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

Mostafa Is His Name

 What's in a name? Everything. 

Mostafa, meaning the chosen one in Arabic, is one of the names of Muhammad. And this OOAK NuminaDoll Argent, sculpted by the gifted Paul Pham, carries it with honor and pride. For Pham is a visionary artist whose pro-active commitment to diversity and representation is unparalleled in the realm of 1/4 scale ball jointed dolls.

Pham gave life to Mostafa, crafted of dark tan resin, with an inspired face-up, seductive five o'clock shadow, and detailed manicure and pedicure. His wig, made of fine mohair, was also handmade by the sculptor. 

In this Dolldom entry, Mostafa models fashions by the equally talented Chewin Doll.

Crème de la crème 

Mostafa models a cotton satin suit with Nehru collar by Chewin Doll. Blue suede boots by NuminaDoll. 




Mood Indigo

Blue suit, short and tie by Chewin Doll.

Action Hero

In a vest and slacks by Chewin Doll, Mostafa shows off his well-toned arms. 

Urbanite 

Coat and jeans by Chewin Doll mix well with a mesh tank. 

NuminaDoll

Chewin Doll

Favorite Shirts (and Slacks)

It's still summer and it's still hot - so let the T-shirt reign supreme.  LizRetros creates a series specially for the NumniaDoll male dolls and compliments them with comfortable pants.









Wigs by NuminaDoll and Chewin Doll. Hakama by JAMIEshow Doll. T-shirts and other pants by LizRetros.

The Sum of Its Parts

Doll fashion brand Shantommo's second venture into the world of 1:4 male BJD caught Dolldom's eyes as rarely one sees shorts, and it being summertime...plus the double breasted short-sleeved shirt made of striped cotton has a vintage vibe.

Dolldom's stylists saw the potential for mix and match and the order was placed.

Le week-end

Shantommo's "Weekend" is modeled by Seth, a OOAK Argent doll by Paul Pham for NuminaDoll. Dolldom opted for black boots en lieu of the proposed sandals for a more urban look.

Short Obsession.

The crepe shorts become the building block for an elegant look with black mesh tank, NuminaDoll's Barney-purple coat, and patent leatherette monk-strap shoes with white socks. A little spritz of vintage Habit Rouge and Seth is ready for anything.

Prep School.

Cause it's fun to amuse oneself with traditions. This fun take on elementary school uniforms pairs the obsessive shorts with the perfection of Chewin Doll's white shirt (these are the most precisely cut and sewn miniature shirts in the universe, and, if you really love your doll, you must get him one) and navy blue slim tie. His fragrance? Vintage Lagerfeld for Men.

But what about the shirt, you may be wondering... Well, Dolldom saved it for last...

Out of the Bank

The white and black striped shirt is happy to hang out with a pair of cuffed jeans by NuminaDoll. Modeled by Link, a OOAK Aurum, the look is relaxed and elegant. Link's Afro wig by Chewin Doll. Scent of a man: L'instant by Guerlain. Boots by JAMIEshow.

A Style of Character

As diversity and inclusion become the norm in the world of fashion, character takes center stage. Crumbling canons of beauty make way for the emergence of the soulful attitude.

Dolldom is proud to introduce Otto, a NuminaDoll Aurum cast in pale resin. Inspired by models Leo Jonah and Shaun Ross and created by sculptor extraordinaire Paul Pham, Otto is a perfect example of the power of character. Strong, unique, spirited, all that Otto needs is a pair of faded jeans (also by NuminaDoll) to create images of elevated style.

Summer Prep

It makes sense to invest in a pair of jeans and a good haircut - two essentials on which to build looks for this coming summer season. For this preview of male summer style, The Numina's Argent by sculptor extraordinaire Paul Pham models made-to-measure denim by the talented Chewin, along with two of his hard cap wigs, and necklaces by Joy Jarred.











The Numina - Dollcis by Paul Pham

Chewin Doll

Joy Jarred Jewelry

A Brave, New, Non-Toxic World: The Numina's Argent

Last September 2018, The Numina's Discophelia event bore a rich harvest of photos on social media. Among the many reveals at the annual event, hosted by sculptor Paul Pham, were two new characters, the artist's first venture into the world of the doll-coded-as-male. And Dolldom took note. In fact, Dolldom went on high alert as it was - even in photos - palpable that the artist was not only making the ultimate accessory for his uniquely gorgeous and racially diverse female counterparts; these personnages, Aurum and Argent, were coming to life at a time when masculinity and femininity are being redefined by non-patriarchal standards and in the same way that gender binarism is no longer the norm.

And what are these new standards? We hope that any new standard is applicable to all human beings: empathy, patience, nurturing, attention to detail, spirituality. At the very least, these are the qualities with which The Numina's Argent is being gifted as he is welcomed to Dolldom. His face and body - his outward appearance - and what we as dollectors code by our own set of standards, will be perceived differently - just like beauty is the eye of the beholder. But as we continue to examine and explore the new options Argent will be our guide.

Argent's face (he identifies as male and his pronouns are he/him/his) has a special quality, perhaps what Susan Sontag calls "the haunting androgynous vacancy behind the perfect beauty of Greta Garbo." Depending on the angle, the identity reveals itself: deep in thought, solemn, intense. Argent has a mission and the agency to undertake a plan. His body is a sensitive examination of sinuous musculature developed via physical activity: "mens sana in corpore sano".

In this first feature, Argent takes the time to play basketball, to wear a skirt (a kilt is nothing but), and to show off the beauty of garments that have become part of the lexicon of universal fashion: classics that anyone can (and in Dolldom's view should) wear.










Track shorts and tank by The Numina/Dollcis. Wig by Chewin.






Kilt by Ayal Armon Doll Couture. Shirt by Tonner Doll. Wig by Chewin.




Hooded knit by Tonner Doll. Pants by Esefdoll on Etsy.






Coat and slacks by Tonner Doll. Turtleneck by Dollsviewpoint on Etsy.




Cap by Petit Tricotage.

Much gratitude to Paul Pham and Dollcis/The Numina for creating new opportunities to explore the world via dolls.