Piccola Monalisa

Mid-century design, you say? Nothing beats a doll from that period as today's story is bound to prove. A recent antiquing find, our flirty-eyed Bonomi bambola is a real 1950s treat. Made in Italy of painted Rhodoid (the trade name for a cellulose acetate plastic made by May & Baker Ltd. in England) our 18-inch lass is full of character and perhaps a good dash of mystery.

Monalisa, as she was named by our editors, came wearing a coral colored jumper over a playful tutti-futti print blouse with attached organza petticoat. The blouse's collar is a separate piece that closes in front with a hook and eye. A blue apron with patches allows her to paint, make-believe-cook, and tend to her baby and keep her dress spotless. Her golden leather sandals hint to her penchant for glamour. Her human hair wig is styled in an carefree bob with coquettish bangs. Much to our surprise, during the photo session, Monalisa uttered a charming cry! Little did we know she had it in her to be a crier doll too!

But it is her expression and her flirty eyes that capture our collective heart. Depending on the pose, Monalisa's gaze will smoothly travel from left to right giving her the much desired playful character. When she took a nap in between photos, (required by law when working with children) her eyes closed. Yet her smile kept on being, much to our delight. What keeps her so amused? We are still wondering.

Dolldom welcomes any information that our readers may possess about our darling Monalisa and Bonomi dolls in general.

In A Manly Manner

The male doll. Dolldom recalls the days when G.I. Joe, Ken, Big Jim, and Matt Mason were the principal cast of characters in the world of male dolls. Much has changed since those days and today's fashion doll scene offers a wide variety of male doll characters who, in many cases, are much more than mere escorts  for female fashion dolls. Today's male doll is his own man and exists for a sector of the doll collecting population that enjoys delving into the gentleman's sartorial adventures.

Havana Nights Lee by JAMIEshow caught Dolldom's attention for his youthful and serene look. His bald head is the perfect style to impart a certain air of toughness to an otherwise kind and affable expression. With 20 points of articulation, Lee is the consummate fashion model as the photos of this exclusive portfolio illustrate.  A limited edition of 100 dolls worldwide, this Asian-American character will bring elegance and diversity to those who acquire him.

In DAE Original's peacoat and Tonner Doll's sweater, Lee is ready for a day of nautical fun.

Who's the man behind the dark glasses?

It's Lee, looking tough while giving face.

Lee wears Tonner Doll's Huey fashion, inspired by the musical Memphis. Dolldom thinks that Lee rocks the look.

Havana Nights Lee shows off his posing abilities.

Lee comes wearing silky boxer shorts and leather sandals.

King of the Ski Lodge. Lee wears an oatmeal sweater by Tonner Doll Company for the Matt O'Neill Collection.

Formerly worn by Daniel Craig in the movie The Golden Compass, this well-tailored suit by Tonner Doll is ideal for more formal occasions.

The smoking jacket. A necessity to live out a James Bond fantasy.

This vintage style by Effanbee Doll Company for Basil St. James is hardcore Agent 007.

For more on Lee, visit JAMIEshow's site. 

Celebrity Sighting

One of the funnest activities when in Old Hollywood (a place in time that one can visit often thanks to Gene Marshall and her Monolithic Studios friends) is to spot movie stars as they go about doing what they do in their glamorous fantasy lives. 

On a sunny day back in the days when class and style reigned supreme, Mel Odom's Miss Gene Marshall (Phoenix model produced by JAMIEshow) was spotted at the Museum of Fashion Arts and Sciences suited in a Christian Dior design, circa 1951. The suit was first modeled by Gene pal, Ivy Jordan in her Moss Rose incarnation produced by Integrity Toys. With a chinois hat by Liz Cole for Retros, earrings by Nicole Kartio, and a Barbie Fashion Model Collection diamond pin, Miss M gave it a fresh interpretation. So much, that many of the other attendees could not help but admire her fashion sense from behind their very dark sunglasses.

 

Magie Noire

When beauty appears, Dolldom takes note. JAMIEshow resin dolls caught Dolldom's attention with their exquisite renditions of Mel Odom's Gene Marshall, the three of which have been profiled extensively in our stories. 

When the Holiday 2013 line was announced, our collective editorial eye went to the super beautiful new sculpt named Natalie. An African-American character, her looks define supermodel of the world. And with a resin color previously available only in dreams, Natalie is a must have doll. 

From JAMIEshow's website:

"Introducing Natalie, our newest character. Natalie the slightly younger sister of Kyra, hit the Paris runway scene as soon as she was able! Strutting her high heels down the catwalk, her striking look made quite the impact! She is now the toast of the Paris couture runway.
 
Natalie is a dark skin tone resin 16" Fashion BJD. She is made of the exclusive JAMIEshow J-Resin. She has interchangeable hands, and can wear any of the JAMIEshow rooted wig caps.
 
Natalie is dressed in an off the runway outfit, a two piece jacket and skirt, with tulle underlay. Designed for JAMIEshow by Lori Lyon, Jamie's Favorite new Designer. The jacket is made up of an under layer of silk, with asymmetrical layer of tulle laid over. The jacket is lined. Her shoes are a work of art unto themselves in silver with spiked heels sporting a regal design. Her wig cap is a new style just for her, pulled back soft curl afro".

High quality at a sane price point paired with superb additional offerings such as a varied selection of wig caps, hands, shoes, and fashion make this JAMIEshow doll a veritably sound acquisition. The body sculpt is versatile and adapts well to the many fashions in a fashion doll collection.

For this exclusive entry, Dolldom lavished the very best on Natalie: Time of Doll wigs, Joy Jarred jewelry, Retros, and Tonner Doll Company fashions.

In Antoinette's Bold fashion and JAMIEshow's Scheherazade wigcap, Natalie is a Steampunk vision.

The fiery red haircolor suits her perfectly.

Friday Night Date. Natalie's debut skirt is paired with a sheer T-shirt from the Cami and Jon line by Tonner Doll Company, a belt by Liz Cole for Retros,  and luscious jewelry by Joy Jarred. Her debut wig is exquisite and nicely symmetrical.

What not to look at? Sensory overload. The eye dances from face to jewels to hair to eyes to lips...

In a Time of Doll hard cap wig, Natalie models her debut outfit. The raven beehive is strong and complements the strong lines of her fashion.

Paris, 1940-something. In a Théâtre de la Mode design by Tonner Doll Company and a period Time of Doll wig, Natalie plays fashion historian. A suit so well cut is never out of style.

Tropical dreams. In Retros' leopard classic and verdant necklace by Joy Jarred, Natalie is island bound. Her wig cap is borrowed from Phoenix Gene Marshall.

Lip gloss or skin care commercial?

Fierceness redefined.

Very much inspired by the beauty and talent of Dolldom favorite RuPaul, this photos portray Natalie as supermodel of the world. She knows how to work the Tyler Wentworth dress and the Time of Doll wig.

A pose to strike.

For more on Natalie, visit her a JAMIEshow Dolls.

The Swimsuit Illustrated

The Swimsuit Issue. Why should there be an issue about a swimsuit? Miss Barbie Millicent Roberts turns fifty-five years old and poses in a revamped version of her iconic 1959 look and the world goes bananas.



Dolldom reminds that the Barbie® doll has had a love affair with swimsuits ever since her inception. Meant to be a basic doll to be redressed, the teen-age fashion model was offered in a chic zebra striped black and white one piece so that children could ask for mini couture for her to wear. Of course, many of us believe that in her swimwear, Babs is nothing short of perfection.

To prove the point and to celebrate Miss Roberts' long due inclusion in the much-hyped Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Dolldom presents an exclusive portfolio of her very best beach and pool wear.

Splash!


And then there was Barbie! The original 1959 model goes sunbathing in her très faux zebra skin strapless number with some of her Hong Kong clone friends.


A Number Three Barbie doll is ready for a swim in her Dreamhouse's pool.


An advantage of being a model is having garments fitted to your exact measurements.


Dolldom commends the Japanese seamstresses who made each one of the zebra stripes meet at the center seam. Bravissime!



In 1964, a Swirl Ponytail Barbie modeled a red Helenca swimsuit. Very athletic!


In 1963, Fashion Queen Barbie demolished all glamour standards in her Egyptian gold wonder and a year later, Miss Barbie came along in a coquettish cotton candy and gold sparkle number.


And in 1965, The Barbie Look was defined by a gayly striped blouson model.

Barbie is to swimsuits what gin is to tonic. Here's to Barbie Style.