The Star

Legendary Joan Crawford went from MGM to Warner Brothers and then became an independent actress. She adapted and survived. And so does Gene Marshall.

The divine Gene reappears on the scene after a well-deserved break, bidding adieu to the world of vinyl and entering regally into the real of resin. Miss Marshall and her creator Mel Odom have partnered with resin doll maker JAMIEshow and the results of this collaboration are utterly luxurious. After almost twenty years gracing thousands of collections and allowing us to bask in the glow of the Silver Screen, Gene Marshall, the groundbreaking doll of the 1990's, is nothing but a Star Exquisite.



Dolldom celebrates Gene with an exclusive portfolio featuring the acclaimed actress modeling a trousseau of her own selection. Miss Marshall used a simple criteria: the fashions had to ooze glamour, bring back fond memories, be the inspiration of talented friends, and above all, be fun to wear.

Here's to Miss Gene Marshall. Long live The Star.


Phoenix Gene is an IDEX exclusive offering. In this photo she wears Violet Water's Dior-inspired Sunset Serenade, produced by Integrity Toys and a necklace by Joy Jarred.


Pin-Up, designed by Tim Kennedy, was Gene Marshall's first lingerie set. Amazing then, amazing now. This time, Gene chose a raven wig produced by Tonner Doll Company for Anne Harper to update the look. A turquoise necklace by Mode de M matches Gene's eyes.


Tea Time is Gene's favorite interview dress and was designed by Lynne Day. Paired with a black satin top hat with tulle veil, Gene will turn tea time into a glamour fest for everyone at The Plaza Hotel.


In the spectacular Vendôme column gown by Michael Basala, Gene provides the gold standard for a grand entrance.


The face of Phoenix Gene. Hand painted perfection.


In a delightful coat and dress set by James Bogue, Gene is ready for a day in Paris.


Mr. Bogue chose a vintage flower print for this springtime look. The ultimate tough of drama comes from the turban, an accessory that Miss Marshall admits loving.




If by whim Gene's day of museum hoping turns into an evening of champagne cocktails, all the actress needs to do is shed the coat and turban to turn of the sex-appeal.


Confident, seasoned, elegant. A woman's face indeed. Gene's necklace by VJT Designs.


Gene thinks that My Favorite Bow, designed by Tim Kennedy, deserves more attention. She takes matters in her own hands by wearing this sculptural wonder once again.


Fim noir supreme. Gene wears Dark Desire, designed by George Sarofeen and produced by Ashton Drake for Marda Lord, to pose with Trent Osborn. Madra wore it in The Lady or The Spider but it is Phoenix Gene who owns it in this photo.  Pin by Facets by Marcia.


Exotique, an engrossing mystery directed by Ivy Jordan, allows Gene to play the bag girl once again. But what's a bad girl to wear?


For this  film noir project already in the works, Gene wears Retros by Liz Cole and a chunky Lucite necklace by Joy Jarred.


Gene found it amusing to play Morticia Adams in Liz Cole's perfect rendition of the iconic gown. Now, why didn't Trent play Gómez? Necklace by Joy Jarred.


Bon Voyage! In Fit for A Queen's suit, designed by Lynne Day, and a turban by Liz Cole, Gene is the epitome of first class Transatlantic travel.


All jewels on board! Pin on Gene's right lapel by Joy Jarred.The turban drop is a Dolldom creation.


Twilight Rumba? Absolutely. Designed by Doug James (designer of FDQ's J'adore Gene exclusive), the silk sarong-style ensemble is a beaded tour de force.


Allons enfats de la patrie! The ultimate hat for the ultimate face and the ultimate attitude. Hat and dress by Liz Cole for Retros. Crème Orange jewelry by VJT Designs.


Cocktail culture. In All About The Eyes' dress and a chinois hat by Liz Cole, drinks will be both stirred and shaken. Such is the power of glamour. Bar created by Darren Cole for Retros. Pin by Robert Best for Barbie Fashion Model Collection.


Gene celebrates with some of her friends, all ecstatic about her new resin iteration. But where's Madra? In the back of the room, La Lord observes with perhaps more than just a tad of envy. Poor Madra! How long before she too receives the JAMIEshow treatment?

Silence, Please!

Since 1977, the annual The San Francisco Decorator Showcase, the West Coast's premiere design showhouse event, has benefited San Francisco University High School's financial aid program, raising nearly $11.5 million in its 34 years. The San Francisco Decorator Showcase allows San Francisco University High School to offer financial aid to its students. It is through the community's continued support that quality education has been made available over the past three decades to hundreds of deserving Bay Area students.

The 2013 Decorator Showcase, located at 2800 Broadway Avenue at Divisadero Street, will be open from April 27 to May 27, 2013.
 

As in the past, Dolldom and Ernesto Padró-Campos Photography are proud to support the Decorator Showcase once again with a donation to its Silent Auction.

This year’s portfolio features two framed prints that celebrate the sempiternal beauty of the iconic sculpt first used in the creation of the Bild Lilli doll and later in vintage Barbie dolls from 1959-1966. This is a face that still mesmerizes, intrigues, and shocks. This highly stylized representation of a human face boasts a tiny pointy nose, cantilevering eyelash ridges that partially hide side glancing eyes, and an enigmatic closed mouth. This is an image of femininity that although graphically minimal, conveys intensity and strength of temperament. But is this the characterization of a seductress or that of a teen-age fashion model? Regardless of what your reaction or your associations may be, it is difficult not to fall under the spell of this modern age sphinx.


In Heaven Above is a  close up study of a mint American Girl Barbie doll by Mattel, circa 1965, that invites the viewer to marvel at the smooth beauty of mold-injected vinyl. 16” X 19” archival print, matted and framed.


In My Eyes is another close-up study of a handmade and painted Lilli Lalka doll, circa 2013, created by British artist Julian Kalinowski using the original Hong Kong Lilli molds used for manufacture in the 1960s. 16” X 19” archival print, matted and framed.

These photos speak of the impact of a raised eyebrow, of sleep eyes, of blood red lips, of saturated make-up, of platinum white hair. These are faces that define beauty as something other than pretty and demure and that present a distinct view (and a powerful one while at it) of mid-century standards of feminine beauty.

Ellowyne's Despair: Make It Grand!

Where else but in Dolldom does a beautiful young woman get to match her every mood with a new look? Ellowyne Wilde's Grand Despair, Too is perhaps one of the grandest attempts at translating the young fashion plate's chronic case of ennui into iconic glamour. Mixed in this classic black on black design are hints of 1890's romanticism, an air of Adrian's mythical draping, a drop or two of 1980's fabulous fashion excesses, and more than a dash of Rachel, the legendary character played by Sean Young in Ridley Scott's cult film The Blade Runner.


A dramatic chiffon and lace top boasts tone-on-tone beading and glittery puff sleeves over a shirred detailed velvet skirt with a back satin ribbon bow.


Oscar de la Renta's sleeves echo the lines of Grand Despair Too's black puffs.


Alexis Carrington, played ever-so-wickedly by Joan Collins, indulges in black puff sleeves.


And so does this olive silk gown, circa 1890's. 




MGM's Adrian knew how to drape on the glamour.

Kudos must also be given to the designer of Ellowyne's hairstyle.
 It worked for Sean Young's Rachel back in 1982 and it was about time that it was revisited. Who better than Ellowyne to model it?


Inset blue eyes, applied lashes, hand-painted features and platinum rooted hair, styled to rock any science fiction flick.




Ellowyne has a beautiful pale skin tone and delicate vintage-inspired earrings.


Dr. Bantam called earlier to schedule a session
To help my ennui and my supposed depression;
But after all of this time, I thought that she knew
I'm not depressed at all - it's just a GRAND DESPAIR, TOO...

Easter Bunny Treats

The Easter Bunny is one of childhood's constant threats. As evidenced in this series of wonderful vintage photos provided by Dolldom favorite Dave Duffy, there's nothing like a fake bunny to create a lasting impression.










But there are ther ways to impress one's little ones this time of year. Instead of the traditional bunny, Dolldom proposes a dotting aunt bearing an over-the-top basket full of sugar laden, cavity forming Easter Sunday goodness. In this exclusive portfolio, BFMC Luncheon Ensemble Barbie doll portrays an ever-so-fabulous-Auntie-Mame-type who drops in to define Easter chic.


Robert Best's tribute to the ladies who lunch wears an English rose garden chintz puff-sleeve dress belted at the waist with tiny bows at each shoulder.


The coordinating swing coat adds as much drama as the solid old-rose pink turban.


Her lush garden necklace and earrings are by Joy Jarred. Barbie's bar by Darren Cole for Retros. Her Easter basket was a gift given to Dolldom by Deborah Lilliard of Spicyfyre Creations.

Destination: Japan

The art of fashion design is appreciated and valued for its attention to detail, careful execution, and originality: all the qualities that exemplify early Barbie style. The interesting dichotomy of the Barbie doll lies in the fact that in spite of being the triumph of vinyl rotation and other advances of mid-20th century technology, the origins and creation of her wardrobe are rooted in a tradition of craftsmanship. A little more than five decades ago, a considerable amount of handcrafting went into the production of the Barbie doll’s ensembles - in Japan. The hands of many Japanese factory workers and freelance seamstresses who worked from their homes collaborated to conceive a product unlike anything seen at that point in toy history. The reduction of scale and the mastery with which the details were achieved, guaranteed the success of the Barbie doll line. Which is why many collectors aspire to possess such examples of sartorial precision.

Vintage photo showing Tammy and Barbie doll displays at a Japanese store.

Sylvia Campbell has been designing reproductions for the Barbie doll under the Snowdance Fashions label since 1996. A professional seamstress and a veteran of studio as well as motion picture work, Sylvia now devotes her full attention and efforts to the replication of the most elusive: rare designs created for the Japaneses market - many of which were meticulously researched and documented by Keiko Kimura Shibano in her book Barbie in Japan, published by Murat-Caviale and photographed by the great Barry Sturgill. 

Cover of Barbie in Japan by Keiko Kimura Shibano

Sylvia’s aim is to create a perfect miniaturization using high-quality fabrics and embellishments -sometimes from the same vintage - with the same degree of precision and beauty achieved by Japanese hands more than five decades ago. After sourcing the materials, Sylvia creates the patterns, many times using the original garment. This incredible dedication and attention to minutiae enable Sylvia to recapture that delicious vintage feeling.

In this exclusive feature,  Dolldom profiles Sylvia's masterful execution of kimonos for Barbie, her sister Skipper, and her cousin Francie Fairchild. To close the fashion extravaganza, a magnificent re-imagining of a rare gown shown on page fifty of Miss Kibano's tome. Dolldom applauds Sylvia Campbell for her ongoing dedication to providing collectors with the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of these rare and hard-to-find treasures. For thanks to Sylvia Campbell, admirers of this exquisite period in the Barbie doll's history are able to travel through time.

The red lace kimono with gold brocade obi is one of Sylvia's classics for the Francie doll, modeled in this photo by a Japanese market doll.

Barbie's sister, Skipper enjoys Sylvia's attention. Miss Campbell fashioned this yukata from a perfectly scaled cotton print that evokes the blooming wonders of a Japanese spring. It is modeled by a OOAK Skipper doll re-rooted by Angie Gill. Skipper's doll case by Rebecca Brosdahl.

Authentic silk crepe, named chirimen and used for kimonos in Japan is one of Sylvia's fantastic fabric finds. Made in the furisode style with long, draping sleeves, it is worn by an unmarried woman on very special occasions. Patterned and sewn exactly as the kimonos were sewn for Barbie in the 1960’s, this one boasts hand stitching and an obi of gorgeous pink, gold, and mauve brocade. Sylvia used silver and teal soutache braid for the obi-jime cord. Sylvia also created the hair ornament. An undisputed masterpiece.

First show on page fifty of Barbie in Japan, this hand beaded dress caught Dolldom's eye and became an obssession. When Sylvia recreated it, there was motive for celebration. Later, Sylvia upped the ante and brought it to the world in emerald - Pantone's color of the year for 2013. The creamy satin silk bodice bedazzles with sequins, red crystal bugle beads, and 24k gold lined crystal seed beads.  Limited to an edition of eight, these gorgeous hand beaded and sequined dresses were cut a little bit longer than the original beauty, which was lent by one of Sylvia's loyal friends, so that she could create the pattern.

For more of Sylvia Campbell's treasures, visit her at Snowdance Fashions.

Do You Like My Hair II: Queen of The World

Coins, just like scandals, have two sides. Likewise, a woman has the prerogative to have, at the very least, two facets to her personality in order to captivate by surprise. In our last entry, we waxed poetic about the virtues of the earthquake-proof rubber wig made by American Character for the Popi pop-apart fashion doll. And as much as our stylists enjoyed styling that shoot, Dolldom could not resist expanding its examination of the age-old question: "Do you like my hair?" For hair (rubbery or otherwise) is the essence of fashion fun.

For this exclusive feature, Dolldom profiles the work of Queen of the World wigs. Based in Montreal, Queen of the World, an über-glam hair studio for flesh and blood women, crafts handmade doll wigs in the most glamorous silhouettes and mouthwatering colors. These celebratory perruques exude joie de vivre and impart an aura of vintage-style glamour.

Princess Patty Fantasia Candelabra, Dolldom's exclusive model and Wonderbilly girl, behaved like the proverbial child in the candy store when she arrived to pose for our photographer. As the exclusive photo portfolio proves, Princess Patty Fantasia is, without doubt, queen of the fashion world in these vivacious celebrations of color and style. Beaded blouse created by Juliette Wharton for Dangerous Dames.


Modèle Il était une fois à Versailles is a delicate inspiration in super soft mohair. Turquoise silk bows add more of a coquettish touch.


Modèle Hay Fever features a savory mustard color and tiny frosted glass marguerites.


Modèle Bedrock à Go-Go evokes the luscious cotton candy of summer county fairs gone by. The petit half bone decoration invites pleasant repartée. 


Modèlde La Mariposa Maravillosa is a fantasy of pale blond mohair highlighted by an intertwined lilac strand and baby blue silk bows. An ideal wig for the Easter Parade down Fifth Avenue.


Modèle Bolshoi Bang is a cordovan tour de force that doubles as a hat. For who doesn't love an accessory that multi-tasks?


Modèle Bloom Boom exemplifies sempiternal 1960s chic. Tiny frosted glass posies rest on a luscious strawberry blonde bubble.


Modèle Pourpre de Tyr is a superb rendition of soft waves in a most regal color. Definitely fit for queen.

Viva Queen of The World!