Shiny, Happy (Doll) People

The doll world is full of shiny happy people. Doll play inspires, relaxes, and takes us away, even if momentarily, to spaces of happiness. And during times like these, such a space is a necessity.

Sarah Feris, creative collector and innovative designer of 1/6 doll fashions is perhaps one of the best examples of the shiny, happy doll lover. And her creations, like a flower bomb, are redolent of these bright, positive emotions. Palpable joy in a dolly garment, you ask? Exactly!

Dolldom was captivated by Feris’ offerings on e-Bay. Made with prints reminiscent of 60s textile super stars Vera Neumann and Lilli Pullitzer, the fashions carry humor, saturated color, and undeniable chic.

Feris selects fabrics mostly by her reactions to color and visual textures. “I've had a great amount of time on my hands during quarantine for COVID-19 and have wanted to produce something to help pass the days and manage stress; doll work has been very helpful, Ferris explains, and, while I started making the fashions to pass my quarantine time, I wanted to share the fashions with others as a happy, no-pressure way of uplifting those who may be stressed out these days.”

Feris' memories of the Barbie Fashion Avenue and Barbie Fashion Fever lines inspire her to list at a similar price point. “I didn't want to poach any customers away from other fashion makers, Feris adds, so I kept an eye to doing bold and simple fashions that are obviously play clothes.”

Unabashedly partial to the Anouk doll by Nav Sikand, Feris loves everything about her, “her shapes, the stylized and adaptable look to her face, the feel in both texture and weight that she carries. Anouk lacks so much inherent social drama that she just encourages beauty and play.”

Feris is excited for her upcoming Fall offerings. September will feature transitional colors in an end-of-harvest color palette. And to keep her collectors happy, she will offer different designs each month. “Gentle, playful, joyful fun!”, she adds with a smile.

"Citrus Beach" is a three piece fashion that allows Anouk to garden and build on her tan. With the long sleeve blouse, Anouk goes to the farmers' market to sell her blooms. 

"Seventh Star" is a jumpsuit made for The Age of Aquarius. 

"Watercolor Pineapple" is a chimney collared mini dress, perfect for a summer evening cocktail party. 

"That's Bananas!" combines a fun plantain print with elegant palazzo pants. Necklace by Mattel. 

"Cool Flowers" -  a jumpsuit for the consummate flower child! Purse by Bestiaire. 

Sarah Feris' Boutique

Miss Mary and Monday by Joey Versaw

After many years of collaborating with Oregon artist Joey Versaw on his many creations, Dolldom has the honor to present his latest beauties: the newest incarnation of his character Mary Magpie, who after retiring at the end of 2018, like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, sports a new sculpt in the highest quality resin.

In a recent interview, Versaw and Dolldom discussed the creation of Miss Mary and Monday, and his plans for these exciting new bodacious creatures.

Dolldom: Joey! What’s the tag line for this new iteration of beloved Mary Magpie?
Versaw: Miss Mary: The doll with two faces who demands that you to sew for her. LOL!

Dolldom: Well, that says it all! Miss Mary is making her entrance be felt. Peel me a grape too! What’s with the two faces?
Versaw: Not what you are thinking. Miss Mary will tell you what she wants and what she thinks to your face. The two-faced concept refers to two resin magnetic faceplates with which the collector can express Mary’s mood of the moment.

Dolldom: We want to know more about these faces.
Versaw: For the debut, Miss Mary and Monday flaunt a look with nods to the mothers of the fashion doll infused with a Vaporwave feel. Mary and Monday’s sculpt was inspired by pin-up stylized character art from the 40’s and 50’s, elevating the fashion doll sculpt pushed to a level that no other has touched, unless you are Jessica Rabbit. White irises and arched brows inspired by the debut 1959 Barbie doll, pumps inspired by Bild Lilli, and fetish dresses with a color palette inspired by Superstar Barbie and Christie.

Dolldom: The packaging is stunning. Who’s behind it?
Versaw: The box art was done by none other than the very talented Darko, a freelance artist who works with many well-known companies (such as Mattel). Follow him on Instagram at Darko.

Dolldom: Opening the box is akin to opening a treasure chest: goodies everywhere in gold and silver bags. Miss Mary and Monday are very well accessorized. And those dresses!
Versaw: Yes! Miss Mary and Miss Monday debut in a clear neon rubber futuristic sheath in "Cyber Punk Pink" and "Neurotic Yellow". A hot pink clear resin-based stand, separate black high heeled pumps inspired by the mother of all fashion dolls, Bild Lilli, a sash, and a wig. Mary’s is “Airy Ash” and Monday sports “Klimt Red”. The two faces also have a name to evoke the attitude: “Dom” has a closed mouth while “Big O” is open. If you are not a designer or seamstress yourself, Mary and Monday will demand you to commission local artists to create new looks and fashions for her as she comes with a basic form-fitting pattern.

Dolldom: Where and when will they be available?
Versaw: Although the debut sold out before the official release, the second wave is being produced as we speak and has a projected release date of October/November 2020. These dolls are being produced in very small limited releases, hand-painted and numbered. Interested collectors may inquire about the next collection at Miss Mary and Monday's boutique. 

Dolldom: Will you also offer fashions for your dynamic duo?
Versaw: Yes. Limited edition and numbered fashions will be available. Again, interested collectors may inquire at the boutique or via email. 

Dolldom closes with an exclusive fashion show of these upcoming fashions modeled by the debut edition of Miss Mary and Monday. 

“À la Plage”
A forties inspired playsuit, capelet, and straw hat.

“Pistol”
A leopard print fur mini dress, silver belt, and heart shaped choker. Wig by Yatabazah. 

“Ombre de feu”
A black vinyl sheath, veiled hat, and red gloves.

“Stamen”
A floral floor length day dress and waspie. Wig by Yatabazah. 

“Petard”
A brocade sheath and lace and fur shawl.

Miss Mary's Boutique

Favorite Shirts (and Slacks)

It's still summer and it's still hot - so let the T-shirt reign supreme.  LizRetros creates a series specially for the NumniaDoll male dolls and compliments them with comfortable pants.









Wigs by NuminaDoll and Chewin Doll. Hakama by JAMIEshow Doll. T-shirts and other pants by LizRetros.

The Sum of Its Parts

Doll fashion brand Shantommo's second venture into the world of 1:4 male BJD caught Dolldom's eyes as rarely one sees shorts, and it being summertime...plus the double breasted short-sleeved shirt made of striped cotton has a vintage vibe.

Dolldom's stylists saw the potential for mix and match and the order was placed.

Le week-end

Shantommo's "Weekend" is modeled by Seth, a OOAK Argent doll by Paul Pham for NuminaDoll. Dolldom opted for black boots en lieu of the proposed sandals for a more urban look.

Short Obsession.

The crepe shorts become the building block for an elegant look with black mesh tank, NuminaDoll's Barney-purple coat, and patent leatherette monk-strap shoes with white socks. A little spritz of vintage Habit Rouge and Seth is ready for anything.

Prep School.

Cause it's fun to amuse oneself with traditions. This fun take on elementary school uniforms pairs the obsessive shorts with the perfection of Chewin Doll's white shirt (these are the most precisely cut and sewn miniature shirts in the universe, and, if you really love your doll, you must get him one) and navy blue slim tie. His fragrance? Vintage Lagerfeld for Men.

But what about the shirt, you may be wondering... Well, Dolldom saved it for last...

Out of the Bank

The white and black striped shirt is happy to hang out with a pair of cuffed jeans by NuminaDoll. Modeled by Link, a OOAK Aurum, the look is relaxed and elegant. Link's Afro wig by Chewin Doll. Scent of a man: L'instant by Guerlain. Boots by JAMIEshow.

On the Road with Anouk

Back in 1967, Anouk, by Nav Sikand, took a solo road trip. These vintage shots document her fun times.




Grand Prix 
Well, Anouk did not race, but she still looked the part in HillCrestBarbies' fab jumpsuit.




Chateau
A derelict castle! Did Anouk invest and restore it? In "Mon Tricot" from Series 4, she considered the possibilities.




Au musée
A little art gallery found. But it was Anouk in her Criscrash sheath who was the real work of art. Cap by Maryann Roy.




Cocktails
In LizRetros' take on Balenciaga, Anouk enjoyed un petit vin to celebrate her outing. Gloves by Rosina Haskell. 


Resources for readers:

La poupée mannequin Anouk

HillCrestBarbies

LizRetros

Rosina Haskell

The Very Best Look

The Barbie Fashion Model Collection's "The Best Look" is out! The very last giftset to be offered to collectors is full of play options, exactly what a giftset should do. Keeping up with the year's fabulously sober color palette, "The Best Look" is a black and white extravaganza - from the perfectly suited houndstooth suit to the provocative lace bustier and petticoat. Even the fur stole melds the colors to perfection. Two pairs of gloves, two pairs of shoes, a satin purse, a silver and pearl pin and classic 3-strand pearl necklace complete the set.





"The Best Look's" Barbie doll has an impressive face. Made of Silkstone in "Peace" tone, the titian beauty has most expressive eyebrows, amazing left-looking side-glace, and superb winged eyeliner. This a face that collectors will never forget, which is why Dolldom's stylists opted to frame it with a grey shantung turban by Cheryl Scully. The Barbie doll's titian hair comes nicely styled - though not exactly as seen in her promo photos - but Dolldom felt that it did not add to the precision of the other components of the look. Perhaps, later, the model may be able to visit Pink Bubbles Doll Spa and have her hair restyled to perfection by Bobby Taylor.

As The Barbie Fashion Model Collection comes to a close, Dolldom enjoys the penultimate offering with a tinge of sadness mixed with the knowledge that the beauty created in the last 20 years will only become more enjoyable in retrospect.










"The Best Look BFMC Giftset"