Visual Literacy

It's important to know how to decipher what one is seeing.



But as critical as how one sees - is how one looks while seeing. And we are not talking about wearing a pair of sunglasses to hide dark circles or to communicate the message that eyes kept in secrecy allow no window to the soul.

Today's lesson is taught best by the formidable Peggy Guggenheim. Eyes she had, trained and skilled to understand the artist's message. And it was she who best exemplified that, regardless of what one wears on the body, it is what frames the face that speaks volumes about one's character.





LizRetros shares this sense of exuberance in design. For more than two decades, the Retros label has exemplified the golden standard in the handmade doll fashion cottage industry. Which presented no surprise when Dolldom learned that soon the doll world would enjoy the pleasures of much needed eccentric sunglasses for all sizes of dolls. The legacy lives on in LizRetros' 3-D printed and hand decorated miniatures. Now any doll can join in Miss Guggenheim in that rarefied realm of inspiring mavens who know how to look at art while defining it.


DAE Originals' "Sugarplum" Vivette goes all-out Tiki on her co-workers. Suit by Marirose.


Prototype Sylvain, by Julian Kalinowski, captures the essence of Miss Guggenheim - it's all about the spectacle of her spectacles.


Julian Kalinowski's Little Miss Lolita (aka Lalka 2) relaxes in her Venice palazzo while watching gondolas pass by through her "Aquarius" sunglasses. Coat by Rosina Haskell.


Contract negotiations will go Ivy Jordan's way. No ones messes with her flamingos. Suit by JK Clothier. JAMIEshow wig cap restyled by Kathy Johnson.


"Check This Out" Esmé by Tonner Doll is mermaid supreme in this under the sea fantasy.


Serious art collector Sofía, by JAMIEshow Doll, goes to a gallery opening and sets the scene ablaze - with one look!


The party got to be very swell once Tonner Doll's Tiny Kitty Collier walked in in her red bubble dress and Retros' "Tikilandia" frames. Mai Tai and Zombies for everyone!


A walk down Fifth is never a mundane activity when invoking tropical climes. It's happy hour at any hour of the day for Tonner Doll's Miss America dressed in Kitty Collier's suit.


Society gals like Tonner Doll's Miss Kitty Collier know how to spice things up at balls and fundraisers with chiffon and flamingos!


Mel Odom's "Phoenix" Gene Marshall, produced by JAMIEshow knows how to make an entrance and kill the red carpet in her Retros's "TikiColor" sunglasses.

To acquire your own pair, make sure to visit Retros Boutique!

A High Dose of Vintage Flair: From Beach to Bar with Little Miss Lolita

Glamour gals adapt.



They possess the know-how to quickly and fashionably transition from sand and sun to cracked ice and Pérez Prado. Julian S. Kalinowski's new Little Miss Lolita (aka Lalka 2) exemplifies the attitude, as she goes from beach to bar in minutes with just the right changes and touches of vintage flare. Kalinowski has produced a classic bathing suit in a sparkly Lurex that when paired up with sober black pieces becomes a sophisticated eye catcher at the cocktail lounge.

Example Number One: La Divina






In Juliet Whorton's silk separates and Liz Retros' turban, la Divina is divine.



Example Number Two: La Estupenda





In a black stole and satin skirt by Mattel, La Estupenda is nothing short of stupendous. Bandeau hat by Liz Retros.



For more information on Little Miss Lolita, make sure to contact Julian Kalinowski.
Bar by Darren Cole for Retros. Other furniture by Morrison Studios.

A Brave, New, Non-Toxic World: The Numina's Argent

Last September 2018, The Numina's Discophelia event bore a rich harvest of photos on social media. Among the many reveals at the annual event, hosted by sculptor Paul Pham, were two new characters, the artist's first venture into the world of the doll-coded-as-male. And Dolldom took note. In fact, Dolldom went on high alert as it was - even in photos - palpable that the artist was not only making the ultimate accessory for his uniquely gorgeous and racially diverse female counterparts; these personnages, Aurum and Argent, were coming to life at a time when masculinity and femininity are being redefined by non-patriarchal standards and in the same way that gender binarism is no longer the norm.

And what are these new standards? We hope that any new standard is applicable to all human beings: empathy, patience, nurturing, attention to detail, spirituality. At the very least, these are the qualities with which The Numina's Argent is being gifted as he is welcomed to Dolldom. His face and body - his outward appearance - and what we as dollectors code by our own set of standards, will be perceived differently - just like beauty is the eye of the beholder. But as we continue to examine and explore the new options Argent will be our guide.

Argent's face (he identifies as male and his pronouns are he/him/his) has a special quality, perhaps what Susan Sontag calls "the haunting androgynous vacancy behind the perfect beauty of Greta Garbo." Depending on the angle, the identity reveals itself: deep in thought, solemn, intense. Argent has a mission and the agency to undertake a plan. His body is a sensitive examination of sinuous musculature developed via physical activity: "mens sana in corpore sano".

In this first feature, Argent takes the time to play basketball, to wear a skirt (a kilt is nothing but), and to show off the beauty of garments that have become part of the lexicon of universal fashion: classics that anyone can (and in Dolldom's view should) wear.










Track shorts and tank by The Numina/Dollcis. Wig by Chewin.






Kilt by Ayal Armon Doll Couture. Shirt by Tonner Doll. Wig by Chewin.




Hooded knit by Tonner Doll. Pants by Esefdoll on Etsy.






Coat and slacks by Tonner Doll. Turtleneck by Dollsviewpoint on Etsy.




Cap by Petit Tricotage.

Much gratitude to Paul Pham and Dollcis/The Numina for creating new opportunities to explore the world via dolls.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Meets The Captivating Miss Collier

With the success of Amazon Prime's fabulous The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, interest in 1950s fashion style was inevitable. The shows heroine is, after all, a fashion plate of the iconic kind in costumes designed by über talented Donna Kakowska.











Dolldom's editors enjoy and recommend the show not only for its storyline and excellent acting (Rachel Brosnahan is tops!) but also for its connections to one of their much beloved characters: the captivating 18-inch Kitty Collier by Tonner Doll Company. Who knew that, 17 years after her introduction, her fashion style would be evoked in a hit show?

"In a make-believe time and place, Kitty opens up her dress shop, which boasts the most beautiful clothing and accessories. Always the height of elegance, Kitty wears her highly detailed ensembles with great feminine flair. In 2000, Kitty Collier™ made her debut, marching onto the fashion doll scene as an unprecedented 18” full vinyl fashion doll with a vintage touch, bringing a breath of fresh air to collectors everywhere." - Tonner Doll Company catalog, 2000



No fashion doll collector can deny that Robert Tonner has given collectors dolls of amazing beauty and the 18-inch Kitty Collier embodies his creative integrity. Meant to portray the idealized beauty of mid-century American fashion design, the Kitty Collier line offered very high standards of manufacture at a very inviting price point. Kitty Collier's sculpt is based on Mr. Tonner's limited and much more expensive porcelain Decades of Fashion line from 1996. Yet, the inset eyes give the vinyl Kitty Collier undeniable depth of emotion.

The company allowed Kitty, so reminiscent of vintage grande dames such as Ideal's Revlon and American Character's Fashion Toni, to remain relatively unencumbered by a complex storyline, inviting collectors to build their own, pretty much in the same way that Ruth Handler did with Mattel's Barbie doll. The line was discontinued after 2006, but in retrospect, Kitty Collier stands proudly elegant amongst the plethora of fashions dolls created during the renaissance of the fashion doll ushered by Mel Odom's dreamy Gene Marshall and Mr. Tonner's own Tyler Wentworth.

Here's to marvelous Midge and captivating Kitty!


The Golden Hour 
"Cocktails at Five" from 2000 and "Grand Occasion" from 2006 illustrate the powerful glamour of gold brocade.


Not a Cloud in the Sky 
"My Blue Heaven" from 2001 could be taken out of a Douglas Sirk movie.


Homage 
"Enchantée's" navy blue organza and satin cocktail ensemble is reminiscent of Barbie's "Dinner at Eight".


Début 
"Lilac Cotillion" is tour de force in doll making. Fabric, draping, face-up all combine in a perfect total look offering.


On the Avenue! 
"Fifth Avenue" is another perfect example of a total look offering, this time in a luxurious bouclé. The wool dress and coat set is from 2002.


Ladies Who Lunch "Park Avenue's" sober charcoal suit with plumed chapeau is a perfect counterpoint to "Lunch at the Ritz's" hot pink wool tailleur. Both are from 2003


Jungle Red! 
"Shopping Chic" is a classic red velvet coat with animal print collar and cuffs from 2000. An iconic look for an iconic doll.


Seeing Red 
Kitty Collier makes a grand entrance in "Scarlett Glamour's" figure-hugging red velvet gown from 2001.


Champagne Bubble 
The red bubble dress contained in the exclusive and very limited FAO Schwarz from 2002 is an unforgettably flirtatious confection.


A Rose Is... 
Evoking a fragrant rose garden, "Parfait Promenade" from 2002 is quintessential Kitty Collier style.


American Classic 
The ultrachic "American Beauty" is inspired by a Norman Norrell design.


Bon Voyage 
A traveling suit of inimitable elegance, "First Class" established Kitty Collier as major fashion plate.

For more on The Marvelous Mrs' Maisel's fashions. make sure to read this article from The Daily Beast.

All photos of the Kitty Collier doll by ©Dolldom / Ernesto Padro-Campos Photography

Visions of Sugar Plum

 While visions of sugar plum couture dance in our heads...








Démuse Doll Nichole by Nigel Chia wears her debut dress and nothing else. A new Sugar Plum Fairy. Minimal. Exquisite.  

Happy holidays to all!