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TO BE COMPLETED VERY SOON !
MDVANII HIGH FASHION WARDROBE
With Mdvanii in porcelain, from 1995.
From 1994 up until today, Mdvanii’s wardrobe was mostly associated with porcelain dolls. This period, though totally unknown for most American collectors who did not have the curiosity to search outside America, was certainly the most creative period for BillyBoy* dolls. If we only concentrate on Mdvanii and family, the porcelain “era” is significant for its splendid series and all the many one-of-a-kind dolls. Within limited edition series (25 examples only) some of them were:
- Sirène (1994), the first edition porcelain Mdvanii, a sleeveless bias-cut sheath in authentic 1920’s high fashion fur-like silk velvet, some authentic Fortuny fabric (one in stunning shimmering emerald green) with a gold leather belt, a matching stole in pale blue gauze or gold thread ribbon and matching clutch.
- "Scène de cinéma", the second series of porcelain Mdvanii dolls from 1994, a dramatic evening gown with a full skirt in four variations of lamé, and taffeta or silk short-sleeved bodices in assorted colours, long black gloves and cuffs.
- The Porcelain Dheei (Summer,1995), numbered 1 to 17, dressed with a simple knit, rather British Mod(BillyBoy* was largely responsible for it’s revival in fashion and much later, in the world of dolls!) mini dress in coloured stripes. Bright-coloured stockings, all wearing various real hair permanent hairdos in shades such of bright pink, bright orange, electric blue as well as black.
- The Porcelain Tzulli (Autumn,1995), wearing the Mondrian dress, (which was an innovation from Yves Saint Laurent in the sixties and of which several original haute couture prototypes are in the permanent collection of the Fondation TANAGRA) mini dresses with ultra-trendy sculpted-on short hairdos in white, pale blue or henna red, worn with short bob wigs.Along with these dolls (only four of them!) was "La semaine de Tzulli" with 7 one-of-a-kind for each day of the week, notably "Lundi: Musée de l’Homme", a perfect ensemble to visit as museum. It had a short cotton ruffled skirt worn with a bright yellow blouse with sleeves, a fashion belt made out of silver flowers, mauve stockings and flat black shoes. The box was filled with cute items such as African tribal masks for painting studies, crayons, pads, ruler, a drawing board, and two bags, including a leather one. "Mardi: LUV" was an absolutely charming day skirt in two-tone of pink jersey with low waist black ribbon belt, the bodice of the skirt having a heart appliqué with the word LUV on it. Worn with a huge white velvet beret, white stocking and black shiny Mary Jane shoes, a matching polka-dotted scarf and a black hand bag with gold bead handle, a real priceless rarity! "Mercredi: Miss Chatelaine" was a variation of the Balmoral series, this time with a green suede beret and red fringe trimming the jacket and skirt. It came with a string guitar, a bottle of wine and two glasses. The name is after one of K.D Lang’s superb songs, a must for girls!
- "Lavandou" (1995), for Mdvanii and Dheei, a black satin jacket and matching (or fuchia pink silk) knee length skirt (rare on Mdvanii) with beautifully embroidered collar, blouse, purple straw hat or green pillbox hat matching yellow leather belt and handbag. Inspired by a Schiaparelli outfit in BillyBoy*’s fashion collection.
- “Byzance" for Mdvanii and Dheei (1995), with glamorous Balenciaga-style evening coats in rare assorted fabrics (some were authentic vintage Balenciaga fabrics) with buttons up the front, sometimes real turquoise stones, worn over various sheath dresses of which a few were in hand-made Chantilly lace - from where else? - Chantilly, France!
-"Groovy Chick" Mdvanii (Summer 1996), wearing a print jumpsuit (in two variations) with a belt and big felt sombrero hat and holding a picket sign.
- "Dim Dam Dom Tzulli" (1996), a simple A-line mini dress in black and white stripes, black and white or red polka dots, each with contrasting silk belts and huge felt sombrero hats, coloured stockings and ultra-trendy platform shoes. They wore spectacular hairstyles and big gold jewels.
- "The Porcelain Mdvanii" (Autumn 1996) is a very good example of the amazing exclusivity specific only to Mdvanii in the world today. This serie of 30 “Dress-up”-able dolls with sculpted-on short hairdos (thus being able to receive wigs) is divided in categories of 5, all with different hair treatment and make up.
Style one, numbered 1 to 4, in a gold girdle, have gold hair, Matinee Idol make-up with blue-grey eyeshadow and fuchsia lipstick called Vilma Banky.
Style two, in African-style grass skirts - one even has a leopard skin wrap skirt- has hairdos called Cuivre (Copper) with Lambert Rucki make-up, in dazzling brown tones, the eyeshadow, eyebrows and even pupils were all complimentary browns! (ultra-rare for Mdvanii). Her dark rosy-brown lipstick is called Josephine Baker. And so on... The five series are exquisite, and totally unique in the world of Mdvanii. One series has a mouche near the nose and her eyes are side-glancing to the right (It’s normal that she has a beauty mark, her eye make-up is called Marie-Antoinette!) and another series in this collection has eyes side-glancing to the left. Fascinating and all so expressive!
“Coquetelle à l’Orangerie" Edie (1997) is wearing a cocktail suit comprised of a bright orange satin mini dress with a lamé skirt and a matching collarless jacket, a matching lamé bag with gold chain strap, and a toque with orange feathered brim, bright orange stockings and platform shoes. Where could she go in this outfit?
“Balmoral" (1996) for Edie and Tzulli, a stylish Dress Stewart Scottish ensemble with big skirt in tartan and white cotton bodice with sleeves and jacket, white stockings and flat shoes, a matching beret, authentic clan Scottish tartan plaid sash held at the waist by a traditional belt.
“Balade" featured Mdvanii, Soraya and Edie wearing a summer print cotton dress with fashionable collar detail, straw hat and matching straw bag with fruit decoration, and a belt. The print is an authentic Schiaparelli fabric of miniature vegetable drawings. The particularily of this series is the amazing variety of hand-sculpted hairdos made for each doll, ranging from 1920's to 1940s styles, with matching make-ups. The very "character-doll" expression of Soraya's features was evidently enhanced by these details, resulting in a fascinating variety of different ethnic looks and personas.
One-of-a-kind dolls were created at the same time as these limited series. They all have very specific make ups and hairstyles and are extremely precious looking. Amongst them were following significant examples:
"Musée Pouchkine" (1994), a brown satin day dress with big Balenciaga-style coat with bouffant sleeves, copper metal belt and a one-of-a-kind felt Russian toque. This outfit was sketched by BB*, as well as others, during his visit to the Pouchkine museum in Moscow.
- The First Year prototype Series (1995-96) were all prototype versions of outfits featured in the first edition catalogue, including outfits such as "Entracte” , an evening ensemble comprised of a dramatic strapless gown with full skirt in bright yellow, an 18th-century Watteau-style evening jacket in turquoise satin with long tail in the back and lined in yellow (another similar cut jacket was included, lined in black with ruffles and no tail), matching beplumed toque and accessories.
- "La semaine de Soraya" (1995) with 7 one-of-a-kinds, all extremely beautiful, including the glamorous "Mercredi" , a big evening gown in pink satin with 18th-century style jacket with long tail in Raoul Dufy fabric, beaded turban in pink chiffon, gloves, fabulous jewels, and "Vendredi" , a floor-length red sheath dress with gold fringe neckline, baroque jewels and white chiffon stole.
Design by Lefty© Fondation Tanagra