She's Back!

In the short story “The House of Lilli Lalka" a passage reads:

"When the head hit the Formica dinette table, unleashing a mini tsunami of leftover Earl Grey, Lilli understood that it was time to return."

Is that time now? It seems so, despite dollmaker Julian S. Kalinowski's statement about her death in Dolldom's 2012 entry "Forever, Lalka".

In a recent interview, Kalinowski confirmed that his muse is back and with quite the agenda: kitsch, bawdiness, and camp. As subjective as this playful tease is (what's kitsch to one may be modest to the other), Dolldom applauds Kalinowski's mission to liberate doll play from the onslaught of high (yes, as in blitzed) fashion replication and take dollectors on a journey to the fascinatingly tawdry mother lode of all 1/6 scale fashion dolls: Bild Lilli.

“Lilli’s Song”

A lot’s been said about me.

A lot’s been done after me.

But one thing I’ll say,

and it ain't all half-baked,

To claim that this hard plastic gal,

Like a virus dispersed

A hodgepodge of mimicking pals.

In this most recent endeavor, Kalinowski is collaborating with an international and ever-growing list of talent: textiles by David Rose, hats by Waka Murai (the luxury!), graphic and photos by Fokke Hoekman, illustrations by Di Assis, manufacture by Steven Zheng, outfits by Jamila Chou, Andrei Teican, and Tania Lawrence. 

In Dolldom's eyes, the cherry on top of this most significant gesture is the ongoing love that Kalinowski professes for a laborious process of spray painting, airbrushing, hand painting, and hairstyling (all done by his expertly insouciant hands) to create each single doll.

With this exclusive portfolio, Dolldom showcases two prototype Lilli Lalka dolls in fabulous examples of some her soon-to-be-released fashions. Tempted? We hope so. 

For more information on Lilli Lalka visit Kalinowski's boutique or follow him on Instagram.

With this collaboration, Dolldom and Kalinowski wish to celebrate the life of the iconic Joan Hudson whose immense contribution to the world of fashion dolls leaves us with an exemplary legacy of love and dedication to this mad shared passion. 

"Reproduction Original"

When no one else would

You gave Lilli the goods:

Beach sets of red and white stripes,

Sexy tops with cuffed shorts,

Sparkling gowns of magnificent sorts!

With your open heart

You regaled with your art,

Joan, eternally dexterous and smart!

It's Lark!

Joey Versaw introduces a new character of his much awaited The Daffodollys music band and her name is Lark. Lark Emerald Witch to be exact. Lew, as she is called by her dear friend Meadow, is the principal songwriter for the band and her lyrics are groovy. 

Lark has always been a mysterious girl and her friends never question how or why she appears to be purple at times. They just enjoy hanging out with her cause she's boss! 

Lark is a limited numbered edition of 50 and may be ordered either in white or purple skin tone. Her mini dress is outta sight and her hard sculpted wig may be worn two different ways to change her look! Lark stands approximately 11 1/2 inches and wears most small busted doll fashions. 

Lark Emerald Witch and The Daffodollys

Forever Joan

What's in a name? 

J o a n  C r a w f o r d

A Hollywood icon. Also a survivor of sorts who, in spite of reaching the pinnacle of popularity in early 20th century cinema, worked assiduously to remain relevantly active during her lifetime. 

As we close 2022, what remains of Joan Crawford? Simply put, it's a legacy of grit and style. For Joan Crawford had style, one that to this day continues to be referenced: from the magnificent Letty Lynton gown to the sharply silhouetted suits of Mildred Pierce to- sadly - the reductionist grotesquerie of Mommy Dearest (that's Faye Dunaway, let's clarify, not Joan Crawford). 

In 2008, Tonner Doll Company introduced a doll in the likeness of Joan Crawford. Wildly popular, the doll and fashions evoked, not copied, the essence of Crawford's style in some of her most memorable roles. Extremely hard to find today, the Joan Crawford Collection doll serves as a metaphor for the star's lasting power, for though Crawford is in Hollywood Heaven, her essence lives in vinyl and PVC effigies in collections around the world. Joan Crawford is still hard at work serving glamour fantasies galore.

For this Dolldom exclusive, a "Ready for Wardrobe" doll, embarks on a fashion extravaganza. From Tonner's Théâtre de la Mode to LizRetros's hand-beaded silk shantung suits to Tyler Wentworth, this is the ultimate tribute to a woman of style, a fashion icon, an original: Joan Crawford. 

Studio arrival

Tyler Wentworth's "Casual Luxury" coat and slacks pair beautifully with "Urban Sport's" beige turtleneck.

Lunch at Warner's 

Brenda Starr's "Just My Type" suit and NuminaDoll's tangerine bib of bows. 

Opening scene

LizRetros fashioned a broad-shouldered, hand-beaded suit to wear over a black faille blouse by JAMIEshow Doll. Picture hat drama from Brenda Starr's "Evening Noir". 

À la française

Tonner's Le Théâtre de la Mode offerings were beautifully modeled by Tyler Wentworth. On Joan Crawford, these tributes to French Haute Couture during Second World War become even more mythical.  

Luxe, calme et volupté...

In Tonner's Théâtre de la Mode "Fleurs du Mal", Joan is pure poetry. 

Le rouge et le blanc

"Jungle Red" is a showstopper. Based on Crawford's look in the film Susan and God, the pleated gown is magical draping. 

Academy Awards Ceremony

In this fashion fantasy, Joan Crawford walks the red carpet in Tonner Doll's "Soire de Fête" from the Théâtre de la Mode Collection.

And the awards goes to...