A Ten's Tenth

 Seldom will Dolldom engage in expressing absolutes, as we accept that the appreciation of beauty, doll related or otherwise, will be subjective. But today's entry celebrating the tenth anniversary of the introduction of Séverine by Julian S. Kalinowski goes there. 

Séverine, introduced in 2015, is for us a ten, not only for the beauty inherent in the labor of making a doll by hand, but also for the impact that her appearance had in making a rarity of fashion doll history accesible to many, for Séverine is Kalinowski's take on the very elusive Caprice, a French beauty produced from 1966 to 1970.

Kalinwoski did not just copy Caprice but rather reinterpreted the sculpt in hard plastic and proceeded to hand paint each face and hand coif each head individually and without replicating a prototype look, making each Séverine doll a one-of-a-kind creation. In so doing, Kalinowski spawned a mind-boggling array of countenances that took the dollector on dazzling journeys of character study. Who were these coded-as-women Séverine dolls? As varied as the looks were, the essential vibe of Séverine was that of a woman with a little (or perhaps a lot of) experience, a feeling that was invariably transmitted through the dolls' eyes. Yet in Kalinowski's hands, under-eye circles were never a sign of distress but a glamorous flaunting of their travails.

Séverine was also the first Kalinowski creation without a molded shoe so each doll was presented wearing a made-to-measure pump in black, white, or glittery transparent. Séverine's sartorial statement was richly varied with original designs by the ultra-talented LizRetros, Sylvia Campbell, Tania Lawrence, Rosina Haskell, Brian Blythe, and Juliet Wharton. 

In retrospect, Séverine may be Kalinowski's chef d'oeuvre, for in her the dollector not only got a OOAK handmade doll but also a three-dimensional miniature painting. A real tour de force! 

Let's celebrate Séverine once again! 

Let Us Entertain You

That seems to be the calling of many: to entertain the masses. People love to be entertained, amused, removed from the routine of their daily lives. Taken away. To a place where glitter, music, and the art of dance reign supreme.

And who best to incarnate the fascinating world of burlesque but the gals of Julian S. Kalinowski? With their OOAK hand-painted visages and hand-set hairdos, Lilli Lalka, Séverine, and the S-Girls come together to illuminate the stage. They sing solos, they perform comedy routines, but most importantly they know the utmost power of having a gimmick. And the gimmick is no gimmick - it's the magic of LizRetros, the genius behind this showstopping attire.

Sit back and relax as the Gals of Kalinowskiland entertain you.

Torch Song Trilogy....

Séverine is an emotive singer... audiences know she will cry at the end of the sad song.


Sable sings the blues. But she is never in a funk.


Lalka covers "Black Market".  Sneak around the corner...

Space Needle and All Things 1962

Lalka and Asiaverine perform "That Old Eiffel Tower" before revealing what they have in their bags.

Bundles of Dynamite

Sylvain, Sylvain (yes!), and Sable await to go on stage. Kitty Marvelous is their trick cat.


Stella rehearses with her robotic friend while a stagehand finishes the set.

Sable- fresh from her scandalous stint in Berlin - stretches before her dance routine.

For more information on the performers and their schedules, you may contact their agent here.

Molded Models

Séverine, the iconic OOAK vintage doll by Julian Kalinowski, wondered what it would feel like to have molded hairstyles. Luckily, her friend, 1963 American Character Popi doll, the pop-apart fashion model doll, lent her hers! The looks, well, pop out of the ordinary. Vive la différence!


Brunette Pageboy! Precious!


Titian Bob! Oh, Boy!


Peach Blonde Chignon! Cheers!


Raven Bob! Gobsmackingly Beautiful!

Séverine by Julian Kalinowski
Dress by Liz Retros
Necklace by Joy Jarred

Pink Bubbles for English Girls

The magnanimous Bobby Taylor, creative force behind the mythical Pink Bubbles Doll Spa, and Julian Stanislav Kalinowski, creator of the mysterious Miss Sévinyl and Solange dolls, recently got together to do what doll geniuses do best: play. Mr. Kalinowski and Mr. Taylor fans of each others' work decided to give Miss Sévinyl and the upcoming Solange the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa treatment. The results are nothing but earth-shatteringly beautiful.

 Mr. Taylor came up with five different styles that present a good variety with varying hair lengths and styles ranging from casual to more dressy. He added hair ribbons to several noting that colors can be changed to match their costumes. Alternatively,  other decorative add-on's such as flowers or even strung beads may be substituted for added variety and looks.

Dolldom is thrilled to present this exclusive portfolio and thanks Mr. Taylor and Mr. Kalinowski for sharing their collaboration with us!

Mr. Taylor thought that there should be at least one shorter style and opted for this basic bobbed look. Dolldom loves the way it frames her face and shows her expressive eyes. It's slightly asymmetrical and can be adjusted as desired. Mr. Taylor happens to like one side hanging just a bit lower than the other.





Due to the thickness of the hair Mr. Taylor  wouldn't recommend going much shorter than chin length as it will tend to start sticking out on the sides. The key to this look is the sleekness and is set firm for neatness and longevity. Dress by Tania Lawrence.

The inspiration for Miss Sevinyl's set was a photo of Mattel's Stacey!





It's a simple low ponytail style with the side curls eliminated. Mr. Taylor opted to keep the forehead curl to add a bit of interest and finished with a simple black hair bow. A simple heat set for the ponytail and forehead curl and Miss S is ready to do what Miss S does best: look glamorous in her Liz Retros dress. 

This next  set showcases Solange's original long hair and was given added height on top.



The front half just at the ears was pulled upward and given a thick braid which is pushed up slightly and pinned. It's accented with an under-tied black ribbon detail. The fabulous style gives the illusion of an added hair-piece so popular in the 60's.



Rachel wears an elegant up-do featuring her original side-swept bangs, braided crown and rolled under bun. Fashion by Tania Lawrence.



Mr. Taylor thought that at least one evening look would be good in the mix and this style was achieved by pulling the hair up to the crown and tied. A piece was used for the braided hair wrap and pinned and the rest rolled under and again pinned. Fashion by Tania Lawrence.



Mr. Taylor decided to do a side-swept style to add something different to the group.



The side-swept bang is pulled back and attached behind the ear. The rest is pulled to the side, tied and then divided into two separate ponytails and decorative ribbons keep each one neat.  Each tail could also be braided as well for some variety.



Mr. Taylor and his Pink Bubbles staff have come up with a winning combination of looks mixing styles with the inimitable characters of Mr. Kalinowski's dolls.  Here's to these two supremely talented gentlemen of the fashion doll world!

Pink Bubbles Doll Spa 

Séverine, Miss Sévinyl and Solange Dolls