The 12 Dolls of Christmas
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Well, on my drawing board, anyway. I’m working on a very special book for Paper Studio Press to be ready for the holiday season. “Merry Movie Christmas” will celebrate nine Christmas movies with paper dolls of 12 characters from “It’s A Wonderful Life,” “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “Elf,” “White Christmas,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Home Alone,” “Holiday Affair,” “A Christmas Story” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Following are the familiar faces of the paper dolls. Can you identify them?
Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle in “Miracle on 34th Street.” Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Henry Travers as Clarence the angel in “It’s A Wonderful Life!”
Will Ferrell as Buddy in “Elf.” Rosemary Clooney as Betty Haynes in “White Christmas.” Judy Garland as Esther Smith in “Meet Me in St. Louis.”
Margaret O’Brien as Tootie Smith in “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Natalie Wood as Susan Walker in “Miracle on 34th Street.” Karolyn Grimes as Zuzu Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Peter Billingsley as Ralphie Parker in “A Christmas Story.” Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister in “Home Alone.” Gordon Gebert as Timmy Ennis in “Holiday Affair.”
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Well, on my drawing board, anyway. I’m working on a very special book for Paper Studio Press to be ready for the holiday season. “Merry Movie Christmas” will celebrate nine Christmas movies with paper dolls of 12 characters from “It’s A Wonderful Life,” “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “Elf,” “White Christmas,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Home Alone,” “Holiday Affair,” “A Christmas Story” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Following are the familiar faces of the paper dolls. Can you identify them?
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| Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle in “Miracle on 34th Street.” Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Henry Travers as Clarence the angel in “It’s A Wonderful Life!” |
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| Will Ferrell as Buddy in “Elf.” Rosemary Clooney as Betty Haynes in “White Christmas.” Judy Garland as Esther Smith in “Meet Me in St. Louis.” |
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| Margaret O’Brien as Tootie Smith in “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Natalie Wood as Susan Walker in “Miracle on 34th Street.” Karolyn Grimes as Zuzu Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” |
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| Peter Billingsley as Ralphie Parker in “A Christmas Story.” Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister in “Home Alone.” Gordon Gebert as Timmy Ennis in “Holiday Affair.” |
Oscar Fashion Licks the Envelope
Trendspotting on the Hollywood Red Carpet used to be a fun spectator sport. But that was back in the days before serious social issues turned stars into celebrities with a cause that is more important than mere cinematic creativity. The 90th Academy Awards show was weighed down with good causes and award recipients got their chance to champion their genuinely righteous agenda. Where does that leave fashion? “Phantom Thread” costumes won an Oscar. A movie about a moody mega maniac (suggested by genius Charles James but the clothes in the film were not wonderful, in my opinion.)
The vast Red Carpet was as crowded as an L.A. freeway jammed with more diverse fashion than there are stars in heaven. It was mostly good with a few clinkers to liven things up a little. Worst of the night was Salma Hayek in a trendy Gucci hot mess of pink pailettes draped with heavy rhinestones. The black dress solidarity of the recent Golden Globes affair was swept away by any color BUT black! Lots of white, although it sometimes looked a bit bridal at times. There was color but no color message. Some vivid color, some pale and a few deep shades. Red, orange, pink, purple, blue, yellow and more. Metallic textile treatments added a bit of the ol’ razzle bedazzlement. Necklines often took the plunge but that’s certainly old news. Trains were less prevalent this time ‘round, and there were a few massive full skirts that demonstrated how today’s women don’t know how to move gracefully rather than lumbering along struggling to control yards and yards of material. My fashion favorites were Jane Fonda and Helen Mirren, not quite as old as Oscar, but authentic golden girls with stellar glamour galore.
Not-black but positive primary brights on Jennifer Garner, Allison Janney and Greta Gerwig.
Metallic eye-catchers on Gal Gadot, Jennifer Lawrence and Lupita Nyong’o.
Fashion clinkers on Whoopi Goldberg, Salma Hayek and Emma Stone.
Age is just a number for Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno and Helen Mirren.
The height of fashion on Nicole Kidman, Saoirse Ronan and Zendaya.
Always-right white worn by Laura Dern, Margot Robbie and Mira Sorvino.
Trendspotting on the Hollywood Red Carpet used to be a fun spectator sport. But that was back in the days before serious social issues turned stars into celebrities with a cause that is more important than mere cinematic creativity. The 90th Academy Awards show was weighed down with good causes and award recipients got their chance to champion their genuinely righteous agenda. Where does that leave fashion? “Phantom Thread” costumes won an Oscar. A movie about a moody mega maniac (suggested by genius Charles James but the clothes in the film were not wonderful, in my opinion.)
The vast Red Carpet was as crowded as an L.A. freeway jammed with more diverse fashion than there are stars in heaven. It was mostly good with a few clinkers to liven things up a little. Worst of the night was Salma Hayek in a trendy Gucci hot mess of pink pailettes draped with heavy rhinestones. The black dress solidarity of the recent Golden Globes affair was swept away by any color BUT black! Lots of white, although it sometimes looked a bit bridal at times. There was color but no color message. Some vivid color, some pale and a few deep shades. Red, orange, pink, purple, blue, yellow and more. Metallic textile treatments added a bit of the ol’ razzle bedazzlement. Necklines often took the plunge but that’s certainly old news. Trains were less prevalent this time ‘round, and there were a few massive full skirts that demonstrated how today’s women don’t know how to move gracefully rather than lumbering along struggling to control yards and yards of material. My fashion favorites were Jane Fonda and Helen Mirren, not quite as old as Oscar, but authentic golden girls with stellar glamour galore.
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| Not-black but positive primary brights on Jennifer Garner, Allison Janney and Greta Gerwig. |
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| Metallic eye-catchers on Gal Gadot, Jennifer Lawrence and Lupita Nyong’o. |
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| Fashion clinkers on Whoopi Goldberg, Salma Hayek and Emma Stone. |
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| Age is just a number for Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno and Helen Mirren. |
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| The height of fashion on Nicole Kidman, Saoirse Ronan and Zendaya. |
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| Always-right white worn by Laura Dern, Margot Robbie and Mira Sorvino. |
FIT Museum Honors the Dean of American Fashion
Norman Norell’s importance in fashion has not been given the recognition that his role warrants. He elevated high-end ready-to-wear to a level of perfection previously limited to Paris Haute Couture. The current exhibition covers the last 12 years of Norell’s career from 1960 to 1972, a tribute to a major talent and history-making designer who set a new standard of elegance and craftsmanship. The most interesting item in the breath-taking exhibition is a garment displayed inside-out, revealing the complex inner couture construction. The trends set by Norell are duly displayed. They include the sequined “mermaid” gowns, the sailor style, menswear fabrics, jersey and the retro-reinterpretation of the 1920s. Norman Norell was never a celebrity persona but he was an influential game-changer, elevating American fashion standards to couture level. The FIT Museum exhibition closes April 14th.
Norman Norell with his “mermaids” and haute ready-to-wear.
FIT Museum display of Norman Norell’s excellence.
Museum display of Norman Norell’s virtuosity.
Norman Norell’s importance in fashion has not been given the recognition that his role warrants. He elevated high-end ready-to-wear to a level of perfection previously limited to Paris Haute Couture. The current exhibition covers the last 12 years of Norell’s career from 1960 to 1972, a tribute to a major talent and history-making designer who set a new standard of elegance and craftsmanship. The most interesting item in the breath-taking exhibition is a garment displayed inside-out, revealing the complex inner couture construction. The trends set by Norell are duly displayed. They include the sequined “mermaid” gowns, the sailor style, menswear fabrics, jersey and the retro-reinterpretation of the 1920s. Norman Norell was never a celebrity persona but he was an influential game-changer, elevating American fashion standards to couture level. The FIT Museum exhibition closes April 14th.
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| Norman Norell with his “mermaids” and haute ready-to-wear. |
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| FIT Museum display of Norman Norell’s excellence. |
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| Museum display of Norman Norell’s virtuosity. |
Coloring 1952 Doris Day
This month’s coloring exercise stars one of my lifetime favorites. Doris Day’s super stardom began with a leading role in her very first movie, “Romance on the High Seas.” Without any theatrical training, the wholesome band singer stepped in front of the cameras and when she sang “It’s Magic,” it was magic and remains so to this day. Of all the celebrity paper doll books I’ve created for Paper Studio Press, Doris Day is the most popular. I never met her, but we talked on the phone and she told me that her favorite movie costume was a suede trenchcoat with a matching floppy hat and boots. Doris said it made her feel “like Greta Garbo.”
Doris Day Coloring Book plus a page colored by me.
Celebrity lifestyle as pictured in 1952. Dressed-up with a hat and gloves on a plane!
Convention Souvenir Preview
This month’s coloring exercise stars one of my lifetime favorites. Doris Day’s super stardom began with a leading role in her very first movie, “Romance on the High Seas.” Without any theatrical training, the wholesome band singer stepped in front of the cameras and when she sang “It’s Magic,” it was magic and remains so to this day. Of all the celebrity paper doll books I’ve created for Paper Studio Press, Doris Day is the most popular. I never met her, but we talked on the phone and she told me that her favorite movie costume was a suede trenchcoat with a matching floppy hat and boots. Doris said it made her feel “like Greta Garbo.”
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| Doris Day Coloring Book plus a page colored by me. |
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| Celebrity lifestyle as pictured in 1952. Dressed-up with a hat and gloves on a plane! |
Convention Souvenir Preview
Hoping to see you at this year’s Paper Doll Convention, July 4-8, 2018, in Seattle, WA. Here’s a sneak peek of the souvenir book I’ve created, just one of lots of limited edition paper dolls from many talented artists for attendees. Even if you can’t attend, remember to order the Absentee Package and add rare treasures to your collection.
Just one of the many souvenirs planned for the 2018 Seattle Paper Doll Convention!
Order your Absentee Registration soon!
Join us in Seattle for the 2018 Paper Doll Convention!
Hoping to see you at this year’s Paper Doll Convention, July 4-8, 2018, in Seattle, WA. Here’s a sneak peek of the souvenir book I’ve created, just one of lots of limited edition paper dolls from many talented artists for attendees. Even if you can’t attend, remember to order the Absentee Package and add rare treasures to your collection.
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| Just one of the many souvenirs planned for the 2018 Seattle Paper Doll Convention! Order your Absentee Registration soon! |
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| Join us in Seattle for the 2018 Paper Doll Convention! |
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteI have such mixed feelings about fashion these days. On the one hand we are in the "Me Too" period of sexual victims. Then the models on red carpets take the 'less is more' idea, of the less fabric or covering, the more titillating and therefore better for attention-getting. But I think they have reached the limits of this now and all that is left is a Lady Godiva. Many of these gowns are not flattering, especially on rail-thin women whose main reveal is a rack of bones. Occasionally a gown is both provocative and beautiful, but that is not what many are aiming at. Fonda is just 5 years younger than I am--WOW. And Mirren looks great with her nod to age--white hair and a few wrinkles. So wise and sophisticated. Some women are better looking in old age--Anna Lee was like that. Anyway, it is always fun to see the fashions--but is there a trend?
Hi, Soaplover,
ReplyDeleteI think you are right on track in your observations and opinions. We agree on so much. Jane Fonda and Helen Mirren saved the show as far as I'm concerned. High style, high class and elegantly age appropriate. You and I both are wondering where there is a trend these days. Too much variety means nothing looks directional.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. And I was pleased to see you mention Anna Lee, a lovely lady who seems to be almost forgotten.
egards,
David
Sometimes I wish we could go back to the days when the studios would dress their stars. Most stars nowadays look awful. Helen Mirren was sophisticated and sleek.
ReplyDeleteJane Alfano Rasor