The beginning of the 21st century brought forth a wealth of ideas thanks to the vision of artists like Robert Tonner who with his 1:4th scale Tyler Wentworth and Sydney Chase redefined what a doll's face could be and do to create a character. Integrity Toys and Jason Wu followed suit with the 1:6th scale Fashion Royalty line and the idea as to what a doll should convey was formed: give attitude and express emotion.
JAMIEshow Doll's Muses line, designed by Owensu, is a current exponent of the trend, one that offers collectors the highest form of refinement due largely to the precisely detailed hand painting of the resin dolls' face-ups. Although Owensu's couture is on par with the dolls' quality, Dolldom was attracted to two of the Muses due to their power to communicate spirit: Camille and Astrid.
Aware of our subjective interpretation of the ambiguity of these resin faces, we dare express why both Camille and Astrid won us over.
Camille (from La Vancanza Collection)
Camille combines heavy upper eyelids (moderate ptosis, perhaps?) that convey a subtly weary gaze while her downturned oral commissures (so often "corrected" with fillers in humans) produce a jaded pout that - to us - exemplifies the emotional detachment of a misanthropic perspective.
Astrid (from The Garden Party Collection)
Astrid offers a deeply cathartic combination of a saturated shiny red, downward turning, slightly open mouth (from where her front teeth peek out) and similarly oriented eyes that unequivocally remind us of religious (as opposed to drug-induced) ecstasy.
For this Dolldom exclusive, Camille and Astrid pose for a traditional photo portfolio in exquisite fashion selections by many of Dolldom's favorite designers to show what character is all about.
Designers:
Bakhtier
Dangerous Dames by Juliet Whorton
Bogue's Vogues
Franklin Lim Liao
Robert Best
Integrity Toys
Defa Lucy
Coat by Defa Lucy. Separates by Integrity Toys.
Brocaded silk separates by the unforgettable Franklin Lim-Liao.
Dress by Integrity Toys.
Dress by Robert Best. Hat by Bogue's Vogues.
Suit by Integrity Toys.
Hand beaded top and skirt by the gorgeously generous Juliet Whorton for Dangerous Dames.
Dress by Bahktier. Camille bust by Jonathan Adler.
Dress by the groundbreaking Bahktier.
Dress by Bogue's Vogues by James Bogue.
Dress by Bogue's Vogues by James Bogue. Hat by Maryann Roy.
Hat and dress by the incomparable James Bogue for Bogue's Vogues.
Dress by R&D Doll by the great Rudi Teruel.
Gown by Robert Best.
Gown by Robert Best.