Romancing the (Silk) Stone

 Dolldom will always fight for the underdog. When a doll is down, Dolldom goes to the rescue. Why? Because Dolldom believes that all dolls, regardless of their origins, are the offspring of a dream: to replicate in miniature the ideals of current cultural values. In our eyes, "Classic Black Dress" Barbie is indeed the vision of a fashion model as Robert Best illustrates in his exquisite artwork: long, lean, delicate, with a flexible torso and expressive fingers.

"Classic Black Dress" Barbie Fashion Model (also known as "Classic Bad Dress") has been designed to usher a new era for the Silkstone line of Barbie collector dolls, designed by Mr. Best. But her life has been nothing but tumultuous. Since her arrival on the scene, Miss CBD has been dissected, maligned, and reduced to the level of bad doll due to a series of unfortunate events: manufacturing gaps that leave seams of body parts unfinished, weak spots in joints, an articulation design that does not deliver a hand that will remain on a hip, and unannounced changes to the body proportions of the doll. These combine to create a perfect storm. And what's left behind is a doll that is not feeling the love that initially she intended to provoke.

So Dolldom editors decided to verify if indeed "CBD" is bad. Design and manufacturing issues aside (and Dolldom hopes that Mattel will address these - if not doing so already), is "CBD" a bad idea? As we addressed in a previous post,  "CBD" she is the future of the Barbie Fashion Model Collection. But to be so, she ought to be able to bridge the new with the very beautiful past of this groundbreaking line. For example:  Will she be capable of sharing a design aesthetic with previous Silkstone dolls? Will the fashions produced in previous years fit her well? Will "CBD" be able to wear a gown? Rock a vintage Retros look by Liz Cole? Proudly model James Bogue's Vogues?  Provide hours of unadulterated doll play? Propose new posing alternatives?

The following exclusive portfolio is meant to address these questions (no fashions were altered to accommodate the doll's new proportions) and to invite bona fide Barbie doll fans to give "CBD" a chance by playing dress-up with her.

Can "CBD" look elegantly tailored?

In "Boulevard", "CBD" cuts an impressive figure. She's luxe, classic, and very ready for autumn in New York.


Big chunky jewelry is always in style. Take note, Mattel.

Is "CBD" the ball gown type?

In the Pink! On a blonde! Magic.


"CBD" loves her pink satin and tulle confection.

Can "CBD" vogue in Bogue's Vogues?

Absolutely!


And when the coat comes off, "CBD" shows off the sexy fit of the long column gown below.

Retro maven?
Yes! "CBD" is the perfect tourist in Bermuda in a Retros set made with vintage fabric and a miniature Enid Collins bag. Necklace by Joy Jarred. Vintage straw hat.

Can "CBD" move? And move us with her movements?

Most certainly! The articulated rib cage and waist combine to give the Silkstone "CBD" Barbie doll more flexible expressions.


In this qi pao by Joe Tai, "CBD" gets us all in a mood for love.

Suits in the boardroom?
"CBD" is chairwoman of the board in the classic "Lunch at the Club" issued in 2000.

Can "CBD" pay homage to the Teenage Fashion Model of 1959?

100%. In a Retros sheath with functioning buttons and button hole back closure, opera net stockings, black gloves, vintage straw hat, platform suede shoes by Paul Shangby, and jewelry from "Dusk to Dawn", "CBD" is nothing but vintage beauty. Her lunchbox is a key chain issued in the mid 1990s.

Dolldom, at its most constructive, proposes that Mattel, Robert Best, and the many other hard-working folk at The Barbie Collection consider:

1. Re-evaluating the design and execution of the elbow joint. An articulated Silkstone ought to be able to place her hand on her hip. She ought to be able to pose and keep a pose. She ought to sit and cross her legs. She ought to do these and not break or end up with compromised joints.

2. Consider imposing higher quality control standards to their factory in Indonesia, where this doll was produced.

3. Give collectors what they want. Offer both the frozen as well as the articulated bodies. This new iteration could well be an off-shoot of the line that focuses on designs with a more contemporary bent. The original body dolls would be offered in "Atelier" style designs.

4. Offer accessories. It's what makes a doll a fashion doll. Jewelry sets are long past due. A hat set. Hosiery and glove sets too. And what about shoes? The "Opera" stilettos in many colors. Boots à la Dulcissima but without the embroidery.

5. Design hairstyles that are in-scale. Nothing kills a doll faster than a head of hair gone wild. Neat, classic, versatile are key words. To scale chignons. To scale ponytails. 70s Cher hair. A fashion model is not a shampoo hair model. Do not design a hairstyle that will be impossible to replicate in production with specific budget constraints.

We will close this celebration of "CBD" beauty with one of BFMC's best videos: Atelier

Queen Sofia's Princes

There's a new queen in town and she comes along with two royal consorts.

JAMIEshow's "On Michigan Avenue" basics Sofia, Tatum and Alejandro visited Dolldom to model their black organza fashions and we must declare that this royal trio is nothing short of fabulous.

Royal Trio: Tatum, Sofia, and Alejandro "On Michigan Avenue"















"On Michigan Avenue" by JAMIEshow Dolls
Furniture by Darren Cole
Sofia's necklace by Joy Jarred

A Summer Day

The warmer weather of summer calls for adjustments to most everything we do. Summertime's longer days are meant to be enjoyed outdoors even if that means taking a walk after dinner with your beloved pooch. In Dolldom, summer is a time for vintage glamour fantasies. For this entry, Dolldom was inspired by the classic bossa nova song "The Girl from Ipanema" for no other song allows the mind and the soul to wander as leisurely and as stylishly.
Tall and tan and young and lovely,
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, each one she passes goes, “Aaah…”
 
And who better to portray la garota de Ipanema than Joey Versaw's enchanting and unique Mary Magpie, the world's first digitally printed and fully hand painted fashion doll?

Oh, but he sees her so sadly - How can he tell her he loves her?
Yes, he would give his heart gladly,


In Bulgarian fashion illustrator Brani Mladenov's superbly styled mini dress, Mary goes to the plein air markets. Flower Power jewelry by Joy Jarred. Hat by Liz Cole for Retros.


When she walks, she’s like a samba
That swings so cool and sways so gently
That when she passes, each one she passes goes, “Aaah…”
Oh, but he watches so sadly -
How can he tell her he loves her?
Yes, he would give his heart gladly,


Mr. Mladenov fashioned a dramatic corsage with the same lush taupe polka dotted fabric that he used for his dress.



But each day when she walks to the sea,
She looks straight ahead – not at he…
Tall and tan and young and lovely,
The girl from Ipanema goes walking



In Liz Cole's retro bathing suiot and terry cloth robe, Miss Mary Magpie is sure to turn heads.


"Frosted Ice" necklace by Joy Jarred.

Oh, but he sees her so sadly -
How can he tell her he loves her?
Yes, he would give his heart gladly...


In James Bogue's fuchsia silk dress, Mary Magpie is the dream of many.

But each day when she walks to the sea,
She looks straight ahead – not at he…
Tall and tan and young and lovely,
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, he smiles, but she doesn’t see…
She just doesn’t see…
No, she doesn’t see…
But she doesn’t see…
She doesn’t see…
No, she doesn’t see…


Songwriters: GREENBERG, STEVE/CAFTON, CRAIG/REISS, MICHAEL
Girl From Ipanema lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
The song was written in 1962, with music by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Portuguese lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes.

Magie Noire

When beauty appears, Dolldom takes note. JAMIEshow resin dolls caught Dolldom's attention with their exquisite renditions of Mel Odom's Gene Marshall, the three of which have been profiled extensively in our stories. 

When the Holiday 2013 line was announced, our collective editorial eye went to the super beautiful new sculpt named Natalie. An African-American character, her looks define supermodel of the world. And with a resin color previously available only in dreams, Natalie is a must have doll. 

From JAMIEshow's website:

"Introducing Natalie, our newest character. Natalie the slightly younger sister of Kyra, hit the Paris runway scene as soon as she was able! Strutting her high heels down the catwalk, her striking look made quite the impact! She is now the toast of the Paris couture runway.
 
Natalie is a dark skin tone resin 16" Fashion BJD. She is made of the exclusive JAMIEshow J-Resin. She has interchangeable hands, and can wear any of the JAMIEshow rooted wig caps.
 
Natalie is dressed in an off the runway outfit, a two piece jacket and skirt, with tulle underlay. Designed for JAMIEshow by Lori Lyon, Jamie's Favorite new Designer. The jacket is made up of an under layer of silk, with asymmetrical layer of tulle laid over. The jacket is lined. Her shoes are a work of art unto themselves in silver with spiked heels sporting a regal design. Her wig cap is a new style just for her, pulled back soft curl afro".

High quality at a sane price point paired with superb additional offerings such as a varied selection of wig caps, hands, shoes, and fashion make this JAMIEshow doll a veritably sound acquisition. The body sculpt is versatile and adapts well to the many fashions in a fashion doll collection.

For this exclusive entry, Dolldom lavished the very best on Natalie: Time of Doll wigs, Joy Jarred jewelry, Retros, and Tonner Doll Company fashions.

In Antoinette's Bold fashion and JAMIEshow's Scheherazade wigcap, Natalie is a Steampunk vision.

The fiery red haircolor suits her perfectly.

Friday Night Date. Natalie's debut skirt is paired with a sheer T-shirt from the Cami and Jon line by Tonner Doll Company, a belt by Liz Cole for Retros,  and luscious jewelry by Joy Jarred. Her debut wig is exquisite and nicely symmetrical.

What not to look at? Sensory overload. The eye dances from face to jewels to hair to eyes to lips...

In a Time of Doll hard cap wig, Natalie models her debut outfit. The raven beehive is strong and complements the strong lines of her fashion.

Paris, 1940-something. In a Théâtre de la Mode design by Tonner Doll Company and a period Time of Doll wig, Natalie plays fashion historian. A suit so well cut is never out of style.

Tropical dreams. In Retros' leopard classic and verdant necklace by Joy Jarred, Natalie is island bound. Her wig cap is borrowed from Phoenix Gene Marshall.

Lip gloss or skin care commercial?

Fierceness redefined.

Very much inspired by the beauty and talent of Dolldom favorite RuPaul, this photos portray Natalie as supermodel of the world. She knows how to work the Tyler Wentworth dress and the Time of Doll wig.

A pose to strike.

For more on Natalie, visit her a JAMIEshow Dolls.

Something About Mary

2013 saw the debut of Mary Magpie, the very first digitally printed fashion doll created by artist Joey Versaw. Dolldom, always in the pursuit of the handmade and of the retro-inspired, was immediately smitten with this bodacious babe that comes out of a printer. How could we not? Not only can she wear Mr. Versaw's creations, she is also the perfect model for vintage Barbie clothing. And in so doing, Mary Magpie brings a new way to interpret the creations of the ever beloved Charlotte Johnson.

For this Dolldom end-of-year exclusive, three different Mary Mapie models wear sheaths - one of the staples in vintage Barbie doll's closet.

Mary's expressive sculpt and Mr.Versaw's always inspired face painting give the world of fashion dolls a genuinely original vision and a real sense of direction with new freedom to choose your basic model's make-up and wigs.


Blue Moon Mary Magpie with dark chocolate Bettie wig wears jewelry by Joy Jarred and a recycled fur stole by Liz Cole.



Purely Platinum Mary Magpie transforms (and is queen of haughty) in a coal noir Bettie wig. The arched eyebrows have it.


A Eurasian Mary Magpie? Absolutely! Dolldom could not do without an Anna May Wong-inspired Mary Magpie doll! Mr. Versaw's precise hand gave her pencil thin arched eyebrows and the sexiest pout to date. Her coal noir bob wig is minimal and so elegant. Perfect doll. Forever doll.


Mary Wong models a classic black organza cocktail sheath by Bogue's Vogues and a purple cherry pearl bracelet by Joy Jarred.


Red delights and makes mouths water. Marirose's mastery comes across loud and clear in this revision of vintage Barbie's "Pak" silk sheath.


Vintage Barbie Golden Girl's sheath is found easily these days. Why not redress your Mary Magpie in this jewel of a dress? The Japanese fabric is heavy and luxurious and the tiny zipper is a miniature miracle. Add a recycled fur stole by Retros and pearls and champagne diamond necklace by Joy Jarred and voilà you have perfection in doll medium.

For more on Mary Magpie, visit her at Mary Magpie. Better yet, join in the many collectors who have welcomed Mary to their collections and visit her store. Then join the Mary Magpie community on Facebook.  Have fun with Mary Magpie!

All Hallows' Eve 2013

It's that time of year! Dolldom's very special tribute to the best of all holidays. For at Dolldom, Halloween is imbued with the images of Halloween celebrations of old, those based on vintage and antique postcards that portray the magical powers of the Earth, right before cold Winter comes to lay us all to sleep. It's a time for dancing and singing to the Harvest Moon around a crackling bonfire, for carving turnips to hold candles with which to find our way home at night, for reading ghost stories while drinking one's spirit of choice, and for turning into ghouls and goblins by means of an artful disguise.

For this year's celebration, Dolldom enjoys the presence of old and new friends who come together to partake of a good vintage Halloween time. So grab a fistful of candy corn and enjoy the fun.


Bruja bella. Nothing like a glamorous woman in orange and black to define Halloween magic. Tonner's Déjà Vu line introduces basic Emma Jean McGowen, who in Retro's sensational witch costume and Joy Jarred's jewelry, is nothing but the essence of fashion witchcraft!


A classic vampire film is de rigueur this time of year.


And Phoenix Gene Marshall by Mel Odom,produced by JAMIEshow, is our beautiful and eternal beloved.


In her Retros' Morticia Adams dress, cluster of diamonds nekclace and spider bracelet by Joy Jarred, and raven beehive by Ilaria Mazzoni, Phoenix Gene Marshall is the ultimate vamp.



But wait! Here comes the enchantress of all. In her royal blue gown with batty sleeves, also by Retros, J'adore Gene casts the ultimate fashion spell. Her necklace is by Joy Jarred. Her blond pompadour wig by Ilaria Mazzoni for Time of Doll.


You MAY kiss her hand now.


Emma Jean McGowen, the inimitable heroine from Tonner's Déjà Vu line, models a curve hugging sheath by Liz Cole for Retros and a witch hat by Peggy Feltrope. Jewelry by Joy Jarred. The little ghost costume was created by Our Sweet Creations.


Boo! Sad Sally is here!


Wilde Imagination's big eyed girl with the vivid orange cotton candy hair is the ideal poster child for vintage Halloween.


Look into my eyes....and suddenly the air turns cold, cold as ice...


Who is the magnificent apparition who stands in the middle of the ruins?


It's Wilde Imagination's One More Time Evangeline Ghastly in her ethereal gown, perfect for flying through the midnight sky in search of her beloved.


Vintage seven and half inch Genevieve doll is a Japanese beauty made of very malleable vinyl. For this classic Halloween scene, Genevieve models a Retros dress with gathered neckline and full skirt. Her Salamander Poliwogg friends all agree that she is the cutest witch of all. Felt hat also by Retros.


A Gotham Halloween, you say?


But of course! Barbie and Ken, in their original vintage sculpts, impersonate Catwoman and Batman, circa 1960's.


Trick or Treat! The Poliwogg Pumpkin Twins salute you on Halloween!


What would Halloween be without the quintessential scary old witch?
This fabulous lady boasts a uniquely expressive sculpt. Witch Polywogg by Salamander.


And she's ready to fly away on her broom along with her half moon charm.


Mel Odom's Madra Lord closes - and some say - steals the show in her purr-fect and ever so seductive sheath with pussycat print fabric by Retros and a classic witch  hat by Peggy Feltrope. The Enid Collins purse reproduction is also by Retros. Madra's big pumpkin is from Target.

This is Halloween!