RED rules the CARPET!!

Congratulations Louos Osman!!! I can honestly say I could NOT call this one. First, we have had verrrrrrrrrry unpredictable (but good) judges throughout; and second, there was again stiff competition charging up that red aisle!

I have to admit, though, that I loved this design and the styling. Viewing this doll posed at the podium I could almost see her giving her acceptance speech. Also, I love to see a woman embrace her feminine style without exposing everything, and this gown proved that it could be done. It was low cut in a desired way, and the embroidery and beading were exquisite - what more could a doll/actress want. Watch out Rachel Zoe!! I sincerely hope your celebrity clientele missed this challenge - because these fashions aren't available in people size.........yet.



Our next challenge embraces the stylings of an actress quite familiar with the Red Carpet - the incomparable Audrey Hepburn! At first, I had thought that introducing you to dolls made after her likeness might be the key to understanding what we need to produce. However, this is not the "make an Audrey doll and reproduce clothing she wore" challenge! Therefore, what we may want to look at is the fashions of Audrey - and not necessarily the most popular ones.

To go in this direction least travelled may require a real clear description for the judges. However, blazing trails is generally worth it. So let's go!

First of all, Hepburn has often been called one of the most beautiful women of all time, and her fashion style is truly impeccable. However, although she enjoyed fashion, she didn't necessarily place a lot of importance on it.

In "real life" she seemed to prefer casual, comfortable clothes. Like many fashion icons she kept it simple, preferring clean lines and clothes that emphasized her tall and slim physique.

Stripes were prevalent, and sometimes even muted colors snuck in among the most favored white and black used by her movie designers. Of course, the Breakfast at Tiffany's little black dress dominated for its simplicity, but sometimes she'd even pair it with bold jewelry for a different (exquisite) look. Capri pants were something she made famous in Sabrina and Funny Face, and continued to like in her private wardrobe. Fashionistas of her day said whatever color you choose, you'll look oh-so Audrey!

And, her ballet years spoke loudly in the graceful nuances of her clothing -- even encompassing ballet-type slippers which she seemed to wear with everything – dresses, pants, Capri pants, etc. And, although she loved feminine clothes, she knew how to pull off a men's inspired look flawlessly. She especially favored button-down men’s shirts, trenchcoats, turtlenecks, perfect handbags, and even a shorter haircut!

Givenchy was her favored designer, but he wasn't the only one that designed lovelies for Ms. Hepburn. Edith Head actually won two Oscars for costume design in Roman Holiday and Sabrina, and was nominated with Givenchy for Funny Face and Breakfast at Tiffanys. So research into the types of stylings these designers used for our muse may prove informative.

And, even a study of her latter years may prove interesting for not only studying her fashions, but also how she became a true humanitarian! But whatever inspiration we choose, let's strive always to stay true to our own style! Good luck, fashionistas!

So what of the judge for this challenge? I can't imagine a better one than mega-talented designer, Randall Craig -- the creative talent behind Randall Craig Couture and RTW clothing for fashion dolls.

I actually went and researched this talented designer several years ago, after receiving a gift of a sweater set he had designed! I felt like this came from someone with REAL fashion runway experience, and I was correct!

Mr. Craig earned his Associates of Art degree at Miami International University of Art and Design, and then proceeded to launch a variety of his own clothing lines. In September 2002, he debuted Choic, a collection of trendy men's tops. He has worked with some of the best, including Perry Ellis! His fashion show experience includes such biggies as Saks, Badgley Mishka, Vogue, and Neiman Marcus.

Raised in New Mexico, Randall came to fashion dolls at an early age and quickly began making hand-sewn outfits for them! When he received his first sewing machine at age 5, he was able to better fashion his designs! Today he markets his custom-made fashion doll creations under the name Randall Craig Couture. His most ambitious collection to date, Randall Craig RTW (Ready-to-Wear) for 1/6 scale fashion dolls, was met with enthusiastic response when it hit the market in early 2004, and his designs continue to sell out immediately!


As president of Randall Craig Inc., he is head of design for his signature RTW line for fashion dolls.

The RTW collection is now carried by retailers across the United States, in Canada, and Japan, and has graced the pages of Fashion Doll Quarterly, Haute Doll, Contemporary Doll Collector, Doll Reader, and Barbie Bazaar.

In fact, Randall has held the position of Fashion Editor for our highlighted sponsor .........read on!!

What a thrill to have Fashion Doll Quarterly (FDQ) as our sponsor! Yes, that's correct!! The sponsor I'm priviledged to highlight this month is FDQ...THE FASHION DOLL MAGAZINE for those in the know! FDQ is not only the quarterly magazine that many of us can't wait to see in our mailboxes January, April, July and October; but it is also THE magazine that has been able to deliver many convention special editions! But, most importantly to us at CDDC, FDQ will be THE only magazine that will showcase our winner - what an honor!

FDQ began publication in October of 2003; and their editor, Pat Henry, says we have just as much excitement to look forward to in the coming years as we have in the past. Those following the magazine will be excited to know that soon there may be freestanding print issues or virtual issues on USB or available as downloads! Of course, readers will continue to be able to take out subscriptions from their website as well as purchase singles at their local Barnes & Noble or Borders bookseller. Starting a subscription is as easy as accessing their website.

For an example of this marvy mag, let's peek inside the latest edition. This Fame Edition focuses on the world of celebrity dolls; specifically, those celebrity dolls created by our community's artists. I was thrilled to see this topic discussed by the best in the business - Noel Cruz, Laurie Leigh and Jenny Sutherland - who also created the recreated characters on the cover!

Alex Forbes delights with her take on "The Devil Wears Prada" featuring the doll world's Robert Tonner while MaryAnn Roy introduces us to the doll version of the immensely popular tv series, "Madmen." And, if that weren't enough, there is a feature on our favorite events including Hollywood Ahoy and the International Fashion Doll Convention! All in all, another stellar edition!

Also, all of us at CDDC know that our pictures can make or break our scores in the challenges. So, I was really delighted when I discovered Pat Henry's fantastic take on fashion doll photography, FDQ: In Focus, Digital Photography for the Doll Collector.

This book covers everything from selecting cameras to setting up your photo studio, and many other wonderful tidbits. Take a test drive by checking out the FREE preview located here. I'm sure you'll need this in your fashion library!!!

Thanks, Fashion Doll Quarterly Magazine, for stepping up to the fashion plate for CDDC!

Ooops, she did it again!!

Congrats to..........

Emilia Nieminen

for taking the
prize for a second time!!

I’m really proud for Emilia to have taken first place for the latest CDDC challenge. However, this is the first time I can’t say I picked a definitive winner. Yes, the designers have definitely stepped up their game! There were several designs that would merit consideration for first place, so I didn’t envy the judges their job in deciding this one!

I think what could have been the deciding factor – besides the cutting edge design – were the very appropriate accessories. They weren’t merely the icing on the cake, they fit so well they became a part of it, and added to the overall appeal of this outfit! So, fashionistas, it is now more imperative than ever to develop the total package if you hope to conquer that first place position – get with it!!

And, what kind of styling will be appropriate for the current challenge?? What do we need to put our doll on the best-dressed, rather than worst-dressed list of red carpet regals? Well, that’s a little harder to decide than you might imagine. Popular designs have included everything from modern to vintage, all colors, and styles that have been both slinky as well as full-skirted! Therefore, I think we have to look at the criteria a stylist uses. They ultimately try to pick a dress or ensemble that fits their celebrity. So, would it not follow that more than ever picking an appropriate model for our garment may be the key to winning the judge’s favor!?!

Of course, this is just your blogmeister’s opinion – what criteria YOU use will depend on YOUR vision of what constitutes a modern-day gown that will make everyone go oooooooooh instead of ughhhhhhhhh like they did when they saw some of the not-so-desireable fashions I’ve featured that have actually gone down the red carpet!

Good luck on this one!! Although I am quite confident that the CDDC artists could beat the examples shown here even if they were having a bad day!

Sometimes it beads that way!!

Jim Faraone – OOAK artist, IFDC’s Visionary, and our guest judge this challenge!!

It's hard to think about fashion dolls, especially the smaller-sized OOAK (one of a kind) ones, without thinking of Jim Faraone. He became involved with fashion dolls in 1980, but had always been an avid doll collector. His collection numbers over 3,000 and includes many kinds of dolls. On top of that he collects paper dolls, miniatures, paper toys, 40's and 50's plastic dollhouse furniture, metal dishes, and autographed celebrity photos. With all that collecting, we can only wonder how, in 1987, he began making OOAK dolls! And, not just any kind of OOAK dolls – Jim’s OOAKS are beaded wonders!

Jim didn't stop at making OOAK dolls, though. No, he began to chronicle his process and produced the final version in book form. To date he has had six books published; five in the series of Fashion Doll Makeovers, Learn from the Artists; and one titled Ultimate Fashion Doll Makeovers, Tips from the Experts. Jim has also published his own quarterly publication on paper dolls titled "Paper Doll Pal."

He was trained as an artist at The School of Visual Arts in New York City, and his artwork has been on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The doll world has also been privy to his artwork in two editions of the UFDC publication, "Doll News," and when it has been used as souvenirs at various conventions. His articles on the Barbie® doll and paper dolls have appeared in "Contemporary Doll Collector," and he has also appeared on several television news segments and in newspapers. He'd love to have the opportunity to present his and other artist's work on national television.

Yes, he’s well known in the collecting field and has been actively involved with many of the conventions where he has organized and run the Artist Galleries. But his heart now belongs to his own convention, the International Fashion Doll Convention, currently held in Las Vegas in the summer. This convention not only offers several days of fun with other doll friends, it is also a venue for some of the most informative workshops, a marvelous showcase for artist’s work, and a place where new fashion dolls have been unveiled!

Jim is a true artist’s friend who has worked diligently to see that new work of professional and non-professional artists is displayed. He is an avid believer in supporting the artists and giving them the recognition they deserve. Hopefully we will all benefit by the critiques given by this caring artist!!

Mel Odom recently marked the end of an era….an era focusing around a fashion doll with an old Hollywood vibe. Yes, when he published his farewell letter on the HEA BLOG last Friday, it was infinitely clear he was ready to retire Ms. Gene and move on; it was indeed the end of an era! So, what can we do, fellow fashionistas, but thank him for giving us the doll that, IMHO, began the 16 inch fashion doll craze!!

This doll was not only the darling of the repaint artists; she was also a dressmaker’s dream!! From this doll, repaint artists such as Laurie Leigh, Viktoria LaPaz, Terry Norcia and others too numerous to mention, brought new and old stars and other characters to life with their beautiful repaints; and doll pattern makers began a renewed interest in their craft not seen since the arrival of Barbie.

But what was especially interesting about this fashion doll was that Mr. Odom began the fashion designing reign for her through a group of high schoolers with a not-so-simple design competition!!! The contest culminated with a presentation called “Fashions Designed with a Doll in Mind” at Westwood College, presented in conjunction with Santa Barbara High School and Ashton-Drake Galleries, and featured fashions designed exclusively for Gene!

It was 1997, and under the watchful eye of their teacher, Kasia Stefanek, the students began their task shortly after being given the guidelines for creating their outfit. They went through a rigorous study plan that included: historical costume research; creating a portfolio of multiple drawings and designs; pattern making and draping; textile and trim field trips; creating an actual garment; completing the design; and accessorizing and styling the hair. Once their garment was complete, a full color illustration had to be completed; they had to create a story explaining Gene’s character in their design; and they had to write the actual description of their garment.

But their efforts certainly paid off – two of the designs in the 1997 Gene line were a result of this competition! They were produced by Shelley Rinker and Michelle Gutierrez. Another design, by Nicole Burke, made its debut in the 1998 line!

In fact, when I caught up with Shelley Rinker recently she said she had not heard about Mr. Odom’s decision, but did find it rather ironic because she had recently been looking over her Gene doll and reminiscing about her experience.

Neither Shelley nor I had found anything to suggest any other students had gone into doll work, but she certainly had! After finishing high school, Shelley went on to graduate from the Otis College of Art and Design. Then she worked as an Intern for Mattel's mainline and games/puzzles divisions, did a stint as Sr. Girl's Product Designer for Lanard Toys, Inc., and is currently the Sr. Development Designer at MGA Entertainmmment, Inc. She is enthusiastic about her job, and has worked on several projects at MGA; she says her current work is on the BFCInk line which consists of some charming girl-type dolls as well as their fashions. You can read more about this line at BFCInk.com

Shelley told me she had produced the outfit called Sparkling Seduction, and that Michele Gutierrez was responsible for King's Daughter, but she wasn't sure which outfit Nicole Burke had been responsible for - perhaps Destiny?? She said she remembered her work on the Gene doll fondly, and that the contest "totally opened me up to the whole doll line, and is probably the reason I have the job I do today!"

What a wonderful legacy Mel Odom has given not only to the teenagers in the original program, but to the entire world of fashion dolls!! We are honored his artistic talents poured over into our hobby!

But rest assured, he will have no problem in whatever phase of artwork he decides to pursue now. For Mr. Odom’s work has been shown at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum and the Society of Illustrators, and he is the two-time recipient of the Award of Excellence from the Society of Illustrators. His art has appeared on the covers of Time and Omni magazines and frequently appeared in the New York Times Magazine. Goodbye, Mr. Odom, we appreciate both you and your doll, and wish you well in all your new endeavors!!!