With the help of a talented team of designers, Ryan Anderson’s dolls wear looks that are based on impossibly expensive gowns from the most prestigious Parisian ateliers. The Bold Doll checks out some posh frocks.
A lavish floral print inspired by vintage Balenciaga. The gown and jewelry were created by Lori Lyon of mrcouture, the first of a series of three commissioned gowns using vintage 60s prints. Shoes by Marcia Friend of Facets by Marcia. The model is Bryant Park Tyler with hair restyled by Melanie Kiefer. The male companion is Mungu by DevaDoll
Once it was available solely to the very rich, but now haute couture is here for all. The caveat is that it’s only available in doll size for less than astronomical figures.
Ryan Andersen is a collector who avidly studies the latest fashion collections. Couturier gowns are the inspiration to create similarly spectacular looks for his 16-inch doll collection. As he explains, “When creating a bespoke doll fashion, I look for the style and shape of the gown, then work on the color scheme. Never let the color of the original stop you, make it your own. I am very lucky to work with such a talented team to create my dream projects. Don’t be afraid to change some details that you might not love.”
1950’s Dior was the starting point for this elegant fitted sheath dress extended into a mermaid hemline. The gown and shoes are by Lori Lyon, and the jewelry is by Marcia Friend. Tonner’s Red Baroness Ava Gardner shows off the gown splendidly. Cameron, a resin doll from Jamieshow, offers background support
Once a design has been commissioned, Ryan works closely with several collaborators to get the look absolutely spot-on. The finest fabrics are sourced, together with miniature haberdashery of all kinds. Here he shows off some of his favorite creations and lets you into his secret source book so you can commission your own couture.
The black and white gown with witty bodice detail (left) follows in the footsteps of a Carolina Herrera original. Tailored by Cindy Friesen of Redsilk Thread, with shoes by Marcia Friend, and jewelry by Joyce Scrima of Soho dolls. Tonner’s Guilty Pleasure Kit was re-coiffed by Melanie Kiefer. Another Carolina Herrera inspiration (right), in the palest cream tafetta. The gown is by Cindy Friesen, shoes by Marcia Friend and jewelry by Tonner. Perfect Start Ashleigh is the house model.
Fine enough to grace the most regal of gatherings, an opulent blue and cream gown with an extravagant jewel-studded train. Inspired by the 2010 collection, this gown is the first of three in the manner of Dior. Gloves and shoes by Cindy Friesen, jewelry by Joyce Scrima and Marcia Friend. Hair restyled by Laurie Lenz of Angel Doll Studio using Tonner’s Hollywood Treasure Carol Barrie doll, ably assisted by Deva Doll’s TheWa.
Kimono redux. A contemporary take on traditional Japanese dress, with cinched-in obi. Gown and shoes are by Lori Lyon from her Asian Fusion. Pret-a-Porter collection. Jewelry by Marcia Friend. All modeled by Far East Basic Stella, who is joined for the shoot by Tonner’s Freedom for Fashion Neo Tokyo
RYAN’S ADDRESS BOOK
Marcia Friend facetsbymarcia.com
Cindy Friesen redsilkthread.com
Jill Hinton blackhillsdolldesign.com
Melanie Kiefer studio.2008@gmail.com
Janis Kiker ebay-jkinmd
Laurie Lenz angeldollstudio.com
Lori Lyon mrcouture.com
Joyce Scrima etsy-soho dolls
Re-published from the Summer 2015 edition of Fashion Doll Quarterly magazine. All links and urls were correct at the time of first publication.