A Retros Halloween Bash

"Cocktails?"

" Yes, thank you!"

Bourbon! Gin!…the scene was set for some of The Golden Age of Hollywood’s greatest to come together for a little B&G - that is Beauty and Glamour, for the uninitiated. For everyone making the scene was donning the epitome of B&G: the to this day unmatched liberating fashion insouciance of Retros by Liz Cole.

Gay! Gay! Gay! The fabulous Gay Carrington (fan-made doll with a face-up by Vincent Anthony Studio) made her entrance with Lauren - the two were coming - still ecstatic - from a impromptu singing duo performance in a secret spot in Los Feliz. Gay slithered in a dark woodsy green Lurex number with a side slit and a Lucite necklace by Exsyntrix.

“Dahlin’ you’re killing!” - Lauren whispered. Gay winked at her and whispered back: “I’m a witch, doll!”

Elizabeth Montgomery in Bewitched’s opening sequence? Sorry, but no. This was none other than Sylvia Chase, grandmother to much-later-to-be-born Sydney Chase.

In Retros’ iconic black Vampirah! gown, Sylvia added her pout (bathed in Revlon’s Love that Red) and a hat by Peggy Feltrope to a captivating fashion potion that made everyone go ape!

Now, when J.C. made her entrance, well, it was an entrance as only J.C. could do: made in the shade! Her Retros number, in dark blue and light gray print was all class with a hint of mystery befitting the Ben Cooper mask. 

“Love that you love, dear, but masks are for curtain climbers to have fun on Halloween. This mug and these peepers stay uncovered!” J.C. clamored. 

Tensions of the amorous type heightened when Lauren came back with a tuxedoed flutter bum. “He told me his name was Rock. Hard to remember as I’ve had some sauce already.” - Lauren said in her ultra seductive red skulls and bones pink sheath.

Lauren's necklace, also by Exsyntrix, told the rest of the story. 

“Rock, wait!- Gay called out in her husky voice (hear it here). May I pet your bat?”

“Sure thing, Bombshell! It’s by Exyntrix. My friend Joy knows how to craft a scene stealer.” Rock answered as he threw a half smile in a tux by Chewin Doll and sunglasses by T &E Doll Designs.

Remember Cynthia the Celebrity Mannequin? Well, this bash was much more of a blast - cause not Cynthia - but Vivian the Miniquin was there! And what a devil she was in Retros’ genius red glitter get-up! 

Though Miniquins do not talk, everyone could hear Vivian thinking: “May I have another Negroni?, as well as, “May I fork you, Dreamboat?”

What a bash! What a swell party! Could not have been without the magic of Retros’s B&G, that aura of fun will never end cause we’re too ginchy to go! 

Dolldom thanks LizRetros for many years of plain and simple fun! 

Resources for readers:

Retros by Liz Cole

Feltrope Studios (Witch's hat)

Exsyntrix (All jewlery)

Chewin Doll (male tux)

DAE Originals (Vivian the Miniquin)

Gay Carrington (the Icon)

Vincent Anthony Studio (Gay's face-up)

Puffer Couture à la Defa Lucy

Even in the midst of summer, it's never too early to prepare one's dolls for winter weather. And who better to set the chilly wind trend than Defa Lucy Series 1 Icon No. 02? It would be hard (if not impossible) to find another example of a puffer coat executed with the same gusto for proportions and, of course, color.  Generous protection from the cold, the fully lined coat exemplifies high quality fashion statement in 1/6th scale. A pair of tights, boots, and a chacoal hoodie complete the set. Only chez Defa Lucy Collectible Dolls.

As it is traditional at Dolldom, all models are invited to curate and then model a wardrobe from our vaults and Icon No. 02 delved into the project with joyful zeal, selecting  - just like she is with her rooted eyelashes and vivid face-up - some iconic designs by iconic designers including Sylvia Campbell, Liz Retros, Francesca Pigliapocco and Tania Lawrence. 

Once again, Dolldom is honored to devote an entry to Defa Lucy Collectible Dolls and wishes to express deep gratitude to Rudi Teruel of RND Dolls (the creator of the equally iconic Susie) for exemplifying the spirit of collaboration from which the fashion doll community benefits greatly. 

For more information of Defa Lucy Collectible Dolls (Series 2 is coming up!) inquire about joining the Defa Lucy VIP Club on Facebook or contact Rudi Teruel directly 

Ready for the chill is Defa Lucy Icon Series No. 02 in her monumental puffer coat. 

For a little evening glamour, Icon No. 02 chose a chlorophyll-rich number by the fabulous Liz Retros. 

More glam? Yes, Icon Series No. 02 loves it and chooses a sequined mini with faux fur hem by Dolldom darling Tania Lawrence for a night of elegance. 

MOD party, perhaps at The Factory, call for a silver chain mail mini by the gifted Francesca Pigliapocco. Silkstone Francie boots. 

Icon Series No. 02 closes the show in a jaw-dropping reproduction of a Japanese Barbie doll exclusive gown by the gorgeous Sylvia Campbell. 

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. 

Dolldom's Holiday Wish Book

Evoking pleasant moments of holidays past is a worthwhile endeavor for any dollector seeking a little comfort and joy. And for many, one of those sweet memories is pouring over the pages of a Sears Wish Book. From Barbie to Matt Mason, those glorious pages promised the latest from Toyland to all children who had been relatively good throughout the year. 

This year, Dolldom aims to relive the fantasy with a beautiful selection of dolls and clothing, many of them by independent doll and toymakers. How lucky are we these days to be able to enjoy not only mass market but also uniquely designed and ultra limited offerings? Plenty!

Platinum Power

My Choice Momoko from 2019 by Petworks in a vintage store find.

Let's Go Wild!

Lark (Lark Emerald Witch) by Joey Versaw is ready for the cold in Francie doll's "Wild Bunch" 

Blue Christmas

A Castle exclusive Licca-chan with blue hair wears Endangered Sissy

La vie MOD

Prototype Black Meadow by Joey Versaw rocks Francie doll's "Floating In"

Visions of Sugarplums

Black Lilli Lalka by Julian S. Kalinowski is serene in her gala gown

Golden Gal

The utterly fabulous Fanfan by Nav Sikand goes to meet Anouk in a sensational hand beaded mini by LizRetros

Trendsetter

A vintage Goro-chan by Takara gives us a lesson in style in his F-A-B jumper by the gorgeous Endangered Cissy

Monster of Love

Joey Versaw's Piewhacket revives our love for the world of Trolls.

Giantess

A prototype 16-inch Ludy Laminous by Julian S. Kalinowski takes our breath away in a silk dress by  D.A.E. Originals.

Santa's Helpers

2-inch 3-D printed and hand painted Troglyns by Joey Versaw are at the ready! Will they appear inside your stocking?

Famille heureuse

Holiday family portrait: a treasured collection of mignonette Myling dolls by Katarina Karsberg embodies the mysterious magic of the doll. 

Christmas 1954

Vintage holiday style: Vivian the Miniquin by D.A.E. Originals gives good face in a OOAK gown, also by D.A.E. Originals. 

A New Fashion Queen

Gorgeous Tallulah by Joey Versaw is regal in Marirose Couture's cocktail dress. 

Shinning Star

A Sylvain prototype by Julian Kalinowski defines holiday glow in Clare's Couture brocaded pantsuit. 

May you and yours enjoy this holiday season in good health and peace. 

Don't Leave Home without Them!

Shoes!

Elegant!

Stiletto heels!

With a low vamp for nice toe decolletage!

Hand painted!

Unique!

Elevate your look!

Leave it to LizRetros to come up with new ways of keeping treasured dolls spoiled. For her new line of shoes now expands to fit a range of 1/6 fashion dolls. Perhaps, this long weekend is the time to take inventory and finally get shoes to replace missing ones or to give a beloved classic more glamour! From solid colors to powerful animal prints, the mouth-watering selection (all have red soles - a nod to monsieur Louboutin) is sure to make decisions difficult!


 Anouk by Nav Sikand chooses pink leopard to complement her "Berlin" cocktail look.


A vintage high-color American Girl Barbie opts for classic black for her classic brocade sheath. The Sears exclusive mink coat was reproduced with recycled fur by Sylvia Campbell.


Mamzelle de Paris' Sophine has fun in a sheath by LizRetros and golden leopard heels. Necklace by Joy Jarred.


For more information, visit LizRetros boutique!