Super Bowl Update

I first introduced you to the hand made silicone-encased plastic articulated Mooqla dolls by Russian artist Polina Voloshina four years ago. At that time, she had just begun to make the exotically featured featured, fashion forward, macabre, elfin-looking dolls. Featured in that post were her creations from 2006 and 2007, like those shown below.

EARLY MOOQLA DOLLS:



above: the dolls and packaging as they first appeared.

LATER MOOQLA DOLLS:
Beginning in 2008, the dolls' features softened, their cheeks are less gaunt and their eyes are closer together, making them less unique, but more lifelike. They have become less 'creepy' with the addition of faces that have slight and subtle smiles, eye make-up, lipstick and in some cases, freckles.




Gone is the albino skintone and although some still have the turned down mouth -it's more of a pout than a frown. The dolls are now one of a kind with hand crafted heads in a variety of styles topped with all types of hair colors and styles. (To see how she makes them check my first post here). The make-up is painstakingly applied to each original doll and the result are a variety of some of the most eerily beautiful and in some cases, realistic, dolls I've ever seen.

















With their full lips and exotic eyes, some of the dark haired dolls have a striking similarity to Angelina Jolie and NCIS's Pauley Perette:





Some even have freckles like those shown below:


And some have epicanthic folds, making them appear Asian:

Others are uniquely made up as Goths or Robots:



Mooqla doll designer and art director Polina Voloshina:



Sadly, the dolls are no longer sold at an online store, their English website is gone and Art Lebedev Studio, who designed the dolls logo and original identity, does not carry them anymore.

But you can find a few of them at the Dolls Boutique and some of the amazing clothing for them can still be purchased here.
Mooqla.ru

As most fans of the TV drama Mad Men know, Mattel came out with a line of Barbie Dolls based on the cast characters a few years ago.


above: Mattel's limited edition Mad Men dolls have long since sold out

Now photographer Michael Williams, who specializes in doll photography, has parodied Season 5 with the following versions- complete with appropriate accessories:







For those custom doll makers and collectors, here are the details of Michael's creations:
For Joan he restyled Dusk to Dawn Silkstone Barbie and she wears a OOAK little black dress from Marirose with a black fur coat from Coquette Cissy, Sindy baby carriage from the UK repainted black (originally blue); 1969 Dramatic New Living Skipper doll wearing Skipper Dreamtime #1909 pajamas with Skipper Me 'N My Doll miniature Barbie; Betty is the Mattel Betty Draper Silkstone wearing Ken Rally Day coat, Barbie & Kelly Children's Doctor scale, Alfred Hitchcock The Birds purse, BFMC New York Yorkie scarf, Fashion Royalty skirt, RE-MENT whip cream and sundaes; Megan is Kate Spade Barbie on a Dynamite Girl body wearing vintage Barbie Lemon Kick minidress Photoshopped (not dyed) black; RE-MENT sherbet and Isha script; Peggy is BFMC Continental Holiday Silkstone Barbie in a Randall Craig cardigan sweater, Something Cool Isha Fashion Royalty convention bodysuit, Tiny Kitty "Perfect Knit" wool skirt, thermos from a Beverly Hillbillies Lunchbox keychain re-covered in custom plaid print; Jason Wu Event III FR Dark Medley Missima Luxury Accessory pack handbag, RE-MENT popcorn, Barbie Generation Girl Lara artist easel, custom-printed story boards.

A huge fan of Mad Men, Michael previously created Mad Men dioramas for Haute Doll magazine using dolls and mini sets based on the show.



See more of Michael's wondeful work at Mylifeinplastic.com and follow him on Twitter (@MyLifeIsPlastic) or visit him on Facebook

There's no better way to ease your child's anxiety than to let them carry you around with them wherever they go. But chances are you're a busy parent who, sadly, cannot fit into their pocket. However, you can fit a photo of yourself and any loved one into an adorable plush character called a Huggalo.




Available in nine lovable styles, these cozy fleece dolls are outfitted with a protective pocket into which you can place a photo of your choice (or a drawing or love letter), giving your child the comfort of your presence without actually being there.



Created in the likenesses of Ballerinas, Superheroes, Monkeys, Mermaids, Pirates, Ninjas, DIY dolls (for autographs and doodles), even male and female War Heroes, Huggalos will undoubtedly become your child's best friend.

Huggsley (front and back):

Huggabelle (front and back):

Camo Joe (front and back):

close-up of Camo Joe:


Camo Flo (front and back):

High Seas Harry (front and back):

Mermaid (front and back):

Monkey (front and back):

Ninja (front and back):

The Autograph (or Doodle Doll) allows you to customize it:



Huggalos Give Back!


Want to donate a Huggalo? When you donate a Doodle Doll to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, you are giving a patient undergoing treatment their very own therapeutic doll. Doodle Dolls help patients keep a photo of their family close by. Kids can draw doodles and make connections with their doctors and visitors by collecting signatures and good wishes on their very own doll.



Purchasing a Huggalo doll also supports our soldiers. REDORB has been supporting the Soldier’s Project since its founding. For every Brave Little Trooper you buy REDORB will donate 20% to the Soldiers Project.

Who's behind Huggalo?



The keepsake from RedOrb Concepts was invented by Donna Broder (shown above) to help her son, Noah, who was less than thrilled at the idea of pre-school. After what should have been first day jitters extended to weeks, Donna knew she had to get creative. Donna was inspired to create a product that would help Noah through this transition and help her leave the pre-school yard without both of them in tears. Donna gave Noah a photo to take with him to school, but the photo was soon torn. She thought, why not create something soft and huggable that you can take along to school or a play date? Thus the first Huggalo was born! Donna told Noah, missing someone you love is hard, but a Huggalo makes it a little softer.


Buy or donate a Huggalo here.