The Song

A song can most definitely be a tonic for the soul. It is at times of fatigue (both physical as well as existential) that a song can bring much needed solace or an energizing mood boost.

Tonner Doll Company's complex Déjà Vu line (circa 2013) presented a singer by the name of Judy Watson (one of several reincarnations of the same soul) to evoke the fashion essence of the 1950s. It seems difficult to read the name Judy being associated with music and not think of the exemplary Judy Garland. Though the doll's look is not an homage to the quintessential soul denuder, Dolldom seized the opportunity to pay tribute.

In this Dolldom exclusive, Judy Watson sings her heart out just like her namesake did, always aiming to express the purest emotions that the human heart can feel in fashions created by another force of nature - LizRetros- whose vision of beauty and glamour is ever so divinely original. Bogue's Vogues, the undeniable icon of fashion doll design also joins in the fun, as well as groundbreaking Byanca of Houston. A Gerry Broerman take on a Théâtre de la Mode classic also makes an encore appearance.

Judy sings "For Me and My Guy" in a LizRetros flocked bloom dress. 

"Building the Yellow Brick Road" was one of Judy Watson's biggest hits. So is this beaded LizRetros wonder. 

In a Gerry Broerman interpretation of a Théâtre de la Mode design by Maggy Rouff, Judy debuted "Il'l Go on Singing".

Bogue's Vogues regaled Judy with one of its iconic designs for her show at The Palladium where she moved the audience to tears with her emotional rendition of "Being Myself".

At the same show in San Francisco, Judy wore this LizRetros fab suit to sing "Meet Me by the Rainbow" 

Byanca of Houston's sensational and figure-defining fashion has been worn by many famous personalities such as Madra Lord, but it was Judy who, while singing "The Ferry Song", turned it into a sensation. 

LizRetros' take on the Barbie doll's "Mood for Music" gave Judy's "Bring on the Rain; I'll Always Shine" the very best accompaniment. 

During one of her London shows at The Talk of the Town, Judy wore LizRetros' iconic Lurex dress and revealed not only her left leg but also her heart singing "The Soul Next Door". 

Judy closed one of her performances at Carnegie Hall in LizRetros' leopard gown and brought the house down with "The Man I Sent Away". Necklace by Exsyntrik on Etsy. 

The Jackpot Question: What Are You Wearing New Year's Eve?

Before the year 2024 exits, Dolldom regales its readers with one last entry featuring six models (all by Integrity Toys) dressed to welcome a new year in fashions that would have been the apex of style at their moment in time. This New Year's Eve party celebrates glamour as defined in the 1940s, the 1950's and the 1960s.

Dolldom wishes its readers health, serenity, and engagement in childlike play. 

Gene Marshall by Mel Odom in East 59th. Hat by James Bogue for Bogue's Vogues. 

Victoire Roux in her own design. 

"Kicky" Poppy Parker in her own design. 

"Big Eyes" Poppy Parker in her own design.

"Hold That Tiger" Poppy Parker in her own design. Necklace by Ecxynticx on Etsy. 

"She's Not There" Poppy Parker in her own design. 

May all your wishes come true in 2025! 

Winter Love

Nothing like cooler (colder) weather to get dollectors in the mood for play. As winter progresses and the days grow shorter and our dwelling spaces are aglow with tiny lights, dolls wanting to be part of festive displays may be regaled with new togs to wear this winter season. Inspired by this idea, Dolldom profiles the work of Julian Kalinowski and his latest line of exclusive fashions offered to dollectors on his current Lilli Lalka dolls.

To celebrate the holidays, dolls created by Kalinowski since 2013 proudly model these sensational fashions that take us back to the days of Japanese and even Sears' Wishbook exclusive designs.

Dolldom wishes all its readers love, peace, and health and, most importantly, everlasting child-like wonderment.

To inquire about Lilli Lalka and Kalinwoski's work, visit his store.

Let's Swirl

Introduced in 1964, the Swirl Barbie doll presented a sleeker version of the previous ponytail style by replacing the curly bangs with a band of hair brushed to the right side of the doll's face. The shorter ponytail was curled at the ends in a single swoop and finished with a yellow ribbon, attached with a bobby pin.

The Swirl Barbie doll was an expression of elegance at a time when Mattel was also presenting Fashion Queen Barbie and Miss Barbie, dolls that introduced the concept of wig play to the Barbie doll line. By 1965, the Swirl Barbie doll became the American Girl and one wonders what factors propelled the shorter production cycle. Difficulty in creating the style? Popularity? Or the desire to keep Barbie's first sculpt reflecting the rapid pace of fashion?

Dolldom appreciates Mattel's decision to celebrate the Swirl Barbie doll with a Silkstone reproduction on the 60th anniversary. Dressed in "Black Magic" ensemble (stock number 1609) and sporting platinum white hair, the reproduction doll also has a beautiful face-up palette with soft pink lips, still found today on some surviving samples, although most vintage dolls have lipstick that has aged to milky white fabulousness.

Doll restorer and styling magician Bobby Taylor, director of the ever busy Pink Bubbles Doll Spa, reflected on this unique look of the vintage platinum Swirl Barbie and decided to impart the same aura of sophistication to the reproduction of a client. Dolldom was captivated by the idea and kindly asked Mr. Taylor to execute it for this first entry of December 2024. Mr. Taylor also styled the reproduction doll's hairstyle to the standards of the vintage counterpart as the current iteration's hair was lacking precision in its realization. Dolldom thanks Mr. Taylor once again for sharing his immense talent.

For fashions, Dolldom selected utterly glamorous fashions in a palette of blue by Marirose, Tania Lawrence, Sylvia Campbell, and Julian Kalinowski to compliment the icy gorgeousness of this beautiful evocation of early Barbie doll style.

Sylvia Campbell 

Julian Kalinowski

Tania Lawrence

Marirose

Pink Bubbles Doll Spa

Marirose Designs

Julian Kalinowski

Sylvia Campbell

Tania Lawrence

Rie-chan's Song

Flight attendant Rie-chan is Licca-chan's sister and was introduced by Takara in 1972 with a storyline that is as rich as the doll's fashion style.

The websites Barbgirl and Cutiedolls mention Rie-chan reuniting with her mother Orie on a plane as the latter was on her way to a fashion design competition in Paris. Orie, suddenly not feeling well, was attended by Rie-chan whose specifically placed beauty mark quickly brought memories to Orie and the realization that the kind flight attendant was indeed her daughter. A storyline not unlike one enjoyed in a telenovela.

Early advertisements by Takara show Rie-chan's professional wardrobe options along with her younger sister following her footsteps. Others offer a colorful variety of dresses and gowns that capture the fun vibe of early 1970's fashion. But the ad that captures the joyful repercussion of the chance encounter on an airplane to Paris shows both Orie and younger daughter, Licca-chan together with Rie-chan. A happy family reunited at last.

Rie-chan's availability on the market was brief, from 1972-1974. Barbgirl conjectures that Takara reconsidered how the dramatic reunion would lead to questions as to why the daughter and mother had been separated for a considerable period. The same ambiguity that created the drama was perhaps the cause of Rie-chan's disappearance from the market. Ironically, the character's unexplained departure left dollectors in the same situation as her mother Orie had been prior to the coincidental meeting.

Dolldom wishes to play at extending Rie-chan's story and offers a photo portfolio showing the beautiful young woman, whose eyes are as full of dreams and illusions as ever, as a famous singer wearing a unique array of dresses designed for the Blythe doll (with whom Rie shares body dimensions) by the sensational Endangered Sissy.

Rie-chan is now free to sing melodies of love harmonious, of familial bonds, and of understanding one's role in the story written by fate.

Dolldom thanks Endangered Sissy and Pink Bubbles Doll Spa for making Rie-chan shine.