Doll Observers Fashion Doll Awards nominations announced - and we're nominated!

January 9, 2015

Now that the first stage of DollObservers.com members-only nominations have been counted and verified, it is time to finally announce the lucky nominees for this year. What makes the DollObservers.com Fashion Doll Awards different is that both nominations and votes are made by doll lovers themselves. Public voting is now under-way and you are invited to vote now. Winners will be announced via the site on 22nd February 2015. The great news for The Fashion Doll Chronicles is that we are nominated for an award as best fashion doll blog! Thank you to all members that nominated us, it is an honour! You can vote here.

An Oriental Obsession for a good cause - Barbie goes geisha!

January 8, 2015

As part of the 10th edition of Firenze4Ever, LuisaViaRoma joins forces with Mattel to produce a limited edition Barbie designed by Japanese artist Hiroyuki Kikuchi. All proceeds will go towards the fight against breast cancer. The eBay Auction starts 12 Jan 2015. Firenze4Ever is a twice-yearly event hosted by LuisaViaRoma just before the Pitti shows in Florence.

Introducing Oriental Obsession Barbie, the latest addition to the Mattel family. The one-of-a-kind doll is realized by Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi, members of Mattel’s special event team and the creative duo behind Magia 2000. The pair carefully crafted the doll’s oriental-inspired look based on images drafted by Hiroyuki Kikuchi. Hiroyuki Kikuchi is an art-director, illustrator and photographer. The Tokyo- native has curated important projects and campaigns in luxury sectors ranging from fashion to cars. Resident in Italy since 2003, he collaborates with major fashion, luxury and gourmet brands. His illustrations have been published in Vogue Italia and other international mastheads.

Hiroyuki will create six different designs as part of the event at the LuisaViaRoma concept store over the first two days of Firenze4Ever. Inspired by the Oriental Zodiac, each of the pieces of artwork will be on display in store for the duration of Pitti Immagine. Only ten unique pieces have been produced, making Oriental Obsession Barbie a true collector’s item. The ten limited edition dolls will be auctioned off as part of Firenze4Ever 10th Edition and all proceeds will go towards the Anastacia Fund and the fight against breast cancer.

Internationally recognized singer/songwriter Anastacia has released a total of five studio albums and sold over 30 million records to date. A true survivor, Anastacia is a committed spokesperson for breast cancer awareness who continues to share her own story and support others through her work with the Anastacia Fund. The Anastacia Fund was established through The Breast Cancer Research Foundation with the purpose of raising awareness and funds for research on breast cancer. After being diagnosed herself in 2003, Anastacia turned her effort toward the fight against breast cancer. The international superstar users her influence and public status to further the cause and is determined to help women take charge of their own health. Anastacia will represent the project, kicking off the auction at the LUISAVIAROMA concept store in Florence on Monday 12 January. The limited edition Oriental Obession Barbie will be auctioned on Ebay, with proceeds going towards the Anastacia Fund.

Magia2000, the artistic duo formed by Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi, was playfully originated in 1999, during a warm sunny day, chaperoned by a playline Barbie sold as a magazine gadget. This way, the pure pleasure of play entered their adult lives. They are creating these 10 incredible official Barbie dolls for Mattel Italy and LuisaViaRoma, following the design of the Japanese artist Hiroyuki Kikuchi. Their magnificently detailed craftsmanship and artistry is obvious once again in this latest of their creations.

Fashion dolls and my favourite music

January 2, 2015

Every year since 2007 I am part of a countdown that takes place in December: Greek music lover bloggers post their favourite 20 albums for the year in their blogs, beginning at December 1st and going up to December 20th with their number one. In the end, there's a tally and the best albums of the year are announced. Each participant usually makes a special presentation for the albums, using photos, videos or whatever they think best represents their relationship to the music they love. This year I decided to unite my love for fashion dolls with my love for music and use my doll collection in my presentation. At first I thought I'd do photos with the dolls holding the albums. Then I saw there were some albums that their covers could be reproduced using the dolls. So I decided that each album would be a different animal to confront, depending on its cover and the music inspiration, as well as the artist's image. So here are the photos I made as a slideshow. If you want to see them in all their glory, you can visit my music blog here. Enjoy!

Season's Greetings!

December 24, 2014

Tyler Wentworth's 15th anniversary

December 16, 2014

My own Signature Style Tyler Wentworth, dressed in a Gene Marshall outfit.

Photo by Stratos Bacalis

Dressed to the nines. As Tyler Wentworth should always be. Ready to celebrate her 15th anniversary. as dear Tommy Courtney (who spend a decade with her, making her look glamorous and fantastic through his photographs for Tonner Doll) kindly reminds us in his lovely commemorative article. On the 14th of December 1999, the first Tyler Wentworth dolls shipped to retailers. And thus begun a dream story, with a core idea so simple, yet so powerful: The power of play.

A version of Tyler that became a classic throughout her career - and embodied her "life" and story more than any other is the Signature Style Tyler. The first one, in 1999 (above), had some problems at first, but quickly became the darling of collectors. And while the doll progressed through the years. the style became a staple that kept on being re-released as a basic dressed doll version of Tyler - and a great entry doll for those seeking to discover Tyler's world. Fashion designer extraordinaire. She even got her own design desk and atelier accessories. I hope I will be able to find a set one day for my signature style Tyler. Yes, my one and only Tyler Wentworth doll is a BW (bending wrist) Signature Style with raven hair from 2004.

Signature Style Tyler through the years

Of course through the years she came with a magnificent wardrobe, lots of accessories, many friends (and a boyfriend, who finally married her) and furniture - even a piano! She even got released in a resin BJD version (with inset eyes even). She got to wear some of the best designs Tonner has ever released, from suits to gowns to casual wear, from pret-a-porter to haute couture - even goth! I am a proud owner of some, even one from the first ever collection in 1999: the Central Park Benefit Luncheon suit, exquisitely made.

Central Park Benefit Luncheon, outfit only, 1999

Even her body evolved. From the original one with articulation only at the shoulders, hips and knees, she gradually became articulated at the elbows, waist, wrists, bust and even got interchangeable feet: high heeled, flat and even ballet arched ones. She even got a new sculpt in 2007, with a slightly more angular face. The power of play indeed.