Do You Like My Hair?

Ever since Annie Marks (played by Raven Goodwin) uttered this famous line in the groundbreaking film Lovely & Amazing, dolls everywhere felt a monumental sense of validation, for someone, finally, dared to ask the dreaded question.



For a doll's hair can make or break the deal. Dolldom, always in search of the beautifully odd (for odd is beautiful) profiles a combo made in fashion fantasy: Miss Fashion Queen Barbie (reproduction by Mattel) wearing a perfectly static coif from American Character's Popi doll set, circa 1963. Miss Popi (never to be confused with the current Poppy by Integrity Toys) was meant to be popped apart to facilitate dressing her in cut-just-by-you vinyl fashions.



The wig is a coquettish pageboy in a shiny patent leather black that promises to stay in place regardless of whatever, making this doll the perfect model by the seashore or other windy location shoots. Outfit by Retros.

Master Class

The savvy doll wears the sempiternally chic. Inhabiting a realm light years away from fad, she remains triumphantly elegant. Dolldom, always in the lookout for the very best in luxury, (and luxury need not mean exorbitant sums of money) profiles the sumptuously polished work of Michael Basala, creator and host extraordinaire of the popular The Studio Commissary. For this exclusive featurette, Mr. Basala fashioned luxurious day wear for Gene Marshall and her friends. A precisely tailored long sleeved dress adapts ever so galantly to the shape of the lucky lady wearer while the supple wrap provides warmth and drama in case the afternoon turns into an evening of cocktails.

Ivy Jordan, actress and director friend of Ms. Marshall, kindly agreed to model the très soigné celery green and nori black tweed ensemble. Ms. Jordan loves hats and the ensemble's felt Peter Pan cap was much too smart for her to resist.

Dolldom's stylists chose beautiful handmade jewelry by Joy Jarred to enhance this dapper look by Mr. Basala. A pin by Mattel's Barbie Fashion Model Collection designed by Robert Best adds even more polish.

We thank Michael Basala for sharing his talented vision of classic style with us and look forward to enjoying the beauty of his work in the near future.











 

It's A Small World

Atomic. Minute. Small. Miniature. Lilliputian. Regardless of the terminology, there is a magical quality to the minuscule doll. Luckily for Dolldom, Wilde Imagination ventures into the world of small dolls with the same sense of creative wonder that yields bountiful harvests with Ellowyne Wilde and Evangeline Ghastly. With Amelia Thimble and her friends Izzy and Hamish, Wilde Imagination opens up a new way to imagine and to play, for these characters are meant to inhabit the human world and live inside a sewing kit.



In this exclusive feature, Dolldom welcomes Hamish, Amelia's newest friend. His expressive face boasts soulful inset eyes and hand painted features. At only four inches, it's not difficult to be amazed by the highly detailed sculpt and evocative expression of this little ball-jointed resin lad. His twelve points of articulation allow for precise posing  - and most amazingly -  no need for a stand. Master Hamish can stand on his own, a truly laudable characteristic, no matter if taken literally or figuratively.

Wilde Imagination offers several different styles, all designed by Joe Petrollese, (even a tiny Peter Pan for Amelia's Tinkerbell) each one more fanciful that the other and all promising hours of fun. The perfect travel doll, Hamish will pose for photos in the big outdoors, sneak into the most popular museum galleries in your coat's pocket, and enliven an otherwise boring flight.




Hamish comes dressed in an outfit featuring a striped bodysuit, denim overalls with buttons, knit hat with pom-pom, and matching shoes. His favorite wooden toy train is also included. He is a limited edition of 300 dolls.

The Better To See You With

The eyes have it. Maudlynne Macabre, the unique creation of Tonner Toys took Dolldom by storm with her unmistakable dolly charms and evocation of the art of Margaret Keane, vintage dolls such as Susie Sad Eyes and Lonely Lisa as well as Tonner Doll Company's Agnes Dreary.


Maudlynne is a 10 year old girl who lives in a Victorian mansion in upstate New York. This fifteen and a half-inch (thirty nine centimeters) big-eyed girl with the cutest pout takes delight in savoring dark chocolate, the purr of black cats, and moonlight walks on lonely beaches.  Her best friend Victoria is a ghost and her sidekick Edgar Allen is a talking raven. Tim Burton, eat your heart out!






The art of Margaret Keane is to this day influencing the world of dolls. For who can resist such soulful expressions?
 

Maudlynne Macabre is an emotional girl too. 
 

The 8-inch Susie Sad Eyes doll was manufactured in cost effective ways in the 60s in Hong Kong. She is currently experiencing a revival thanks to the TLC provided by Gina Garan who also revived Blythe.

Photo by Pounkie

Lonely Lisa was produced by Royal Doll Company in 1964. She has a vinyl head, arms and legs and a cloth body wired for posing. Photo by Bubuchan





Dolldom applauds Tonner Toys for giving children and collectors alike an affordable and beautifully executed character with which to play and create.

21st Century Chic

The aqua and cream French Provincial atelier is booming with activity. In the background, Ella sings Cole Porter like no one else can. Bouquets of Calla lilies, coral roses, and tuberose scent the air already charged with the excitement that only the visit from a fashion icon can generate. In his pewter silk moiré bergère, James Bogue, tall, blonde, and distinguished, awaits the arrival of his long time muse.
“My source of inspiration in creating Bogue's Vogues is, as it has always been, Barbie herself. When Barbie returned to the world of high fashion with the Barbie Fashion Model Collection, that inspiration was renewed. Her elegant and very stylized countenance along with her modern model’s attitude make me feel like Barbie has reached her zenith. She is a 21st century idol who dreams of mid-20th century sartorial sensibilities; a modern woman who wears only the most inspired, perfectly handcrafted, and truly elegant designs, regardless of what the current fashion capers decree,”states this Texan for whom no detail on a dress, cape, or hat is ever overlooked.

“My style as a designer is classic, I'd say my greatest strength is to underplay the look, as being overdressed is like putting a gaudy frame on a beautiful painting,” he ads with a smile. “The process for Bogue's Vogues begins in the imagination, the idea can be daytime, evening, or cocktail wear, then it moves onto fabric selection and the basic construction of the garment, and culminates with the finishing details which more often than not end as something very different from the initial idea, almost as if the design took on a personality of its own. The crowning glory for a look is of course, the hat. Change the hat and you change the attitude, the tone, the intention.” These are clearly the musings of an artist who lives through his art and dives into the challenges as well as the glory of his craft, all the while understating the architectural qualities of his designs as well as the exactitude of his cut.

 Welcome to 21st century chic, welcome to Bogue’s Vogues.



Merveille. Tailored dress designed in natural raw silk with silk taffeta lining. The polka dot waistline sash and matching hat add Doris Day pizazz. Barbie's make-up by Billy Lope. Bracelet by Joy Jarred.







Inauguration. Sleeveless, scoop neck evening sheath in brilliant aqua brocade hides under the matching coat with velveteen collar and cuffs and self bow closure.



Black As Night. Betty Draper Barbie dons one of Bogue's classic looks in voluptuous organdy separates. Necklace by Joy Jarred.







Cocktails at 21Club. This coat and dress in black and white cotton print and black silk and white button trim will take Barbie from museum to cocktails. The flocked tulle hat is de rigueur for making heads turn when walking down Fifth Avenue.



Who's The Boss? In ivory cashmere coat and dress with silk taffeta lining and a towering matching hat, there is not doubt who owns the show.



A woman of consequence. The matching steel silk dupioni suit boasts a jacket with a fringed border. Bracelet by Joy Jarred.







Scintillating Soirée. An evening dress and coat in silk organza with gold embroidery and painted dots is pure and unadulterated 60's chic. Chain link necklace by Joy Jarred.



Mon cher Irving! The essence of the Bogue’s Vogues look, Barbie is the quintessential fashion plate in a cotton print cocktail dress with a free flying panel. The monumental black velvet chapeau steals the show. Barbie's make-up by Billy Lope. Pearl bracelet by Joy Jarred. Rhinestone bracelet by Randal Craig.


All fashions by James Bogue for Bogue’s Vogues
Jewelry by Joy Jarred
Sofa and cushions by Anne Morrison for Morrison Studios

The Wonderful World of Color

What are you doing New Year's Eve? Dolldom hopes your soirée is safe and above all fun, just like one of ours a couple of years ago....when a black and white New Year's Eve party ended up being full of color.

Back in 1952, Madra Lord and her gal pal Gay Carrington decided to enliven the party at Monolithic Studios by arriving terribly late and causing a commotion of color...for the invitation clearly said black and white gala attire only.


The mood immediately changed when Madra Lord and Gay Carrington arrived in Retros by Liz Cole and jewelry by Joy Jarred.


"Where's the bar? I'm awfully thirsty." Miss Lord needed serious irrigation and went directly for libations.


Gay Carrington followed suit. "Never mind the onlookers, dahling!" - she whispered to her fiery redheaded friend.


And the story ended in the inevitable way. Trent Osborn captivated by the color and sass of the terrific twosome headed directly to where the action was. And the rest, dear friends, is history.  1953 ended up being a very colorful year.

And isn't that what we all wish for 2013?

Happy New Year!

Dressed In Holiday Style

The Holidays. End of the year madness. At Dolldom, Winter is a time to reflect. And to thank the Universe for her generosity and smiles. And for all those genuine doll lovers who share with us their passion and their vision. You know who you are and we thank you deeply and profusely. From the bottom of our hard vinyl, PVC, and porcelain hearts: Thank you for a beautiful year. May we share many more.

In this exclusive portfolio, Dolldom shares the beautiful creations of many companies as well as the awe-inducing talent of the most amazing freelance artists creating miniature perfection for our dolls.




Licorice Crush Madra is resplendent is Retros and Joy Jarred.




All About The Eyes Gene by Integrity models Blossoms In The Snow designed by Tim Kennedy.




The elegance of Tyler Wentworth is much missed. The black and white Signature Statement is a tribute to her style.


Oona, the mystery actress in Gene Marshall's world, goes for holiday cocktail's chez Trent Osborn in Retros and Joy Jarred.




Beautiful Bleuette. This reproduction doll by Raven of Seattle has the patina of an antique model. She models a cat print dress and a brooch - a gift from Joy Jarred.






The intoxicating beauty created by Julian Kalinowski and Liz Cole. These two artists, were they separated at birth? A OOAK Lilly Lalka by Mr. Kalinowski wears seasonal fun by Liz. Once Lalka makes her entrance and takes off her hat and shrug, the essence of elegant sexy impregnates the room.

Vintage Charmin' Chatty by Mattel wears beautiful versions of the McCall's pattern cape and jumper set.




The Hong Kong Set! Mini versions of Barbie and Ken are rare today. When found, they deserve to model fashions that capture their uniqueness. And who better than Liz Cole for Retros? Little Lilli was made a princess recently as she is the original fashion royalty - notice her pout.

May your days be merry and peaceful!