The Doll Podcast

Stuart Holbrook president of Theriault’s Auction House joins The Doll Podcast host Louisa Maxwell to discuss rare dolls by Austrian artist Lilli Baitz from the collection of Rosalie Whyel. Rosalie Whyel founded of the award winning Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art in Seattle Washington . Stuart tells the story of this major collection of Lilli Baitz dolls and how Rosalie Whyel preserved these dolls for future generations to enjoy. Austrian artist Lilli Baitz trained in art schools in Florence, Munich and Vienna. She established her studio in Berlin with her husband Roman in 1909. Lilli Baitz created beautifully costumed and sculpted dolls and figures dressed in costumes depicting traditional Austrian dress. She also sculpted languid boudoir dolls and capturing the likeness of stage and screen stars like Mary Pickford, Ellen Terry and Lilly Langtree. Lilli and Roman’s company was renowned for their dolls and elaborate Christmas landscapes and magical fairy tale scenes. They soon attracted the attention of major department stores throughout Europe and the USA. They worked on projects for Metro Goldwyn-Mayer studios producing figures of stars such as Laurel and Hardy and Mary Pickford for film promotions in Europe.

Stuart Holbrook, president of Theriault’s auction house, joins host Louisa Maxwell to discuss the legacy of Rosalie Whyel, the founder of 'The Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art' in Seattle Washington. Rosalie Whyel wanted dolls to teach and inspire new generations and she shared that dream with thousand of visitors for 25 years. Stuart Holbrook knew Rosalie very well and tells the story of how she created a collection to inspire the world. Sadly we lost Rosalie this year and her friend Stuart Holbrook was entrusted to appraise and auction the collection of a lifetime. Stuart shares the stories of Rosalie and the dolls that became a legendary collection.

Madame Alexander has been making dolls for over 100 years - the key to her success was innovation and quality. Curator Sara Woodbury joins host Louisa Maxwell for Part 2 of the podcast discussing the The Barry Art Museum's exhibition Fashioning Innovation Madame Alexander at 100 celebrating the centenary of The Madame Alexander Doll company and its founder Beatrice Alexander. In 1955 Beatrice Alexander introduced her fashion doll 'Cissy'. Her character was based on the modern American debutante and she had a couture inspired wardrobe. Madame Alexander was recognised with an award from the ‘New York Fashion Academy” for her contribution to fashion. She drew inspiration from New York designers and Cissy brought these couture inspirations to life. In Part two Sara and Louisa discuss Madame Alexander's fashion dolls and also compare Cissy to another 50's fashion icon Barbie Doll.

The Madame Alexander doll company has been making dolls for over 100 years - and the key to their success is innovation and quality. Museum Curator Sara Woodbury joins host Louisa Maxwell to discuss a new exhibition at The Barry Art Museum entitled Fashioning Innovation, Madame Alexander at 100 . The exhibition celebrates the centenary of The Madame Alexander doll company and its founder Beatrice Alexander. The Barry Art Museum, is the cultural hub of the Old Dominion University, located in Virginia USA . The museum displays fine art in all its forms: painting, sculpture, glass and a superb collection showcasing the art of doll making. Sara is a scholar and curator, dedicated to expanding how museums define art and provide access to it, we are delighted that she is bringing her unique perspective on dolls as guest curator at The Barry Art Museum.

Madame Alexander had a dream to educate through dolls and 100 years later, Madame’s legacy is still inspiring new generations of children. Designer and author Bruce A. de Armond joins host Louisa Maxwell to discuss the life and work of Beatrice Alexander. Madame was born Bertha (Beatrice) Alexander, in New York’s lower East side where her father had a doll shop and hospital. Beatrice trained and worked as a bookkeeper but the advent of World War One and a shortage of the supply of dolls from Europe inspired Beatrice and sisters to create their own cloth dolls. The success of the cloth dolls persuaded Beatrice to launch the Alexander Doll company in 1923 and began her legendary collaboration with toy store FAO Schwarz in New York. Beatrice styled herself as “Madame “ Alexander capitalising on her European roots to give an aura of glamour to the brand. Madame Alexander had vision as a designer and as a business person. She negotiated a variety of licensed deals to make dolls in the likenesses of Hollywood stars: Jane Withers, Judy Garland, Sonja Henie, Carmen Miranda and Scarlett O’Hara. She launched the chic fashion doll Cissy who gained world wide recognition as the face of British beauty brand Yardley. Now in 2023, a century later, Madame Alexander’s dolls are still celebrated and collected as they appeal, not only to doll collectors but to lovers of film and pop culture. Bruce A. de Armond is an interior designer with an international portfolio creating signature styes for hotels, casinos and department stores. Bruce combines his interests in art, dolls and fashion by working with museum collections, auction houses, and contributing to books on vintage dolls. Bruce A. deArmond’s blog dolledition.com explores the ever evolving story of dolls and fashion.

Doll Podcast host Louisa Maxwell charts the journey of Barbie from pop culture icon to movie star. Barbie is the girl that has it all: a hit movie, a dream house and then there is Ken - Barbie’s favourite accessory. In her over 60 years she has been immortalised by Andy Warhol and dressed by a rota of top fashion designers including: Oscar de la Renta, Bob Mackie, Yves Saint Laurent, Escada, Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood, Givenchy and too many more to mention in just one podcast. Now she has made box office history with a record breaking movie. So what's next for Barbie doll, an Oscar? But where did the story start and how did a simple doll, for children to dress and undress, become a pop culture icon?

The Doll Podcast is back in November 2023 for a new season. Fashion dolls have been in the news this year as Barbie is not only queen of the doll aisle but a Hollywood star too. Bradley Justice Yarbrough joins host Louisa Maxwell to review the effect that 'Barbie, the Movie' has had on doll collectors and collecting. Madame Alexander is celebrating 100 years of doll making and author and designer Bruce DeArmond reveals the story of Beatrice Alexander and her dolls. 'The Barry Art Museum' in Norfolk Virginia is hosting an exhibition ‘Fashioning Innovation: Madame Alexander at 100'. 'Barry Museum' Curator Sara Woodbury reveals the story of Madame's fashion dolls and debates the effect Madame’s fashion doll Cissy the had on Mattel's Barbie doll. British fashion doll Sindy is 60 this year and toy designer Rachel Godfroy shares her childhood love of Sindy and her work designer for Sindy. Please subscribe to The Doll Podcast wherever you find your podcasts.

Stuart Holbrook president of Theriault’s auction house joins host Louisa Maxwell to celebrate the legacy of Rosalie Whyel, founder of The Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art in Seattle Washington. Rosalie Whyel wanted dolls to teach and inspire new generations and she shared that dream with thousand of visitors for 25 years. Stuart Holbrook knew Rosalie very well and tells the story of how she created a collection to inspire the world. Sadly we lost Rosalie this year and Stuart discusses Rosalie’s legacy and her wishes for the future of her collection.

The Barry Art Museum at Old Dominion University in Virginia USA, features three major collections: Fine Art Paintings, Glass, Historic Dolls and Automata. The Barry Museum’s doll collection spans three centuries of fashion and culture, the dolls are exhibited alongside great works of art challenging the viewer to see the doll in terms of art and the society that created them. The Barry Art Museum's guest Curator Sara Woodbury joins host Louisa Maxwell to discuss the Barry’s latest exhibition exploring the story of the French Bébé dolls. Made in the likeness of idealised children with finely sculpted bisque heads and composition or leather, bodies, these dolls were dressed in the finest French fashions. French doll makers: Jumeau, Bru, Steiner, André Thuillier and Huret competed to create the most luxurious and innovative Bébés. Sara Woodbury gives us a guided tour through the exhibition and insight into what these dolls reveal about the society and culture of the late nineteenth century.

World Doll Day is June 10, 2023 this year and in an episode from our archive we share the history of World Doll Day and how you can celebrate this year. Michael Canadas of the Grovian Doll Museum joins host Louisa Maxwell to discuss the origins of World Doll Day and how it has grown into a worldwide celebration of dolls This year we will celebrate World Doll Day on June 11, 2022. World Doll Day is not just for doll enthusiasts but a day for everyone to give or share the special joy a doll can bring. World Doll Day was established in 1986 by Mildred Seeley the renowned doll expert, author and collector. Just as she shared her love of dolls through her books Mildred wanted to establish a day to celebrate the importance of dolls as playthings and the importance of play in society at large. www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts/world-doll-day-1

Valerie Fogel joins host Louisa Maxwell to explore the history of Maison Huret, famous for creating luxury French fashion dolls with the finest fashions and accessories. In 1844 Mademoiselle Calixté Huret was inspired to create a doll with an idealised view of a young lady with an elaborate lifestyle. Calixté worked with her sister Leopoldine creating a family business that celebrated innovation, in the art of the doll. Valerie Fogel has loved dolls since her father brought them home from every port when she was a small child. As her collection and knowledge grew, so has her fascination for historic dolls from Europe. Valerie has lectured at The United Federation of Doll Clubs and received awards from them for her work to advance the the goals of preservation, education and study of dolls. Valerie contributes‘ The UFDC’s publication Doll News’, and Antique Doll Collector Magazine. She is also recognised by the National Art and Antique Dealers Association and is the owner of Beautiful Bébés Antique Dolls. https://www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts

On our last episode Bradley Justice Yarbrough shared the story of Barbie and her career selling the dream lifestyle on film and TV. This time in an episode from our archive Bradley relates the story of the team of talented artists, fashion designers and engineers it took to bring Ruth Handler’s vision of Barbie doll into being. In the 1950’s toymaker Ruth Handler watched her daughter playing with paper dolls and was inspired to create a fashion doll that a child could hold in their hand. Mattel assembled a design team of artists, engineers and fashion designers to create Barbie - and the rest is history. Author and fashion doll expert Bradley Justice Yarbrough has made a study of Barbie doll and was awarded the Coleman Scholarship for the research and study of the Designers of the Barbie Doll. He writes for Doll News and Antique Doll Collector Magazine and also has the distinction of being voted the title of ‘Barbie’s Best Friend’ at Barbiecon. Today he tells the inside story behind the innovative designers that brought Ruth Handlers’s vision to life.

Bradley Justice Yarbrough author and expert on all things Barbie doll joins host Louisa Maxwell to explore how Barbie captivated generations of children through the medium of television advertising. Bradley has amassed an impressive archive of first hand interviews and accounts of the story behind the creation of this pop culture legend. He traces the trends Barbie has followed in her over sixty years and how she reflects our fashion and culture. Bradley gives us an insight into the creative people that made Barbie a household name.

Award winning artist and illustrator Mel Odom joins host Louisa Maxwell on The Doll Podcast. Mel Odom’s work has graced magazine covers for: Time, Omni, The New York Times , Rolling Stone, Blue Boy and Play Boy. He has created artwork for numerous best selling books and album covers for CBS records. Mel’s art deco influenced portraits are reminiscent of dramatically lit Hollywood film stills, his love of film and beauty inspired him to make a doll, Gene Marshall, a fashion doll and star of stage and screen. In our interview Mel reveals the films and stars that gave him inspiration for Gene and her career. He also shares memories of his best friend and real life MGM Movie Star, Marsha Hunt and the doll he made in her likeness to honour her. It was a drawing of a beautiful face that inspired Mel Odom to create Gene Marshall, a movie star of Hollywood’s golden age of the 1940’s and 50s’. When she was launched in 1995, the press heralded Gene with the headline: “A star is born and she’s a doll!” At fifteen and a half inches tall Gene towered over the competition and won the hearts of millions of fans. Episode Webpage: https://www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts/gene-marshall-amp-mel-odom-films-and-stars-of-hollywoods-golden-age

Tamara Casey is the creative force behind Designs by Jude a design house offering over nine hundred sewing patterns for dolls. Tamara joins fellow sewing enthusiast Louisa Maxwell to share her journey as a designer. Sewing new outfits is one of the most creative parts of doll collecting and Tamara’s pattern collection offers designs for over sixty types of dolls. Her Youtube channel has over 4,000 subscribers where she gives step by step tutorials to allow doll lovers to release their inner couturier. https://www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts/tamara-casey-designing-for-dolls

Stuart Holbrook president of Theriault’s auction house joins host Louisa Maxwell in Vienna, Austria, to discuss his travels in 2022 searching for unique and precious dolls. In part two Stuart and Louisa discuss how the definition of a doll is changing and the art of the Japanese doll. They discuss how the pandemic has effected auctions and that even more people are collecting dolls than before. If you missed part 1 you can find it on Apple Podcasts or our website www.dollpodcast.com or on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find you podcasts.

Stuart Holbrook president of Theriault’s auction house joins host Louisa Maxwell in Vienna, Austria, to discuss his travels in 2022 searching for unique and precious dolls. In Australia Stuart met collectors of antique dolls, that originally voyaged there in the 19th century, and jet setting Barbie rarities. Determined Australian collectors have traveled far and wide to get their dolls and each doll has a fascinating story and journey. The stories of unique objects is the subject of Stuart’s new book “Never ending Stories”- the history and legacy of iconic objects. He explains how “dolls are not just playthings but art that evokes fashion and the three dimensional human form.” Dolls capture the timeline of our changing attitudes to beauty and fashion. Each doll has a story of it’s own and the story of the people who have cherished it. Part one of our podcast ends with the Journey to Australia - We continue in our next episode on to Japan and their tradition of doll making and talk about how auctions are changing and transforming the way we buy dolls and much more on The Doll Podcast. https://www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts/every-doll-tells-a-story-with-stuart-holbrook-part-1

Australian artist, Jozef Szekeres joins host Louisa Maxwell on The Doll Podcast. As a senior animator at Walt Disney, Jozef Szekeres brought a cast of imaginary characters to life. He is also the author of best selling comic books and graphic novels. Inspired by his love of sculpture and fashion and he created his fashion doll line GlamourOZ Dolls and received the accolade of American DOLLS Awards of Excellence Industry’s Choice winner in 2020.

Jonathan Greene, who lectures on Käthe Kruse dolls, and hosts the Käthe Kruse Gathering joins host Louisa Maxwell. Käthe Kruse has been a name synonymous with dolls for over 100 years. Her journey as a doll artist started in 1905 when her daughter wished for a cuddly doll, so Käthe created a doll with the weight and softness of a baby. Jonathan Greene tells us the story of this talented artist and entrepreneur who created an international brand of handcrafted dolls. https://www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts/kthe-kruse

Michael Canadas of the Grovian Doll Museum joins host Louisa Maxwell to discuss the origins of World Doll Day and how it has grown into a worldwide celebration of dolls This year we will celebrate World Doll Day on June 11, 2022. World Doll Day is not just for doll enthusiasts but a day for everyone to give or share the special joy a doll can bring. World Doll Day was established in 1986 by Mildred Seeley the renowned doll expert, author and collector. Just as she shared her love of dolls through her books Mildred wanted to establish a day to celebrate the importance of dolls as playthings and the importance of play in society at large. https://www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts/world-doll-day