Redefining Being

The current dialogue concerning fashion, patriarchal traditions and the expression of the self fascinates Dolldom. And it is in the realm of ball-jointed dolls where the exchange of ideas is robust and energetic, perhaps due to the extent to which doll sculptors are realizing their visions of human beauty.

Doll Menagerie MarmiteSue exemplifies the trend. Although offered as female and male presenting, the denizens of Elli Effenberger's realm implicitly invite us to explore what constitutes fashion at a time when evolved mindsets about gender expression push for a redefinition.

Three MarmiteSue characters, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus (Baby iteration), model styles based on three ideals: comfort, practicality, and glamour. Dolldom believes that all dolls (and human beings for that matter) should enjoy the pleasures of sartorial decoration as they define it: paillette-encrusted illusion netting, 1940's tailored pin-striped slacks with suspenders, combat boots, or a silvery silk vest, for example. The point is to be as you wish to be in both your personal as well as professional lives while partaking of the best that fashion has to offer. It's not feminine, it's not masculine: it's just you.

Saturnalia

In an early fall look, Saturn rocks a metallic silk vest and jersey knit tights designed by Tyler Wentworth for her "Urban Sport" ensemble.  A feathered fez from Tonner Doll Company's Théâtre de la Mode "Fleurs du Mal" replaces the usual knit cap. Boots by NuminaDoll. 

Fifth and Biggest

Jupiter loves the classic styling of these high-waisted, pin-striped trousers as the suspenders enhance the vintage feel. A jersey knit turtleneck and a hyperbolic houndstooth wool scarf bring practicality to the cool weather look. Trousers by Ashton-Drake for Mel Odom's Trent Osborn. Turtleneck and scarf by Tyler Wentworth. Wig by NuminaDoll. Shoes by Paul Zhangby on e-Bay.

Your Fire and Your Desire

Venus (Baby iteration) goes minimalist in this elevation of the ubiquitous T-shirt and jeans. The T-shirt is replaced by an illusion netting body suit embroidered with lace appliqués and black paillettes. VDC's Grace Boutique provides the democratic pants in black leatherette. Combat boots by JAMIEshow Doll made for Mel Odom's Trent Osborn. Wig by NuminaDoll. 

Face-up designs by Steos Studios

MarmiteSue / Menagerie

Thank you to lynlovesdollcollecting for making the adoption of this trio possible.

All Creatures Great and Small

As a child, Joey Versaw had a huge fascination with troll dolls. To him they were different and magical! Versaw explains: "They were me! In all of the ways I felt I did not fit into the restraints of society, for some strange reason I felt free and in a peaceful place when I played with a troll doll."

Years later, Versaw finds himself going back to the roots of what made him the individual that he is today. He still holds on to his very first troll dolls being the only things that have survived his life journey from childhood. It's only logical that as a doll artist and toy designer, Versaw found himself wanting to recreate these beloved childhood creatures maintaining the nostalgic feel but updating them just enough to bring in his style and creative ideas. And it all starts with the name: Troglyns

               Illustration by Branimagination

Versaw describes the first of two Troglyn offerings, Sea Trolls: “Deep down in the depths of the sea, tiny sea trolls dance and swim free. Each little troll is as different as can be! Just like you! & just like me!” Available in both female and male presenting. Each Sea Troll will come to you with a stand and a comb. The Sea Trolls are frozen Charlotte style, except that having  a ball jointed neck, the head can swivel. They will be available to be customized with your choice of hair color, eye color, and tail color. Also available as a separate accessory is their adorable friend Mr. Neigh, the seahorse."

The second offering is called Earth Trolls. Versaw elaborates: “Oh how we dance and how we sing, nothing but joy are we here to bring! So put on the music and that smile on your face, for when you visit us you bring magic to your place!” Available in both female and male presenting. These little 3-inch trolls are articulated at the neck, shoulders, and hips. Each troll will come with a comb and clothing patterns so you can make your own easy felt clothing for them! They will be available to customize with your choice of hair and eye colors."

Dolldom is delighted to get to know these fun friends from imaginary forests and seas. For more information and to preorder, visit Versaw's website. Two more offerings will be debuting later in October! 

Comme un oiseau qui s'envole

Time = Life = Music

Music = Time = Life 

Life = Music = Time

All of them fly. 

It is Dolldom's firm belief that dollectors enjoy their pursuit as much for the aesthetic pleasure as it is for the illusion of being able to go back in time: to childhood, to adolescence, to that period when make-believe, when fantasy, when everything, it was felt, was possible. Manipulating the artifacts of the past or those reproduced to evoke the period initiates a process in which glimpses of sensations or filed-away memories come back intact. And the dollector is transported. Not bad for a 40 dollar investment, in the case of today's entry. 

Back in 1976, Mattel introduced a new Barbie doll sculpt titled SuperStar. With her ultra bright smile and wide-eyes, the Barbie doll entered the world of children at heart with a qualifier, a set identity that, to some, broke away from Ruth Handler's original idea of doll as blank slate onto which to project one's fantasy. To others, it was a logic progression: the teen-age fashion model had become a superstar, not unlike the many super models of the period.  And super models and super stars all went to the disco, Studio 54 to be exact, and hung out with Andy, Bianca, Liza, Halston...

2021's reproduction of 1977's SuperStar Christie, beautifully rendered in her yellow satin gown and silvery boa, is our golden ticket to a night of dancing and glamour. Are you ready? And who better to escort us in but Maximilien Hadefi with his 1975 hit "Come un oiseau qui s'envole", covered gorgeously in Spanish in 1977 by Nydia Caro as "El amor entre tú y yo". Yes, it's French and Spanish night at Dolldom's disco. Take your pick. 

SuperStar Christie, do your fine thing...

Francie's Groovy Day

 Mattel's recent reproduction of the Black Francie doll reignites Dolldom's passion for the styles of the late 1960s. And "Floatin' In" Francie is the perfect model muse to star in a little adventure into the world of Crest of the Hill Knits' (formerly Hill Crest Barbies) hand crafted fashions.

Associated with the homemade, knitted garments are often overlooked and under appreciated by collectors of fashion dolls. But Dolldom is sure that this Black Francie and Crest of the Hill Knits combo will surely whet your appetite for a little yarn. Knitted specifically for the slender silhouette of Barbie doll's MODern cousin, the looks reference Flower Power, YSL and Emma Peel. Isn't that groovy?

Crest of the Hill Knits on Etsy

A Flower a Day...

This saturated marigold yellow dress features a single cornflower blue blossom producing undeniable graphic impact. 

Museum Piece...Not!

The reference to YSL's famous Mondrian dress is there but with a glittered driving cap by Maryann Roy and her swinging attitude, Francie takes the look out of the museum and into the streets of Swinging London. 

The Emmapeeler

Cause a gal needs to have a black catsuit! Knitted to fit like a glove, Francie's jumpsuit features shot-with-silver-thread black yarn for extra glam. 

Credits:

All fashions by Crest of the Hill Knits on Etsy

Driving cap and "apostrophe" chair by Maryann Roy

Table by Darren Cole for LizRetros

Note: Francie's hair was restyled for these photos. The restyling consisted of washing, hot water straightening and then careful trimming of the ends. 

Colorama

Vibrant, intense, saturated, alive. When selecting textiles for her designs, PJ Nox, creator behind the Hvala Dolls label, takes the four previous modifiers to heart. With overflowing creativity and an uncanny ability to gauge the emotional impact that clothing and color can have, Nox - like all visionaries do - produces styles of an immense power to inspire. 

Dolldom's Luula, a OOAK NuminaDoll Salix, styled, modeled in, and directed this production of daringly poetic imagery, that, not unlike religious iconography, moves us past the banality of mere fashion. 

Hvala Dolls









Hvala Dolls

It's Magic

Virtual Doll Convention's Grace Boutique is a unique concept that offers a monthly subscription box featuring a new complete look for the Grace Marie Fitzpatrick doll, created by Robert Tonner using his
RTB-101 body and Sydney Chase's sculpt. Each month, VDC's creator extraordinaire Rachel Hoffman goes all out to compose a mini collection of joyful fashion fun in a box!

The offerings for June 2022 are a fantastic evocation of the 1980s, but one of the components, a pair of pants made of stretchy fabric resembling faux leather, is a real fashion chameleon and a true wardrobe basic.

For this Dolldom entry, Grace models looks built on the versatile magic pants employing other garments exclusive to Virtual Doll Convention's Grace Boutique. 


Magic pants in black combine with a deep rose motorcycle jacket and a taupe Birkin style bag. Faux leopard boots add more power to the look. 




A fanciful take on the equestrian lexicon, this look employs silver magic pants, a white tank, a well-cut blazer in a refreshing flower print and statement-making faux suede and leather tall boots. The yellow Birkin-style bag accentuates the sporty vibe. 

Black and magenta- who knew? The two strong colors combine for a look that packs and punch but is as practical as it is fanciful. A lavender side messenger bag and black faux leather tall boots complete the rebel-for-a-cause look. 

Yellow and peacock blue spell summertime. A yellow knit jersey dress offered in 2021, worn as a tunic, blue magic pants, and flirty side-bow heels, are perfect for sight-seeing or hosting a vegan BBQ.

Ideal for a holiday party, gold magic pants combine with a white tank, a red faux fur coat and sexy red faux suede high heel booties. 

For more information on these looks or to shop for your RTB-101 bodied Tonner doll, make sure to visit Virtual Doll Convention's Grace Boutique. 

10!

The number 10 is often used to measure a maximum value in a scale. And it's no surprise that Mattel's Barbie Looks line, designed by Bill Greening, reaches the heights of beauty with its #10 model in this popular collection.

Just like Dolldom closed the month of May with model #10, we open the month of June with her unique beauty, this time dressed a variety of looks from some of Dolldom's favorite freelance designers.

In Labaste-Bestiaire's beaded sheath


In LizRetros' tribute to vintage Balenciaga


In Bakhtiër's wool sheath


In Marirose's beaded red linen mini for Francie doll.


In Brani Mladenov's sexy two piece gown