Sunday, May 28, 2023

Glamazons

Sydney Chase lives! And why wouldn't she? One of Robert Tonner's most unforgettable sculpts is now a part of Virtual Doll Convention as Grace Marie Fitzpatrick. And what a presence she is in a fashion doll collection!

Using the RTB-101 body sculpt originated by Phyn & Aero's Wonder Woman doll, Grace is a joy to pose and, of course, to have as a model. Created in small editions, Grace is to date, the only vinyl doll in the 1/4 scale being manufactured, with the exception Ellowyne Wilde and her friend Neema. 

VDC is getting ready to offer two new versions of Grace: Amazing Grace Natural and Amazing Grace Glamor. Dolldom's editors lovingly named them "The Glamazons": "Glamazon Daytime" and "Glamazon Nighttime" given their very different face-up designs. 

Created in editions of only 200 per look, Amazing Grace will be a quick sell-out, thus joining VDC's TonnerFest coming up on June 9, is advisable if on the market for a Grace doll. 











Saturday, May 27, 2023

Bouquets

The concept of having just one doll - one fashion doll - that is regaled every month with a new fashion set is not new when we look back at the history of the fashion doll, but these days it is indeed rare. Why? Doll companies profit more readily from selling a dressed doll than by offering separate outfits. As much as we all love the utter beauty of the varying make-up and hairstyle schemes to create a total look, what would such an experiment in limited collecting feel like? It's 1960 and your #3 Barbie has a case full of Charlotte Johnson's designs... you play away...

Rachel Hoffman of Virtual Doll Convention is keeping the concept alive at a time when the production of 1/4 scale vinyl dolls seems to have come to a halt. Her Grace Marie Fitzpatrick doll, designed and produced by R. Tonner Design epitomizes the concept perfectly. Introduced in 2021, Grace is the reincarnation of Tonner's Sydney Chase sculpt on his RTB-101 body created for his Wonder Woman doll. Such combination produces a new doll with a more naturally proportioned body. With only two issues created as dressed dolls and only four issues of basic ones (two more coming up soon), what are these dolls to wear? Hoffman to the rescue with a subscription program that offers a monthly full fashion set. In addition, Hoffman offers a myriad add-on choices such as shoes, lingerie, hosiery, hats, jewelry and wigs. 

For May 2023, the theme is flower gathering and the look could be more perfect for its design and well as for the quality of materials and execution. 


"Flower Festival" was designed by Diana Vining. Grace's vibrantly printed dress, created to evoke the voluptuousness of petals, features a mini dress with coquettish overskirt while gathered flounces hem the sweetheart neckline. If collectors of VDC's Grace Marie Fitzpatrick ever wanted a dress to spell springtime, this one is it! And the fit is utter perfection with metal snap closures in the back and a halter top.




"A-Tisket-a-Tasket"
A yellow-handled basket! VDC's May 2023 offering is perfectly accessorized with a straw purse that reminds us that summer is not far away. This perfectly practical purse for gathering blooms secures in the front with a leatherette and golden medallion closure. Designed for VDC by Diana Vining.


"Clearly You"
Grace’s feet will enjoy the stylish freedom of her new and ever-so-sexy clear vinyl high heels. This wonderfully modern take on the dress sandal features a classic stiletto heel and a transparent vinyl strap in your choice of red, blue, pink, or beige that will keep everyone doing a double take! The inside sole is imprinted with the VDC Grace Boutique logo. These sandals will accessorize so many of Grace's previous looks too - a real gem of a shoe.

In addition to the subscription boxes, Hoffman also offers ultra-limited editions of fashions designed and sewn by Brian Hopper. These heirlooms also come accessorized with jewelry, purses, or hats and fit like the proverbial glove.





"Unadulterated Glamour"
Brian Hopper does it again! Grace and any of her RTB-101 bodied friends will enjoy modeling this new ultra-limited-edition. A jacket and dress styled in extraordinary vintage style boasts a 3/4 sleeve jackets and a strapless bodice that opens into an exuberant full circle skirt. The print is playfully elegant depicting vintage style umbrellas. Fully lined and executed with the precision collectors have to come to expect from a Brian Hopper creation. Simply stupendous.

For more information on Grace or to sign up for any of VDC's events such as the upcoming TonnerFest visit Grace's Boutique






Sunday, April 30, 2023

Bogue, Bogue, Bogue!

 When the Barbie Fashion Model Collection debuted, collectors were thunderstruck by the level of quality and attention to detail that defined the line. Robert Best's elevated approach referenced vintage Barbie style while allowing the BFMC dolls to be original and fresh and to be a source of inspiration for play and for creation. 

James Bogue of Bogue's Vogue's is to this day, Dolldom's favorite independent designer for the now iconic BFMC line. In 2003, Dolldom was very lucky to profile his work in a feature in Barbie Bazaar magazine. (Do you remember paper magazines?)

For this end of April entry, Dolldom celebrates the unique style and vision of Bogue's Vogues, reprinting the story and featuring a new set of images. 

"21st century chic: Barbie models Bogue’s Vogues Designs"

Text, photos, and styling by © 2003 Ernesto Padró-Campos 

The French Provincial atelier is booming with activity. In the background, Ella sings Cole Porter like no one else can. Bouquets of Calla lilies, coral roses, and tuberose scent the air already charged with the excitement that only the visit from a fashion icon can generate. In his pewter silk moiré bergère, James Bogue, tall, blonde, and distinguished, awaits the arrival of his long time muse. 

“My source of inspiration in creating Bogue's Vogues is, as it has always been, Barbie herself. When Barbie returned to the world of high fashion with the Barbie Fashion Model line, that inspiration was renewed. Her elegant and very stylized countenance along with her modern model’s attitude make me feel like Barbie has reached her zenith. She is a 21st century idol who dreams of mid-20th century sartorial sensibilities; a modern woman who wears only the most inspired, perfectly handcrafted, and truly elegant designs, regardless of what the current fashion capers decree,”states this Texan for whom no detail on a dress, cape, or hat is ever overlooked. “My style as a designer is classic, I'd say my greatest strength is to underplay the look, as being overdressed is like putting a gaudy frame on a beautiful painting,” he ads with a smile. “The process for Bogue's Vogues begins in the imagination, the idea can be daytime, evening, or cocktail wear, then it moves onto fabric selection and the basic construction of the garment, and culminates with the finishing details which more often than not end as something very different from the initial idea, almost as if the design took on a personality of its own. The crowning glory for a look is of course, the hat. Change the hat and you change the attitude, the tone, the intention.” These are clearly the musings of an artist who lives through his art and dives into the challenges as well as the glory of his craft, all the while understating the architectural qualities of his designs as well as the exactitude of his cut. 

Suddenly, the long awaited presence of la divina materializes. Now expert couturier and iconic model can take delight in his latest creations. This ultra sophisticated collection reiterates the same affinity for understatement, handcrafting, and subtle coquetterie. The hair is coifed to follow the natural shape of the head and to accept the scarf, hat, or feathered cap that will take the whole look into the stratosphere of stupendous design. 

Welcome to 21st century chic, welcome to Bogue’s Vogues.



















Saturday, April 29, 2023

¿Y los ojos?

"-A ella se le ve que algo raro tiene, que no es una mujer como todas.
Parece muy joven, de unos veinticinco años cuanto más, una carita un poco de gata, la nariz chica, respingada, el corte de cara es... más redondo que ovalado, la frente ancha, los cachetes también grandes pero que después se van para abajo en punta, como los gatos.
-¿Y los ojos?
-Claros, casi seguro que verdes, los entrecierra para dibujar mejor."

El beso de la mujer araña de Miguel Puig

To accompany the beginning passage of Puig's groundbreaking novel, D.A.E's "Dressing for Dinner" Vivian models the quintessential black dress from D.A.E.'s "Perfume Hunting", cut to perfection and executed with flawless precision. That's all that Vivian needs along with her wig by Time of Doll, and subtle turquoise accents to portray the movie heroine of Molina's narration. 








Saturday, April 22, 2023

Ain't There Anyone Here for Love?

 The film classic Gentlemen Prefer Blondes has very few moments that do not qualify as exemplary moviemaking. One such scene is "Ain't There Anyone Here for Love?" in which Jane Russell steals the show. Surrounded by a bevy of brawny athletes, Russell reigns supreme as the strongest of them all in her black jumpsuit and flared jacket. 

The unforgettable get-up, along with s second outfit from the movie were recently reproduced by D.A.E Originals for a very special and ultra limited Vivian the Miniquin doll and are currently available exclusively from Happily Ever After

Dolldom is happy to feature D.A.E's Vivian and Monty re-enacting some of the key moments of this most unforgettable musical number and movie. Vivian sports a vivid face-up and wig designed to channel Russell's amazing style. A brunette "Modern Dandy" Monty in a Chewin wig and orange square cut provides the beefcake. 

For more information on Vivian visit Happily Ever After. Monty may be found at D.A.E Originals' site.










Sunday, April 2, 2023

Le Petit Prince: Sparkling Edition

Dolldom welcomes April with a little bit of fancy: Jupiter by Menagerie's MarmiteSue in another exquisitely conceived and executed fashion by ValeyofDolls. Titled "Sparkling Little Prince", the elegant set made of a luxe Lurex fabric with silk satin lining gives off a spacey royal vibe. 







Resources for readers:

ValeyofDolls on Etsy

Wig by Chewin Doll

Jupiter by MarmiteSue



Saturday, March 11, 2023

Cool Blue

At the beginning of the 21st century, a beautifully creative collaboration between Tonner Doll Company and Reverie Publishing began: High Style magazine.  Each issue featured exclusive photography and stories, and, most delightfully, accompanied a limited edition doll from Tonner's Tyler Wentworth line. For the debut issue 20 years ago, 2003's High Style, published by Thomas Farrell and Krystyna Goddu, spotlighted a blonde goddess in an ice blue gown fit for a James Bond movie! And who else but Sydney Chase


With an asymmetrical Sassoon-style platinum bob, blue eyes (a first for Miss Chase), and her wildly popular pout in deep rose, Sydney wore a silk and Lurex long sleeved gown with a boat neck collar and a glimmering fishtail skirt, cut on the bias. But what made (and makes) this gem of design grand are the expertly achieved cut-outs at the sides of the bodice that gather at front center in an illusion knot embroidered with ice blue bugle beads. The look was daringly sexy, proud of its sparkling blueness, and strong. Not every 20 year-old gown can claim to be ready for any red-carpet event today, but 2003 High Style magazine's, in our opinion, does.

Dolldom was very lucky to be part of High Style and produced, in harmonious collaboration with Goddu, many features celebrating the world of Robert Tonner's Tyler Wentworth

Today, we celebrate High Style Sydney with yet another exclusive portfolio. This time, though, the delight with which we undertake this feature is even more, for as time passes, one cannot but idealize further what was a pretty ideal time in fashion doll collecting, when in-person trade and doll shows abounded, when photography was still made with Velvia 50 slide film, when the quality in doll making made it evident that the sky was the limit. 

Here's to High Style magazine in all of its fabulousness. Here's to Sydney Chase in all of her eternal mystique. Here's to the power of fashion doll play.