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. 

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

S Is for Snowdance and S-Girls

Sylvia Campbell is a superstar. Her talent is treasured by countless collectors whose fortunate dolls wear Miss Campbell's Snowdance Fashions - be it as reproductions of the Barbie doll's hardest-to-find ensembles or original and most inspired designs. But it is not only the Barbie doll who enjoys the luxury and beauty of Snowdance Fashions, for Miss Campbell has collaborated with hand painted doll superstar Julian S. Kalinowski over the years in many a project. Hard to imagine a special Lilli Lalka who has not been regaled with a Snowdance fashion. And Séverine - the now mythical creature whose Facebook Je suis Séverine group continues to bring together people from all over the world - fabulously modeled OOAK creations by Miss Campbell is a past Dolldom entry. So it was only natural that Mr. Kalinowski's new S-Girls followed suit.

Miss Campbell has created a sublime red, black and white collection that is nothing but exuberant, elegant, and yes, sexy. Using lace in all the right places and giving sparkly Lurex the chance to get out of the Solo-in-the-Spotlight cliché, this latest Snowdance Fashions collection for the sensational S-Girls takes the dialogue on dolls to yet another level of depth.

For more information on both artists' work, visit or call on them!
S-Girls by Julian S. Kalinowski
Snowdance Fashions by Sylvia Campbell


Crown Jewel. Sylvain reigns supreme in vintage lace and Lurex.


Yes and No. Sable loves the polar opposites of this 60s-inspired lace suit.


Vintage and Ageless. Come on! Can't it get any more gorgeous? A special Lurex and vintage lace gown is modeled by the first ever black Stella.


Coquette. Stella plays along with our photographer's posing suggestions in this ready-for-cocktails bubble dress.


Grecian Greatness. One bare shoulder dress of apple-red lace gives Stella a chance to be a Hellenic goddess.


Archangel. Angel of love Sylvain takes us to Cloud Nine in a white lace version of the one-bare-arm dress. 


Gowns Go Grand! A Barbie Japanese market exclusive gown is re-imagined by Miss Campbell as a glorious confection of sparkling beads and creamy silk satin for Mr. Kalinowski's S-Girls Sylvain and Sable.


Beads and Beauty. Courtesy of Sylvia Campbell's Snowdance and Julian S. Kaslinowski's S-Girl Sylvain.

My Kokeshi

"Classic Black Dress" Barbie goes to Japan just like her vintage predecessor did in 1964. This time she is wearing a kimono by long-time friend Sylvia Campbell. Today, Barbie has been searching for treasures for her collection and luck has been on her side. Barbie is delighted with her vintage kokeshi doll!

The Making of Séverine's Advertisement for FDQ Magazine

Julian Stanislaw Kalinowksi decided to start 2016 with a bang by advertising his Séverine, Miss Sévinyl, and Bunty Lee's now aborted Rachel dolls in Patricia Henry's Fashion Doll Quarterly magazine. What a better way to profile these 21st century fashion dolls so imbued with the zeitgeist of the late 1960s?

Since these captivating ladies seem to have arrived via time-machine to lucky collectors the world over, a decision was taken to mimic page 25 from Sear's 1964 Wishbook Christmas catalog.

 
The stunning collage features Ruth Handler's iconic Barbie and her best friend Midge modeling elegant fashions designed by Charlotte Johnson and created by hand by many gifted seamstresses in Japan. A half-page image shows Barbie and Ken in their formal best.

Since Séverine, Miss Sévinyl, and Rachel (soon to be available as Solange) are hand painted and hand coiffed dolls that wear mostly one-off handmade couture, the association seemed natural.

Dolldom's photographers and stylists went to work immediately once the special models arrived from England dressed in the very best hand made creations of Liz Cole for Retros, Rosina Haskell, Tania Lawrence, Sylvia Campbell, Juliet Whorton...even a vintage Franklin Lim-Liao! These are the resulting images:


Designer: Tania Lawrence


Designer: Tania Lawrence


Designer: Tania Lawrence


Designer: Tania Lawrence


Designer: Liz Cole for Retros


Designer: Rosina Haskell


Designer: Sylvia Campbell


Designer: Liz Cole for Retros


Designer: Juliet Whorton


Designer: Sylvia Campbell


Designer: Rosina Haskell


Designer: Tania Lawrence


Designer: Tania Lawrence


Designer: Tania Lawrence


Designer: Liz Cole for Retros


Designer: Liz Cole for Retros


Designer: Juliet Whorton


Designer: Sylvia Campbell


Designer: Franklin Lim Liao


Designer: Rosina Haskell

The formal Barbie and Ken photo called for all out glamour.


Designer: Rosina Haskell

After a careful selection process headed by Mr. Kalinowski, the images were sent to graphic designer genius Fokke Hoekman in Berlin so that the final magical collage could be created and sent to Fashion Doll Quarterly.

Make sure that you get a copy of Fashion Doll Quarterly so that you may have a print version of the ad. Vive Séverine.