Forever Lace

Almost 14 years ago, Dolldom had the honor to host a friend's Lace doll for  photography. The entry, titled "What Ever Happened to Lace?", aimed to celebrate not only the doll but the concept that her creator, Ann Sullivan, had presented to dollectors during the last decade of the 20th century. Lace, as created by Sullivan, was, already in 2012, a mythical creature that only a few dollectors were lucky to enjoy. 

Fast forward to 2025 and Sullivan's Lace is ready to fulfill the dreams of many with a new version recreated by artist Joey Versaw, creator of Miss Mary doll. Dolldom sat down with Versaw recently for an interview while production of an exclusive photo portfolio was underway. 

Dolldom: Tell us a bit more about your connection with Lace and her creator Ann Sullivan.

Versaw: In 1992, a new icon emerged. Ann Sullivan, a mother of four and artist, felt unfulfilled by the existing fashion dolls available, prompting her to create something unique. Thus, Lace was born. Meticulously hand-sculpted and cast in resin within her home, Lace quickly captured the hearts of many, marking the dawn of the indie fashion doll era. At that time, only one other doll, "BillyBoy*’s Mdvanii," had tapped into this burgeoning market. 

Dolldom: We're talking the dawn of the independent doll artist! So how is Lace coming back to us?

Versaw: Historian and curator Eric Dupree originally contacted Ann Sullivan about her dolls and started building a website for Lace. Eric and I had been talking and becoming friendly over my Miss Mary Magpie doll and I don’t remember who threw the idea out there, whether it was me or him or us together,  but we decided that it would be fitting to contact Ann and inquire about her interest in re-issuing her doll. Eric is the one who drew up the contract and got the agreement from Ann. 

Dolldom: How is Lace being offered?

Versaw: Lace 2.0 is a one-of-a-kind 3D printed resin doll and extremely exclusive to only twenty pieces. I carefully studied and re-sculpted the original as best as possible and from the ground up. 

Dolldom: Tell us more about this new iteration. 

Versaw: This version stands about 11 ½ inches tall and will fit most fashion doll clothing like Barbie and similar size dolls. Doll is strung and has five points of articulation. Each doll is handmade and hand painted. Due to the nature of being handmade, there will be small differences in face paint and resin color as this is not a factory made doll, keeping with Lace's original concept. This is an art doll, artist-made to honor another artist. Each numbered doll comes in a Brani Mladenov illustrated box with a lace teddy, a rose choker, and 3D printed shoes. Two interchangeable wigs, supplied by Ann from her surplus of original wigs used on the Lace doll, are also included. 

In this exclusive entry, Dolldom profiles the talent and vision of both Sullivan and Versaw with photos of the exquisite Lace 2.0 wearing fashions from our archives by Cindy Marut, Marirose, Juliet Whorton,  Rosina Haskell, Tania, Lawrence, LizRetros, and AFD Group Atelier as well as the two gowns by Travis Kaller that her original version wore in the 2012 entry. 

Lace 2.0 

The Lace Doll by Ann Sullivan

Fashion by Cindy Marut

Gown by FAD Group Atelier

Fashion by Integrity Toys for Poppy Parker. 

Fashion by LizRetros. Hat by Juliet Whorton. 

Dress by Rosina Haskell. Wig by Monique. 

Fashion by Tania Lawrence. Hat by Yatabazah. 

Dress by Marirose. 

Gown by Travis Kaller. 

Gown by Travis Kaller. 

Fashion by Cindy Marut. 

Fashion by Juliet Whorton. Wig by Yatabazah. 

Classic LBD by Marirose. 

Vintage Barbie doll clone fashion. Wig by Monique. 

Box illustration by Branimagination. 

Character

Could anything else be said about the functions of a fashion doll? Serving style and fulfilling fashion dreams may be obvious, yet Dolldom appreciates a countenance for its power to evoke character, not simply for being an ideal of beauty.

The beginning of the 21st century brought forth a wealth of ideas thanks to the vision of artists like Robert Tonner who with his 1:4th scale Tyler Wentworth and Sydney Chase redefined what a doll's face could be and do to create a character. Integrity Toys and Jason Wu followed suit with the 1:6th scale Fashion Royalty line and the idea as to what a doll should convey was formed: give attitude and express emotion.

JAMIEshow Doll's Muses line, designed by Owensu, is a current exponent of the trend, one that offers collectors the highest form of refinement due largely to the precisely detailed hand painting of the resin dolls' face-ups. Although Owensu's couture is on par with the dolls' quality, Dolldom was attracted to two of the Muses due to their power to communicate spirit: Camille and Astrid.

Aware of our subjective interpretation of the ambiguity of these resin faces, we dare express why both Camille and Astrid won us over.

Camille (from La Vancanza Collection)
Camille combines heavy upper eyelids (moderate ptosis, perhaps?) that convey a subtly weary gaze while her downturned oral commissures (so often "corrected" with fillers in humans) produce a jaded pout that - to us - exemplifies the emotional detachment of a misanthropic perspective.

 
Astrid (from The Garden Party Collection)
Astrid offers a deeply cathartic combination of a saturated shiny red, downward turning, slightly open mouth (from where her front teeth peek out) and similarly oriented eyes that unequivocally remind us of religious (as opposed to drug-induced) ecstasy.

For this Dolldom exclusive, Camille and Astrid pose for a traditional photo portfolio in exquisite fashion selections by many of Dolldom's favorite designers to show what character is all about.

Designers:
Bakhtier
Dangerous Dames by Juliet Whorton
Bogue's Vogues
Franklin Lim Liao
Robert Best
Integrity Toys
Defa Lucy

R&D Doll

Special thanks to Ahmad An for his support in the making of this feature.

Coat by Defa Lucy. Separates by Integrity Toys. 

Brocaded silk separates by the unforgettable Franklin Lim-Liao. 

Dress by Integrity Toys.

Dress by Integrity Toys.

Dress by Robert Best. Hat by Bogue's Vogues.

Suit by Integrity Toys. 

Hand beaded top and skirt by the gorgeously generous Juliet Whorton for Dangerous Dames. 

Dress by Bahktier. Camille bust by Jonathan Adler. 

Dress by the groundbreaking Bahktier.

Dress by Bogue's Vogues by James Bogue.

Dress by Bogue's Vogues by James Bogue. Hat by Maryann Roy. 

Hat and dress by the incomparable James Bogue for Bogue's Vogues. 

Dress by R&D Doll by the great Rudi Teruel. 

Gown by Robert Best. 

Gown by Robert Best. 

Fashion Fantastic: Juliet Whorton Designs for the S-Girls

Dolldom has always believed that the future of fashion dolls is handmade, for it is the only mode through which dollectors will attain truly personal expressions of their vision and tastes. Luckily, there are enlightened artists working steadfastly to provide one-of-a-kind dolls and fashions.

In this very first entry for March 2018, Dolldom features the work of Juliet Whorton whose Dangerousdames Lounge boutique has been providing fashion fantasies for Barbie and Fashion Royalty dolls for more than an decade. Recently, in conversation with Ms. Whorton, Dolldom asked her to interpret her vision for Julian S. Kalinowski's S-Girls. With carte blanche in hand, Ms. Whorton developed a collection never before seen - from classic bubble dresses to extravagant waves of lace. One of Ms. Whorton's signature touches is beading and this collection boasts what may be a million beads and precious decorations all hand applied to fabric.

Mr. Kalinowski's S-Girls were overjoyed modeling these wonders made to fit their ampler hips and slightly reduced bosom. Join Ms. Whorton, Stella, Sable and Sylvain as they present you fashion fantastic! Enjoy the show!

Dangerousdames Lounge on Etsy

S-Girls on e-Bay 

"Bellini", modeled by Sylvain, is a luscious three-piece ensemble that would have made Peggy Guggenheim squeal with delight.



"Commuters Ahead", also modeled by Sylvain, is a working woman's fashion statement. Underneath the beaded jacket, Sylvain wears a strapless blouse with a playful vintage print. But the hat has to be what makes this number such a delight. Complete with vintage butterfly, the straw sensation is decorated with two dozen black roses.




"Bahamian Boom", modeled by Stella, is pure tropical fantasy. Created with gorgeous scenic print, the two piece dress with tulle underskirt features a grand portrait collar. And a hat so joyful, one cannot help but feel the tropical breezes.



"After Hours Ballerina", modeled by Stella, is an elegant an classic silhouette re-envisioned in a dramatic combo: red silk and satin blue and white stripes. The full skirt features a high waist, punctuated by a slender red belt. The beading is lush.



"In My Beautiful Balloon", modeled by Sable, is a modern take on the classic "Gay Parisienne" that vintage Barbie doll wore so well.



"How Green Is My Valley", modeled by Sable is a wondrous three-piece cocktail ensemble. The coat is decorated with gold and coral beads and brass leaves. Miss Joan Crawford would have worn it well too. A simple fascinator adds lighthearted touch.



"Pavlova's Paradise Bird" is a luxurious three-piece ensemble featuring peacock feathers and a dream enhancing shade of blue. A flowered fascinator adds prima ballerina glamour to the look.



"Sirena del Mar Profundo", modeled by Stella,  is a drop-dead chic creation. Miniature silver sequins and a halter neckline make this gala two piece ensemble a most precious confection.



"Red Sea Parting", modeled by Stella, closes the Fashion Fantastic show. The three piece ensemble features a detachable lace overskirt, allowing the cocktail look to transform into a real regal expression.

Dolldom thanks Ms. Whorton and Mr. Kalinowski for their gracious support during this collaboration.

Dangerousdames Lounge on Etsy

S-Girls on e-Bay