Time for Pink Bubbles

Pink bubbles, happy bubbles.

Recently, Dolldom began noticing that several of its in-house supermodels were starting to show signs of fatigue. For example, a rubber band dried out and  -snap! - off came the bountiful factory ponytail. Or the fresh-out-of-the-box hairstyle resembled a rat's nest. Or perhaps the original factory style was rather bland. Perhaps, it was just simply time for a change. But were does one send supermodels to be refreshed? To Pink Bubbles Spa were attention to detail and mastery of technique reign supreme. The results are nothing short of breathtaking, satisfying Dolldom's desire for class, sass, and harmony of scale.

Pink Bubbles Doll Spa  is not only  “Rejuvenation Destination" but also one of the very best blogs on Wordpress. The behind the scenes stories and photos take its visitors back to the days when a beauty parlor was a realm of magical transformations. Each before and after story replicates the linguistic registers and idiomatic expressions of a time gone by but not forgotten by the diehard fans of vintage fashion dolls.

In this exclusive Dolldom feature, seven Barbie Fashion Model Collection dolls show their new styles. Dolldom believes that they are veritable mannequins de mode who can now wear the very best of mid-century inspired design. We hope that you enjoy the show and be inspired to give that special beauty in your collection a day of much needed pampering at Pink Bubbles Spa.

Dolldom thanks the spectacularly talented Bobby Taylor for being such a fantastic friend.

Chic. Very. Utterly. Finally.

BFMC Lingerie No. 6 has her titian tresses styled. Gone is the fly-away hair that impeded her from being part of the cannon of couture.

Cut and styled by Bobby Taylor at Pink Bubbles Spa, Lingerie No. 6 is a sweet delight.

Silkstone 2000 Debut. Delphine. Definitely. But in place of the original model, it is worn by BFMC's Lingerie No. 1 doll.

Her high ponytail is gone. In its place, an appropriate and classic chignon. Jewelry by Joy Jarred. A Barbie for forever.

50th Anniversary party? Absolutely. In James Bogue's basic black and a to-scale bun with braided wrap piece and a playful spit curl. That's Barbie style.

A style for all moments of the day. For all seasons.

Ball Gown Beauty. But even more beautiful when she goes for a Lunch at The Club. The debut fashion called for an assertive face and a style to match it.

A horror hair story when taken out of the box, this spectacular model gains stature and authority in Bobby Taylor's elegant style. 

That curl would drive Alfred Hitchcock wild.

 Another ponytail deterioration story, BFMC' Lingerie No. 3 becomes an icon.

And what about the groundbreaking Lingerie No. 2? With her brown eyes and brunette chignon, she's ready for a big platter chapeau. Earrings by Joy Jarred.

The hat perfectly fits atop her new and sanely scaled do.

Chinoiserie Red Moon boast one of the most unique face make-up designs, but perhaps the effect got lost beneath the towering ponytail with doughnut wrap. Now, the BFMC doll embodies the ideals of Dolldom's  sacrosanct three C's: chic, couture, and class.

With one of the collections' detailed rhinestone pins and a James Bogue cocktail dress, she becomes a divine creature. 

Francie's Finally Fabulous

Francie made her debut in Silkstone in 2011. Dolldom cheered the return of the Barbie doll's cousin to the fabulous world of the Barbie Fashion Model Collection.



The new body sculpt retains the original doll's measurements with enhanced detailing of her hands and feet, so it's easy to welcome a Silkstone Francie to your collection and have her model fashions from the fab mid 1960s or any of the superb creations available from many gifted freelance designers. Even her chair, handmade by Maryann Roy, illustrates the wealth of offerings of which our dolls may partake these days.

For this exclusive portfolio, Kitty Corner Francie went to Pink Bubbles Spa to have her hair styled. The operation performed by the professionals at Pink Bubbles achieved the look that the prototype doll has but that was not achieved in production. Dolldom wonders out loud why hairstyles these days seldom attain the level of precision and respect to scale that was the standard when Barbie was manufactured in Japan. But we digress, for this is all about Francie being finally fabulous.

In Monsieur Z's Flaunt It fashion, a white enamel cuff bracelet, mood ring by Joy Jarred, and her newly styled flip, Miss Fairchild gives Dolldom a little bit of Youthquake fun! Enjoy!

Soul Searching

What to be? Who to become? Do we even have the freedom to decide? Or is it destiny? Essential questions with which many - if not all fashion dolls- have to struggle. Am I the identity that was adjudicated at the moment of sketch or do I enjoy the freedom to seek my own? Katana by Superdoll came to Dolldom with her existential dilemma and we were all happy to support. For you see, Katana is a high fashion doll. A modern high fashion doll. And as much as Dolldom loves high fashion, we tend to move away from modern and edgy. So Katana, a beautifully arresting sculpt with a nose bridge of hyperbolic length, exquisitely deep philtrum, and seductive slanted eyes, embarked on a journey of soul searching. Who am I?




In Retros' Hawaiiana jumpsuit with palazzo pants, Katana starts to connect with her vintage self. Necklace by VJT Designs.


Perhaps a more mysterious approach in electric blue (also by Retros) will suit her silvery braided tresses better?


Katana is still not convinced. She poses beautifully, though, in the midst of her conundrum.

Country music maven? The Retros' day dress is surely unique, but is it really Katana? Necklace by Joy Jarred.

 
Who am I? Really, qui suis-je?

Perhaps a late 1960's fashion plate in Retros' salmon and gold brocade? Breathtaking she is, but still not her true self.


Reflecting. Delving deeply into her being to find her essence.

Et voilà.

In a stroke of genius, Katana slips into Superdoll's black-as-night silk satin separates and JAMIEshow's black sunglasses.


Katana becomes Tante Katana, beloved aunt to Viktor and Agnes Dreary.


Now the children of Dreary Manor finally have proper guidance in important subjects like self realization and fashion.
But something tells us that Katana will continue her search, perhaps after realizing the potential of hair play...

On The Town

On the town, tonight. An elegant town. With elegant folk. Dolldom remembers the days when mothers and fathers would leave the suburban ranch all decked-out for a night on the town!

To bask in the soft glow of such sweet memories, Dolldom features a most scintillating fashion: On The Town, designed by New York City's Fashion Institute of Technology founders Jay E. Watkins and Edward Roberts for Marx and Co.'s Miss Seventeen doll.



As fashion doll scholar Beauregard Houston Montgomery writes in his not-to-be-missed tome Designer Fashion Dolls (Hobby House Press, 1999): "Though herself poorly executed, Miss Seventeen is ravishingly redeemed by her brillinatly conceived wardrobe."

Imagine then what occurs when a superbly executed doll like JAMIEshow's J'adore Gene does the modeling? Fireworks. Created by fashion maven Liz Cole for Retros, this unabashedly vintage fashion is all dramour!
dram  our
dramər/
noun
 1. the exquisite and rare libation born of drama and glamour that makes certain people special.

Enjoy!

À Versailles

Legendary star Gene Marshall's love affair with Versailles began in 1952 when the beautiful actress visited the palace to support its restoration in a Timothy Alberts' design. Here's the full storyline, as it appeared in Motion Picture magazine:

"Helen of Troy's face may have launched a thousand ships. But a single tear from Gene Marshall's glorious blue eyes helped restore the greatest treasure of France -- The Palace of Versailles.

In 1952 a movement began to restore Versailles. Gene, in France on location for her film PARIS MOON, was invited to an evening gala at Versailles to help raise funds to restore the Sun King's fabulous palace. The dazzling Hall of Mirrors once again played host to France's greatest political, cultural and social leaders. Despite the gentle light from the candelabras, Gene was stricken to see Versailles, the symbol of France's power, glorious history and prestige, slumbering in derelict obscurity. Only ghosts abided here, their music and laughter unheard, the vestiges of royal splendor lying forgotten and faded in its decline. A silver tear traced its way down Gene's flawless cheek at the sight of such sovereign magnificence lying in mournful ruin. A distinguished man, deeply moved by the lovely actresses distress, touched her face with a fingertip. "Upon this tear shall Versailles be rebuilt," promised Charles De Gaulle. The next year the restoration of Versailles began.

Gene's gown is a tribute to the resplendent fashions of Louis XVI's glittering court, Her royal purple satin gown is embroidered with roses and exquisite beadwork. Elbow length gloves, stole, sparkling jewelry, and a silver snood complete the romantic ensemble."

In this late January entry, Dolldom revisits the magic of a night at Versailles with an exclusive portfolio of the iconic purple gown, worn by the original issue model as well as by the new and sophisticated resin version produced by JAMIEshow. To add the proverbial cherry to the top of the sundae, two evocative Tonner Doll Company's Déjà Vu fashions enrich this photo fantasy.





A Night at Versailles - the face of Gene Marshall, circa 1995.


Qui est la princesse?

JAMIEshow's Phoenix does the honors this time.




The face of Miss Marshall, circa 2013.


A day in the court calls for careful fashion selections. Tonner Doll Company's Ma Petite Rose fashion is a wise choice.

Be it with a blonde or a titian wig by Ilaria Mazonni of Time of Doll, Ma Petite Rose is en enchanting confection. J'adore Gene by JAMIEshow is delicious in pink.



La vie à Versailles, vous-dites?



A brown and blue iridescent taffeta frock with gold and sequin beaded trim is sure to impress. Tonner Doll Company's La Vie à Versailles is a veritable period piece.  Wigs by Ilaria Mazonni for Time of Doll.

Note to readers:
The fit of Tonner Doll Company's fashions is not perfect on the Gene Marshall doll as the body dimensions differ. No alterations were done to the fashions in these photos.

Breaking Bad

The fun of a redress. Dolldom and bona fide dollectors live for the thrill of seeing a beloved doll transform.



Benefiting from the rich offerings in the market, Dolldom mixes and matches lines and dolls and comes up with a what-if-fantasy. What if instead of Marylin, Miss Gene Marshall had starred in the film classic Niagara?

Our wardrobe department spotted Tonner Doll's "The Problem with Rose" fashion and immediately acquired it. To go against the expected type, Mel Odom's White Orchid Gene, produced by Jamieshow,  plays the title role of Rose Loomis. And Miss Marshall is 100% bad girl in a brown bob by Ilaria Mazzoni for Time of Doll.  Boom! The screen explodes. Gene is a smoldering presence. And with a beauty mark to boot! "Neat As A Pin" Trent Osborn was captivated enough to miss his lines more than once. Who can blame him!

Something About Mary

2013 saw the debut of Mary Magpie, the very first digitally printed fashion doll created by artist Joey Versaw. Dolldom, always in the pursuit of the handmade and of the retro-inspired, was immediately smitten with this bodacious babe that comes out of a printer. How could we not? Not only can she wear Mr. Versaw's creations, she is also the perfect model for vintage Barbie clothing. And in so doing, Mary Magpie brings a new way to interpret the creations of the ever beloved Charlotte Johnson.

For this Dolldom end-of-year exclusive, three different Mary Mapie models wear sheaths - one of the staples in vintage Barbie doll's closet.

Mary's expressive sculpt and Mr.Versaw's always inspired face painting give the world of fashion dolls a genuinely original vision and a real sense of direction with new freedom to choose your basic model's make-up and wigs.


Blue Moon Mary Magpie with dark chocolate Bettie wig wears jewelry by Joy Jarred and a recycled fur stole by Liz Cole.



Purely Platinum Mary Magpie transforms (and is queen of haughty) in a coal noir Bettie wig. The arched eyebrows have it.


A Eurasian Mary Magpie? Absolutely! Dolldom could not do without an Anna May Wong-inspired Mary Magpie doll! Mr. Versaw's precise hand gave her pencil thin arched eyebrows and the sexiest pout to date. Her coal noir bob wig is minimal and so elegant. Perfect doll. Forever doll.


Mary Wong models a classic black organza cocktail sheath by Bogue's Vogues and a purple cherry pearl bracelet by Joy Jarred.


Red delights and makes mouths water. Marirose's mastery comes across loud and clear in this revision of vintage Barbie's "Pak" silk sheath.


Vintage Barbie Golden Girl's sheath is found easily these days. Why not redress your Mary Magpie in this jewel of a dress? The Japanese fabric is heavy and luxurious and the tiny zipper is a miniature miracle. Add a recycled fur stole by Retros and pearls and champagne diamond necklace by Joy Jarred and voilà you have perfection in doll medium.

For more on Mary Magpie, visit her at Mary Magpie. Better yet, join in the many collectors who have welcomed Mary to their collections and visit her store. Then join the Mary Magpie community on Facebook.  Have fun with Mary Magpie!