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. 

Redefining Being

The current dialogue concerning fashion, patriarchal traditions and the expression of the self fascinates Dolldom. And it is in the realm of ball-jointed dolls where the exchange of ideas is robust and energetic, perhaps due to the extent to which doll sculptors are realizing their visions of human beauty.

Doll Menagerie MarmiteSue exemplifies the trend. Although offered as female and male presenting, the denizens of Elli Effenberger's realm implicitly invite us to explore what constitutes fashion at a time when evolved mindsets about gender expression push for a redefinition.

Three MarmiteSue characters, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus (Baby iteration), model styles based on three ideals: comfort, practicality, and glamour. Dolldom believes that all dolls (and human beings for that matter) should enjoy the pleasures of sartorial decoration as they define it: paillette-encrusted illusion netting, 1940's tailored pin-striped slacks with suspenders, combat boots, or a silvery silk vest, for example. The point is to be as you wish to be in both your personal as well as professional lives while partaking of the best that fashion has to offer. It's not feminine, it's not masculine: it's just you.

Saturnalia

In an early fall look, Saturn rocks a metallic silk vest and jersey knit tights designed by Tyler Wentworth for her "Urban Sport" ensemble.  A feathered fez from Tonner Doll Company's Théâtre de la Mode "Fleurs du Mal" replaces the usual knit cap. Boots by NuminaDoll. 

Fifth and Biggest

Jupiter loves the classic styling of these high-waisted, pin-striped trousers as the suspenders enhance the vintage feel. A jersey knit turtleneck and a hyperbolic houndstooth wool scarf bring practicality to the cool weather look. Trousers by Ashton-Drake for Mel Odom's Trent Osborn. Turtleneck and scarf by Tyler Wentworth. Wig by NuminaDoll. Shoes by Paul Zhangby on e-Bay.

Your Fire and Your Desire

Venus (Baby iteration) goes minimalist in this elevation of the ubiquitous T-shirt and jeans. The T-shirt is replaced by an illusion netting body suit embroidered with lace appliqués and black paillettes. VDC's Grace Boutique provides the democratic pants in black leatherette. Combat boots by JAMIEshow Doll made for Mel Odom's Trent Osborn. Wig by NuminaDoll. 

Face-up designs by Steos Studios

MarmiteSue / Menagerie

Thank you to lynlovesdollcollecting for making the adoption of this trio possible.

Everlasting Allure

Time passes, the world continues to turn, and we forge on. But one day, our eyes encounter a familiar face, visiting from the past, and that meeting reveals a truth: a doll's everlasting allure.



Robert Tonner's Sydney Chase is such a character, one that changed the face of the fashion doll collecting scene along with her sister-in-couture Tyler Wentworth (who turns 20 in 2019). But this is Sydney's moment as she basks in soft, fall evening light. In her 2003 Ready-to-Wear iteration, Sydney has a straight arm body, bending legs and "Copper" Saran hair. But perhaps it is the face-up (yes, the eyes are hand painted) with its pale and natural palette that makes this face so powerfully alluring. After all, it was Sydney Chase who made the pout the ultimate fashion accessory and many dollies after her have followed and continue to follow suit.