Created by Charles Fegen and Desmond Lingard in London, under the canopy of Superfrock, these dolls combine a cutting edge fashion sensibility with haute couture in miniature. The Sybarites are made of resin, stand approximately 17 inches tall and have 19 points of articulation with strung bodies.
Fegen and Lingard initially used Tonner’s Sydney doll as their muse, creating collections of sought-after outfits for her. But their burning desire led to the development of their own doll, Venus d’Royce, the first Syabarite. While the dolls will not stand without some help (such as a stand, or careful posing in the right pair of shoes), they can assume many lifelike poses, far more than the average vinyl fashion doll. Sybarites are wigged dolls, they have attached eyelashes and painted eyes. Early experiments with glass eyes did not give the desired effect.
Fugu the Japanese Sybarite, in her launch look
There are three body types: the handmade early dolls made in England (such as Tattoo, and the Chalk Whites), marked on the small of the back SDMDR © 2004/5, the original factory body in a lighter resin, made in Asia, marked Sybarite ©2004/5, and the revised factory made dolls which debuted in 2006 marked The Sybarites ©2006/7 . The later dolls are slightly larger in the bust and hip, but the difference is not very great.
In 2007, a Sybarite doll appeared in the audience at a Dior Couture fashion show. A seat had been purchased for the doll to sit in. Lingard and Fegen are known for their lavish publicity stunts. The dolls were also exhibited at Jeffrey New York in an “all white collection”, including a “razor blade dress”, controversially suggesting a cocaine theme.
In March 2008, the BBC aired a segment on Fegen and Lingard claiming the duo’s handmade creations are treated with “the reverence normally reserved for catwalk fashion”. BBC’s David Harper accompanied Fegen and Lingard to Paris where the 2008 Collection, entitled “War+Peace”, was shown at a private 16th century residence. Fegen explained some of the ideas behind his collections such as red and white polka dot shoes representing “magic mushrooms for breakfast”, and showed costumes featuring tiny bullets which were actually miniature lipsticks. At the end of the BBC segment, David Harper stated that one of a kind handmade studio Sybarites have been purchased for up to $20,000 to $40,000 USD. Collectors were interviewed but would not discuss pricing with the BBC. At the Paris showing, the purchase of a two doll set required a signed contract stipulating owners could not discuss pricing or sell their dolls for 3 years.
A transformation from Swallow to Pony by Barış
Read a 2009 interview with Charles Fegen and Desmond Lingard, and here’s a story on the Sybarites as shown on BBC television…