With the success of Amazon Prime's fabulous The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, interest in 1950s fashion style was inevitable. The shows heroine is, after all, a fashion plate of the iconic kind in costumes designed by über talented Donna Kakowska.
Dolldom's editors enjoy and recommend the show not only for its storyline and excellent acting (Rachel Brosnahan is tops!) but also for its connections to one of their much beloved characters: the captivating 18-inch Kitty Collier by Tonner Doll Company. Who knew that, 17 years after her introduction, her fashion style would be evoked in a hit show?
"In a make-believe time and place, Kitty opens up her dress shop, which boasts the most beautiful clothing and accessories. Always the height of elegance, Kitty wears her highly detailed ensembles with great feminine flair. In 2000, Kitty Collier™ made her debut, marching onto the fashion doll scene as an unprecedented 18” full vinyl fashion doll with a vintage touch, bringing a breath of fresh air to collectors everywhere." - Tonner Doll Company catalog, 2000
No fashion doll collector can deny that Robert Tonner has given collectors dolls of amazing beauty and the 18-inch Kitty Collier embodies his creative integrity. Meant to portray the idealized beauty of mid-century American fashion design, the Kitty Collier line offered very high standards of manufacture at a very inviting price point. Kitty Collier's sculpt is based on Mr. Tonner's limited and much more expensive porcelain Decades of Fashion line from 1996. Yet, the inset eyes give the vinyl Kitty Collier undeniable depth of emotion.
The company allowed Kitty, so reminiscent of vintage grande dames such as Ideal's Revlon and American Character's Fashion Toni, to remain relatively unencumbered by a complex storyline, inviting collectors to build their own, pretty much in the same way that Ruth Handler did with Mattel's Barbie doll. The line was discontinued after 2006, but in retrospect, Kitty Collier stands proudly elegant amongst the plethora of fashions dolls created during the renaissance of the fashion doll ushered by Mel Odom's dreamy Gene Marshall and Mr. Tonner's own Tyler Wentworth.
Here's to marvelous Midge and captivating Kitty!
The Golden Hour
"Cocktails at Five" from 2000 and "Grand Occasion" from 2006 illustrate the powerful glamour of gold brocade.
Not a Cloud in the Sky
"My Blue Heaven" from 2001 could be taken out of a Douglas Sirk movie.
Homage
"Enchantée's" navy blue organza and satin cocktail ensemble is reminiscent of Barbie's "Dinner at Eight".
Début
"Lilac Cotillion" is tour de force in doll making. Fabric, draping, face-up all combine in a perfect total look offering.
On the Avenue!
"Fifth Avenue" is another perfect example of a total look offering, this time in a luxurious bouclé. The wool dress and coat set is from 2002.
Ladies Who Lunch "Park Avenue's" sober charcoal suit with plumed chapeau is a perfect counterpoint to "Lunch at the Ritz's" hot pink wool tailleur. Both are from 2003
Jungle Red!
"Shopping Chic" is a classic red velvet coat with animal print collar and cuffs from 2000. An iconic look for an iconic doll.
Seeing Red
Kitty Collier makes a grand entrance in "Scarlett Glamour's" figure-hugging red velvet gown from 2001.
Champagne Bubble
The red bubble dress contained in the exclusive and very limited FAO Schwarz from 2002 is an unforgettably flirtatious confection.
A Rose Is...
Evoking a fragrant rose garden, "Parfait Promenade" from 2002 is quintessential Kitty Collier style.
American Classic
The ultrachic "American Beauty" is inspired by a Norman Norrell design.
Bon Voyage
A traveling suit of inimitable elegance, "First Class" established Kitty Collier as major fashion plate.
For more on The Marvelous Mrs' Maisel's fashions. make sure to read this article from The Daily Beast.
All photos of the Kitty Collier doll by ©Dolldom / Ernesto Padro-Campos Photography