Lush Life

"I used to visit all the very gay places,
Those come-what-may places,
Where one relaxes on the axis,
Of the wheel of life,
To get the feel of life,
From jazz and cocktails."

The first stanza of the Billy Strayhorn classic leads Dolldom in this new explorative fantasy of the cocktail hour. Back in 2010, we celebrated the moment with the sweet-as-red-vermouth entry Classy Cocktail Talk: Stirring a Moment of Happiness.

Filled with the splendor of days gone by and redolent of mid-century aesthetics, this Summer of '23 gathering of very special models in very special fashions will hopefully lead you to add another touch of glamour to your own five (or four, or three) o'clock celebration. Solo or in the company of other lounge lizards, may your lush life moment be joyfully intoxicating.

Our first arrival! A platinum-tressed Retro Charisse by iconic Mikelman in the black-lace-over-turquoise-silk "Mademoiselle". 

Hildy makes her entrance! One of Joey Versaw's characters from his innovative Pulp Dolls line, resin Hildy features a shorter and fuller silhouette. Coat by Integrity Toys. Dress by Versaw. Wig by Monique. 

Something sparkly, please! Devastatingly beautiful Fanfan by Nav Sikand is a lovely vision in her navy tulle sparkler. 

Who said mannequins may not enjoy a little Pernod? Vivette by DAE Originals does in her beaded black linen sheath by Marirose. 

Mike Buess' Fabiola is in! Her Endangered Sissy mini muumuu dress. Fabiola's fabulous hairstyle is a sensational 3-D printed wig by Joey Versaw.

Who's that girl? It's Evoni by Roger Haack in a ultra-glam mini by Tania Lawrence. 

Miss Mary! Joey Versaw's bombshell in her "Abduction" iteration is seductive in a Tania Lawrence dress. 

An experienced lounge-goer, Genevieve by Japanese doll maker Cragston is the epitome of elegance in a James Bogue silk suit and Swiss dotted net hat. But, who's that playing mixologist? 

It's the inimitably seductive Lilli Lalka by Julian Kalinowski in his reinterpretation of "Atelierfest". We'll take any libation by her!

Last but not least, a vintage Nancy by Bella arrives in a Robert Kaufman metallic linen magic dress by mega-talented Toy Twirls (aka Mode de M). 

Now the cocktail lounge is packed with glamour pusses the world over!

And like Dorothy Parker's "Big Blonde" would utter: "Here's mud in your eyes!"

"Romance is mush,
Stifling those who strive.
I'll live a lush life,
In some small dive."

 

Tallulah! Dah-Ling!

Joey Versaw's recent venture into the world of vintage pulp fiction novels has yielded a richly diverse cast of characters ready for action. One of such personnages is the gorgeous Tallulah. 

What's in a name? Everything. 

Tallulah Bankhead ( "A star more than an actress, a personality more than a star, a celebrity before the phenomenon of celebrity had been identified." - Robert Gottlieb)

Tallulah Rue (Dolldom's Muse and Spiritual Guide)

Referencing the original bad girl allows Versaw's Tallulah to inherit quite a bit of an attitude on life, for, after all, our dolls reflect our dreams and ideals.  What better way to enjoy this new entry with Pulp Dolls Inc, Tallulah than with some of Miss Bankhead's iconic utterances and an exclusive portfolio?

“Here's a rule I recommend: Never practice two vices at once.”
― Tallulah Bankhead

Tallulah arrives with a colorful mini mumu and all the attitude you can take. 

“Say anything about me, darling, as long as it isn't boring.”
― Tallulah Bankhead

In a festive silk gown by Rosina Haskell and a Monique wig, Tallulah enters. 

“I'd rather be strongly wrong than weakly right.”

― Tallulah Bankhead

Tallulah is truly darling in Candi's gown by Mikelman. 

“Fill what is empty, empty what is full, and scratch where it itches.”

― Tallulah Bankhead

And that's clearly attained in this Lizretros' vintage Lurex wonder. 

“ I'd like to kiss you, Darling, but I just washed my hair. ”

― Tallulah Bankhead

Tallulah is wonderfully seductive in her lizRetros' vintage brocaded gown and a thrift-store wig find. 

But wait!

“The only thing I regret about my past is the length of it. If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner”

― Tallulah Bankhead

To be continued...

Credits for readers:

Pulp Dolls, Inc. 

LizRetros

Rosina Haskell