Gene Marshall is being retired - again!

 Gene Marshall, the gorgeous and iconic creation of Mel Odom, has had a long and tumultuous history since her debut in 1995. From her Ashton Drake decade to the short but beautiful Integrity Toys evolution to the resin reincarnation at JAMIEshow dolls, Gene Marshall has always shined as the bright star she is, bringing joy to many fashion doll collectors with her district style and elegance. Unfortunately, in the latest JAMIEshow newsletter, we got the news that next year she will be retired again. Below is the text, announcing the 2018 convention in Palm Springs, which contains the news.

Photograph and styling by Tom Logan from The Glass Of Fashion - JAMIEshow doll. Wig by Ilaria.

JAMIEshow Dolls PALM SPRINGS 2018 Convention  A Fashion Retrospective & Farewell to Gene

Join us in February 2018 for the 5th JAMIEshow Convention in beautiful Palm Springs, California.

Join us for a Fashion Retrospective celebrating the glory days of Palm Springs’ movie society.  Along with a dazzling JAMIEshow line we will be celebrating Gene and Friends in different decades throughout the 20th century.  We will also be saying a farewell for now to Gene, as she retires once again to her home in Italy.  This will be the last production of JAMIEshow Gene Dolls offered and a not to be missed event.   Although JAMIEshow will continue to produce accessories that can be worn on Gene and Friends, including wigs, shoes, outfits and accessories there will be no more regularly scheduled dolls after this event.  A planned museum retrospective in the foreseeable future might happily be the exception to this rule. 

You can visit the website for more information, like the schedule below:

CONVENTION SCHEDULE

• Registration includes, one convention doll, you will choose at registration whether you want the Gene Family or JAMIEshow Family Convention doll, the other will still be availalbe to you to purchase at the event.  It also includes.

• Cocktail Party "At the Cha Cha"  Opening night cocktail party where we will all meet mingle and dance the night away!

• Pool Party, thats right a Pool Party for those who want to take a dip or just sip a drink and mix and mingle.

• Tour of Modernism and Architecture.  This tour will be available for sign up at the event.  Participation not required. Extra fee may apply.

• Sales Room with lots of offerings including new wigs, and new dolls!  All dolls will be available to take home at event and are limtited to small quantities.

• Grand Banquet Dinner "A Farewell to Gene"  as we say goodbye to Gene, Mel Odom who will be our guest throughout the event share his thoughts on and the future of Gene.

• Breakfast in the Garden, a buffet breakfast poolside at one of the fabulous outdoor restaurants.

• As always our special guest Mel Odom will be joinging us for the weekend.

JAMIEshow photo

It will be nine years from her previous retirement, when she is retired for a third time next year. Will it be for good? I hope not. Gene Marshall is a very important part of the fashion doll,history and I would like to have her with us for many more years to come.

JAMIEshow 2017 convention in Chicago: East Meets West!

The weekend of 23-25 June was the one when this year's JAMIEshow Convention took place in Chicago. The theme was East Meets West, so Gene and friends got to dress up in Japanese inspired outfits, as they are supposed to be making a spy film named Red Lotus, that takes place there. A new character appeared, named Luna Li, a former model and now movie star in Japan. Madra is there of course, trying to steal the spotlight as always, while Trent was in Japanese clothes but in a grey version, matching the famous Lady Grey Gene. There was another gorgeous new doll presented, Ling Lang, as well as some impressive outfits, ranging from $75 to $120. Let's check them out.

Ling Lang Black Dragon

​This is the most beautiful doll from the convention. Face, hair, outfit, all perfect. The embroidered back is stunning. Just a reminder here that all dolls are resin dolls. Prices ranged from $500 to $600. 

Luna Li, convention souvenir doll 

Beautiful doll and I love her kimono. It reminds me a bit of the one worn by the very first Kyori Sato doll from Integrity Toys. Black kimonos always stand out because they are not seen so often.

Gene Marshall

I think I'd prefer her in a long skirt for this style. The bangs in her hairstyle is something I could do without. The jacket is stunning.

Madra Lord

Gorgeous looking doll. I love the mask, it gives her that extra evil mysterious look. Her wig cap is perfect and her outfit reminds me of a Dior by Galliano look from way back. The pearls of the earrings are jarringly big. Would have liked them more delicate.

Trent Osborne 

Amazing looking doll. That outfit rocks. I'd love it for an Asian male doll (which is so rare in 1/4 scale) to compliment my Memoirs of a Geisha dolls. I bet people that have Grey Lady Gene would love to have him stand right beside her.

Below are the outfits available at the convention, shown on Ginnie. The quality and craftsmanship stands out. My favourite is the sleeveless black and print long take on the qipao below. For availability of any remaining dolls and outfits from the convention check the JAMIEshow website. Bravo JAMIEshow for another fantastic convention collection.

All photos courtesy of JAMIEshow dolls, used by permission.

Just in time for the holidays, a new Gene Marshall doll: It happened on 5th Avenue

JamieSHOW dolls released a new Gene Marshall doll just in time for the holidays, and she looks magnificent. The doll is one of the most beautiful Gene dolls ever, I love her make up and hairstyle. The outfit reminds me a bit of the Silkstone Boater ensemble, it is stylish, elegant and very chic for a shopping spree down 5th Avenue. Below are photos and the doll description and details from JamieShow. Preorder her here. It will ship in mid-January 2017.

Mel Odom's 

Holiday Gene Marshall Doll

"It happened on 5th Ave"

Ltd. Edition 100

Pre Order Shipping Mid January

Note: Shopping Bags pictured are not included.

And what happened you ask?  Just the earliest breath of Spring New York City ever saw!!!  That’s all!!!  Well actually, only a few lucky people in New York City were there to see this particular breath of spring, Gene Marshall modeling a chic spring suit, standing on Fifth Avenue in freezing December weather.   Of course the photo wouldn’t show up in print for months, but they needed the picture right away. Since Gene was back east visiting her parents she was asked and accepted the assignment.  

First assignment was to find a sunny day for the shoot and then a location that wouldn’t look like winter.  Fifth Ave. in the 40s filled the bill and Gene bravely wore the lightweight suit and smiled for the cameras in between cups of hot coffee, with an assistant holding a fur coat standing off camera.  Her being a consummate actress helped with the chattering teeth and forced smile.  The fake world of a Hollywood movie studio was looking pretty good about then. 

Gene’s navy silk suit is trimmed with white and navy piping at the neckline, notched cuffs and peplum.  Full, white sleeves extend to ¾ length, beneath the bell shaped sleeves of the belted jacket.  Black, pearl-trimmed gloves and black and white spectator pumps are the accessories for the extremities, with a crisp white boater and teardrop pearls at the ears topping off this warm weather look!  Gene’s platinum hair is pulled back into a chignon of soft curls and her makeup is based on the blush of spring’s first kiss.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Gene Marshall in the JAMIEShow Chicago 2015 convention

Gene Marshall is the fashion doll that did for 16" dolls what Barbie did for the 1/6 scale ones: established the fashion doll rules for the particular scale and made every doll thereafter compare to it. Since JamieShow took over the line and collaborated with the creator Mel Odom, the doll reached new heights of quality and sophistication. For its 20 year anniversary (and the 5th of JamieShow dolls) the dolls did not disappoint - and we got some added bonus as well.

The convention doll was none other than Gene Marshall in a Lady Grey resin version. The concept had first been done by Mel when the doll was produced by Integrity Toys for their 2007 Gene Marshall convention design contest and now she's in resin, even more glamorous and sophisticated, with her tiara and evening gown, inspired by a Charles James original. I like the concept better with this hair colour than the ashen blond used in the previous version.

And here is a very happy Mel Odom at the convention with the doll in his hands:

Of course there were more dolls in the Gene Marshall line:

As you can see, there was Oona, Madra, Violet and a new, grey-haired Trent in limited editions of 20 dolls per sculpt, each priced at $475. Check them out below in larger photos.

All photos courtesy of George Gonzales and JamieShow dolls

JAMIEshow introduces Madra Lord and Violet Waters by Mel Odom

It was obvious that the new Gene Marshall doll line from JAMIEshow would feature the well known and popular Madra Lord and Violet Waters characters since the beloved Mel Odom fashion dolls re-appeared on the scene after a small hiatus. Today the company releases the two dolls for preorder.

Madra & Violet will both go on sale tonight Friday April 4Th at 6:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. A clock with the local time in New York has been placed right under our phone number on the top left side of the website so you can tell what time it is here locally. The Edition sizes are 150 for Madra and 50 for Violet. The link to shop for the dolls: CLICK HERE - UPDATE - All sold out on pre-orders

The price of each doll is $525.00. There will be 3 payment options available, you can choose to pay 30% Down (157.50) , 50% Down ($262.50) or Pay in Full at the time of ordering. The dolls are expected to ship in two waves, first wave at the end of April and the rest by mid May. Paid in full orders will ship first. You can contact JAMIEshow Dolls at 800-557-5939. Have in mind though that the lines tonight will be busy. You can also email them here.

Madra Lord makes her comeback premiere to JAMIEshow dolls in a Dior look, an off white silk dress with faux animal print, and a belt. Her heels are also made of animal print fabric with one strap. Her jewellery comprises of emerald green Swarovski crystal earrings, necklace and bracelet.

Her wig cap is a red updo. She also comes with a hard cap for regular wigs, and a doll stand. She is the same skin tone as Gene and Grace from JAMIEshow. All JAMIEshow dolls are hand made and hand painted in their exclusive J-Resin. Madra is lovingly sculpted from the original sculpt by Mel Odom. Madra will not be produced again. This will be her only incarnation.

Violet Waters makes her comeback premiere to JAMIEshow dolls in a satin silk dress with peplum, with an violet in her updo rooted wig cap. She wears violet strappy high heel shoes and soft pearl earrings and necklace. She also comes with hard cap for regular wigs and a dolls stand. She is the Lena/Sabina skin tone from JAMIEshow. Violet is lovingly sculpted from the original sculpt by Mel Odom. Violet will not be produced again. This will be her only incarnation

Photos and information courtesy of Jamieshow Doll USA