Browsing Through My Archives
How many paper dolls have I created since I began working with publisher Jenny Taliadoros way, way back in 2004? Seldom does a day go by that I’m not immersed in a pd project. Do I have a favorite? It’s always the one that’s just been published. Some seem to have slipped through the cracks in my memory. Case in point…"Bling!" was a special book tied-in to a spectacular exhibition at the OshKosh Public Museum. It was curated by fashion historian and vintage fashion collector and friend, Scott Jorgenson. I cannot recall the year of the impressive display of fashions worn by local fashionables but I do remember how I enjoyed creating the book, meticulously rendering the "extravagant and flamboyant fashions women wore to show off, which in turn shows them off." (The book was a limited edition, now a rare collector’s item.)
Bling! Paper Dolls cover dolls.
1860s/1960s fashion.
1880s styles.
Fashions of the 1900s.
1920s styles.
1930s/1940s fashion.
1950s fashion.
How many paper dolls have I created since I began working with publisher Jenny Taliadoros way, way back in 2004? Seldom does a day go by that I’m not immersed in a pd project. Do I have a favorite? It’s always the one that’s just been published. Some seem to have slipped through the cracks in my memory. Case in point…"Bling!" was a special book tied-in to a spectacular exhibition at the OshKosh Public Museum. It was curated by fashion historian and vintage fashion collector and friend, Scott Jorgenson. I cannot recall the year of the impressive display of fashions worn by local fashionables but I do remember how I enjoyed creating the book, meticulously rendering the "extravagant and flamboyant fashions women wore to show off, which in turn shows them off." (The book was a limited edition, now a rare collector’s item.)
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| Bling! Paper Dolls cover dolls. |
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| 1860s/1960s fashion. |
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| 1880s styles. |
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| Fashions of the 1900s. |
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| 1920s styles. |
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| 1930s/1940s fashion. |
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| 1950s fashion. |
That Ol' Red Carpet Keeps Rollin' Along
The Screen Actors Guild 26th Awards is yet another opportunity for stars to strut their style as they arrive for an evening of ego-mania. Stars vote for each other, peer pressure personified. The 2020 SAG Awards were presented after the Golden Globes and before the Grammys, an evening that confirmed fashion is alive and well, in Hollywood anyway. Even though walking the Red Carpet may be an exclusive elitist stroll, celebrity chic does sometime trickle down to the mainstream. Colors worn by the SAG stars and starlets confirm that black and white remain the most popular choice, with a few hints that navy blue may become the alternative black. Some off-beat hues, bright or light pink especially, popped-up. Silhouettes occasionally expanded to voluminous proportions and still often dragged along long trains. In Hollywood, body-hugging sex appeal peek-a-boo skin shows are constant contenders. Necklines continue to plunge although bare shoulders are suggesting an important new erogenous zone. Note to knock-off designers: big bows are easy to copy, so beware!
Sure bet black-and-white: Yvonne Strahovski, Lili Reinhart and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
Navy blue, possibly the new black: Nicole Kidman, Samira Wiley and Renee Zellweger.
Pop-up surprise hues: Zoe Kravitz, Cynthia Erivo and Rachel Brosnahan.
Sex symbolism: Jennifer Aniston, Sophia Turner and Scarlett Johansson.
Bare shoulders revealed as erogenous zone: Michelle Williams, Jennifer Lopez and Reese Witherspoon.
Voluminous silhouettes are overstated drama: Kathryn Newton, Gwendoline Christie and Glenn Close.
Design gimmicks du jour; bows and long trains: Nathalie Emmanuel, and Kristen Gutoskie and Sarah Hyland.
The Screen Actors Guild 26th Awards is yet another opportunity for stars to strut their style as they arrive for an evening of ego-mania. Stars vote for each other, peer pressure personified. The 2020 SAG Awards were presented after the Golden Globes and before the Grammys, an evening that confirmed fashion is alive and well, in Hollywood anyway. Even though walking the Red Carpet may be an exclusive elitist stroll, celebrity chic does sometime trickle down to the mainstream. Colors worn by the SAG stars and starlets confirm that black and white remain the most popular choice, with a few hints that navy blue may become the alternative black. Some off-beat hues, bright or light pink especially, popped-up. Silhouettes occasionally expanded to voluminous proportions and still often dragged along long trains. In Hollywood, body-hugging sex appeal peek-a-boo skin shows are constant contenders. Necklines continue to plunge although bare shoulders are suggesting an important new erogenous zone. Note to knock-off designers: big bows are easy to copy, so beware!
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| Sure bet black-and-white: Yvonne Strahovski, Lili Reinhart and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. |
 |
| Navy blue, possibly the new black: Nicole Kidman, Samira Wiley and Renee Zellweger. |
 |
| Pop-up surprise hues: Zoe Kravitz, Cynthia Erivo and Rachel Brosnahan. |
 |
| Sex symbolism: Jennifer Aniston, Sophia Turner and Scarlett Johansson. |
 |
| Bare shoulders revealed as erogenous zone: Michelle Williams, Jennifer Lopez and Reese Witherspoon. |
 |
| Voluminous silhouettes are overstated drama: Kathryn Newton, Gwendoline Christie and Glenn Close. |
 |
| Design gimmicks du jour; bows and long trains: Nathalie Emmanuel, and Kristen Gutoskie and Sarah Hyland. |
Color! Like it's 1964!
It felt as if I had turned back time when I received a surprise gift from Jenny, an un-colored Official DeLuxe 1964 New York World’s Fair Coloring Book. What memories it brought back. The coloring book depicts a cartoon-like visit to the fair by twin sister and brother, about age six. Many of the attractions and pavilions are ready to color, including the Unisphere, Dinoland, Lindberg’s "Spirit of St. Louis," the Monorail and Cablecar, various state-sponsored and industrial attractions as well as global features. I was especially delighted to see the Electric Power and Light exhibit because of a family connection. My kid sister Sally worked at that exhibit and there she met the man she married. They just celebrated their anniversary. I re-gifted them the coloring book as a remembrance.
1964 Coloring Book and Unisphere, colored by me.
Fountain of Planets and Light exhibit, also colored by me.
It felt as if I had turned back time when I received a surprise gift from Jenny, an un-colored Official DeLuxe 1964 New York World’s Fair Coloring Book. What memories it brought back. The coloring book depicts a cartoon-like visit to the fair by twin sister and brother, about age six. Many of the attractions and pavilions are ready to color, including the Unisphere, Dinoland, Lindberg’s "Spirit of St. Louis," the Monorail and Cablecar, various state-sponsored and industrial attractions as well as global features. I was especially delighted to see the Electric Power and Light exhibit because of a family connection. My kid sister Sally worked at that exhibit and there she met the man she married. They just celebrated their anniversary. I re-gifted them the coloring book as a remembrance.
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| 1964 Coloring Book and Unisphere, colored by me. |
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| Fountain of Planets and Light exhibit, also colored by me. |
Grammys Go for All-Out Glamour and Sex Appeal
The 62nd Grammy Awards show hit a somber note, occurring on the same day as basketball star Kobe Bryant’s tragic death. The old adage that the "show must go on" was tastefully acknowledged and proven. As far as Red Carpet fashion goes, the Grammy celebrants chose all-out glamour and sex appeal. Silvery fabrics sparkled and set the mood. Sheer fabrics teased but bare skin showed with skirt slits and plunging necklines. Color stayed true to the season… white, black and red were sure-fire success stories for style-conscious women while the Grammy guys made news by wearing color.
Star struck style: Priyanka Chopra, Ariana Grande and Camila Cabello
Sparkling silverwear: Alicia Keyes, Heidi Klum and Pia Mia.
Sheer see-thru teasers: Chrissy Teigen, Mereba and Shania Twain.
Leggy skirt slits go sky high: Bella Harris, Ella Mia and JoJo.
Necklines take a plunge: BeBe Rexha, Saweetie and Mollie King.
The great white way enlightens the Red Carpet: Dua Lipa, Gwen Stefani and Lizzo.
Red pepper poppers turn up the heat: Rosalia, Njomza and Janina Gavankar.
Grammy Guys go for color: Lil NzsX, Shawn Mendes and Lute.
The 62nd Grammy Awards show hit a somber note, occurring on the same day as basketball star Kobe Bryant’s tragic death. The old adage that the "show must go on" was tastefully acknowledged and proven. As far as Red Carpet fashion goes, the Grammy celebrants chose all-out glamour and sex appeal. Silvery fabrics sparkled and set the mood. Sheer fabrics teased but bare skin showed with skirt slits and plunging necklines. Color stayed true to the season… white, black and red were sure-fire success stories for style-conscious women while the Grammy guys made news by wearing color.
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| Star struck style: Priyanka Chopra, Ariana Grande and Camila Cabello |
 |
| Sparkling silverwear: Alicia Keyes, Heidi Klum and Pia Mia. |
 |
| Sheer see-thru teasers: Chrissy Teigen, Mereba and Shania Twain. |
 |
| Leggy skirt slits go sky high: Bella Harris, Ella Mia and JoJo. |
 |
| Necklines take a plunge: BeBe Rexha, Saweetie and Mollie King. |
 |
| The great white way enlightens the Red Carpet: Dua Lipa, Gwen Stefani and Lizzo. |
 |
| Red pepper poppers turn up the heat: Rosalia, Njomza and Janina Gavankar. |
 |
| Grammy Guys go for color: Lil NzsX, Shawn Mendes and Lute. |
Oscar Wraps Up the Red Carpet Season
It’s over! The 92nd Academy Awards show marked the end of the month-long multiple celebrations recognizing talented creators who entertain the world. The Oscars are considered the climatic crescendo of glorification for those in front of and behind the camera. By the time it’s Oscar’s turn to put on a show, both the viewers and the members of the Academy of Motion Pictures are burned-out by the string of repetitive awards. The actual show is always the same—overblown production numbers and ponderous, endless "thank you’s." The pre-show parade down the red carpet from limo to auditorium has become a sort of ritual fashion show and that is what most interests me (and millions of fans.) I have come to regard the awards season as a good indicator as to coming trends. For example, overt embellishment is disappearing and sublime simplicity looks refreshing. Allover sparkle is replacing decoratively placed motifs. Color-wise, black prevails, but white is coming on strong. Red has been important all season, but shades of rosy pinks popped up at the Oscars. A few evening capes cast a retro vibe. The biggest news is all about volume—enormous full skirts and trailing trains are statuesque statements.
The best is simply sublime: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Renee Zellweger, Charlize Theron.
The worst is just plain silly: Billie Eilish, Billie Porter, Kristen Wiig.
Razzle dazzle never fails: Scarlett Johansson, Rita Wilson, Janelle Monáe.
Isn’t it romantic? Greta Gerwig, Sandra Oh, Laura Dern.
Black adds drama: Margot Robbie, Carly Steel, Penelope Cruz.
Roses are red and pink: Idina Manzel, Gal Gadot, Kaitlyn Dever.
White is the newer black: Camila Morrone, Cynthia Erivo, Salma Hayek.
Perhaps the return of evening capes: Brie Larson, Natalie Portman, Yousra.
Creating statuesque silhouettes: Saoirse Ronan, Caitriona Balfe, Regina King.
It’s over! The 92nd Academy Awards show marked the end of the month-long multiple celebrations recognizing talented creators who entertain the world. The Oscars are considered the climatic crescendo of glorification for those in front of and behind the camera. By the time it’s Oscar’s turn to put on a show, both the viewers and the members of the Academy of Motion Pictures are burned-out by the string of repetitive awards. The actual show is always the same—overblown production numbers and ponderous, endless "thank you’s." The pre-show parade down the red carpet from limo to auditorium has become a sort of ritual fashion show and that is what most interests me (and millions of fans.) I have come to regard the awards season as a good indicator as to coming trends. For example, overt embellishment is disappearing and sublime simplicity looks refreshing. Allover sparkle is replacing decoratively placed motifs. Color-wise, black prevails, but white is coming on strong. Red has been important all season, but shades of rosy pinks popped up at the Oscars. A few evening capes cast a retro vibe. The biggest news is all about volume—enormous full skirts and trailing trains are statuesque statements.
 |
| The best is simply sublime: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Renee Zellweger, Charlize Theron. |
 |
| The worst is just plain silly: Billie Eilish, Billie Porter, Kristen Wiig. |
 |
| Razzle dazzle never fails: Scarlett Johansson, Rita Wilson, Janelle Monáe. |
 |
| Isn’t it romantic? Greta Gerwig, Sandra Oh, Laura Dern. |
 |
| Black adds drama: Margot Robbie, Carly Steel, Penelope Cruz. |
 |
| Roses are red and pink: Idina Manzel, Gal Gadot, Kaitlyn Dever. |
 |
| White is the newer black: Camila Morrone, Cynthia Erivo, Salma Hayek. |
 |
| Perhaps the return of evening capes: Brie Larson, Natalie Portman, Yousra. |
 |
| Creating statuesque silhouettes: Saoirse Ronan, Caitriona Balfe, Regina King. |
