Gene Marshall is a 15.5 inches tall collectible fashion doll inspired by Hollywood’s Golden Age. She was created by the illustrator Mel Odom. Each doll features an intricate movie-styled theme based upon fashions from the 1930s, 40s and 50s as well as Hollywood’s version of historical costuming.
When the doll appeared on the market in 1995, it was one of the first large fashion dolls primarily intended for adult collectors. Its success sparked the creation of similar dolls from other companies. Until then, the standard fashion doll had been the 11.5 inch Barbie, most collectible dolls at the time were constructed with baby-doll proportions rather than a womanly physique. There was an exception; Mdvanii, the first anatomically-correct fashion doll for adults. Mdvanii renewed Mel Odom’s childhood interest in dolls and led him to create Gene Marshall. The popular success of Gene Marshall sparked the invention of an entire genre of similar collectible large fashion dolls from other companies, such as Tyler Wentworth from Tonner Doll Company, Alexandra Fairchild Ford from Madame Alexander and Clea Bella from Bella! Productions.
Between 1995 and 2005 the dolls were manufactured by the Ashton-Drake Galleries. From 2005-2010 they were produced by Jason Wu and made by Integrity Toys. They have a dedicated following and have inspired other characters in the line: Madra Lord, Violet Waters, Ivy Jordan and Trent Osborn. These dolls are also popular for artists’ one of a kind repaints. The vinyl doll line was retired at the Gene convention, Stardust 2010.
Gene reappeared in 2013 when she was reintroduced by Jamieshow as a resin doll. This new material gave the doll a translucence that was entirely fitting for an old-time Hollywood movie star. Gene retired again in 2018.
It is not widely-known that before Mel Odom created Gene, he was considering using the Lady Luminous dolls for his designs.
Fashion Sleuth reveals how designers of Gene Marshall’s outfits may have been inspired by vintage fashions. Fans of Gene will love this inspirational mini-documentary on vintage Hollywood fashions created by Adrian.
