The Song

A song can most definitely be a tonic for the soul. It is at times of fatigue (both physical as well as existential) that a song can bring much needed solace or an energizing mood boost.

Tonner Doll Company's complex Déjà Vu line (circa 2013) presented a singer by the name of Judy Watson (one of several reincarnations of the same soul) to evoke the fashion essence of the 1950s. It seems difficult to read the name Judy being associated with music and not think of the exemplary Judy Garland. Though the doll's look is not an homage to the quintessential soul denuder, Dolldom seized the opportunity to pay tribute.

In this Dolldom exclusive, Judy Watson sings her heart out just like her namesake did, always aiming to express the purest emotions that the human heart can feel in fashions created by another force of nature - LizRetros- whose vision of beauty and glamour is ever so divinely original. Bogue's Vogues, the undeniable icon of fashion doll design also joins in the fun, as well as groundbreaking Byanca of Houston. A Gerry Broerman take on a Théâtre de la Mode classic also makes an encore appearance.

Judy sings "For Me and My Guy" in a LizRetros flocked bloom dress. 

"Building the Yellow Brick Road" was one of Judy Watson's biggest hits. So is this beaded LizRetros wonder. 

In a Gerry Broerman interpretation of a Théâtre de la Mode design by Maggy Rouff, Judy debuted "Il'l Go on Singing".

Bogue's Vogues regaled Judy with one of its iconic designs for her show at The Palladium where she moved the audience to tears with her emotional rendition of "Being Myself".

At the same show in San Francisco, Judy wore this LizRetros fab suit to sing "Meet Me by the Rainbow" 

Byanca of Houston's sensational and figure-defining fashion has been worn by many famous personalities such as Madra Lord, but it was Judy who, while singing "The Ferry Song", turned it into a sensation. 

LizRetros' take on the Barbie doll's "Mood for Music" gave Judy's "Bring on the Rain; I'll Always Shine" the very best accompaniment. 

During one of her London shows at The Talk of the Town, Judy wore LizRetros' iconic Lurex dress and revealed not only her left leg but also her heart singing "The Soul Next Door". 

Judy closed one of her performances at Carnegie Hall in LizRetros' leopard gown and brought the house down with "The Man I Sent Away". Necklace by Exsyntrik on Etsy. 

The Return of D.A.E.'s Vivian and Monty: Miniquins Are Go!

Dolldom's fascination with dolls is very much due to the impact of Gerry Anderson's Supermarionation figures. Filled with the oddness of the object inanimate that nevertheless shows signs of life, characters such as Captain Scarlett or Lady Penelope, created a deep feeling of cognitive dissonance. Are they or aren't they? 

Although fashion dolls do not speak and gesture (yet) as these Supermarionation beings did, they still provide the dollector with an opportunity to explore their dynamic stillness and expressive silence. Because they do not respond in the manner of things animate, we make every effort to establish an eloquent form of communication with these representations of ourselves. We imagine that such may be the case too for collectors of full-size fashion mannequins. Which brings us to the fabulous dolls of this entry. 

D.A.E. Originals created Vivian the Miniquin in 2002 and Monty the Miniquin joined the line in 2005. With a storyline that delves deeply into alternate forms of consciousness, Vivian and Monty opened up a world where we, humans, were the ones not capable of perceiving their activity. Both dolls were frank about their inanimate nature - they were mannequins at Diamonds Department Store - but that did not stop them from having complex emotional lives. 

20 years later, D.A.E. Originals brings back Vivian and Monty at their most uncanny: articulated and glass eyed, the mannequin pair is more suggestive of mystery than ever. And BECAUSE they do not move autonomously or speak in ways audible to the human ear, they draw us in even more into their supposedly still world. 

The new collection, titled Romance Reborn, is a gorgeous offering of ultra limited resin ball-jointed dolls. Elaborate fashion sets are limited to 6, while dolls are limited to 15 of each hair color. 

In this Dolldom entry, Vivian and Monty invite you to join them on an excursion of their world: the fabulous windows of Diamonds Department Store, where the perceived stillness of their poses cannot deny the dynamism of their intentions.

For more information and to acquire your own, make sure to visit the shop at D.A.E. Originals.

Menswear Department? Take the elevator to the 4th floor! 




Rockabilly styles? 5th floor!




Custom jewelry - 1st floor!

Hostess wear is on 3rd floor. 




Couture for formal occasions? Penthouse!

Bridal Boutique is on 7th!

For more information and to acquire your own, make sure to visit the shop at D.A.E. Originals.

Furniture by D. Cole for LizRetros

Monty's Sartorial Triumph: A Mix-and-Match Extravaganza

D.A.E. Originals Monty the Miniquin is the miniquin to watch for he's wearing a mix of styles, elegantly vintage, and yet so au courant. Selecting pieces from Monty's sensational fashion sets, Dolldom's editors highlight the classic essence of D.A.E.'s menswear savvy. 

For more information and to acquire your own fashion sets for Monty to create your own mix-and-match fun, make sure to visit the shop at D.A.E. Originals.

"Casual for Town and Country" combines the brown cashmere car coat from "Town and Country" with the cord slacks and turtleneck from "Corded Casuals"






"Motorbike" combines "On the Fairway's" white turtleneck and jacket with "Dungaree Boy's" perfectly made dungarees. 



"Afternoon Off" combines "On the Fairway's" slacks and shoes with "Corded Casual's" olive green sweater. 






"L'italiano" is a cool combo of "Cashmere Tuxedo's" slacks and shoes and "On the Fairway's" turtleneck. 

"Palm Springs Party" is a cool mix of "On the Fairway's" slacks and cap and "Town and Country's" linen shirt. 

"Cords and Polo" is a classic pairing of beige corduroy slacks from "Corded Casuals" and a well-fitting diamond-pattern polo shirt from "Dungaree Boy". 

"Hi-Fi" is for an evening of cool jazz tunes on the record player matching "Dungaree Boy's" cool jeans and "Town and Country's" incredibly colorful knit vest. 

For more information and to acquire your own fashion sets for Monty to create your own mix-and-match fun, make sure to visit the shop at D.A.E. Originals.

Furniture by D. Cole for LizRetros

The Wig Shop at Diamonds Department Store

A mannequin transforms - always. D.A.E. Originals Vivian is no exception. In wigs made for Mel Odom's Gene Marshall doll by Ilaria Mazzoni for Time of Doll, a "Dressing for Dinner" raven Vivian doll ,with her deep chocolate caramel eyes and soft lilac eye shadow, is the consummate chameleon in the equally phenomenal "Let's Celebrate".

For more information and to acquire your own, make sure to visit the shop at D.A.E. Originals.

Only Make Believe

Or is it? D.A.E. Originals Vivian and Monty embody love for the customers of Diamonds Department Store in "Cashmere Tuxedo" and "Blushing Bride"! Their love is undeniable, don't you agree? 

For more information and to acquire your own, make sure to visit the shop at D.A.E. Originals.

For more information and to acquire your own, make sure to visit the shop at D.A.E. Originals.