Nancy's Tribute to Elegance

The elusive Nancy doll by Bella Poupée, circa 1966, makes a second appearance in Dolldom and we could not be more honored!

 Thanks to the generosity of Mike Buess, creator of the equally captivating Fabiola doll, a brunette Nancy came to Dolldom's studios for photos carrying her own fabulous trousseau by two powerhouses of dolly fashion: Rosina Haskell of Rosiebows MiniCouture on Etsy and Tania Lawrence. 

Haskell and Lawrence conceived Nancy's fashions with a soothing silvery palette that makes their pitch-perfect late 1960s designs even more captivating.

Nancy pays tribute to the elegance of days gone by, to the charm of women of substance who after satisfying the demands of their daily lives dressed up to live the fantasies of fashion. Here's to them all! 

A lace mini with silver lame at neck and hem by Tania Lawrence exemplifies the impact of minimalism. 

Coquettish baby pink silk shantung dress is elevated by a mini cape with faux fur by Rosina Haskell. Roger Sterling Ken is impressed. 

A suit for work in a sweet shade of blue by Haskell is perfect for Nancy's busy day. 

Goldfinger! Nancy's golden lamé column dress is showstopper if we ever saw one. A multicolored bead necklace by Vince Tibavido adds an extra layer of vivacity. Manhattan, anyone? Roger Sterling Ken is captivated. 

Dressed to the Nines! A blue and silver gown and faux fur stole are two classic components for a formal night out. By this point, Roger Sterling Ken cannot keep his eyes away from the rare French beauty.

Dolldom expresses deep gratitude to Mike Buess, Rosina Haskell, and Tania Lawrence for making this exclusive entry possible. 

 

 

Mission Possible: F.A.B. Style

Acronyms such HTF and VHTF are inextricable from the dollector's pursuit of vintage objects of desire. Take, for example, Fairyite’s Lady Penelope. Released in 1966 along with six outfits, the doll's scarcity in today's secondary market make her qualify as a rare find, more so in good condition.

What are dolls wishing to evoke Lady Penelope’s aura of style to do? Sit and wait?

Absolutely no! They go on a mission!

 Enter the equally fabulous Rosina Haskell who, like Lady Penelope,  comes to the rescue with her keen understanding of the period, of the designs, and of the incomparable charm of the inspiring secret agent.

In this Dolldom exclusive, several super stars of the fashion doll world gather to pay homage to the sensational heroine of Gerry Anderson’s Thunderbirds! Here’s to F.A.B. style. Here’s to Rosina Haskell and Lady Penelope!

Fairylite's Lady Penelope doll was offered dressed in a red and black houndstooth suit with capelet and cap.



Haskell's version is on point! Modeled by a first issue Lilli Lalka by Julian Kalinowski, the suit is made for stylish sleuthing. 

Lady Penelope's bolero and bellbottom pantsuit with sash...

becomes a nautically-inspired ensemble in Haskell's hands. Anouk, by Nav Sikand, is thrilled. 

A hip leather vest over herringbone look...

is Sylvain's favorite lounging-around get-up!

Pink crepe and black lurex...who knew?

Anouk digs the classic color match!

Did she? No, she didn't! This is new design by Haskell that makes a prototype Sylvain by Julian Kalinowski decide to become a sleuth-for-hire. 

The drama of black and white for cocktails...

Is black and white drama for cocktails and Fabiola by Mike Buess is on it! Sunglasses by LizRetros. 

The gown! A secret agent has to blend at gala parties and balls...

so Tressy, restyled by Pink Bubbles Doll Spa, volunteers to do the job. 

To inquire about Haskell's designs, visit her boutique Rosiebows Mini Couture

Watch Lady Penelope in the trailer for The Dangerous Game

¡Gracias, Magacín!

Dolldom celebra la publicación de un precioso artículo de Fabiola de Hollywood por Liz Sandra Santiago en la revista Magacín. 

"Una muñeca inspirada en la mujer boricua"

Acompañado de nuestras fotos, el artículo también contiene una entrevista con el creador de Fabiola, Mike Buess, que explica el proceso por el cual éste realizó esta importante muñeca de modas. 

Mil gracias nuevamente a Liz Sandra Santiago y a Magacín por el gran honor de ver a Fabiola de Hollywood en su publicación. 

Pelucas por Yatabazah

Wigstock!

In 1963 American Character's Tressy doll brought forth a cornucopia of hairstyling options with her unique "hair that grows" feature. Every new look yielded transformation. And every transformation yielded a new iteration of Tressy. Kids were enthralled. 

Not to be outdone, the Barbie doll, ever transformative, appeared in toy store shelves as Fashion Queen Barbie: one doll, three wigs, unending style options.  The rest is history - fashion doll history- and an ever lasting imprint in vintage dollectors' minds was forever etched. 

In wigs by Yatabazah (and one by Monique Trading!) and a silvery chainmail dress by Lotus Dolls Boutique, a very 1960s Fabiola of Hollywood, by Mike Buess, follows her vintage friend's path in a most luxurious way. 

This is Fabiola's Wigstock!

"Mai Fun Ta" is an orange delight with its hyperbolic flip.


"Electric Rose" gives Fabiola the hue of science-fiction summer berries. 

"Lolota-Lola-Lolita" provides height and substance when arriving and leaving. 


"Blossom" is a Monique Trading staple. Style and lacquered, it's also a protective helmet. 

"Cucu-Lala" is a titian pixie style with a statement black bow. 


"La banane à la moutarde" is all about yellow! Not blonde, but yellow!

"Marthe" is a sedate style, one of Yatabazah's signature looks. 


"Boom!" is a wig of sequins. For there are days when only sequins will do. Boom!

Resources for readers:

Fabiola of Hollywood

Yatabazah

Lotus Dolls Boutique 

La fabulosa Fabiola de Hollywood

 No todos los días llega a Dolldom una muñeca puertorriqueña y ese evento no se deja pasar sin una gran celebración. Fabiola de Hollywood, la nueva muñeca de modas creada por Mike Buess, se une como tantos otros puertorriqueños a la diáspora boricua en los Estados Unidos.

For it's true that not every day, Dolldom has the pleasure of welcoming a Puerto Rican doll and it was about time! Diversity and inclusion are musts, no matter if you are made of vinyl, resin, porcelain, or flesh and bone. 

Mike Buess' vintage-looking diva comes with a fanciful storyline, all done with a light-hearted, elegant approach. Packaged in an exquisitely evocative heavy stock box, Fabiola arrives ready to display and play. No detail goes unchecked and this meticulous attitude impresses the collector upon receiving the fabulous Fabiola. 

Dolldom had the pleasure of interviewing Buess over virtual cocktails - Don Q rum, neat - to discuss his inspiration for this fabulous new character in the world of fashion dolls.

"My mother was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico and moved to the US in the 50s. She is one of 16 children - 8 girls and 8 boys. Fabiola's last name is my grandmother's maiden name. Fabiola's look is my recreation of the fab fashions of the time that my mom and her sister rocked when they moved to Brooklyn. They did it all with bold Puerto Rican flair. My mom studied fashion and worked in a sweater factory after school, so she educated me on cool 50s and 60s fashion and clothing. Like her, I'm obsessed with old movie glamour and studied fashion at Parsons School of Design.

My mom also used to shop at Frederick's of Hollywood. The manufacture of their clothing from that period was magnificent. Frederick designed the first push-up brassiere and brought never-before-seen glamour to the front door of of Middle America though his catalog. That is how Cedrick of Hollywood, Fabiola's fashion designer, was born."

In this Dolldom exclusive, a titian Fabiola de Hollywood, styled by the one and only Bobby Taylor of Pink Bubbles Doll Spa, takes you on a tour of her glamorous life! 

¡Qué viva Fabiola y que viva Puerto Rico!

To get your very own Fabiola, visit her boutique. 

Old San Juan Stroll

In a beaded sheath by Cody Thompson and a vintage straw picture hat, Fabiola meets friends for café con leche and mayorcas at La Bombonera. 

Jardín de flores solo pienso en ti...

A sculptured sheath in a delicate print by Criscrash reveals las curvas famosas for which Fabiola is known. 

Fabiola Flounce

This exuberant look by Aleida Ortiz made Fabiola famous and earned her the title of "La Muñeca Bailarina".

Get Up and Go-Go!

For her appearance in the Luis Vigoreaux show, Fabiola donned three looks.  With "Black Licorice" she one opened the show with her rendition of "Piel canela". 

Noche de ronda

In a silk and tulle creation by the joyful Tania Lawrence, Fabiola sang and danced for an adoring television audience.  

Quizás...

In LizRetros' maraschino cherry red gown, Fabiola closed the show with the ultimate interpretation of Osvaldo Farré's hit. Even Bobby Capó applauded! 


Chez elle

Fabiola relaxes in a comfortable Lurex mini with beaded detailing, also by LizRetros. 

Guaracha-Time

For dancing, nothing beats a dress that allows for leg movement and is figure-hugging at the same time. Kudos to LizRetros for attaining the impossible! 

Verde Luz

In Sylvia Campbell's interpretation of Vintage Barbie's Japanese market exclusive gown, Fabiola closes this Dolldom fashion show. 

To get your very own and very fabulous Fabiola, visit her boutique.