Savoir Faire

Issued in 2002 as a LE of 150 for a Collector's United event in Atlanta, Georgia, "Savoir Faire" Sydney Chase is, in Dolldom's view, a perfect doll. Featuring the natural make-up palette used on the same year's "Firebird", "Sheer Glamour", and "RTW", "Savoir Faire" reprised the hairstyle of the previous year's "Black and White Ball" iteration. One wonders - then- how could these elements, already seen and available on other dolls, come together to create a definitive look for the ultimate diva of Tyler Wentworth's world?  The accompanying photo portfolio aims to capture the magic. 

"Savoir Faire" Sydney Chase models her beaded strapless gown with chiffon train. A perfect combination. 

But a fashion doll is always looking to model...

"Savoir Faire" dons a pink silk satin gathered teddy and "Central Park Benefit Luncheon's" skirt and she's ready for cocktails. Her Rx glasses are as essential to the Sydney Chase mystique as her pout. 

"Premiere Pink's" silk skirt and a honeycomb turtleneck by Demuse Doll make a surprise appearance...

For dancing, off comes the skirt!  Sydney reveals brocaded silk hot pants! 

In a classic deep blue 1950s  style cocktail dress by Paintbox Designs, Sydney travels through time. 

Luxe, calme, volupté...in Demuse Doll's textured silk coat with silk satin collar and bow. 

To close the show, "Savoir Faire" opts for Tyler Wentworth's "Dinner with Regina". 

Here's to 21 years of incomparable style, "Savoir Faire" Sydney Chase.

Redefining Being

The current dialogue concerning fashion, patriarchal traditions and the expression of the self fascinates Dolldom. And it is in the realm of ball-jointed dolls where the exchange of ideas is robust and energetic, perhaps due to the extent to which doll sculptors are realizing their visions of human beauty.

Doll Menagerie MarmiteSue exemplifies the trend. Although offered as female and male presenting, the denizens of Elli Effenberger's realm implicitly invite us to explore what constitutes fashion at a time when evolved mindsets about gender expression push for a redefinition.

Three MarmiteSue characters, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus (Baby iteration), model styles based on three ideals: comfort, practicality, and glamour. Dolldom believes that all dolls (and human beings for that matter) should enjoy the pleasures of sartorial decoration as they define it: paillette-encrusted illusion netting, 1940's tailored pin-striped slacks with suspenders, combat boots, or a silvery silk vest, for example. The point is to be as you wish to be in both your personal as well as professional lives while partaking of the best that fashion has to offer. It's not feminine, it's not masculine: it's just you.

Saturnalia

In an early fall look, Saturn rocks a metallic silk vest and jersey knit tights designed by Tyler Wentworth for her "Urban Sport" ensemble.  A feathered fez from Tonner Doll Company's Théâtre de la Mode "Fleurs du Mal" replaces the usual knit cap. Boots by NuminaDoll. 

Fifth and Biggest

Jupiter loves the classic styling of these high-waisted, pin-striped trousers as the suspenders enhance the vintage feel. A jersey knit turtleneck and a hyperbolic houndstooth wool scarf bring practicality to the cool weather look. Trousers by Ashton-Drake for Mel Odom's Trent Osborn. Turtleneck and scarf by Tyler Wentworth. Wig by NuminaDoll. Shoes by Paul Zhangby on e-Bay.

Your Fire and Your Desire

Venus (Baby iteration) goes minimalist in this elevation of the ubiquitous T-shirt and jeans. The T-shirt is replaced by an illusion netting body suit embroidered with lace appliqués and black paillettes. VDC's Grace Boutique provides the democratic pants in black leatherette. Combat boots by JAMIEshow Doll made for Mel Odom's Trent Osborn. Wig by NuminaDoll. 

Face-up designs by Steos Studios

MarmiteSue / Menagerie

Thank you to lynlovesdollcollecting for making the adoption of this trio possible.

Everlasting Allure

Time passes, the world continues to turn, and we forge on. But one day, our eyes encounter a familiar face, visiting from the past, and that meeting reveals a truth: a doll's everlasting allure.



Robert Tonner's Sydney Chase is such a character, one that changed the face of the fashion doll collecting scene along with her sister-in-couture Tyler Wentworth (who turns 20 in 2019). But this is Sydney's moment as she basks in soft, fall evening light. In her 2003 Ready-to-Wear iteration, Sydney has a straight arm body, bending legs and "Copper" Saran hair. But perhaps it is the face-up (yes, the eyes are hand painted) with its pale and natural palette that makes this face so powerfully alluring. After all, it was Sydney Chase who made the pout the ultimate fashion accessory and many dollies after her have followed and continue to follow suit.

Forgotten at Fifteen?

Dolldom recalls the first encounter with Miss Tyler Wentworth. A brunette Signature Style basic doll. The designer's designer doll. A bit of Robert Tonner's life experience in vinyl, hard plastic, real wool and cotton. Because this gal wore a luxury uniform to work. Tyler's sculpt spoke when engaged in light and shadow play, making her minimalist face-up approach a delight for our photographers.

Recently Tommy Courtney (subscribe to his blog Tommy Doll as it provides the most insightful perspectives on fashion doll collecting) reminded Dolldom that it was Tyler Wentworth's fifteenth anniversary. And Dolldom felt sad and a bit ashamed to have forgotten. Needless to say, Dolldom thanks Mr. Courtney for once again sharing his love of Tyler in his inimitably always-glow-brightly way. As much as this entry is meant to celebrate Tyler Wentworth on her milestone, it also serves to recognize the talent and enthusiasm with which Mr. Courtney lavished one of Robert Tonner's best dolls and perhaps the one that will define the golden age of his company.

Dear Tyler, Dolldom remembers you and enjoys you on a daily basis as this exclusive portfolio of the permanent collection of the Tyler Wentworth gallery illustrates. Heavy on the vintage element, the Dolldom Tyler Wentworth Gallery focuses on Tyler's ability to transform from young designer to time traveler. Déjà Vu is to us very déjà vu for Tyler Wentworth was on H.G. Wells' time machine early in her production via Le Théatre de la Mode. When Tonner Doll Company began producing miniature versions of the already scaled-down gems of the now historic and successful attempt to keep couture alive, Tyler was back in Nazi-occupied Paris modeling for Marcel Dhorme, Jacques Heim, Lucien Lelong, and Mad Carpentier. And she did not have to be hit on the head to get there, for Tyler Wentworth was, is, and will always be a class act.


A muse with her muse.Tyler's quality fabrication allowed the dolls to stand unaided.  With a little posing, the doll is able to stand with a stand.


A Signature Style basic Tyler. First edition, first wave with very subdued make-up. Dolldom loves the fresh face look. And her Jackie O glasses. And her pearls. And her ponytail. And the tiny wells at the corners of her mouth.


The "Saucy" face is to Dolldom the apex of Tyler's face design. Timeless attitude. This "RTW Glamour" redhead could wear anything and make it look sensational. Even Vilma Flintsone's fur. Necklace by Victoria Garnier.


Karl Lagerfeld Tyler. Way before Mattel did it with Barbie.


The " Signature Style" style is taken to the utter max of glam with the iconic look of "Signature Statement" modeled by the utterly beautiful "RTW Luxury"ash-blonde model. A doll for forever.


A first issue "Signature Style" redhead Tyler. 


"C'est Parfait" from TDLM's collection.


Another "Saucy" Tyler with mink hair color. The "RTW Glamour" models are Dolldom's favorites.


TDLM's "Blush" makes us blush.


Back in the day...For her fifth anniversary, Tyler was celebrated with the grand silk brocade and beaded French lace (reminiscent of the one used in "Party of the Season") "Anniversary Gala" gown. The model boasts the "Saucy" look and a one-time-only fuchsia lip color.




She's got the look. A raven haired "RTW Luxury" models "Le petit ensemble noir" for a retrospective a The Maryhill Museum. What else is needed? Another doll and fashion for forever.




The Tyler Wentworth Boutique offered many classic looks as this "Red Perfection" velvet coat worn by the FAO exclusive "Outfit of the Month" Tyler Wentworth. LBD by Charles Roark.




TDLM's "C'est la Fête" as modeled by the Tyler issued wearing TDLM's "Swept Away" fashion. A smashing redhead with a decidedly vintage look.


Her Royal Modernity. In her second and short-lived face sculpt, this "Ultra Basic" blonde is a perfect example of what may be achieved when a design team has its collective thinking cap on. Tyler wears the extremely sober and ultra luxurious satin RTW Boutique separates.


Am I Wonder Woman Now? The sculpt has been reissued for the Diana Prince line.


"RTW Winter" is a dead-ringer for Bettie Page with her raven ponytail and bangs. Or is it early Barbie's ponytail? It does not matter as Tyler, sporting her Sherry Miller-designed second face-up, is truly her own woman. But this style opens up the possibilities for Tyler, like this fun Retros' dress. Necklace by Stray Cat. Tyler's male model counterpart is JAMIEshow's "Havana Nights" Alejandro in a mix and match of Tonner Doll male doll clothing pieces.


Timeless.

How to close this entry? With Dolldom's only freelance artist repainted doll: a WonderBilly Tyler Wentworth! In Retros, of course!


Va-voom! 1950's Vargas girl. Tyler shows her curves is a mermaid gown made of dead-stock vintage print, as only Liz Cole could envision. Necklace by Joy Jarred. The doll is posing without a stand or any other means of support, testament to the way in which Tyler was engineered.
 

WonderBilly's approach is not subtle and it need not be as the Tyler sculpt can take very dramatic make-up design. This "Signature Style" is vamping up the holidays at Dolldom.


Her earrings are by Facets by Marcia and made for Cissy.

Happy Anniversary, Miss Wentworth! You will always be cherished here.

Wintertime

'Tis the season! Dolldom celebrates once again the magic of winter with an exclusive portfolio of special moments that can only take place during many of the season's celebrations. Dolls, toys, and beloved Christmas tree ornaments all hold a place of honor all around the home. 


To melt the frost...


"Phoenix" Gene Marshall by Jamieshow models an exclusive design by Vince Nowell, a gift from Dolldom friend Travis Kaller. Her coiffure is a hard cap wig by Italian artist Ilaria Mazzoni for Time of Doll.


SFBJ 301 reproduction Bleuette made by Raven Dolls in Seattle, WA, wears a reproduction dress by Global to visit Santa's Village.


Santa on the Moon! Happy little guy (a reproduction by Back Porch Friends) basks in the light of early morning.


A portrait with her new old doll. "Just Another Dreary Day" Agnes (restyled hair) wears "Stone Cold" to show us her beloved baby.


Vintage Japanese Elf makes a safe landing.


When the weather outside is frightful...


A golden gown is the perfect way to warm the room. A OOAK Mary Magpie (the first digitally-printed fashion doll) by Joey Versaw models a Luke Wilmoth reproduction of a Japanese market Francie doll gown.


Come on to my house! High above a vintage goose feather tree lives an elf...


Snowflakes, falling...


Little Snowflake Princess. Mary Magpie in the new 6 1/6-inch size is a most delicate miniature that shows the artistry and vision of her creator, Joey Versaw. The Dawn-by-Topper-sized doll has molded Mary Jane shoes and many options of tiny digitally-printed wigs to change her look. Dress by Liz Cole for Retros.


Winter Elegance. A Vintage American Girl Barbie doll wears "Pak" satin separates in baby pink and silver glitter.


Her wintery make-up features full buttercream lips, a look only reserved for some dolls from 1964-1966.



Happy snowman (reproduction cotton batting ornament by Back Porch Friends) swings the morning away.

Mountain High!


Mel Odom's White Orchid Gene Marshall, produced by Jamieshow, and Trent Osborn pose on the set of the much anticipated comedy Ski and Sky wearing outfits produced by Ashton Drake.

New Year's Eve! To welcome 2014, a 7 1/2-inch Hong Kong Lilli and her companion wear Retros by Liz Cole.


To evoke the festive spirit of the holiday season, Katana by Superdoll models a Retros day dress and jewelry by Joy Jarred.


Sunny and cold. Just perfect for Mrs. Frosty.




Judy and Libby Littlechap are ready for a winter stroll in the woods in their colorful coats. Dolls and outfits manufactured by  Remco, circa 1962.


Sartorial masterpiece. Trent Osborn defines New Year's Eve masculine elegance.


Gala Gown! The best galas are enjoyed in the Land of Make Believe. Silkstone Barbie Fashion Model designed by Robert Best arrives at the ball as a promise of Spring.


All That Glitters. A vintage Number Three Ponytail Barbie wears the festive "Dinner at 8" ensemble, designed by Charlotte Johnson, to accompany Ken (in Saturday Night Date) to Midge's tree decorating party.


A pretty little dog celebrates her second Christmas!


This winter extravaganza ends with Tyler Wentworth in a vintage-inspired gown by James Bogue and jewelry by Vince Tibavido.

May you and yours enjoy the magic of winter.