keeps a firm smooth hold on the figure and allows you to move around with out worrying about stressing the seams. This dress can be custom made over at my Etsy shop Morningstar84
other fabric options are available, and in different shade to match your skin tone. I do offer a more accurate version of this dress please message me for a quote if you are interested.

Joan Ruffles Dress

This is a fun work appropriate dress, made from stretch navy blue cotton sateen with collar and cuff ruffles lined in white. I used my favorite vintage pattern for the body and draped the front collar, each side being one and a half circles with a shoulder seam for the back of the collar, each cuff is one circle. Great dress, has the 50's wiggle with a little 60's flair :-)

Thanksgiving Joan Dress

This dress was used in promotion pictures for Mad Men, and i finally got to make my version of it!
It's not really a Thanksgiving dress but i thought the color was appropriate for today.
I draped the bodice and collar and used a vintage skirt pattern adding the front pleat. The fabric is a silk/cotton blend and i must say i really like this fabric, it irons nicely and doesn't water spot! it is very light weight so i lined it in cotton, and i used the matte side of the fabric, the other side looks like satin. The only downside that i found was it does wrinkly easily but that is to be expected with silk

Mad Men Dresses, Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield

This was a customers request, the dress worn by Jayne Mansfield in the movie ''The Girl Can't Help It'' made from a cotton knit pique, self lined, long sleeves, with little satin bows above the bum. i even made the flower pin for the front and the belt. I really love this dress, though personally i don't think id want the bows.




This lavender wiggle dress is made from a poly spandex fabric, big collar and front tie, short sleeves and back zipper. Styled after the dress by ''Joan'' on Mad Men






This set is ma de from Crepe Suiting fabric, styled after the dress and jacket set worn by Marilyn Monroe in the movie ''The Misfits'' i've made just the dress before, but i like the day to evening look of the dress with the little jacket.





This dress is was styled after the publicity shots for the show Mad Men, worn by ''Betty Draper''
made from a cotton print fabric, medium weight. The bodice is lined in cotton and the skirt 'petals' with standard lining fabric. Piping trim at the neck and waist, and gathers instead of dart at each hip front and back.



This dress is styled after the one worn by Joan, the Christmas party episode. Made from stretch crepe with satin detailing around the neckline, sleeves and the bows front and back, i love how the bow creates a little train in the back.

Peggy Check Dress

I just finished this dress for a customer, I'm very happy with the outcome.
its made from cotton checked fabric fully lined in cotton for extra stability.
i drafted the pattern myself using a vintage pattern as a starting point, and draping the collar.
Perfect dress for the fall weather! You can order your own dress over at Morningstar84

I also wanted to share I was mentioned in Yahoo's shine section!

And i did my first interview for Confessions of the Cupcake Countessa it has been a pretty exciting week!

It's a Mad Men, Heburn, Monroe Halloween!

Betty Draper ''Model Tryout Dress''

Joan's Purple and Fuchsia Wiggle Dress

Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's Gown

 

Marilyn Monroe's Cherry Print Misfits dress

Betty Draper Window Shopping Dress

Just a few of the dresses made for Halloween this year, more pictures soon :-)