My extremely talented friend Maria and her Habillis Dolls Creations

Being a fashion doll collector means, among other things, meeting people all over the world that share the same interest/hobby/obsession. That can lead into a beautiful friendship, which is my relationship with the wonderful Maria (from Habilis Dolls), my dear Greek friend. There are not many Greek fashion doll collectors but I am happy that I met her and we share such a wonderful friendship. Apart from being a wonderful human being, she is also a talented maker of clothes and accessories for fashion dolls! I have been meaning to dedicate a post to her extraordinary work for quite a while (you have to see her craftsmanship up close to understand the high level of quality in her work). I managed to convince her to give me an interview, which you can read below.

Fashion Doll Chronicles: Let's start with a few words about you

Maria Habilis Dolls: My name is Maria, I am 48 years old, a teacher of Ancient Greek and Latin, teaching in High school for 25 years now. I live in Syros, a beautiful island of the Cyclades in the Aegean Archipelago, am married and have a 15 year old son and a 13 year old daughter.

FDC: Tell us how you discovered fashion dolls?

MHD: That was by accident, on-line, where else? Specifically, I was looking for clothes for my Barbies (that was way before I started making myself clothes for dolls). When I saw the first Fashion Royalty I was speechless. She was Eugenia Overachiever and immediately after Eugenia Going Public. Then I knew that I had to step up a level (collecting). That was the beginning. Later on I discovered Sybarites (I own two), Tonner dolls etc. It was a road with no return. Now my collection has more than 60 Fashion Royalty dolls.

Outfit based on my own design and made by Maria

FDC: How did you decide to start making clothes for your dolls?

MHD: Along with Fashion Royalty dolls, I also discovered the very talented creators that were already part of the fashion world for dolls. I was impressed with their work and, because I can sew, I slowly started to make clothes for dolls on my own. Six years later I can say I have experience and an easy to do it. But I dedicated lots of time and was very patient and insistent. I am more proud about my insistence than about the results of my creativity (LOL)!

FDC: When did you start selling doll clothes and accessories made by you?

MHD: From the moment I started collecting dolls obsessively, I thought it would be nice to cover my spending to enrich my collection in one way or another and not incur that on the family budget. From the moment I started uploading the first photos of my creations on flickr (www.flickr.com/photos/habilisdolls), it was really encouraging that many friends asked me if I sold my creations and where they could find them.

FDC: Were there any obstacles in this endeavor?

MHD: My main desire and concern when taking those first steps were if the people who were the first to trust me and bought my creations would be completely satisfied. Generally I did not have any problems, on the contrary it is something that gives me inspiration, joy, creativity and allows me to add to my collection which is my passion.

FDC: How and where do you sell your clothes and accessories for fashion dolls?

MHD: I started selling them on eBay and that was important because in this way you become well known and many people that ignored your activity in this sector can see you. Two years later I created my own site  http://habilisdolls.com and now I do most of my selling from there, since by now I have loyal customers that love my work. With many of them I also have a really warm communication, we're almost friends. I mention this as it is something that gives me great joy and I an glad that through this interview I can publicly thank them.

FDC: Where does your inspiration come from?

MHD: I am mainly inspired by my favourite creators and through the various blogs I follow. The materials themselves are also a great source of inspiration. I have a large fabric collection that I have been adding to for a while. As I observe them I imaging the outfit that can be made of them at the same time.

FDC: How long does it take you to complete an outfit so that it is ready to be sold?

MHD: That depends on the design and the fabric. If for example the fabric demands a complete lining, it can be very time-consuming. Other times the outfit is simple but has intricate accessories. Generally five to six houts is the norm, but never without interruptions as I do not have that much free time available. I also make many designs and try-outs, it often takes time for me to say "this is it". Don't forget that I do not want to miss out on the fun, as I also like to play at the same time. Trying out hair dos, I also need to see the outfit worn by a blond, a red-head and a brunette as well. So time flies by really quickly. I never stopped playing with dolls feeling satiated by it.

FDC: Favourite fashion designer:

MHD: Alexander McQueen was always a favourite and I love what Burton is doing with the house, continuing his work. If I must set someone apart it would be Karl Lagerfeld whose clothes I almost always like. Lately I like what Salvatore Ferragamo does too.

FDC: For which dolls do you prefer sewing?

MHD: Mainly I love sewing for FR because I love the way they pose. The new bodies especially are a delight to dress. I also have done stuff for 16" dolls like Sybarites and recently I fell in love with  Tulabelle και Poppy Parker Fashion Teen 16’’ girls.

FDC: Which is your favourite doll and why?

MHD: My most beloved doll is and will always be Going Public Eugenia cause she was the first one I bought, love at first sight. I got her in the summer of 2008, a gift to myself for my birthday.

FDC: Tell us you favourite and also your most "despised" fabric/material to work with.

MHD: There is no particular favourite or despised material. I generally favour soft and elastic fabrics as they are easier to sew and fit better on the body. I avoid too delicate fabrics that can slip and make it hard to sew.

FDC: Which has been the greatest reward of this work?

MHD: From this activity I have been rewarded in many different ways. First of all with the money I made I was able to add more beautiful dolls to my collection. It is also a creative endeavor through which I express my self as well as get feelings of relief and restoration.. It is also very important for me being in touch with people, getting to know each other and also a great joy and recognition for me seeing photos of other collectors or friends' dolls wearing my clothes.

FDC: Most difficult thing in making doll clothes?

MHD: I think it is making the outfit come out properly in this small scale. I have noticed the difference between having the outfit in your mind and really making it. For example a pleated or draped outfit is not the same when made in this scale. You have to be picky about fabric or use tricks to give a real feel to the outfit.

FDC: What details do you always incorporate in your clothes and accessories?

MHD: In outfits I am really interested having the seams really well made and the finishing being careful and professional. I do not want people to think, when they have them in hand up close, that it was not worth the price they paid. I also want the collector that buys my clothes to have available all the comfort and ease to dress the doll without too much trouble or get annoyed doing so. I am also careful to use quality fabric so that it will not stain the doll's body. For accessories, what is important to me is that they look as realistic as possible and not doll-like. I am not sure I can always get away with it.

FDC: Favourite outfit until now and why?

MHD: I love almost all the designs I have made so far and usually I keep a copy for me. One I will always cherish is a dress inspired by Alexander McQueen.

FDC: Any advice you'd like to share with the rest of the doll-world fashion designers?

MHD: Be patient, make this with love and never miss out on the fun and the mood for play. This can also protect us from bad antagonism and jealousy that unfortunately also exist. I will never forget, when I first started sewing for dolls, the kindness and encouraging words of Kathi(aka FrauE) in some e-mails we exchanged, where she advised me exactly this, never miss out on the fun in this whole thing. Thank you so much Kathi, you are always an inspiration and example for me.

FDC: What else would you like to tell us about you and your work with dolls?

MHD: I am proud for all the things I have done for dolls and being a respected member of the doll community. It has given me immense joy, creativity and I can say it has changed my life, in the sense that being a clothes-maker for dolls is one of the things that defines me almost as much as my profession. Also very important are the acquaintances I have made, the very remarkable and interesting people I have been into contact with, the friends I made like you. Stratos my friend. If it wasn't for our dolls we probably would never have met and we would not have had the chance to spend such lovely moments in Syros! I suggest to all people to try and find something to love and amuse them as we all do with our dolls. Stratos thank you from the bottom of my heart for having me in your wonderful and remarkable blog, it is a great honor. Hugs and love to all of you. 

All photos, outfit and accessories designs courtesy of Habilis Dolls, used by permission.

Meet the Artist: Pornchewin Malipunte and Kittimavadee Malipunte - part 2

Here is part 2 of my interview with the talented Chewin and his sister:

FDC: Who is your fashion icon?
Chewin: No one is my fashion icon. Any fashions attract me that are suited for dolls. I can re-sketch or redesign some parts before making. Some fashions are fascinating when people wear them but look so clumsy when they’re on the dolls.

Tonner Matt as Vampire by Chewin

FDC: What is your favorite doll to work/design for?
Chewin: Matt O’Neil is my favorite doll to work for, because the proportion of Matt is not too big or too small though his figure is not as perfect as FR Hommes. But after dressing him in fashions, everyone can imagine that he looks great as a supermodel or any kind of people we wish him to be.

Tonner Matt as a bad boy, by Chewin

FDC: What is your favorite doll sculpt to re-paint? Is there a least favorite one?
Chewin: I think the majority of doll repaint artists prefer working on Tonner Dolls because this company manufactures such a large variety of different doll faces. Also the detail that goes into each and every doll face is rather perfect. Finally the size of head is easy to hold which make the repainting process very smooth and easy. I like the face of Daphne and Angelina, they have a perfect detail on their face, but I don’t like Betty Ann and Osmopolitan, I think their facial shapes are a little too big.

Tonner Matt as Supermodel Marcus, by Chewin

FDC: What is your all-time favorite doll?
Chewin: My all time favorite doll is the Kotalin or Elizabeth dolls which are created by Jozef Szekeres. I feel he does exceptional work creating doll clothing and is very skillful at Fine Art as well.

Elizabeth doll by Jozef Szekeres

FDC: Do you try new techniques on spare dolls before changing a new one or do you just 'go for it', so to speak?
Chewin: Yes, I always like to experiment and try new techniques on my repainted doll such as oils, acrylic, airbrush or pastel etc. Before I apply my new techniques, I always work with a spare doll first, to see the effect after repainting and to discover any changes that may need to be made in order to create perfection.

One of the most beautiful FR Homme repaints of Chewin

FDC: What is your most favorite fabric/material to work with and what is your least favorite fabric/material to work with?
Chewin: The fabric that is used for creating doll clothing is sometimes different from the materials we wear. There are specific materials that are best for 16-17” dolls but not suitable for 12-13” dolls. In regards to the type of fabric, I prefer using Thai silk, wool or jeans and I don’t like making outfits with leather or velvet.

A lovely outfit for Tonner Matt, shirt and pants in Thai silk, by Chewin.

A lovely ladies fashion by Chewin,
worn by the gorgeous FR Glam Slam Kyori,
on a taller FR body. Notice the detail and quality
of the Malipunte siblings' work.

This is the end of part 2 of the interview. Next post will be the 3rd and final part.

Photo credits: all photos in this post courtesy of Pornchewin Malipunte except the Kyori Sato photograph, courtesy of Stratos Bacalis.

Meet the Artist: Pornchewin Malipunte and Kittimavadee Malipunte - part 1

Apart from factory dolls, there is a big part of doll collecting that involves re-painted dolls and handmade fashions, either one of a kind or produced in multiple copies. So I decided to feature those talented artists on my blog too, to find out more about their passion, their talent and share tips with you.
I am really honored and proud to be able to present to you the very talented duo of brother and sister, Pornchewin Malipunte and Kittimavadee Malipunte. Chewin, as he is better known, is just becoming known to more people in the doll collecting scene. His attractive re-paints of male and female dolls and his wonderful fashions have people talking with admiration on the doll boards. So here is the first part of an interview with him:

Chewin and his sister Kittimavadee
He is holding a Claire CED doll.

FDC: How did you discover fashion dolls?
Chewin: I started to develop a strong passion and love for art since I was around 6 years old. Art has always been such an important part of my life. I graduated from University with a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts and M.A. in Art History. Also, I love collecting a variety of different dolls and modifying to have a new fashion, and new facial features. This passion runs in my family. Since a young age, my sister, Kittimavadee Malipunte also developed a love and passion for making outfits for dolls. While growing up, we both started collecting dolls from many companies such as Barbie, Madame Alexander, Tonner, Fashion Royalty, Diva Doll, Sybarite and Super Dollfie etc.

Chewin's watercolor painting. A similar one graces his business cards.

Also, I have many friends who share the same passion for collecting dolls as I do. We would make the outfits for many different types of dolls and sell them to doll stores for only a short period of time. Then after seeing some doll designers from Thailand selling their work worldwide at the auction on the e-bay website, we started to get some new ideas on how we can sell our products to customers that not only live in Thailand, but may live on the other side of the world as well. This posed a few challenges for me, so I asked my sister if she would be willing to make the outfits for the dolls we sell. She agreed to participate which was such a relief! We prefer to create the outfits for male dolls because they are not commonly seen on e bay auctions. And then our first fashion design for Matt O’Neil was shown on e-bay and we were very proud for this to happen.

First fashion for Matt from Chewin on ebay.

FDC:Which came first-clothes making or doll re-painting?
Chewin: In Thailand, I worked on repainting the dolls first. But when I had to prepare the dolls before showcasing them on e bay, we had to work on the fashion aspect first.

FDC:When did you first start selling your dolls/clothes?
Chewin: I started selling doll fashions in the year 2005, and I began repainting dolls in the years 2006.

A Matt O'Neil Tonner re-paint by Chewin.
His name is Evandro

FDC: Did you encounter any obstacles before selling/marketing your dolls/clothes?
Chewin: One of the biggest obstacles for me is trying to meet the needs of the collectors. Most collectors prefer collecting female dolls as opposed to male dolls. So the demand for male doll outfits is very low. Also, when I showcase my dolls on e-bay, I have to wait for the potential costumer’s feedback on whether or not they are interested in purchasing the product. Their feedback helps explain our products in much more detail, which is actually a much better description than the one I provide on the selling page.

Chewin designs clothes for female dolls too
Here a color variant of one of his outfits made for me,
on my Obsidian Society Vanessa Perrin

FDC: Where do you usually sell your dolls/clothing?
Chewin: In the past, I was granted permission to sell the clothing for, and repaint certain types of dolls for Barbie and Tonner here in Bangkok, Thailand. I no longer work on those products because collectors seem to have turned their interests onto Momoko and Pullip dolls instead. This is why I turned to starting my own business on e bay.

One of Chewin's creations on a Sybarite doll.

FDC: What inspires you? Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Chewin: My inspiration comes from a variety of things that are around me. For example, I am inspired by looking through fashion magazines, watching fashion shows on T.V., movies or even the different types of clothes that people wear around me. For doll repainting, movie stars, super-models, musicians and using my own imagination are all things that inspire me.

Chewin's amazing repaint of Tonner's Peter Parker to look more like Toby McGuire.

FDC: How long does it usually take from conception to completion for any doll/outfit?
Chewin: There is no specific or set time when it comes to completing clothing for a doll. Each item of clothing takes a different amount of time to complete. Some can be finished in half a day, while others may take 1, 2 or even three days to fully complete. For doll repainting, that process can be finished in roughly 5-8 hours depending on how much detail is needed. Men dolls are usually much more difficult to complete than women dolls because you have to avoid any detail points that resemble female, such as the eyes, eyebrows, mouth and hair style. For me, to have the opportunity to remake a doll with news looks from the original paint is perfect.

This is the end of part 1 of my interview with Chewin. It will continue in the next post, with more photos of his amazing work.

Photo credits: Photos of Chewin and his sister, his painting, first matt fashion, Tonner re-paint, Sybarite and Peter Parker all courtesy of Pronchewin Malipunte. Obsidian Society Vanessa photo courtesy of Stratos Bacalis.