With Love, Brani

 

Love is in the air and Dolldom celebrates V-Day 2012 basking in the glow of Brani Mladenov's mini collection for the Barbie doll. Brani, a professional fashion designer for the flesh and blood type, fell in love with the Fabulous Blonde ever since he spotted Golden Dream Barbie in a magazine. Those illustrations impressed him so that he traced the image of the golden diva on paper and gave her different hair, fashion, and color palette. Brani grew up in Bulgaria prior to the democracy and fashion dolls like Barbie were not available. In fact, Mattel’s Queen of Fashion was finally discovered in Bulgaria in the 1990s and Brani was the first who started collecting Barbie dolls in his country.

 Fashion designer Brani Mladenov's self-portrait

Brani is big fan of the designs of Anna Sui and of the endless imagination of Robert Best. Sonia Rykiel is an inspiration too as well as Karl Lagerfeld and Jean Paul Gaultier. In addition to Barbie, Brani enjoys Blythe's style, Mod couture, Fashion Royalty’s slick look, and Darrell Wallace's handmade and hand painted resin dolls.

Brani follows a feeling when he begins to design. This collection titled Vin et Pain  evokes the warm feelings of two essential staples of mankind's nourishment: bread and wine. Essential, yes. And equally luxurious. For this Dolldom exclusive feature, Barbie Basics and Barbie Fashion Model Collection models regally show off the exquisite creations of this talented young designer. Barbie and Dolldom love you, Brani.

Barbie Basics 2.0 Model Number 14 dons Brani's swimsuit cover-up. A pair of leggings and Barbie is ready for a night of disco dancing. Necklace by Joy Jarred.

The little cocktail dress as envisioned by Brani. Silkstone Spa Getaway Barbie is ready for a glass of Côtes du Rhône. Necklace by Mark G. Harris for Mode de M.

Red carpets from Cannes to Hollywood long for Brani's showstopping reinterpretation of the mermaid gown. Barbie Basics 2.0 Model 11 does justice to this classic silhouette. Necklace by Joy Jarred. 

Every woman needs a romantic gown. First edition Barbie Fashion Model Lingerie #1 is no exception. Brani's voluptuous version combines 21st century energy with a classic and refined silhouette. Jewelry by Vince Tibavido for VJT Designs.

For more information on Brani and his unique designs, visit him at any of his blogs:

Brani Mdladenov

Brani's Fashion Dolls
Brani's Blog

Whatever Happened to Lace?

Just in Time, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

Lace by Ann Sullivan welcomes you to her office furnished by Annie Morrison. Barbie Basics dress. Gloves by Liz Cole for Retros.

Back in the 1990’s, when the economic reality greatly differed from today’s, it was many a Barbie doll’s collector dream to create his or her own doll. Lace is one very special example. Handmade and hand painted by artist Ann Sullivan, Lace came to be in 1992 and was a doll ahead of her times. Made of resin, Lace was also articulated and strung (most ingeniously, we must add) at a time when articulation was not the name of the game. As a consequence, the Lace doll poses like a dream, most obviously when sitting, as her thighs and legs are separate pieces. Her head cannot only turn but also tilt.

Advertised religiously in the classifieds section of the much missed Barbie Bazaar magazine, the Lace doll was produced for a short period and is today a very hard to find beauty. For this feature, a Lace doll from the collection of make-up artist super star Wonderbilly came to Dolldom’s studio for an exclusive sitting with our photographer.

Fanfare, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr: Lace by Ann Sullivan wears a stunning picture hat by Mariann Roy and a fantasy necklace by Joy Jarred.

Lace 9, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr: A vintage tropical print cotton muumuu dress is perfect pairing for Yatabazah's luscious human hair wig.

Oracle, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr: Golden column gown by Travis Kaller gives Lace a classic feel, as if she wear an ancient icon of love and passion.

 

 Defiant, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr: Lace expresses many emotions. This is her haughty side.

 

Readers, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr: For that air of intellectualism. Glasses and pin by Mattel.

Perfect Posture, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr: Lace by Ann Sullivan wears a blue silk gown with bolero jacket by Travis Kaller. Necklace by Joy Jarred. Bracelet by Mattel.

Reveal, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr: Sans bolero, Travis Kaller's peacock blue silk gown boasts elaborate origami-style folds at the back. Necklace by Joy Jarred.

Pensive, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr: Thinking dolls rule Dolldom.

New Year Greetings

It's a new year! Let's get to work!

Coming soon to Dolldom:
Whatever Happened to Lace?, a featurette on the Lace doll by Ann Sullivan
The Biggest Girl in Town, a fun portfolio with the 29-inch Betsy McCall
Animal Behavior, a fashion spread focusing on fascinating animal prints
With Love, Brani, featuring the fabulous designs of Bulgarian artist Brani Mladenov
The Barbie Look, a feature celebrating the Barbie Doll's Bendleg Era
And many more surprises! Stay tuned!

Daisy by Jung Hee Park

Daisy!, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.
 

Daisy is the new resin ball jointed doll designed and realized by Korean artist Jung Hee Park. Having collaborated before with the exquisite Hee for a Haute Doll feature for her other sensational character, Bambola, Dolldom was aware that a wonderful creation would soon join its realm. And Daisy is everything a dollector wishes to have in a doll. Like Bambola, Daisy is an amalgam of pop references distilled into a unique entity. The doll comes dressed in a variety of fashion styles and can also exchange clothing with Takara's Licca and Blythe, making her an natural fit in may collections. But it has to be Hee's energy and essence that imbue the doll with incredible magic. Daisy feels classic and essential, like a doll you've always had in your collection. She in fact is a dream doll that finally becomes reality.

Boxes of Beauty, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Two boxes arrive containing treasures called Daisy! Daisy is the new resin BJD by Koren artist Jung Hee Park. A porcelain Myling sister sleeps all through the commotion.

Hello!, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Open box! Inside a personalized note invites the dollector to take in the moment! Carpe diem with Daisy!

Ready!, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
"Scent of Pine Needles" Daisy peeks at her new surroundings.

Free!, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Ready to head up to the nearest forest.

You too?, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
"Scent of Pine Needles" Daisy wakes up her sister from the short nap. Dolls by artist Jung Hee Park.

At Home, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
The sisters stretch their legs and take in the sight of the bay from their new home.

Tea Time, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Reminiscent of "Hey, Little Girl" fashion style, "Daisy's Tea Time" set is a winner.

Daisy!, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Dolldom chose the "default #3" face up for the  "Daisy Tea Time" set. Love the red little lips and black eyes.

Forest Dweller, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
"Scent of Pine Needles Daisy" models her Little Red Riding Hood-inspired dress with hand embroidered details. The doll glows with life.

Dear Daisy, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
"Scent of Pine Needles" Daisy doll by artist Jung Hee Park. The close-up reveals Hee's amazing face painting skills and artistry.

Winter Wonderland

Dolldom denizens of all ages, sizes, and materials gather to celebrate winter and to reflect as 2011 draws to an end. With its short days and colder weather, the season calls for warm hearts and hearths to keep chills of the skin and the soul at bay. So what to do? Give love and kindness to one and all. Then, feather your nest with ornaments of glitter and tinsel. Create a peaceful vignette with which to regale the eyes and make paper hats for the kids to wear as they play around the Christmas tree. Give the gift of a hand knit sweater to ward off the cold. And dazzle at that special soirée in a grand couture gown.

Dolldom wishes to thank all of its friends and colleagues without whom it would be impossible to enjoy life de luxe. May 2012 bring us all a world of health, peace, and prosperity!


Winter Butterfly
Mel Odom’s Gene Marshall is a stunning beauty in a gift of glamorous couture. Her friend Travis Kaller sent her this gorgeous gown by the inimitable Vince Nowell.


Noël chez Bleuette
Bleuette celebrates in classic style wearing hand knit sets by Liz Cole for Retros. The crepe paper hats, decorated with silver glitter, are also by Liz. Human hair wigs by Georgette Bravot.


Jack Frost
Here is the tiny guy who keeps nipping at one’s nose! Katarina Carlsson’s porcelain Myling wears a crown of vintage tinsel around his white mohair wig.


Silver and Gold and Everything Else
Barbie doll goes all out in her fabulous Gold Jubilee, circa 1996, designed by Carol Spencer.


Moss and Snow
Agnes and Viktor Dreary play silent games around their feather tree decorated with reindeer moss. The twins created paper hats and following Retros’ suit, decorated them with gold and black glitter.


Dead of Winter
Viktor is set for a moss and snow fight in his hand knit sweater with banana yellow skull motif by Liz Cole for Retros and his paper hat.


Make the Yule-tide Gay
Dolldom darling Gay Carrington closes the year with courageous resolution: be her own producer. Dolldom supports this groundbreaking artist in all of her endeavors.

Abominably Classic
The holiday season could not be complete without one of Dolldom’s favorite characters from the classic stop action animated special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Bumble, the abominable snow monster, has enthralled many a child who has sat scared and mesmerized by this giant ball of white plush.

New Year’s Eve
Candescence Sydney Chase wears an updated version of her friend Tyler Wentworth’s Millennium Ball blue silks gown. Dolldom friend Travis Kaller shortened the hem, decorated it with black lace, and added geometric beads to the bodice.


White Christmas
Tonner Doll Company’s beautiful tribute to the holiday classic says Christmas loud and clear. Is there a better way to enjoy a snowy eve than by singing its unforgettable tunes?

 What Child Is This?
American Character’s Betsy McCall plays with her new Myling doll by Katarina Carlsson.


She surrounds the tiny baby with her vintage wooden Italian angel figurines and tiny decorate firs. Betsy's fashion was lovingly made by Little Red Hen.


Barbie’s Winter Fantasy
A vintage American Girl Barbie doll closes this feature in the romantic Magnificence designed by Charlotte Johnson. A dream of a doll that rates high on the wish lists of many a dollector.

Betsy McCall in Doll Reader

Betsy McCall in Doll Reader, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

This month's issue of Doll Reader magazine features a fun feature on Dolldom favorite Betsy McCall in (almost) all of her incarnations - from the ever popular 8-inch size to the 30-inch toddler, Betsy does what Betsy does best in a colorful photo portfolio. In collaboration with editor Kathryn Peck, we created a calendar for 2012 in the style of the ones featured in McCall's magazine in 1962. Several dolls wear wonderful recreations of the paper doll's fashions by Little Red Hen.

Betsy in Doll Reader

Babes at Play

Bleuette joins Dolldom, finally. Much has been written about this beloved and integral character of the history of 20th century dolls, and still today, in the second decade of the 21st century, Bleuette enjoys not only being collected but also getting a fair amount of play – fashion play, of course.

Dolldom celebrates the quintessential French doll with an exclusive portfolio of photos of reproduction dolls, fashions, and original designs that evoke the sartorial sensibilities of the 1930s and 40s, as we believe that it was during this period that Bleuette looked her most charming. For Bleuette, just like the Barbie doll, is doll and muse to many talented artists who create handcrafted luxury for today’s dollector. From the luxuriant wigs of Georgette Bravot and the elegantly painted faces of Suzanne McBrayer to the fun loving and exclusive designs by Retros, antique, vintage, and current reproductions of Bleuette enjoy life de luxe within the realms of Dolldom.

Hello, World!, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

Titina by Suzanne McBrayer wears a Retros hand knit set made with vintage Italian yarn and a vintage straw hat made in pre-Castro Cuba.

Titina's Dimples, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

Titina is a Suzanne McBrayer reproduction of the SFBJ 251 Bleuette. She has two carved-in teeth, a separately molded tongue, and slate glass eyes. Human hair wig by Bravot.

Au plein soleil, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

This Geogette Bravot beauty, a reproduction of the SFBJ 301 mold, wears a Global Dolls reproduction of an original Gautier-Languereau dress. Purse reproduced by Boutique Bravot.

Bravo, Bravot!, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

From the Boutique Geogette Bravot in France comes this beauty made from a reproduction of the SFBJ 301 mold. She wears a human hair wig, also by Bravot and has matching eyelashes.

 

Travel Partner, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

A 6/0 reproduction Bleuette. The original was manufactured by the German firm Fleischmann and Blödel and was made and sold as Bleuette by Gautier-Languereau from approximately 1905 to 1914. It is marked only with a "6/0" on the neck and has no identifying mold number.

Petit Luc, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

A 6/0 reproduction by Suzanne McBrayer in a light blond wig by Bravot.

Afternoon Melody, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

A very fine reproduction Bleuette, SFBJ 301 model. She is 29 cm tall, to emulate the later model that was made from 1936-1939. This doll was made by Raven Dolls in Seattle, WA with an amazing eye for patina and the feel of age, even her eyes are antique French paperweights. She is on Janice Naibert composition fully jointed body.

Abuela, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

My maternal grandmother, Belén, looks delighted at this unintended tribute to her joyful character. Reproduction Bleuette by Raven Dolls.

My New Sweater, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

By godmommy Liz Cole for Retros. Luc human hair wig by Bravot.

Wild Thing, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

In Liz Cole's hand knit set, a Bleuette 6/0 reproduction is ready to stir things up in the nursery.

Coquetilla, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

Le plaisir de jouer. Bleuette vous invite. Retros dress by Liz Cole. Bleuette SFBJ 301 by Boutique Bravot.

Future Movie Star, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
A Bravot SFBJ 301 Bleuette is all glamour in her human hair flip wig, also by Bravot, and her Retros dress.

To learn more about Bleuette visit Martha Waterman Nichol’s excellent tribute to Bleuette.

Multiplication, a photo by ernestopadrocampos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
One, two, buckle my shoe...three, four, Bleuette fest.