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. 

Let's Swirl

Introduced in 1964, the Swirl Barbie doll presented a sleeker version of the previous ponytail style by replacing the curly bangs with a band of hair brushed to the right side of the doll's face. The shorter ponytail was curled at the ends in a single swoop and finished with a yellow ribbon, attached with a bobby pin.

The Swirl Barbie doll was an expression of elegance at a time when Mattel was also presenting Fashion Queen Barbie and Miss Barbie, dolls that introduced the concept of wig play to the Barbie doll line. By 1965, the Swirl Barbie doll became the American Girl and one wonders what factors propelled the shorter production cycle. Difficulty in creating the style? Popularity? Or the desire to keep Barbie's first sculpt reflecting the rapid pace of fashion?

Dolldom appreciates Mattel's decision to celebrate the Swirl Barbie doll with a Silkstone reproduction on the 60th anniversary. Dressed in "Black Magic" ensemble (stock number 1609) and sporting platinum white hair, the reproduction doll also has a beautiful face-up palette with soft pink lips, still found today on some surviving samples, although most vintage dolls have lipstick that has aged to milky white fabulousness.

Doll restorer and styling magician Bobby Taylor, director of the ever busy Pink Bubbles Doll Spa, reflected on this unique look of the vintage platinum Swirl Barbie and decided to impart the same aura of sophistication to the reproduction of a client. Dolldom was captivated by the idea and kindly asked Mr. Taylor to execute it for this first entry of December 2024. Mr. Taylor also styled the reproduction doll's hairstyle to the standards of the vintage counterpart as the current iteration's hair was lacking precision in its realization. Dolldom thanks Mr. Taylor once again for sharing his immense talent.

For fashions, Dolldom selected utterly glamorous fashions in a palette of blue by Marirose, Tania Lawrence, Sylvia Campbell, and Julian Kalinowski to compliment the icy gorgeousness of this beautiful evocation of early Barbie doll style.

Sylvia Campbell 

Julian Kalinowski

Tania Lawrence

Marirose

Pink Bubbles Doll Spa

Marirose Designs

Julian Kalinowski

Sylvia Campbell

Tania Lawrence

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. 

A Little Flip

Flannery, the new 3D-printed fashion doll by Joey Versaw visited Dolldom and loved modeling human hair hard cap wigs by wig master Yatabazah.  Modeling a fabulous bubble dress by Marirose and pair of 3D-printed high heels, Flannery is the epitome of Paris style. And her cat Mitchou could not agree more!







Flannery's Boutique

Red October

Classic's the word for this October Sunday.

Joey Versaw's Mary Magpie, the very first 3-D printed fashion doll and vintage Barbie maven Marirose come together to delight lovers of vintage design.
 



A classic Mary Magpie in her black bob wears a reproduction "Junior Prom" dress by Marirose. Mr. Versaw designed the face paint to evoke the iconic make-up of the 1950s.


Va-voom Mary Magpie is sex-kitten supreme in her red silk sheath, a reproduction of Barbie's Pak basic. Check out her attitude! Mr. Versaw has achieved two goals with Mary Magpie: employ the latest technology and safeguard the sensibilities of mid-century doll making.



Mary Magpie by Joey Versaw

Marirose Couture

Sindy's Fashion Dream

Sindy's back! In her new iteration, created by Tonner Doll Company, The Doll You Love to Dress, boasts a high quality creamy matte vinyl, hand applied lashes, and in her "Just Sindy" basic model, a beautiful head of red tresses.

Dolldom celebrates Sindy's arrival by featuring her in an exclusive photo portfolio doing what she likes to do best: dress-up! To illustrate the fashion fun quotient of this new version of the much loved character, Sindy models a wide variety of fashions, from vintage France to Poppy Parker.

It's time to play! It's time to dress the doll we love to dress!








Tonner Doll Company's "Just Sindy" basic doll models her cute pink gingham bikini. But perhaps, it's the expression on her face that steals hearts galore at the beach.


A hand knit dress by Vince Nowell is perfect for meeting her friends for tea.


Retros fashioned a colorful print sheath for Sindy for a more sophisticated look. Necklace by Joy Jarred.


Instant classic. Marirose's red linen summer strapless, hand beaded dress is youthfully elegant.


The Avenger? No, just Sindy modeling a fab coat made by Mattel (Note The Coat #1289) for Francie in 1967. The cap is by Integrity Toys for The Gene Marshall Collection. Tyler Wentworth sunglasses.




Parisian Fantasy. Sindy imagines herself a fashion model in Marirose's hand beaded bubble dress and black straw hat from BFMC's Muffy Roberts doll.


For a day of sightseeing, Sindy chooses a springtime classic: a lady-like lace over silk sun dress by Retros.


Sindy closes the fashion show with the look she loved most: a très Mod sheath by Integrity Toys for The Poppy Parker Collection ("She's Not There" from 2012.)

Dolldom wishes to thank the extraordinary and ever joyful Michelle Hodge at Tonner Doll Company.