Most doll collectors will already know that their hobby is viewed with, at best, bemusement, and at worst downright incredulity by anyone who doesn’t share their interest. One of the women in my doll group recently said that she keeps her doll room off-limits to anyone who doesn’t know about Read more
Sasha dolls are named for their designer, Sasha Morgenthaler, the celebrated Swiss doll maker (1893-1975). She designed dolls with a dream in her mind – a vision of how a child would look and move in the age of innocence. Her dolls were individually made initially, but later were produced Read more
The Gene Marshall fashion doll was inspired by Hollywood’s Golden Age. Created by the illustrator Mel Odom, each doll featured an intricate movie-styled theme based upon fashions from the 1930s, 40s and 50s as well as Hollywood’s version of historical costuming. When the doll appeared on the market in 1995, Read more
Gay Bob was the first actual gay doll, complete with his closet and a catalog promising many tongue-in-cheek-outfits that didn’t actually exist. Gay Bob was anatomically correct – although his proportions were a little more modest than for his successor, Billy. Billy, the out and proud gay doll, by Totem Read more
Anouk – a vintage-style fashion doll – captures the allure and style of the 1960s. She is influenced by French actresses Anouk Aimée, Anna Karina, Brigitte Bardot and Jeanne Moreau, as well as the French dolls Caprice, Mily, and Sylvie. The initial production had uniform make up and two hairstyles Read more
I have spent most of my working life as an art director in publishing, with many hours laboring in photographers’ studios – trying to get the perfect shot. Surprisingly, the set up of a professional, life-size studio can be replicated in miniature with remarkable ease, using not much more than Read more
Props can make or break doll photography. I’ve discovered that some of the best shots of dolls can be created with just a simple backdrop and a piece of furniture – perhaps this goes with my pared-down esthetic – but I personally think that’s all you need to give a Read more
Pelham Puppets made marionettes, glove, rod, and ventriloquist puppets. The quality of the toys was high, they were sturdily manufactured and featured hand-crafting in their production, including individually hand-painted faces. The factory was based in Wiltshire until it was sold in the early 1990s when it moved to Gloucestershire and Read more
Mdvanii is a fashion doll for adults conceived by BillyBoy*. This “effigy” as BillyBoy* called the doll was made in a limited series as a new concept and was launched on February 14, 1989. The 25 cm tall doll was originally made in a matte Caron make-up toned hard resin. Read more
What set Tressy apart from other fashion dolls was her ‘Secret Strand’, a long, thick tress of hair that came out of the hole in the doll’s head. The strand could be adjusted in length by means of push belly button and a key. The selling point was that Tressy’s Read more