Investing in Character: Musings on Anna Egorova's Alexander

Dollectors run the whole gamut - from play line to antique. “Why collect?” seems to be the question those who do not tend to ask those of us who do. And the wealth of answers would fill a tome or two. For collecting dolls is a highly personal endeavor that, as times goes by, changes with our evolving perspective on life. Dolls accompany us on our journey and, for many, provide not only aesthetic delight but also solace from the challenges of existence. And that, dear readers, could be a fine definition of the concept of relationship. Our dolls, ourselves, says the motto under the title of this blog. We are our dolls.

With such a concept in mind, this 1st of September 2026 entry focuses on character as the defining quality of a doll’s creation. Increasingly, our editors tend to gravitate to the doll for its potential to express spirit, disposition, temperament - all ingredients associated with personality and individuality.

When Dolldom first met Anna Egorova’s Alexander Version 1, a reflection on character began. Alexander is a 1:4th scale ball jointed doll created to supplement what to her was a limited range of coded-as-made BJDs that “didn’t fully reflect the possibilities of expressing male characters.” Egorova wanted to explore that gap and express her own vision while capturing certain aspects of masculine beauty as she understood them. Alexander is not a doll that seeks fashion to fully become, but rather a presence capable of eliciting storytelling while wearing a simple pair of pants, his feet bare and his hands positioned as if in action to enhance further the realism of Egorova’s sculpting. It seems impossible to look at Alexander’s different face plates and not wonder: “Who are these guys?”

Being in the presence of Alexander will provide ongoing opportunities for studying the sculpt and the question of what makes us human – not unlike when one is deep in thought in a philosophical excursion with a good book. Alexander is an entity; he has a tale of despair and survival and another of inspiration and salvation, both for you to discover as you engage with him.

Egorova has re-opened the opportunity to pre-order Alexander V.2, offering to those interested the principal role in the definition of his character by choosing from a selection of three face plates, three wig styles, three different resin tones, a myriad eye colors, and the option of a blank or a hand painted doll.

This entry celebrates character – Alexander style – and invites you, dear reader, to figure out who these souls are, what their names are, what their passions are, what their joys as well as their despairs are. Intentionally photographed wearing the same style and almost in the same exact position, the focus of your attention becomes the essence, the substance, the individuality of each countenance. Once you give them a name (or they suggest it to you), they will become.

For more information as well as to order your own Alexander V.2, visit Egorova’s website as well as her Instagram feed.

Credits:

Coat and turtleneck by Chewin Doll (made to fit Numina Doll coded as male dolls)

Shorts by Shantommo 

Which Alexander are you? 

Bananarama

When costume designer Bob Mackie regaled the Barbie doll with his sequins and rhinestones extravaganza, Mattel’s star was hanging out with the likes of Cher and Diana Ross. In the past were the days of Charlotte Johnson’s Parisian couture aspirations as well as the years of disco wear, and Barbie, now a de facto collectible, was donning Bob Mackie goddess wear, lavishly adorned with lots of beads and embroidery. The line was hugely popular and maintained an aura of fabulosity for almost 32 years.

Fast forward to 2026 and Atomic Lab redefines the concept of glam-bang superstar couture worthy of a queen, in this case the queen being the queen herself, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 winner Nymphia Wind.

Atomic Lab, under the direction of designer Jason Wu, has achieved a level of design and production elevation with "Banana Extravaganza" that makes it hard to believe that the 500 created were offered for a fraction of what a comparable OOAK creation by an independent creator would have cost.

A miniaturized version of a look worn by Nymphia Wind on the last episode before her coronation, the gown is beautifully and ingeniously constructed allowing for easy undressing and redressing with three ultra-discreet silver tone snap closures in the back. The bodice is a veritable work of art that combined with her enveloping skirt boasts 1,000 hand applied crystals. To add more glitz, the doll features 18K gold plated drop earrings and a rhinestone choker necklace.

Banana Extravaganza’s sculpt captures the beauty of Nymphia Wind and the Glam-Flex 2.0 body provides queen-like realistic posing in beautifully rendered matte vinyl. Rooted and curled eyelashes, high impact face-up (a vividly vivacious yellow palette with a touch of glittery brilliance) and an up-do in variegated yellow Saran replicate the artist’s unique aesthetic. And there’s more! Banana Extravaganza also comes with three separate set of hands – one extra set in yellow with applied stones for the gloves and two sets of hands and a pair of flat feet in flesh tone. Translation: I’m ready to play Eleganza Extravaganza! And that is what this exclusive portfolio aims to record!

Dolldom welcomed Nymphia Wind to its studios to celebrate the fact that this inspiring drag queen is also reigning queen of high-quality fashion dolls.

A vintage Miss Fashion dress, made in Hong Kong, was a delight for Nymphia to model. Yellow and gold and vintage – oh, yes!

Integrity Toy’s Fashion Royalty "Faces of Adele" gift set's high-voltage fuchsia gown produces a fab contrast with Nymphia’s yellow hairstyle.

"Le Nouveau Théâtre de la Mode" Barbie by BillyBoy*! 

Nymphia expressed interest in BillyBoy*-style for Barbie and quoted Fran New’s blog The Fashion Studies Journal stating that “Billy Boy became the first designer and queer person to have their name on the packaging of a Barbie doll” and twice! Nymphya loves the chunky gold Surreal Bijoux-like jewelry! 

“Voilà, Instant Asian Elegance!”  - Franklin Lim-Liao 

Nymphia was mighty proud to model a brocaded silk two-piece dress by the one and only Franklin Lim-Liao, Barbie doll designer extraordinaire and drag performer phenomenal!

Flower Bomb dress by Bestiaire Doll by Jeanphilippe Primeau, maker of the Aliocha doll gave Nymphia the feeling of floating on petals!

Back to the 80’s! A second BillyBoy* moment for Nymphia Wind in the designer’s "Feeling Groovy" fabulosity! Yeah, let’s all feel groovy!

Finale...

XClusively RND’s “J’adore” gown from the ICONIC Fashion Collection #6 proves that Nymphia is a true fashion icon! Yeah, queen, slay the competition!

Atomic Lab

Nymphia Wind

Silver Jubilee

 It's a special date - PetWORKs' momoko doll's birthday or anniversary and Dolldom is ready to celebrate this unique beauty from Japan as this year is momoko's 25th. 

Enjoy this special photo portfolio featuring dolls from across the years! 

Here's to many more, momoko!

PetWORKs Global

High Standards

It’s said that change is the only constant in this ever-transforming experience that some of us call human.  Like Cher and Sonny used to sing: “The beat goes on...”

The fashion doll arena reflects change not only in the way that it presents current styles and ideals of beauty but in the way dolls are manufactured, presented, and offered to dollectors. 

At the turn of the 20th century, Mattel surprised dollectors with the introduction of the Barbie Fashion Model Collection, a new line that featured dolls made with the vintage face sculpt and a new body made of Silkstone that came in frozen poses that beautifully communicated the dynamic posing and strutting of fashion models on the catwalk. Beautiful textiles abounded as well as delicate metal jewelry: earrings with rhinestones, white enameled bracelets, chain belts with charms... It was moment for redirection at Mattel and an elevation of the manufacture of Barbie doll. But this apex of quality had its end. And we will leave it at that. 

Luckily, new companies keep the dream of fashion doll beauty alive. At the helm of this new gen of doll lines is DEFA Lucy LTD, a company that since its first offerings has not ceased to impress and delight with a unique design perspective,  gorgeously produced luxurious dolls and au courant fashions at a friendly price point.

This August 2026 entry celebrates the continuing attainment of high standards in design and production with DEFA Lucy Paris No. 04 a pitch-perfect manifestation of quality and style merging ever so flawlessly, proving that doll companies can produce dressed dolls with high quality fabrics, metal jewelry, artistically sculptured articulated bodies, and highly detailed face-ups. Behold a doll that is the opposite of an amalgam of different types of plastic and a face-up of decals.

Moreover, DEFA Lucy Collector understands the concept of fashion play and produces separate garments so dollectors may curate a wardrobe that is not only chic but exquisitely made, as this photo portfolio of Paris No. 04 wishes to illustrate.

Kudos to DEFA Lucy for demonstrating that quality, attention to detail and high standards in production can still be attained in fashion doll manufacture. Dolldom’s immense gratitude goes to Rudi Teruel of RND Dolls for making the acquisition of this doll possible as well as for his generosity of spirit in all matters related to doll collecting.

Now, let's fly to Paris with DEFA Lucy No. 04!

J'aime Paris et mon quatrième arrondissement. 

Le matin était un peu froid, mais...by afternoon, le soleil felt so good on the skin...

Chic = understated elegance

Mix-and-match to your hearts’ content with Defa Lucy LTD.

DEFA Lucy Paris No. 04 enjoys modeling... a little Maison Margiela perhaps...merci, R&D Dolls for creating this emerald green wonder first worn by Zendaya at the 2024 Met Gala.

DEFA Lucy LTD