And Beauty for All

Mattel, oh-so-swell back in 1959, changed the world of dolls with Barbie's introduction. The concept of a basic doll in a swimsuit gave many a child the opportunity to play dress-up and live vicariously in a world of sophisticated glamour. The manufacture of Barbie's garments in Japan brought a reality of quality that to this day serves as the golden standard to which all doll companies aspire. Far from inexpensive, these miniature works of art, fascinated the children (and many an adult) of the burgeoning middle class of 1960’s America. The rest is history, as we well know.

Fast forward to the end of 2009. Mattel’s whiz-kid Bill Greening designs a new line of dolls aimed at the adult collector. The concept is genius: offer a rich variety of basic dolls in basic black dresses. Capitalizing on Barbie's ineffable connection to fashion, Barbie Basics™ fill a gap as deep and broad as the Grand Canyon. 

Inexpensive chic. Affordable quality. 

Democratically priced luxury. 

And all the fun that comes from feeling that one, as a collector, has a custom-made collection.  

These characteristics are evidenced in everything from the cut and fit of the little black dresses to the embroidered back pockets of the blue jeans of the 2.0 Collection. Rich face-up designs and detailed facial and body sculpts make the dolls desirable by themselves, and when paired with iconic fashion looks – LBD’s and jeans – the whole package is nothing short of irresistible. 

To add even more cachet and fashion verity, the official logo of The Council of Fashion Designers of America gives Barbie its formal blessing. 

Necklace by Joy Jarred

Dolldom appreciates the care and attention to detail that Mr. Greening and Team Mattel have given to all aspects of the line and the high standards applied to its production. Once out of their overly protective boxes (Dolldom dreams of a future where doll packaging is simplified), Barbie and her It’s-a-Small-World-like clan delight collectors with their stylish looks and supermodel attitudes evoked by the Model Muse body sculpt. 

The men fare equally well with a healthy dose of toned muscles, well-cut jeans, and excellent black shoes. Dolldom does expect to see a future offering of a suit or even a jacket to complete the sartorial exploration on what basic means in menswear.

Barbie Basics™ is about play. And play we like. As the accompanying portfolio proves, it is easy to give a doll a completely different look simply by switching models and dresses or by adding a bracelet or a necklace by one the many talented freelance designers. Be bold and dress your model in a handmade gold chain mini dress. Or finally open that NRFB Hong Kong clone fashion and let your MaleMuse live it up. 

When you look back at your re-styled doll, your satisfaction will come from knowing that your collection is all you and that it did not break the bank to get to there. 

 Model #15 wears a Fashion Royalty Homme sweater from the Criminally Chic set. This little knit wonder is hidden underneath a jacket and seldom discovered by collectors who keep the doll in the box.
Tables by Ron Shivvers.

Sunglasses by Dragon in Dreams

Model #14 wears a necklace by Joy Jarred. 

Model #14 wears the pseudo-controversial dress originally worn by Model #10 and Christian Louboutin's red mules.
Tables by Ron Shivvers.

Model #11 wears a gemstone necklace
by Mark G. Harris for Mode de M.

 In Model #8's dress, Model #11 shows that she smoothly glides from jeanfest to cocktail party.
Tables by Ron Shivvers.

 

 Model #13 wears the cream cotton shirt from Fashion Royalty's Thrill Seeker fashion and his original jeans.

 

Model #14 wears a vintage mod tux made in the British Colony of Hong Kong for the mysterious Ricky doll and "all 12-inch action figures".

To accompany him, Model #15 wears a gold chain mini dress by Italian designer Francesca Pigliapoco.

Model #17 wears Mod Ken's V.I.P. Scene's suit and shirt. Skipping the tie expresses freedom in fashion. 

Model #4 wears Versus by Versace and a necklace by Joy Jarred. 

 Model #13 adds excitement to her LBD with Joy Jarred's red sensation.

Model #15 wears his original jeans, Thrill Seeker's jacket by Fashion Royalty, and real leather engineer boots by Dragon in Dreams. Vintage Takara sunglasses complete the look.

Viva Barbie Basics™!

Necklace by Joy Jarred

Evolution Is Thy Name

Dolldom friend Joey Versaw has collected dolls since childhood and ever since this modern day Gepetto has wished upon a star to have his very own doll line. And after much blood, sweat, and many tears, Mr. Versaw has realized his dream fully and beautifully. Last May 2010, we profiled Mary Magpie, a boudoir-inspired beauty who took our collective breath away. Since then, Dolldom has rolled out the red carpet to welcome four more characters from this enchanting line of art dolls. 

Each Mary Magpie Evolution doll is a one-of-a-kind piece of art to which Joey devotes an average 5 hours. From assemblage, to hairstyling, to the hand painting of their fabulous faces, the end result is Joey’s vision. Joey kindly listens to ideas for the next special look and much to our delight and amazement, each 12-inch doll always exceeds our expectations. In addition to commissions, Joey offers basic dolls with which the lucky dollector can play fashion for hours as Mary fits into many similarly scaled fashion doll clothing. Joey tells us that he plans to offer Mary’s own mini comic books, illustrated by comic artist James Meadows, to narrate her fabulous life and adventures. And very soon too, Mary and her friends will be issued with a new body with increased articulation. 

As proven by the accompanying photos, Mary not only felt right at home in Dolldom’s collection, she and her friends stole our hearts in a second. 

Boudoir Mary is Dolldom's first Mary Magpie doll. 

A strawberry blond Mary with mohair wig styled by Joey in a braid wears a Barbie Basic's black knit dress and a necklace by Joy Jarred. 

Corrinne, a different sculpt and character in the Evolution line, wears a cocktail dress made by Joey with sparkly vintage fabrics. 

Corrinne wears her original Chinese style dress made by Joey using luxurious brocaded silk.

Bastian, is Joey's male sculpt and a much welcome addition to the line. All dolls need a best male friend. Bastian can wear some Ken and Fashion Royalty Homme fashions. 

One of Dolldom's favorite's is this ebony Mary. Her hairstyle is painted so that she may wear cool wigs like this Monique beehive. In this photo, Mary channels her inner Emma Peel in a Debbie Drake leotard, Lilli Lalka belt, and Ken boots. Super!

Mary Magpie Evolution Dolls

Fashionable Little Tyke - Betsy McCall Models for Dolldom

Back in 1951, when housewives dressed to the nines to dust their porcelain bibelots and the nuclear family had reached its apotheosis, McCalls’ magazine featured a small treat for kids of all ages: the Betsy McCall paper doll. The detailed drawings came to life with a pair of scissors and bit of patience and gave many a child the chance to play with this fashionable tyke.

 Soon thereafter, in 1952, Ideal Toys created a 14” Betsy McCall doll and later in 1957, American Character followed with a 8" doll and then in 1958, a 14-inch beauty. Not as know or as popular as the tiny version, The 14-inch Betsy McCall by American Character features a superb sculpt with lively sleep eyes and a cute Mamie Eisenhower-inspired hairstyle.

From the 1958 Sears Christmas catalog:

14-inch Betsy McCall...Walks 

Betsy is a “little Girl” yet so fashion-conscious! She’s bisque-finished vinyl plastic with rooted Saran hair and lashed moving eyes. She walks when guided, has jointed arms, legs, waist...turning head.”

In a cotton dress , Betsy retailed at $7.69. For $8.69, Betsy donned a rayon lined checked gingham coat and dress set. 

Dolldom celebrates this hard-to-find little girl to show that superbly designed dolls live forever. All they need is a loving home and the talent of freelance designers. For this exclusive portfolio, Betsy models a wardrobe put together from diverse sources: a vintage original, a Tonner Doll Company design, and superbly crafted recreations of the paper doll fashions by the unique Little Red Hen.

INTRODUCING BETSY MCCALL - May, 1951

 Little Red Hen’s interpretation of the cover dress in the May 1951 issue of McCall's magazine is made of Valencia orange and white dotted Swiss gingham and ecru eyelet. Underneath is a sewn-in lace-trimmed slip. Betsy's dress ties in a bow at the back. She is ready for a day in the sun, playing with Nosy, her Dachsund. In this photo, Betsy plays with Foxy, a Steiff Fox Terrier wearing a tag that reads: "Made in Occupied Germany".

Chez Dior

Vintage Prom Time ball gown was designed and made by American Character from 1958 to 1959. This Dioresque evening dress features a black velvet bodice with a sheer pink stole attached with a rhinestone pin. The gown's skirt is comprised of a sheer pink top layer with a luxurious wide ruffle along the bottom. Lace trimmed pink satin slip is attached to the top skirt. Accessories include a tulle lace slip, pink panties with lace trim, white rayon socks, and pink satin shoes with center snap closures

PUT THE DRESS ON BETSY - April, 1953

Little Red Hen’s version of the one-piece dress has a lined bodice with puff sleeves and Peter Pan collar. The gathered circular skirt with suspenders is made of vintage chintz and ties in the back in a supple bow. In Dolldom’s version of the story, Betsy puts on a puppet show with Lambchop for a crowd of adoring fans.

BETSY MCCALL TAKES A RIDE ON THE CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR - July, 1960

Little Red Hen’s interpretation of the sleeveless dress is a tribute to the power of rickrack. Made with vintage fabric, it has a lined bodice, a solid blue midriff with vintage rickrack, and two buttons at the back. Underneath the skirt there's an attached lace trimmed slip. Perfect dress for searching for lost dolls in the dark forest.

Ahoy, Matey!

Tonner Doll Company designed this sailor dress for it’s own 14-inch version of Betsy. TDC’s fashions fit American Character’s Betsy perfectly. In the background, two Tonner Doll Company 8-inch Betsy dolls dressed by Sara Lanzilotta stand ready to sail ship.

TiMe MaChInE BoNuS!

The September 1954 issue of McCall's featured a special story entitled “Betsy McCall is Topsy-Turvy":

“Hi, Betsy!” said Nosy. “Look at me!” Betsy McCall looked at him in surprise. “Not you,” said Nosy. “I mean the other one.” Betsy looked around and saw her doll, whose name is also Betsy McCall, sitting teetering on a chair with only three legs. Then she looked back at Nosy in amazement. “Why are you standing on your head?” she demanded. “To rest my foot,” growled Nosy. “Why are you flying a kite in the living room?” Betsy looked even more surprised. “Why, I didn’t realize I was,” she replied. “Goodness, everything’s wrong! I’m all topsy-turvy. I must be dreaming!” 

And dreaming she was. Can you find all that is topsy-turvy in Betsy’s dream?

There are ten topsy-turvy elements in the illustration. Find them!

Le style japonais

Today is a day to celebrate at Dolldom.  Tonner Doll Company presents Freedom for Fashion, a new line of models and fashions that will surely delight and inspire many with its distinct take on an urban Japanese style that is not afraid to reference its rich and glorious heritage. 

Aiko and Yoshio are the new faces of this fashion trend. And what gorgeous faces they are.

 

Yoshio 

 

Aiko

Aiko

Yoshio

What most impacts us at Dolldom is the attention given to Yoshio's fashions. It is known that the menswear designed by Tonner via Tyler Wentworth for the Matt O'Neill collection is unmatched for its construction, quality of material, and fit. Consequently, we cannot wait too long for the arrival of  these sartorial offerings. First is Hogyo, a superb suit that makes the man feel and look like royalty. 

 

Hogyo Yoshio

 

There there's the über cool Tokyo Sleek, sporting a leather jacket with the silhouette of the decade. 

Tokyo Sleek Him

 Aiko hasn't fared too badly either. We love the sensuality and movement of her Sori style. 

 Sori Aiko

Her urban explorer look, Tokyo Sleek Her, complements Yoshio's trendsetting style. 

 

Tokyo Sleek Her

Kudos to Tonner Doll Company for bringing le style japonais to the world of fashion dolls.

All photos by Storm Photo Studio