Tamed But Still Wild

Tonner Doll Company's recently issued Precarious Tamed model comes out of the wilderness to pose for Dolldom's photographer. This knock-out design is in our editors' opinion a superb example of a total look - fashion, make-up, and hairstyle. Her hand painted face has vivid green eyes and a rich mink colored wig in the timeless bob style. The company proves that the technology exists for creating perfectly to scale wigs in this scale.



The fashion is luscious. Burnout velvet blouson jacket and mini skirt in a multitude of shades or green and blue evoke a lush jungle in the evening. The super chunky necklace reiterates the color scheme. To complete the tropical forest fantasy, a shiny, scale-like midnight blue material used for the gloves evokes the thriving fauna found in tropical jungles.



Precarious Tamed is also a perfect doll for redressing. She will look grand in Antoinette's fashions as well as in Cami and Jon's styles. And do not be surprised if she makes an appearance in Dreary Manor visiting the Dreary Twins.



A quality offering from Tonner Doll Company, Precarious Tamed is limited to three hundred models.

Hybrid Bombshell

When Dolldom heard about artist Joey Versaw's plans to create the first digitally-printed doll, we were intrigued but also somewhat wary. How could a doll come out of a computer printer? With our emphasis on vintage design sensibilities, the last thing we desired was a techno-micro-chipped-babe. So much to our delight, the newest iteration of Mr. Versaw's Mary Magpie is a harmonious mélange of tech and craft. She may come hot off a printer but her visage and body are one hundred percent hand painted giving her a beautiful mid-20th century feel and style. 

The 3-D printed Mary Magpie is an all original sculpt that pays tribute to the grand Barbie doll of 1959 and to über sexy goddesses like Bettie Page and Dita Von Teese. And with her evocative molded wigs, Mary is a chameleon supreme who never has a stray hair. Being in the same scale as other dolls in the eleven to twelve-inch scale, Mary will provide to be the ultimate transformer. One doll, one hundred different looks. Not bad for the pocketbook.


The debut collection of Mary Magpie dolls. To fee like a kid in a candy store!

Dolldom celebrates Mary Magpie with an exclusive fashion showand an interview with her creator, Mr. Versaw. And who best to dress retro-vibed Mary Magpie but Liz Cole of Retros? Add a couple of vintage Barbie fashions to Mary's exclusive and ultra limited debut fashions (editions of five) and Miss Magpie is ready for a fantastic fashion show. We hope that you enjoy it and also welcome Mary Magpie to your homes too.


Mary Magpie's box illustration designed by artist Brani Mladenov.

Dolldom: Who is Joey Versaw? Explain your journey as a doll maker and illustrator? 
JV: From the age of three I started drawing the female figure, Among to scraps of papers my grandmother saved from my childhood I found drawings of Alice in Wonderland and Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Both of these characters had something in common besides just a magical adventure. They were different and misunderstood just like me. I found myself at a young age living in my own fantasy land of imagination through art and design. At seven, my grandmother taught me to sew and to pattern using a Pink and Pretty Barbie doll. This world of fashion creation only existed at Grandma's, when I went home it was back to He-Man and GI Joe. I started sculpting and making my own dolls at the age of ten. I was obsessed with Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal and wanted to make dolls inspired by these characters. When I turned sixteen,  I rebelled and started collecting dolls. By this time I think everybody was aware there was no changing to things. Since then I have been designing and sculpting as if I were being led to the other side of the rainbow by a force.


Mary's bar is well stocked. And Mary is all decked out in vintage Barbie doll's satin separates. Belt from Dusk to Dawn set from Barbie Fashion Model Collection. Rolling bar and furniture by Morrison's Furniture Studios.

Dolldom: Where does the name Mary Magpie come from? What is her storyline?
JV:  I will just tell you the whole truth. I started sketching Mary when I was about thirteen.  She was originally a beautifully sad and sullen girl but as I evolved into adulthood she took to more of a pin-up look inspired by Dita Von Teese, Bettie Page, and even a little Olivia from her Xanadu days. The name Mary actually comes from many places of inspiration: the character Mary from The Women and even my favorite character from my childhood cartoon favorite Jem who was called Stormer but her real name was Mary. Magpie came from my obsession with crows and black birds. My original sketches of Mary had almost bird like eyes, so Mary Magpie was born.

Dolldom: Take us through a brief tour of Mary's evolution.
JV: From sketches, Mary was first sculpted and cast as a boudoir type doll with a cloth body, using techniques of the old world taught to me by my mentor and friend Andy Meyers. I first sculpted all my original parts for casting out of wax. Once cast, I used Fortin (a ceramic like material) to make Mary. After about a year making her this way I decided to step up my game and take Mary to where I originally wanted to go -  a fashion doll. Still made from Fortin, Mary now was a 11 1/2 inch fashion doll. After about a year in the Fortin material, I started pouring her in resin at home and she also became fully jointed. Sadly doing this at home had many issues like tiny air bubbles in the plastic and also causing me health problems. So I went on a search for a new way to make my dolls. One day I was talking to a good friend who had mentioned making a toy figure through 3-D printing. At the time I thought "What is 3D printing?" My friend described it to me and now we have Mary!


Leopard and magenta? Absolutely. Mary revels in such lively combinations by Retros. Emerald necklace by Joy Jarred.

Dolldom: Mary is the first ever digitally-printed fashion doll. Would you explain the process for creating a digitally printed doll?
JV: The first step is to either invest in an extremely expensive program to sculpt the 3-D doll yourself or to find a artist to take your sculpt and create a 3-D file of it for you. After this is done there are many trial and errors to perfect your jointing and other details because as precise as this computer art is, we as humans can easily make flaws in the design. Once you have your 3-D sculpt file, it is as easy as pie! Just send your file to the company and order away!

Dolldom: What is the material used for Mary? Paper? Wood? She feels like a Lenci felt fashion doll!
 JV: Mary is made of laser sintered nylon plastic.

Bare essentials. Mary models vintage Barbie doll's delicate petticoat and pearls, two essentials that will give any outfit stature and class.

Dolldom: Explain Mary's articulation. We noticed that she can sway from side to side due to the way her hips are sculpted.
JV: Mary had evolved to a fully articulated doll but I felt it took the beauty away from the sculpt and I wanted to take her to a more classic and beautiful time. So I decided simplicity was best. But I made the shoulders and hips ball jointed to give her much more movement than a regular vintage fashion doll.

Dolldom: What does Mary bring to the fashion doll arena?
 JV: I feel Mary is a mixture of many beautiful things brought to the table. She is advanced in technology yet carries the vibe of a more simple time. There are countless beauties on the market today but most feel soulless to me. I wanted to give Mary soul. I want Mary to be the doll that gets to travel and sit by the side of your bed so you can whisper secrets in her ear. She is not just a fashion doll, she is a friend.


Once upon a time there was a beautiful gal in a beautiful tulle and satin gown at a senior prom...Barbie's vintage wonder gives Mary an excuse to dance the night away. Semiprecious stone necklace by Mode de M.


Nurse Mary will take care of your blood test. Uniform in white linen by Liz Cole for Retros. Jewelry from the Barbie Fashion Model Collection.


In Betty Draper's bubble dress from the Barbie Fashion Model Collection, Mary exudes 60s charm.


Kindred Spirit is a limited edition fashion of only five. It's a must for those nights at the disco dancing to Donna Summer's Last Dance.


At the Retros Lounge (with furniture designed by Darren Cole) Mary hosts a cocktail party in a Retros strapless sheath with scarf. Mary sports a raven "waves" wig.


Who's the boss? Mary is! In her career girl fashion by Liz Cole for Retros, Mary rules the boardroom thanks to a green silk shantung jacket and a precious vintage flower print sheath. Jewelry by Joy Jarred.


Grande dame. Liz Cole created a beaded turban to go with a classic white faux fur stole and diamond and freshwater pearl necklace by Joy Jarred.


Debutantes the world over will want to follow Mary's lead wearing tulle and silk party dresses by Liz Cole for Retros. Necklace by Joy Jarred.


In Retros' interpretation of the famous Bild Lilli dirndl, Mary's ready for a Sunday excursion to the Catskills. Necklace by Joy Jarred.


Poodles on parade. Mary celebrates her pooch's win in Retro's big checked knit dress, coat, and cap. Enid Collins reproduction purse also by Retros. Necklace by Joy Jarred.

For more on Mary Magpie, visit her website or pick up a copy of the fall issue of FDQ or the August issue of Dolls magazines.

A la plage, circa 1946...

The first war-free summer of the decade and the bikini makes its debut. But stylistically far from such a news making event, there were others who enjoyed the sun and the shore in less revealing yet more elegant attire.

From Woman's Sphere July 1940.

Ivy Jordan, actress and director and dear friend of Gene Marshall was one of the latter. In her summer fun set designed by Gerry Broerman, Ivy goes from cabana to cocktails on the terrace effortlessly.

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Reminiscent of a Maggy Rouff ensemble featured in Le Théâtre de la Mode, the set is pure beach glamour.



A buttoned bolero jacket with puff sleeves, a bare midriff, and an ample skirt to go over shorts create a look both versatile and complete. The beige espadrilles are by Tyler Wentworth Couture.



Following Vogue magazine's "Beauty Issue" lead, Ivy's make-up is elementally summery. Her jewelry by Joy Jarred adds that golden touch of the sun.

Savoring Summertime

It's summer! And summertime, with its warm long days, invites us all to indulge the senses. And what better way to do so than with a scoop of ice cream, gelatto, or frozen yogurt?

Dolldom darlings and San Francisco citizens Ellowyne, Prudence, Amber, and Lisette by Wilde Imagination visited our studios recently to pose for an ice-cream inspired photo session wearing new fashions that due to their beautiful colors and fabrics, make our mouths water - in both the literal and metaphorical ways - as Dolldom's editors' synesthesia  (a psychological disorder in which stimulus in one sense, for example, olfactory, triggers a visual experience) induces them to taste hues as well as textures.

Our first flavor is Satin Sheen Prudence (Limited Edition of 500) who with her pale blonde hair, green eyes, and satin brocade dress over a pink slip makes us think of Bi-Rite Creamery's combination of basil, ginger and golden caramel ice creams.





Non-glossy but fun - I guess you could say
Is the way I come off to my friends every day;
I'm the one in the background - providing laughter and fun
A SATIN SHEEN of a friend - and it works for everyone!



Our second flavor is Satin Shimmer Amber (Limited Edition of 1,000) who with her red hair, blue eyes, and light green satin brocade dress with lace sleeves, matching netting slip, and lace stockings reminds us of La Copa Loca Gelato's refreshing two-scoop combo of green tea and thyme gelati.  






Non-glossy but fun - I guess you could say
Is definitely not the way to come off to my friends every day;
I'm the one out in front - declaring my leadership style
A SATIN SHIMMER of a friend - please - not by a mile!



Our third flavor is Lisette wearing the outfit Just Peachy (Limited Edition of 1,000). The sleeveless dress with flirty skirt hem and multicolored jacket with a lace trimmed collar and jeweled buttons make us taste Mitchell's Ice Cream's cantaloupe and peach ice creams - only available in the summer.






A day of therapy - well it makes me wonder
When a breakthrough may come - and I steal my own thunder;
Dr. B says 'don't worry - your day will come'
So I dress in JUST PEACHY - and stop feeling so glum!



We close this fashion and epicurean fantasy with Soft Sigh Ellowyne (Limited Edition of 1,000) who in her rhubarb velvet lace overlay dress, beaded necklace and hat makes us taste MoYo's Froyo's taste-bud-exploding mix of lychee, strawberry and pomegranate frozen yogurts.

 

A flower, a kiss, a SOFT SIGH on a breeze
Some favorite things that I try to appease;
Dr. Bantam suggested that I think happy thoughts...
From ennui to a smile - like connecting the dots.



For more Ellowyne Wilde visit her home at Wilde Imagination.

The Blonde

The Studio Commissary recently invited its habitués to examine the fashion and beauty concept of  The Blonde - as incarnated by Gene Marshall and her coterie of friends and colleagues at Monolithic Studios. Dolldom was more than happy to oblige with this fashion show starring JAMIEshow's Phoenix Gene Marshall in a blonde wigcap styled in a classic two-bun chignon. For how better to define blonde chic?


A red satin evening gown with draped décolleté descends into a deep pink taffeta train. The gown was originally issues as item # 9209, Glammed Up Ivy "Vee J." Jordan from The Return to Hollywood Collection, LE 200 by Integrity Toys)


Rubies on gold to match her ruby lips.


Promenade, anyone? In Tim Kennedy's Promenade ensemble produced by Ashton-Drake, circa 1945, Miss Marshall is perfectly coquettish.


Old McDonald? No, siree, Bob!


There may be chickens in the background, but the look of farmgirl never looked more glamorous thanks to Liz Cole for Retros.


Off to pick the best of the season!


The Kiss is a pale pink satin robe adorned with marabou feathers over a halter top nightgown   with rhinestone brooch at waist. Perfect for a blonde, the ensemble, circa 1946, was  designed by Tim Kennedy.


Travel by Train. In a  Théâtre de la Mode-inspired Lucky Stripe produced by Ashton-Drake, Miss Marshall will prove to be the most elegant voyageuse of them all.


The off-white and black striped long-sleeved slim dress with attached hip sash and large black silk portrait hat, circa 1949, are hard to beat if the plan is to be a dramatic presence upon arrival. Ensemble designed by Tim Kennedy.