Soul Searching

What to be? Who to become? Do we even have the freedom to decide? Or is it destiny? Essential questions with which many - if not all fashion dolls- have to struggle. Am I the identity that was adjudicated at the moment of sketch or do I enjoy the freedom to seek my own? Katana by Superdoll came to Dolldom with her existential dilemma and we were all happy to support. For you see, Katana is a high fashion doll. A modern high fashion doll. And as much as Dolldom loves high fashion, we tend to move away from modern and edgy. So Katana, a beautifully arresting sculpt with a nose bridge of hyperbolic length, exquisitely deep philtrum, and seductive slanted eyes, embarked on a journey of soul searching. Who am I?




In Retros' Hawaiiana jumpsuit with palazzo pants, Katana starts to connect with her vintage self. Necklace by VJT Designs.


Perhaps a more mysterious approach in electric blue (also by Retros) will suit her silvery braided tresses better?


Katana is still not convinced. She poses beautifully, though, in the midst of her conundrum.

Country music maven? The Retros' day dress is surely unique, but is it really Katana? Necklace by Joy Jarred.

 
Who am I? Really, qui suis-je?

Perhaps a late 1960's fashion plate in Retros' salmon and gold brocade? Breathtaking she is, but still not her true self.


Reflecting. Delving deeply into her being to find her essence.

Et voilà.

In a stroke of genius, Katana slips into Superdoll's black-as-night silk satin separates and JAMIEshow's black sunglasses.


Katana becomes Tante Katana, beloved aunt to Viktor and Agnes Dreary.


Now the children of Dreary Manor finally have proper guidance in important subjects like self realization and fashion.
But something tells us that Katana will continue her search, perhaps after realizing the potential of hair play...

On The Town

On the town, tonight. An elegant town. With elegant folk. Dolldom remembers the days when mothers and fathers would leave the suburban ranch all decked-out for a night on the town!

To bask in the soft glow of such sweet memories, Dolldom features a most scintillating fashion: On The Town, designed by New York City's Fashion Institute of Technology founders Jay E. Watkins and Edward Roberts for Marx and Co.'s Miss Seventeen doll.



As fashion doll scholar Beauregard Houston Montgomery writes in his not-to-be-missed tome Designer Fashion Dolls (Hobby House Press, 1999): "Though herself poorly executed, Miss Seventeen is ravishingly redeemed by her brillinatly conceived wardrobe."

Imagine then what occurs when a superbly executed doll like JAMIEshow's J'adore Gene does the modeling? Fireworks. Created by fashion maven Liz Cole for Retros, this unabashedly vintage fashion is all dramour!
dram  our
dramər/
noun
 1. the exquisite and rare libation born of drama and glamour that makes certain people special.

Enjoy!

À Versailles

Legendary star Gene Marshall's love affair with Versailles began in 1952 when the beautiful actress visited the palace to support its restoration in a Timothy Alberts' design. Here's the full storyline, as it appeared in Motion Picture magazine:

"Helen of Troy's face may have launched a thousand ships. But a single tear from Gene Marshall's glorious blue eyes helped restore the greatest treasure of France -- The Palace of Versailles.

In 1952 a movement began to restore Versailles. Gene, in France on location for her film PARIS MOON, was invited to an evening gala at Versailles to help raise funds to restore the Sun King's fabulous palace. The dazzling Hall of Mirrors once again played host to France's greatest political, cultural and social leaders. Despite the gentle light from the candelabras, Gene was stricken to see Versailles, the symbol of France's power, glorious history and prestige, slumbering in derelict obscurity. Only ghosts abided here, their music and laughter unheard, the vestiges of royal splendor lying forgotten and faded in its decline. A silver tear traced its way down Gene's flawless cheek at the sight of such sovereign magnificence lying in mournful ruin. A distinguished man, deeply moved by the lovely actresses distress, touched her face with a fingertip. "Upon this tear shall Versailles be rebuilt," promised Charles De Gaulle. The next year the restoration of Versailles began.

Gene's gown is a tribute to the resplendent fashions of Louis XVI's glittering court, Her royal purple satin gown is embroidered with roses and exquisite beadwork. Elbow length gloves, stole, sparkling jewelry, and a silver snood complete the romantic ensemble."

In this late January entry, Dolldom revisits the magic of a night at Versailles with an exclusive portfolio of the iconic purple gown, worn by the original issue model as well as by the new and sophisticated resin version produced by JAMIEshow. To add the proverbial cherry to the top of the sundae, two evocative Tonner Doll Company's Déjà Vu fashions enrich this photo fantasy.





A Night at Versailles - the face of Gene Marshall, circa 1995.


Qui est la princesse?

JAMIEshow's Phoenix does the honors this time.




The face of Miss Marshall, circa 2013.


A day in the court calls for careful fashion selections. Tonner Doll Company's Ma Petite Rose fashion is a wise choice.

Be it with a blonde or a titian wig by Ilaria Mazonni of Time of Doll, Ma Petite Rose is en enchanting confection. J'adore Gene by JAMIEshow is delicious in pink.



La vie à Versailles, vous-dites?



A brown and blue iridescent taffeta frock with gold and sequin beaded trim is sure to impress. Tonner Doll Company's La Vie à Versailles is a veritable period piece.  Wigs by Ilaria Mazonni for Time of Doll.

Note to readers:
The fit of Tonner Doll Company's fashions is not perfect on the Gene Marshall doll as the body dimensions differ. No alterations were done to the fashions in these photos.

Breaking Bad

The fun of a redress. Dolldom and bona fide dollectors live for the thrill of seeing a beloved doll transform.



Benefiting from the rich offerings in the market, Dolldom mixes and matches lines and dolls and comes up with a what-if-fantasy. What if instead of Marylin, Miss Gene Marshall had starred in the film classic Niagara?

Our wardrobe department spotted Tonner Doll's "The Problem with Rose" fashion and immediately acquired it. To go against the expected type, Mel Odom's White Orchid Gene, produced by Jamieshow,  plays the title role of Rose Loomis. And Miss Marshall is 100% bad girl in a brown bob by Ilaria Mazzoni for Time of Doll.  Boom! The screen explodes. Gene is a smoldering presence. And with a beauty mark to boot! "Neat As A Pin" Trent Osborn was captivated enough to miss his lines more than once. Who can blame him!