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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

Samy Odin lecturer and author of numerous books on dolls and director of the Musée de la Poupée Paris for 25 years, joins host Louisa Maxwell to share the story of  the magazine La Poupée Modèle. The French children’s magazine La Poupée Modèle was launched in 1863 by Parisienne business woman Madame Lavallee-Peronne.  Published monthly each issue included: stories, plays, recipes, puzzles and supplements of paper dolls and accessories. Dolls were a major part of the magazines appeal, each issue had patterns for doll clothing so readers could sew a trousseau for their doll.  The magazine charts the golden age of 19th century French dolls when the celebrated Lily dolls and the doll boutiques of Paris like “ La Poupée de Nuremberg  sold every conceivable luxury a doll's Mama could desire: clothes, shoes, accessories, furniture and more. Each issue of La Poupée Modèle is a treasure trove of childhood history, a special moment in a child’s life full of magic and imagination.  

Adam and podcast host Louisa Maxwell share their mutual admiration for the band and the dolls that any celebrity doll collector will really, really want. Adam Weatherly  has the world’s largest collections of Spice Girl dolls. It’s over 25 years since the band successfully stormed the charts and Adam is hoping to get the dolls, who are the best selling celebrity dolls in history,  into the Toy Hall of Fame. The Spice girls bounded on to the music scene with their hit “Wannabe” and their catch phrase ZigaZigAhhhh! They took over TV and music channels, and had multiple worldwide number one singles as well as a movie.  The Spice girls had their likeness cast in a series of dolls that charted their costume and career history. Adam has over 500 dolls in his collection and has assembled an archive of costumes and prototypes documenting the band. Adam has interviewed many of the artists and designers that contributed to the dolls and hopes to produce and book or documentary about them. http://www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts/the-spice-girls-celebrity-dolls-you-really-really-want

A little doll called   Bleuette enchanted generations of  French children for the first half of the twentieth century.  She was launched in 1905 by a children’s magazine called ‘La Semaine de Suzette' where she became a huge success with young readers who dressed her and sewed for her.  More than 1,000 clothing patterns were published for her making Bleuette one of the most fashionable dolls in history.  Samy Odin  joins host Louisa Maxwell to discuss the history of Bleuette and 'La Semaine de Suzette'.  Samy Odin is a lecturer and author of numerous books on dolls and was the director of the Musée de la Poupée Paris for 25 years.  Now, Samy shares his expertise  and passion for Antique dolls through Chérubins in Paris.www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts/bluette-and-la-semaine-de-suzette

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. Our guest is author and  fashion doll expert  Bradley Justice Yarbrough. Bradley 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.Learn more: https://www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts/designing-barbie

Designer and sculptor,  Robert Tonner, has created many memorable dolls that capture moments of fashion and pop culture . This years hottest fashion doll drop is sure to be Ellowyne Wilde! She's the Fashion doll who sets the trend - combining different pieces to create her own individual look.  Robert joins Host Louisa Maxwell to  share the inspiration behind this new collection and reveals what is in store for Ellowyne Wilde  in 2022. https://www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts

Photographer, author and interior designer  Bruce A. deArmond joins host Louisa Maxwell to  explore the ever evolving love affair between dolls and fashion.Bruce is an an interior designer who creates signature styes for an international portfolio of hotels, casinos and department stores. He also is passionate about fashion and the role dolls play as models, playthings  and historic artefacts.  Bruce’s work in design and retail have given him a unique perspective on the contribution of  dolls to fashion as models or reflections of current trends. Throughout history, dolls have told the story of fashion. As early as the fourteenth century the courts of Europe showcased the latest fashion trends using dolls called Pandoras.  In the nineteenth century elaborate fashion dolls taught girls about fashion and society.  After the ravages of World War Two, Paris couturiers, used dolls in the fashion exhibition Théâtre de la Mode, spreading the word that Paris Haute Couture was back in business. Now, during the pandemic dolls have once more taken to the catwalk for Dior and Moschino with miniature, detailed versions of their couture collections.https://www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts

Robert Tonner has always been at the cutting edge of fashion so it’s no surprise that his latest dolls, the Model Behaviour fashion dolls, are inspired by the latest trend, digital influencers. With millions of followers virtual influencers like Miquela, Noonoouri  and Shudu  are changing our perception of beauty and gender.  With his new dolls Robert creates an intricate story of Moire, a digital model and avatar of style, who  in real life is Olivia Chase.  Robert weaves an intriguing tale between the fantasy that is Moire and the reality of Olivia

Toy designer Rachel Godfroy joins Host Louisa Maxwell  to tell us about Sindy’s new look. Sindy, the British fashion doll that generations of children and adults “love to dress”, is back!  Sindy was originally launched by Pedigree Toys during the swinging 1960's.  A teenager with a mod wardrobe, straight out of London’s ultra fashionable Carnaby street.  Sindy has returned and is again embracing the latest trends as a stylist, fashion blogger and influencer, she also enjoys dancing, riding and caring for pets too. In 2020 British company Kid Kreations, launched a range of six Sindy Dolls for Collectors. The dolls are based on 1980’s Sindy with the original Pedigree face sculpt and a new posable body. Each doll wears a fashion reminiscent of  Vintage Sindy looks like - Weekenders .  The dolls are  limited to editions of 1,963, the year Sindy was launched. Now  in 2021 Sindy has returned to the British High Street with a new range of dolls suitable for Sindy collectors of all ages. The Sindy Play Range includes six dolls each with their own themed play set; a fashion boutique, a bakery, a hair salon, a pet parlour, a ballet studio and a riding stable.  Each doll comes in a box that can be transformed, with some paper crafting, into a set for the doll we still love to dress and collect.https://www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts

Stuart Holbrook, President of Theriault’s Auctions, makes a welcome return to Vienna Austria for Part Two of our Fall 2021 podcast.A hot topic this year has been the discussion of the doll not just as a historic object but as a piece of art in its own right.  Stuart Holbrook and host Louisa Maxwell discuss landmark collections with unique pieces of such quality that they cross the line from antique to fine art.  Stuart explores the Barry Art Museum  with it's world class collection of art at Old Dominion University in Norfolk Virginia, in the USA. The museum strives to advance the understanding of art in many of its’ diverse forms including the Doll.  Stuart also predicts that the work of today's doll artists will soon be the collectors pieces of tomorrow.Stuart  remembers Hollywood star and doll collectorJane Withers. Stuart shares his memories of Jane Withers and tells some insider tales about her movies and friendship with Shirley Temple.  All this and more on The Doll Podcast.https://www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts

Stuart Holbrook, president of Theriault’s Auction house, has made a welcome return to Vienna, Austria.  A year ago Stuart joined Host Louisa Maxwell for the first Doll Podcast and here they are, one year on, enjoying coffee and delicious Viennese cake while talking about one of their favourite topics, dolls.  Stuart has a years worth of adventures to cover, so this episode comes in two parts: Part One Thursday October 14th and Part Two out a week later so be sure to subscribe at Apple Podcasts, I heart Radio or where ever you find you podcasts to get the whole story. Stuart is well known for travelling the world in pursuit of rare antique dolls and childhood playthings. During 2020 Covid clipped his wings but, as soon as it was safe, he took to the road in the USA to meet doll lovers and unearth treasures. In Part One of our conversation - Stuart fills us in on collector trends and how the demand for dolls rose to new highs in 2020. Covid kept collectors at home but, in these uncertain times, we are reassured by the fact that collectors around the world can meet a through online events, auctions, social media and of course - The Doll Podcast - to share our love of dolls, their place in history and of course our hearts. https://www.dollpodcast.com/podcasts