The Last Party

We're getting there. The end of 2022.

And for many, December 31st is a date for dates and for parties to send off the old year. But, in the same manner that we agree with Mdvanii doll's dictum that haute couture is for dolls, we also believe that great fêtes are also for them. Silently expressive and dressed to impress, dolls epitomize glamour, sex-appeal, and beauty to perfection, something that no flesh and blood entity will ever fully attain. This does not mean that you may not join the celebration - not at all. Dolldom is delighted to invite you to its New Year's Eve party along with the characters of Paul Pham's NuminaDoll, while the eponymous song by Frank Loser is sung by Stephanie O. 

When the bells all ring and the horns all blow
And the couples we know are fondly kissing
Will I be with you or will I be among the missing?

Maybe it's much too early in the game
Ah, but I thought I'd ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year's, New Year's eve?

Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight

When it's exactly twelve o'clock that night
Welcoming in the New Year, New Year's Eve?

Maybe I'm crazy to suppose

I'd ever be the one you chose
Out of the thousand invitations you received.

Ah, but in case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?

Ah, but in case I stand one little chance

Here comes the jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?
Oh, what are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?

Fashions by: 

NuminaDoll 

Chewin Doll 

LizRetros 

Wigs by: 

Chewin Doll NuminaDoll

Becoming Takeshi

The art of sculpting (be it via the artful manipulation of clay or the visually entrancing digital equivalent) is the foundation for the creation of a doll. These days, dollectors enjoy unprecedented diversity as doll producers - from Mattel to indie designers - offer faces and bodies to represent our evolving understanding and appreciation of the human race.

 
Paul Pham, creator of NuminaDoll, is a sculptor extraordinaire with a gift for capturing the essence of a character. His dolls defy conventions as he explores types of beauty often overlooked. And his gift extends to the realm of dolls representing male anatomy.

Two years ago, Pham introduced a new character named Ang, a beautiful depiction of a young man with Asian heritage. Dolldom immediately jumped at the opportunity to add Ang to its collection of NuminaDoll. Not surprisingly, Ang created a stir modeling a wide range of fashions, from Hakama pants by JAMIEshow to non-binary dresses by HvalaDolls.

Ang 2020

Still, a desire remained among Dolldom's editors to have a more mature Asian male character. A conversation with Pham about re-sculpting the mouth and redoing the face-up, accompanied by many inspirational photos, led to another beautiful OOAK creation. And so, Ang became Takeshi.

Pham's incredible talent transformed the athletic youngster into a smoldering hunk. For his first Dolldom entry, Takeshi wears a coat by Ayal Armon and slacks and boots by NuminaDoll. His wig is also by NuminaDoll.

Takeshi 2022

Becoming Luula

Dolldom's collaborations with sculptor Paul Pham culminate with the birth of a universal beauty, one that stands the test of time and pays no attention to fads. It's all about character: integrity, strength, and soul. Her name is Luula. 

Employing the obsidian black resin skintone and Pham's latest female sculpt, Salix, Dolldom's muse is much inspired by the grand Alek Wek. 

To achieve the monochromatic look, Pham applied a coat of satin varnish over the resin. Pham explains the challenges: "Once the varnish is on, anything a deep black underneath will lighten slightly because of the matting agent in the satin varnish, so a deep black will now show up unless a gloss varnish is used. To realize the face-up, I used a special black called Black 3.0 that is both matte and absorbs most of the light spectrum, so it doesn’t bounce back much light, making it a deep matte black."

Luula is the epitome of Pham's artistry and of his firm belief that beauty is truly beautiful when it reflects the human spirit. 

Dress by Tonner Doll for Antoinette

Dress by V.Jhon

Dress by Numina

"Anemone" coat by Numina

Coat by Numina


Dress by Numina

Challenging the Norm: the Art of Hvala

Sometimes, the world surrounds us with vapidness. Repetition. Apathy. And worse yet, the onslaught of commercialism. Thus, it's thoroughly refreshing when in the world of fashion dolls, one encounters a true revolutionary, one who lives, designs, and creates by her passionate beliefs. PJ Nox of Hvala is that artist. The multi-talented Nox not only sews; she, among other things, illustrates, designs jewelry, embroiders, and most recently is manufacturing a doll named Mi, The Doll Who Has Nothing. 

Nox explains: "Copying the runway can be entertaining, but it does not have to be the norm in any way. Dolls should not and can not be implicated in the pain of aspiring to wealth, sexual prowess and aesthetic perfection in the way humans have been trained by the consumerist industries to do.

If I am thinking about these playfully-clothed coded-as-male or coded-as-female dolls carrying a message, I want it to be a message of freedom, experimentation and joy and not a message of spite. Expressing yourself non-normatively is always radical, but you cannot in your heart of hearts spend life thinking you are the odd one out fighting for acceptance. This attitude that is imposed on marginalized people creates doubt and fear, encouraging them to believe their request for basic respect is radical. By ourselves, not in relation to society, we have to commune with the thought that cosmically we are worthy, and not a fighter against the machine.

I have been thinking about another layer of intention in this collection. I would love if these pieces would aid in affirming the playfulness and creativity of miniature play, and help lessen the proclivity for exclusive precision-based and price tag-oriented attitudes in the doll world.

I am making these garments with attention to quality, but not aspiring to human principles of construction. Some of the items totally engulf the subject, reaffirming its doll-ness. I think that would be a very interesting approach to human dressing, as well: having the potential to simultaneously be at symbiotic peace with one's garb while being engulfed by it." 

Dolldom is lucky to be able to collaborate with Nox and, in so doing, to reflect deeply on the possibilities of self-expression in our doll play. For this fabulous feature, ball-jointed dolls by NuminaDoll and JAMIEshow Doll engage with Nox's designs in liberating play where garment and character fuse to create one harmonious entity.

HvalaDolls

HvalaWorld

Mi

Credits: 

All clothing by HvalaDolls

Wigs by Chewin, NuminaDoll, and JAMIEshow

Red bead necklace by Exsyntrik

Dressing Up

HvalaDolls redefines menswear with a select collection of dresses, perfect for a holiday get-together with friends. Modeled by the handsome men of NuminaDoll, these visionary creations bring comfort and style. 

HvalaDolls




"Cupido enamorado" 

A pleated one-shoulder dress, paired with washed denim jeans by NuminaDoll, is both classic and revolutionary. 

"No Black Tie Required"

For black-tie affairs, a voluptuous flounce brings drama to this ground-breaking dress. Worn with black pants by Chewin Doll and patent leather monk shoes, it's elegance redefined. 

"Seeing Through"

A seductive spier-web net dress with ruching on the sides is HvalaDolls' interpretation of the LBD. 

HvalaDolls