I Am Ricky

In episode six of season three of the AMC series Mad Men, little girl Sally Draper receives a Barbie doll given as a gift by her mother Betty. The well-researched and executed scene captures a moment that took place in thousands of homes across the United States in the early 1960s. Watching this vignette with all its painstaking attention to chronological correctness, I could not help but wonder if Sally's brother was himself desirous of receiving such a gift - an obvious projection of my own life experience. For as a child growing up in vintage Barbie doll's heyday, my ultimate wish was to receive, from my proud and smiling-with-approval parents, a slender gift-wrapped box containing my very own Barbie doll. Far from this fantasy, in my childhood in Puerto Rico in the mid 1960s, a boy never received nor dared to ask to receive the gift of a Barbie doll. For female fashion dolls were only for girls and that meant not being able to be part of the club. Ken and G.I. Joe were allowed and I played with both, but such play, sans Barbie, lacked magic and color and was boring to me. But in 1967, by the time he was being discontinued by Mattel, I got a Ricky doll. Ricky's smile and freckles captured my heart and imagination and became a childhood companion along with Talking Porky Pig, (also by Mattel) and Mortimer Snerd, a vinyl version of the ventriloquist doll. Perhaps unconsciously, I sensed that with Ricky by my side, I could one day be a member of the coveted Barbie Club.

The Ricky doll was introduced by Mattel in 1965, a year after the Skipper doll made her debut. Skipper proved to be a hit with children so to enrich her storyline, Mattel gave her friends - Skooter and Ricky. Introduced as Skipper's friend (not boyfriend), Ricky was the boy next door. To many parents, he may have been a dead ringer for marionette and TV children's favorite Howdy Doody and as such, hard to resist. One wonders how many Barbie fans added Ricky to their play even if dressing a boy doll was not high in their list of glamour-seeking priorities.

Just like Barbie, Ken, and Skipper, the Ricky doll illustrates a period when children still abode by societal expectations for sartorial formality. As a result, Ricky had an ensemble for every activity that a boy would undertake - from jeans to a suit. Ricky stopped being produced after 1967 when the Mod and Twist-and-Turn eras were in full swing as well as the US' involvement in the Vietnam War. Ken would also disappear soon thereafter and Barbie's Willows, Wisconsin would be an all-female realm for a while.

But today, Ricky is an integral member in many vintage Barbie collections. And being a relatively limited number of items, collecting the redheaded lad is not going to break the bank. Displayed along with the other denizens of the Barbie dolls' world, he instantly brings a smile to my face and a genuine feeling that the ideal kid-next-door is my lifelong friend. 

Children and Art

Ricky's portrait as featured on his box cover. Ricky is Skipper's friend, not boyfriend. He along with Skooter create the perfect kid triumvirate of Willows, Wisconsin.

Pack It Up, I'll Take It!

A NRFB "Skateboard" set (# 1505), from 1966-1967 features a cool blouson shirt and an even cooler skateboard. 

A Distinguished Lad

The back of Ricky's fashion boxes reveals the zeitgeist of the late 1960s.

Let's Explore!

The gang is enjoying the great outdoors. Rickywears "Let's Explore" (# 1506) composed of gray zippered slacks and a warm red plaid shirt, red socks and black shoes. A Japanese-issue Skipper stays warm in "Outdoor Casuals" (#1915) and Scooter is charming in the sleeveless top and slacks from "Fun Time" (#1920).

Homerun!

For how could Ricky not love baseball? "Little Leaguer" (#1504) boasts zippered blue jeans, a red and blue knit T-shirt, a red cap with "M" for Mattel and a catcher's mitt.

Toy Collector

Ricky shows us his toy collection before heading to bed in "Lights Out" (#1501) a yellow pajama set with blue terry cloth robe and matching slippers.

Little Daredevil

Ricky performs for Skipper in "Skateboard" (#1505) which features the ultimate toy: a skateboard!

Sunday Best

A perfect illustration of mid 1960s style, "Sunday Suit" (stock number 1503) offered Ricky the opportunity to attend a concert or go to church in a well-tailored striped blazer and black slacks.

In Japan

Although never produced by Mattel, this vignette makes us wonder what if Mattel had expanded the "Barbie Travel Costumes" series to the junior set. Ricky's yukata is by Vicky Ruby and Skipper's kimono is by Sylvia Campbell. 

Howdy!

Ricky was only produced with straight legs, from 1966-1967 (#1090). This version has the pink-toned vinyl skin that would characterize Mod Era dolls but the doll was produced using both types of vinyl. 

At Barbie's

The Ricky doll employed the same perfectly androgynous body sculpt as Skipper and Skooter. He poses for this photo in his original issue swim trunks and jacket. 

Go West!

Ricky visits The Golden Gate with Barbie and Ken in "Saturday Show" (# 1502). Barbie wears
"Fashion Shiner (#1691) and Ken sports "Rovin' Reporter (#1417).

À la MOD*ern Cousin

The Francie doll defines youthful style. To this day, Barbie doll's MOD*ern cousin is the point of reference for any doll-related evocation of the 1960's Swinging London look.

Recently, HillCrestBarbies, known for its delightful vintage-inspired knit fashions, offered two fancy numbers for Francie and friends of which our editors took notice. After a couple of messages and exchanged photos, Henrietta Lockhardt, owner and master knitter, came up with three very Francie Fairchild looks that inpsired this ode to the cousin who brought the Mod Era to the world of the Barbie doll.

For more information on HillCrestBarbies' knits visit Ms. Lockhardt's Etsy boutique.



"La Fleur" combines marigold yellow and cornflower blue in perfect day dress, modeled by Silkstone "Kitty Corner" Francie (restyled by Bobby Taylor).





"Color Lines", modeled by a Japanese issue Francie, is a cheery combo of horizontal stripes. Hat by Maryann Roy. Purse by Integrity Toys for Poppy Parker.





"Square-Off" is HillCrestBarbies' tribute to YSL's "Mondrian" dress, modeled by the one and only Twiggy doll. Hat from Barbie's "London Tour" ensemble.





"Cat, Girl", modeled by a straight leg standard Francie,  is a cozy black jumpsuit of subtle sparkling yarn. Necklace by Robert Best for Model of the Moment line.

 



"Go, Go-Go!" closes the show with a splash of pink, cream, and lavender. The quintessential dancing dress, modeled by a first-issue black Francie, is made for fun. Necklace by Mattel. Hose and shoes from Francie's "The Silver Cage" fashion.

Summer Prep

It makes sense to invest in a pair of jeans and a good haircut - two essentials on which to build looks for this coming summer season. For this preview of male summer style, The Numina's Argent by sculptor extraordinaire Paul Pham models made-to-measure denim by the talented Chewin, along with two of his hard cap wigs, and necklaces by Joy Jarred.











The Numina - Dollcis by Paul Pham

Chewin Doll

Joy Jarred Jewelry

Creative Muse

Thanks to the Greeks, we have had for centuries a way of qualifying those entities that trigger the impulses that lead to expression in the arts and, of course, doll play: creative muse.  Dollectors all have their own.  For this entry, we propose to focus on two of Dolldom's inspirations for play - the first, a longtime source of beauty, glamour and joy, and the second, a new stylish character who has -intentionally- nothing to wear.

Liz Cole of Retros fame has been a constant companion to Dolldom for 20 years. Creator of everything B&G, Liz and her best man, Darren, have created - by hand - some of the most memorable and unique items for fashion dolls. From fashions to furniture to 3-D printed sunglasses and wigs, The House of Retros is steadfast in its production of a world of style that beats to its own drums (bongo, BTW) and that defies the let's-copy-the-runway fad.

Robert Tonner's Rayne, created as the last production doll for Phyn & Aero, was produced with a pair of high-heel sandals, a kick boxing work-out set, and attitude to spare. With a face-up that rivals Barbie's 1959 style, Rayne also sports a body sculpt beyond compare - Tonner's Gal Gadot Wonder Woman. So what is Rayne to wear? According to her creator, that is up to us!

As one and one equal two, then Retros and Rayne equal fabulous fun. Our editors and Rayne went into the Retros vault to select what to wear for this exclusive photo portfolio. Coiffed by Ilaria Mazzoni for Time of Doll and Chewin Malipunte, a basic auburn Rayne, profiles a young woman of character and strength not afraid to reference a time when beauty and glamour meant beauty and glamour!




"Lil' Abner "is the name of this comfortable dress made with a vintage bandana an silk shantung waist. It's summertime fashion at its best. Wig by Ilaria Mazzoni for Time of Doll.


"Gloria" is a Retros classic featuring a cotton-knit shot with gold and silver Lurex threads and cut to allow dancing.


"Poochii" is a suit for any occasion in a vintage crepe and recycled fur collar. Wig by Tonner.


Lo and behold - Rayne is joined in the Retros fun by her best friend Tyler Wentworth.


And soon it's a party with Marley and Antoinette who join in the Retros fun.

Retros Boutique - for B&G!

Swan Song?

When Robert Tonner announced the closing Phyn and Aero, he also left his collecting fans with the promise of one more doll - her name was to be Rayne. Touted as the fashion figure of the collector's dream, Rayne is meant to be "a muse, a personal fashion model, a fashion canvas." Sculpted by the designer, Rayne is an invitation to be creative by dressing and styling the doll as the collector sees fit. Dolldom could not be more delighted.

For this very first entry, a basic "Midnight" Rayne chooses to wear a Nigel Chia design for the DeMuse Doll label. With her extra long bangs, heavy upper eyelid kohl liner, and RTB 101 body sculpt (created for the Tonner's Gal Gadot Wonder Woman doll), Rayne is a strong and determined character.

Now, is Rayne Robert Tonner's swan song? Dolldom sure hopes not, as his vision has shaped the way that the fashion doll has been created and collected for more that two decades. Still, Dolldom seizes the opportunity to express gratitude to he who invited us all to believe in the power of imaginative doll play.












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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!