Doll Storytellers: Authors, Advocates, Activists, Filmmakers, and Photographers: (List will be updated as we continue to interview people for this category.)
- Debbie Behan Garrett, Black doll advocate, Black doll enthusiast, griot, and author (from the US)
- Ama Gueye, Black doll advocate, Black doll enthusiast, founder of Operation Sankofa (from Britain, Ghana, and Senegal)
- Ernesto Padró-Campos, Doll illustrator/photographer (from the US--including Puerto Rico)
- Pat Henry, publisher of Fashion Doll Quarterly
- Allison Hernandez, Host of Muñecas, Poupees, and Dolls Youtube Channel & Doll Collector
- Aidan Prince, creator of “Thekencouple” Instagram comic strip series (part of the 2021, In The Doll World PRIDE Month Celebration)
- Raymond Leslie creator of “RayTheUnusual” Instagram and YouTube channels (part of the 2021, In The Doll World PRIDE Month Celebration)
- Dr. Sabrina Thomas, social scientist in the department of Education at Duke University
- Lyah's TV, UK YouTube channel promoting Black dolls, families, and history
- The William Still Grants Arts Center
William Still Grants Arts Center
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
The William Grant Still Arts Center—named after the late Dr. William Grant Still (1895-1978), the highly acclaimed African-American composer who lived in the West Adams neighborhood— was established in 1977 by Los Angeles City Council member David Cunningham in cooperation with its first director Hakim Ali.
The William Grant Still Arts Center in Los Angeles has presented since 1980 an original exhibit of Black Dolls created by artists, collectors and the local community. The exhibit had auspicious beginnings and was a joint effort begun by Friends of the WGS Arts Center, under the multidisciplinary leadership of the Center’s first director, Hakim Ali, The exhibit’s first curator was the late Cecil Fergerson, who was also the first Black curator of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the founder of the museum’s Black Arts Council. The Black Doll Show was inspired by a 1940’s psychological study of segregation’s effects on children, which concluded that African-American children preferred playing with white dolls. The Supreme Court cited the experiment as evidence for Brown v. the Board of Education.
The cultural tradition of Black dolls and doll making is a recognized art form tied to the civil rights struggles over generations. Funding from the 2017 Living Cultures grant will expand research on a 40-year history of the Black Doll Show held annually at the Center. Documenting diverse practices by artists via in-person interviews and videography by cultural historian, researcher and artist, Yolanda Hester. The documentation is part of a living archive.
Refurbished by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) in cooperation with the neighborhood and local Council District 10, the old fire station— originally built in 1926— was transformed into a community arts center with a central exhibition space in the main rotunda, exhibition/meeting rooms, offices, kitchen, and outdoor patio/amphitheater. The intention was to create an environment to nurture the artistic talents of all members of the community, expose new audiences to the arts, and weave the fabric of art and culture into the tapestry of everyday life.
Notable programs the Center has started include the annual Black Doll Show, the African-American Composers Series of exhibitions incorporating cultural heritage with arts education, and exhibitions of archives curated directly from the community.
Significant artists have also been featured in exhibitions and programs at the Center. Among the visual artists are many artists whom were featured in the 2011-2012 Pacific Standard Time exhibitions Now Dig This! Art and Black Los Angeles 1960–1980 and Places of Validation, Art, and Progression, at the Hammer Museum and California African-American Museum (CAAM) respectively, as well as in the African-American Artists in Los Angeles exhibition series presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs in 2005.
The programs at William Grant Still Arts Center are free, or as low-cost as possible, in order to welcome all in our community to the visual and performing arts. For more about the center and upcoming Black Doll shows visit: wgsac.wordpress.com/about/wgsac-history/
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
The William Grant Still Arts Center—named after the late Dr. William Grant Still (1895-1978), the highly acclaimed African-American composer who lived in the West Adams neighborhood— was established in 1977 by Los Angeles City Council member David Cunningham in cooperation with its first director Hakim Ali.
The William Grant Still Arts Center in Los Angeles has presented since 1980 an original exhibit of Black Dolls created by artists, collectors and the local community. The exhibit had auspicious beginnings and was a joint effort begun by Friends of the WGS Arts Center, under the multidisciplinary leadership of the Center’s first director, Hakim Ali, The exhibit’s first curator was the late Cecil Fergerson, who was also the first Black curator of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the founder of the museum’s Black Arts Council. The Black Doll Show was inspired by a 1940’s psychological study of segregation’s effects on children, which concluded that African-American children preferred playing with white dolls. The Supreme Court cited the experiment as evidence for Brown v. the Board of Education.
The cultural tradition of Black dolls and doll making is a recognized art form tied to the civil rights struggles over generations. Funding from the 2017 Living Cultures grant will expand research on a 40-year history of the Black Doll Show held annually at the Center. Documenting diverse practices by artists via in-person interviews and videography by cultural historian, researcher and artist, Yolanda Hester. The documentation is part of a living archive.
Refurbished by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) in cooperation with the neighborhood and local Council District 10, the old fire station— originally built in 1926— was transformed into a community arts center with a central exhibition space in the main rotunda, exhibition/meeting rooms, offices, kitchen, and outdoor patio/amphitheater. The intention was to create an environment to nurture the artistic talents of all members of the community, expose new audiences to the arts, and weave the fabric of art and culture into the tapestry of everyday life.
Notable programs the Center has started include the annual Black Doll Show, the African-American Composers Series of exhibitions incorporating cultural heritage with arts education, and exhibitions of archives curated directly from the community.
Significant artists have also been featured in exhibitions and programs at the Center. Among the visual artists are many artists whom were featured in the 2011-2012 Pacific Standard Time exhibitions Now Dig This! Art and Black Los Angeles 1960–1980 and Places of Validation, Art, and Progression, at the Hammer Museum and California African-American Museum (CAAM) respectively, as well as in the African-American Artists in Los Angeles exhibition series presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs in 2005.
The programs at William Grant Still Arts Center are free, or as low-cost as possible, in order to welcome all in our community to the visual and performing arts. For more about the center and upcoming Black Doll shows visit: wgsac.wordpress.com/about/wgsac-history/
Lyah's TV
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
"Lyah's TV is the UK's first black Barbie doll show on YouTube which actively aims to promote black dolls, black families, and black history for all children. The channel was created in July 2020 by husband and wife duo, Suzanne and Erick Lamba from London and their family. During the first lockdown, the couple was surprised and saddened to find their 3-year-old daughter begin to question and compare her appearance to the dolls she was seeing on YouTube, primarily Mattel’s white Barbie dolls. With little to choose from as an alternative, the couple decided to create their own doll show voiced by them and their family.
Lyah's TV follows the adventures of a black family - a mother and father and their triplets – the Lyah family. Various episodes include other members of their family and friends. The episodes are educational and fun for all children to enjoy. Suzanne and Erick have worked with a number of black-owned companies and incorporated their work in the Lyah shows. This includes doll companies such as Biankha and Friends and Hello Nana Dolls as well as other black professionals such Sophia Wilson, author of the children's books “The Left Handed Champ”, and “Simone’s Oasis” educational entertainment company." Bio provided by Lyah's TV
To learn more about Lyah's TV, please visit
https://www.youtube.com/c/LyahsTV
https://www.instagram.com/lyahstv/
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld
https://www.instagram.com/inthedollworld/
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
"Lyah's TV is the UK's first black Barbie doll show on YouTube which actively aims to promote black dolls, black families, and black history for all children. The channel was created in July 2020 by husband and wife duo, Suzanne and Erick Lamba from London and their family. During the first lockdown, the couple was surprised and saddened to find their 3-year-old daughter begin to question and compare her appearance to the dolls she was seeing on YouTube, primarily Mattel’s white Barbie dolls. With little to choose from as an alternative, the couple decided to create their own doll show voiced by them and their family.
Lyah's TV follows the adventures of a black family - a mother and father and their triplets – the Lyah family. Various episodes include other members of their family and friends. The episodes are educational and fun for all children to enjoy. Suzanne and Erick have worked with a number of black-owned companies and incorporated their work in the Lyah shows. This includes doll companies such as Biankha and Friends and Hello Nana Dolls as well as other black professionals such Sophia Wilson, author of the children's books “The Left Handed Champ”, and “Simone’s Oasis” educational entertainment company." Bio provided by Lyah's TV
To learn more about Lyah's TV, please visit
https://www.youtube.com/c/LyahsTV
https://www.instagram.com/lyahstv/
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld
https://www.instagram.com/inthedollworld/
Allison Hernandez
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
In The Doll World, Doll Podcast shares a delightful interview with Allison as she shares with us her journey from knowing she was a "serious" doll collector from the age of 11 to building an amazing following and important Youtube Channel that shares her love for dolls from around the world. Allison shares her doll journey with us below.
I am a person who has loved dolls my entire life. I never grew out of them. I have considered myself to be a "serious" doll collector since I was around 11 years old at which point I told my family, “I’m a doll collector.” I think by telling everyone I was a doll collector, it spared many of my childhood dolls, and my mom never made me get rid of them. I’m lucky to have all of my cherished childhood dolls to this day. The American girl Kirsten doll was the first doll I got as a child that made me realize “Dolls can have collections”, and that is probably what got my little collector mind going at the age of 9. After that, at age 11, I got my first “expensive collector” doll, in the form of Masquerade Ball Barbie by Bob Mackie. It was a very expensive doll for a child of my age, and my mom and grandma still tell me today how they debated for awhile if I was really old enough to have her.
I’m happy to report that I still have her at the ripe of age of 38, in the same pristine condition. They are also glad to know they didn’t make a mistake in giving me that doll. Fast forward to today, I am happily married to my Costa Rican husband, who is incredibly supportive of my doll collecting hobby. He films most of the videos on my YouTube channel, and never complains about it.
I started my YouTube channel with the hopes to share information with other collectors, as I had started collecting dolls from different countries, and found there wasn’t a lot of information out there on those. Now, my channel has evolved into a little bit of everything doll-wise, and I enjoy making videos immensely.
Today, I love and appreciate dolls of all types. I particularly focus on ball jointed dolls, international playline dolls, and vintage vinyl dolls. I enjoy traveling, and always make a point to work dolls somehow into my vacations. I also enjoy attending doll shows, where I often discover new artists to love.
To learn more about Allison Hernandez, please visit
https://www.youtube.com/c/MunecasPoupeesandDolls
https://www.munecaspoupeesdolls.com
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld
https://www.instagram.com/inthedollworld/
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
In The Doll World, Doll Podcast shares a delightful interview with Allison as she shares with us her journey from knowing she was a "serious" doll collector from the age of 11 to building an amazing following and important Youtube Channel that shares her love for dolls from around the world. Allison shares her doll journey with us below.
I am a person who has loved dolls my entire life. I never grew out of them. I have considered myself to be a "serious" doll collector since I was around 11 years old at which point I told my family, “I’m a doll collector.” I think by telling everyone I was a doll collector, it spared many of my childhood dolls, and my mom never made me get rid of them. I’m lucky to have all of my cherished childhood dolls to this day. The American girl Kirsten doll was the first doll I got as a child that made me realize “Dolls can have collections”, and that is probably what got my little collector mind going at the age of 9. After that, at age 11, I got my first “expensive collector” doll, in the form of Masquerade Ball Barbie by Bob Mackie. It was a very expensive doll for a child of my age, and my mom and grandma still tell me today how they debated for awhile if I was really old enough to have her.
I’m happy to report that I still have her at the ripe of age of 38, in the same pristine condition. They are also glad to know they didn’t make a mistake in giving me that doll. Fast forward to today, I am happily married to my Costa Rican husband, who is incredibly supportive of my doll collecting hobby. He films most of the videos on my YouTube channel, and never complains about it.
I started my YouTube channel with the hopes to share information with other collectors, as I had started collecting dolls from different countries, and found there wasn’t a lot of information out there on those. Now, my channel has evolved into a little bit of everything doll-wise, and I enjoy making videos immensely.
Today, I love and appreciate dolls of all types. I particularly focus on ball jointed dolls, international playline dolls, and vintage vinyl dolls. I enjoy traveling, and always make a point to work dolls somehow into my vacations. I also enjoy attending doll shows, where I often discover new artists to love.
To learn more about Allison Hernandez, please visit
https://www.youtube.com/c/MunecasPoupeesandDolls
https://www.munecaspoupeesdolls.com
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld
https://www.instagram.com/inthedollworld/
Dr. Sabrina Thomas
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
In The Doll World (ITDW) doll podcast and YouTube channel is excited to share an interview with the beautiful and fascinating, Dr. Sabrina Thomas. Sabrina takes her doll collecting very seriously! Not only is she an avid doll collector; but, she is also studying dolls as part of her degree program as a social scientist in the department of Education at Duke University! Sabrina has received several grants and fellowships to research the ethnography of children’s play with a specific focus on children’s doll play. Her current research project includes an examination of black doll production and how children negotiate the presence or absence of a black doll in their play space.
Thank you Sabrina for educating us about dolls, their history, and how doll history has impacted the racial history of the United States.
If you would like to know more about Sabrina and her studies, you may reach her on Facebook at, https://www.facebook.com/sabrina.thomas.92123
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld
https://www.instagram.com/inthedollworld/
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
In The Doll World (ITDW) doll podcast and YouTube channel is excited to share an interview with the beautiful and fascinating, Dr. Sabrina Thomas. Sabrina takes her doll collecting very seriously! Not only is she an avid doll collector; but, she is also studying dolls as part of her degree program as a social scientist in the department of Education at Duke University! Sabrina has received several grants and fellowships to research the ethnography of children’s play with a specific focus on children’s doll play. Her current research project includes an examination of black doll production and how children negotiate the presence or absence of a black doll in their play space.
Thank you Sabrina for educating us about dolls, their history, and how doll history has impacted the racial history of the United States.
If you would like to know more about Sabrina and her studies, you may reach her on Facebook at, https://www.facebook.com/sabrina.thomas.92123
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld
https://www.instagram.com/inthedollworld/
Raymond Hernandez - aka RayTheUnsual: In The Doll World PRIDE Month Celebration
PODCAST: To see the interview via our In The Doll World YouTube Channel, visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/inthedollworld
In The Doll World (ITDW) doll podcast and YouTube channel is excited to share a very intimate and honest interview with Raymond Leslie, creator of “RayTheUnusual” Instagram and YouTube channels. Raymond’s channel fills a small, but important niche in the doll world. He unboxes and discusses 1980’s fashion dolls—primarily Barbie.
We are including Raymond as part of our Pride Month Celebration because we think it is important to amplify young voices in our celebration. We have found that young people tend to have a good understanding of both the current terminology and of the separation of sexual orientation and gender. These concepts are currently being explored and are included under the umbrella of “queer” and of “LGBTQ+”. For instance, Raymond’s sexual orientation is gay. He is a cisgender man, which means he identifies as male--the gender he was assigned at birth. Even so, Raymond expresses himself in a genderfluid manner: sometimes he dresses in a “traditionally” male manner; other times, he dresses in a “traditionally” female manner; and still other times, he dresses in a gender-nonconforming manner.
Raymond speaks to us about his doll journey which began with him being a little boy who loved playing with dolls. He also shared the pain of how his love for dolls strained familial relationships. Raymond also shares how he has suffered at the hands of bullies. Yet, his journey is not one of heartbreak. In the end, he rekindles relationships and grows to love and appreciate all of Raymond!
Thank you Raymond for joining us and for sharing your experiences with our audience. ITDW hopes your story will help our audience better understand the world from your experiences. We also hope this new understanding will lead to better relationships between our listeners and the queer people in their villages.
Follow RayTheUnsusal at:
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/Gizardofmars/videos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raytheunusual
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld
https://www.instagram.com/inthedollworld/
PODCAST: To see the interview via our In The Doll World YouTube Channel, visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/inthedollworld
In The Doll World (ITDW) doll podcast and YouTube channel is excited to share a very intimate and honest interview with Raymond Leslie, creator of “RayTheUnusual” Instagram and YouTube channels. Raymond’s channel fills a small, but important niche in the doll world. He unboxes and discusses 1980’s fashion dolls—primarily Barbie.
We are including Raymond as part of our Pride Month Celebration because we think it is important to amplify young voices in our celebration. We have found that young people tend to have a good understanding of both the current terminology and of the separation of sexual orientation and gender. These concepts are currently being explored and are included under the umbrella of “queer” and of “LGBTQ+”. For instance, Raymond’s sexual orientation is gay. He is a cisgender man, which means he identifies as male--the gender he was assigned at birth. Even so, Raymond expresses himself in a genderfluid manner: sometimes he dresses in a “traditionally” male manner; other times, he dresses in a “traditionally” female manner; and still other times, he dresses in a gender-nonconforming manner.
Raymond speaks to us about his doll journey which began with him being a little boy who loved playing with dolls. He also shared the pain of how his love for dolls strained familial relationships. Raymond also shares how he has suffered at the hands of bullies. Yet, his journey is not one of heartbreak. In the end, he rekindles relationships and grows to love and appreciate all of Raymond!
Thank you Raymond for joining us and for sharing your experiences with our audience. ITDW hopes your story will help our audience better understand the world from your experiences. We also hope this new understanding will lead to better relationships between our listeners and the queer people in their villages.
Follow RayTheUnsusal at:
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/Gizardofmars/videos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raytheunusual
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld
https://www.instagram.com/inthedollworld/
Aidan Prince - In The Doll World PRIDE Month Celebration
PODCAST: To see the interview via our In The Doll World YouTube Channel, visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/inthedollworld
During these difficult times, we’re all looking for a reason to smile. “Thekencouple” Instagram account does just that! Started two months into the pandemic, the account chronicles the life of Aidan Prince and his husband with a tongue-in-cheek “art imitating life” style, by using Ken dolls that resemble the real-life couple. The series began with single photos of the dolls, often focused on the realities of living in pandemic lockdown. Added to the photos are comic book-style captions and speech bubbles which bring the characters and situations to life. As the pandemic restrictions lifted from the early lockdowns and we were all able to return to our new normal, the focus of the posts followed suit.
The “couple” documented their ability to venture out, day-to-day routines and the dynamics of their relationship. Aidan admits that the personalities of the dolls often mirror that of him and his husband. Friends who follow the posts have remarked that they hear his and his husband’s voices as they read the speech bubbles. The stories, however, are relatable and entertaining to people who don’t know the couple. The fact that the account has over 4,00 followers from across the globe is a testament to that! The series has evolved from the typical single photo posts to be much like a comic strip, showcasing some light humor.
Aidan has been both pleasantly surprised and motivated by the positive responses. Given the regular enthusiastic comments followers post on the photos, it’s clear “thekencouple” is definitely bringing daily smiles to lots of people.
To follow Aidan and "thekencouple" instagram series visit https://www.instagram.com/thekencouple/
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld
https://www.instagram.com/inthedollworld/
Allison Hernandez
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
In The Doll World, Doll Podcast shares a delighful interview with Allison as she shares
with us her journey from knowing she was a "serious" doll collector from the age of 11 to building an amazing following and important Youtube Channel that shares her love for dolls from around the world. Allison shares her doll journey with us below.
I am a person who has loved dolls my entire life. I never grew out of them. I have considered myself to be a "serious" doll collector since I was around 11 years old at which point I told my family, “I’m a doll collector.” I think by telling everyone I was a doll collector, it spared many of my childhood dolls, and my mom never made me get rid of them. I’m lucky to have all of my cherished childhood dolls to this day. The American girl Kirsten doll was the first doll I got as a child that made me realize “Dolls can have collections”, and that is probably what got my little collector mind going at the age of 9. After that, at age 11, I got my first “expensive collector” doll, in the form of Masquerade Ball Barbie by Bob Mackie. It was a very expensive doll for a child of my age, and my mom and grandma still tell me today how they debated for awhile if I was really old enough to have her.
I’m happy to report that I still have her at the ripe of age of 38, in the same pristine condition. They are also glad to know they didn’t make a mistake in giving me that doll. Fast forward to today, I am happily married to my Costa Rican husband, who is incredibly supportive of my doll collecting hobby. He films most of the videos on my YouTube channel, and never complains about it.
I started my YouTube channel with the hopes to share information with other collectors, as I had started collecting dolls from different countries, and found there wasn’t a lot of information out there on those. Now, my channel has evolved into a little bit of everything doll-wise, and I enjoy making videos immensely.
Today, I love and appreciate dolls of all types. I particularly focus on ball jointed dolls, international playline dolls, and vintage vinyl dolls. I enjoy traveling, and always make a point to work dolls somehow into my vacations. I also enjoy attending doll shows, where I often discover new artists to love.
To learn more about Allison Hernandez, please visit
https://www.youtube.com/c/MunecasPoupeesandDolls
https://www.munecaspoupeesdolls.com
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld
https://www.instagram.com/inthedollworld/
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
In The Doll World, Doll Podcast shares a delighful interview with Allison as she shares
with us her journey from knowing she was a "serious" doll collector from the age of 11 to building an amazing following and important Youtube Channel that shares her love for dolls from around the world. Allison shares her doll journey with us below.
I am a person who has loved dolls my entire life. I never grew out of them. I have considered myself to be a "serious" doll collector since I was around 11 years old at which point I told my family, “I’m a doll collector.” I think by telling everyone I was a doll collector, it spared many of my childhood dolls, and my mom never made me get rid of them. I’m lucky to have all of my cherished childhood dolls to this day. The American girl Kirsten doll was the first doll I got as a child that made me realize “Dolls can have collections”, and that is probably what got my little collector mind going at the age of 9. After that, at age 11, I got my first “expensive collector” doll, in the form of Masquerade Ball Barbie by Bob Mackie. It was a very expensive doll for a child of my age, and my mom and grandma still tell me today how they debated for awhile if I was really old enough to have her.
I’m happy to report that I still have her at the ripe of age of 38, in the same pristine condition. They are also glad to know they didn’t make a mistake in giving me that doll. Fast forward to today, I am happily married to my Costa Rican husband, who is incredibly supportive of my doll collecting hobby. He films most of the videos on my YouTube channel, and never complains about it.
I started my YouTube channel with the hopes to share information with other collectors, as I had started collecting dolls from different countries, and found there wasn’t a lot of information out there on those. Now, my channel has evolved into a little bit of everything doll-wise, and I enjoy making videos immensely.
Today, I love and appreciate dolls of all types. I particularly focus on ball jointed dolls, international playline dolls, and vintage vinyl dolls. I enjoy traveling, and always make a point to work dolls somehow into my vacations. I also enjoy attending doll shows, where I often discover new artists to love.
To learn more about Allison Hernandez, please visit
https://www.youtube.com/c/MunecasPoupeesandDolls
https://www.munecaspoupeesdolls.com
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld
https://www.instagram.com/inthedollworld/
Pat Henry
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
In The Doll World shares a candid interview with Pat Henry, the founder and publisher of Fashion Doll Quarterly (FDQ) which was retired after seventeen years in 2020. When Pat retired FDQ, she endorsed In The Doll World!
In addition to FDQ, Pat is also the author of In Focus: Digital Photography for the Doll Collector (2009), Tonner-Two Decades of Design (2011) and the Kingdom Doll Compendium (2016). She is also the photographer of two books by Tim Alberts, The Art of Making Miniature Millinery (2002) and The Art of Making Beautiful Fashion Doll Shoes (1999). Previously, Pat was a freelance stylist and editor at Vogue and American Elle magazines.
Since 1997, Pat has been an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Photography Department of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology as well as a freelance writer and art director. She lives in New York City with her husband, Hal and her adorable fox terrier, Bogart.
Currently, Pat is working on several freelance projects as a creative director.
To learn more about Pat Henry, please visit
https://www.fashiondollquarterly.co/
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld
https://www.instagram.com/inthedollworld/
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
In The Doll World shares a candid interview with Pat Henry, the founder and publisher of Fashion Doll Quarterly (FDQ) which was retired after seventeen years in 2020. When Pat retired FDQ, she endorsed In The Doll World!
In addition to FDQ, Pat is also the author of In Focus: Digital Photography for the Doll Collector (2009), Tonner-Two Decades of Design (2011) and the Kingdom Doll Compendium (2016). She is also the photographer of two books by Tim Alberts, The Art of Making Miniature Millinery (2002) and The Art of Making Beautiful Fashion Doll Shoes (1999). Previously, Pat was a freelance stylist and editor at Vogue and American Elle magazines.
Since 1997, Pat has been an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Photography Department of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology as well as a freelance writer and art director. She lives in New York City with her husband, Hal and her adorable fox terrier, Bogart.
Currently, Pat is working on several freelance projects as a creative director.
To learn more about Pat Henry, please visit
https://www.fashiondollquarterly.co/
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld
https://www.instagram.com/inthedollworld/
Ernesto Padró-Campos
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
In The Doll World shares a wonderful, candid interview with Ernesto Padró-Campos, a humble, honest soul. Though Ernesto is known for his stunning photography, he refers to himself as an “illustrator” because he isn't a "trained photographer". In our opinion, Ernesto is one of the most blessed people in the doll world because he sees and interacts with many of our favorite dolls—even before they are released to the public! Ernesto shapes how we see the dolls by shooting them in stylized vignettes that give them personalities. This is why Tammy refers to Ernesto as the “Doll Godfather”. She says, “His photos transform dolls from porcelain, plastic, and resin mannequins into the desires of our hearts.”
Ernesto explains his photographic goals as: “My desire has always been to see dolls not only as pristine and well-preserved documentations of a past era, but also as actively engaged individuals in a moment of life.
“My photography does not present reality but aims to transform it. Consequently, the doll becomes a real person with dreams and desires, disappointments and failures. Granted, he or she is perfectly coiffed and impeccably dressed, but who knows what lies behind the pretty façade?”
Listen to Ernesto as he speaks about his childhood, his proud Puerto Rican heritage, and his “accidental” introduction into the world of dolls. Ernesto charms us with stories gained from collaborating with many of favorite dolls. He wows us; and most of all, he reminds us who we are as a community in a humble, honest manner.
Video version of this interview will be posted to our In The Doll World YouTube page. Video will be posted January 16, 2021.:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv-hMFIgWFjof4EJ7L6yyHg
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To learn more about Ernesto and Dolldom Photography, please visit
https://dolldom.blogspot.com/
Follow Ernesto and Dolldom Photography on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/dolldomphotography/
https://www.instagram.com/dolldomphotography/
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
In The Doll World shares a wonderful, candid interview with Ernesto Padró-Campos, a humble, honest soul. Though Ernesto is known for his stunning photography, he refers to himself as an “illustrator” because he isn't a "trained photographer". In our opinion, Ernesto is one of the most blessed people in the doll world because he sees and interacts with many of our favorite dolls—even before they are released to the public! Ernesto shapes how we see the dolls by shooting them in stylized vignettes that give them personalities. This is why Tammy refers to Ernesto as the “Doll Godfather”. She says, “His photos transform dolls from porcelain, plastic, and resin mannequins into the desires of our hearts.”
Ernesto explains his photographic goals as: “My desire has always been to see dolls not only as pristine and well-preserved documentations of a past era, but also as actively engaged individuals in a moment of life.
“My photography does not present reality but aims to transform it. Consequently, the doll becomes a real person with dreams and desires, disappointments and failures. Granted, he or she is perfectly coiffed and impeccably dressed, but who knows what lies behind the pretty façade?”
Listen to Ernesto as he speaks about his childhood, his proud Puerto Rican heritage, and his “accidental” introduction into the world of dolls. Ernesto charms us with stories gained from collaborating with many of favorite dolls. He wows us; and most of all, he reminds us who we are as a community in a humble, honest manner.
Video version of this interview will be posted to our In The Doll World YouTube page. Video will be posted January 16, 2021.:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv-hMFIgWFjof4EJ7L6yyHg
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld
https://www.instagram.com/inthedollworld/
To learn more about Ernesto and Dolldom Photography, please visit
https://dolldom.blogspot.com/
Follow Ernesto and Dolldom Photography on Facebook and Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/dolldomphotography/
https://www.instagram.com/dolldomphotography/
Ama Gueye
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
Ama Gueye conceived of Operation Sankofa to create opportunities for (black) doll designers, makers, manufacturers, distributors, collectors and consumers to meet for mutual exchange and benefit: To provide a platform to access appealing, available and affordable black dolls here in the UK, and countries in Africa and the Caribbean. The simple act of trying to find a doll that looked ‘just like me’ (a person of African descent with melanin rich, darker hued skin tones), has mushroomed into a task far more complex than first imagined. In fact, it prompted the wondrous journey of seeking knowledge and resources with the help and support of individual members of family and friends, various voluntary organisations, charities and commercial institutions willing to contribute in a positive way that will enhance our awareness of who we truly are – enriching all our lives.
It’s only when we seriously begin to question our purpose in life, or someone asks us who we are that we start scrambling around looking for clues and some hard evidence to support our claim to knowing who we are. When you are comfortable in your own skin, you are able to achieve whatever your heart desires. You are then open to endless possibilities, resulting in a life that is happy and fulfilled! Let’s start by giving our children appropriate resources, including Black Dolls, to enhance their learning as they play!
Ama Gueye, a retired school teacher came to England in the early 1960’s at the age of 12 to join her Mother. The experiences of those early years in a Britain ‘struggling’ to deal with the influx of invited, but unwelcomed African and African – Caribbean Folk, informed her academic choices and community involvement. After initial Teacher Training in Brighton, Sussex, it was back to the East End of London working and living in the Borough of Newham. Throughout the 1970’s Ama became active both professionally and voluntarily in helping to improve educational standards for Black Children; working within multicultural and anti-racist projects; sitting on advisory boards for both the statutory and voluntary sectors; supporting the setting up of several educational fora and Saturday/ Supplementary schools in and around London. This is also the period when the Women’s Movement was in full swing and Ama helped to launch OWAAD (Organisation of Women of African and Asian Descent) and, subsequently co-founded ELBWO (the East London Black Women’s Organisation) in 1979 which still operates to this day. It was then a natural progression to be a Spokesperson on behalf of Black (African Descent) Women and Children – reporting as part of a delegation to various Government Committees and attending the United Nations World Conferences on Women. The founding of Operation Sankofa: ‘I want one just like me!’ during this retirement phase, allows time for Ama to ‘put her money where her mouth is’ in her passion for promoting and celebrating Black Dolls as a continuation of the true commitment to uplifting African and Caribbean People’s heritage.
To learn more about Ama and Operation Sankofa: https://operationsankofa.com/
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
Ama Gueye conceived of Operation Sankofa to create opportunities for (black) doll designers, makers, manufacturers, distributors, collectors and consumers to meet for mutual exchange and benefit: To provide a platform to access appealing, available and affordable black dolls here in the UK, and countries in Africa and the Caribbean. The simple act of trying to find a doll that looked ‘just like me’ (a person of African descent with melanin rich, darker hued skin tones), has mushroomed into a task far more complex than first imagined. In fact, it prompted the wondrous journey of seeking knowledge and resources with the help and support of individual members of family and friends, various voluntary organisations, charities and commercial institutions willing to contribute in a positive way that will enhance our awareness of who we truly are – enriching all our lives.
It’s only when we seriously begin to question our purpose in life, or someone asks us who we are that we start scrambling around looking for clues and some hard evidence to support our claim to knowing who we are. When you are comfortable in your own skin, you are able to achieve whatever your heart desires. You are then open to endless possibilities, resulting in a life that is happy and fulfilled! Let’s start by giving our children appropriate resources, including Black Dolls, to enhance their learning as they play!
Ama Gueye, a retired school teacher came to England in the early 1960’s at the age of 12 to join her Mother. The experiences of those early years in a Britain ‘struggling’ to deal with the influx of invited, but unwelcomed African and African – Caribbean Folk, informed her academic choices and community involvement. After initial Teacher Training in Brighton, Sussex, it was back to the East End of London working and living in the Borough of Newham. Throughout the 1970’s Ama became active both professionally and voluntarily in helping to improve educational standards for Black Children; working within multicultural and anti-racist projects; sitting on advisory boards for both the statutory and voluntary sectors; supporting the setting up of several educational fora and Saturday/ Supplementary schools in and around London. This is also the period when the Women’s Movement was in full swing and Ama helped to launch OWAAD (Organisation of Women of African and Asian Descent) and, subsequently co-founded ELBWO (the East London Black Women’s Organisation) in 1979 which still operates to this day. It was then a natural progression to be a Spokesperson on behalf of Black (African Descent) Women and Children – reporting as part of a delegation to various Government Committees and attending the United Nations World Conferences on Women. The founding of Operation Sankofa: ‘I want one just like me!’ during this retirement phase, allows time for Ama to ‘put her money where her mouth is’ in her passion for promoting and celebrating Black Dolls as a continuation of the true commitment to uplifting African and Caribbean People’s heritage.
To learn more about Ama and Operation Sankofa: https://operationsankofa.com/
Debbie Behan Garrett
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
Debbie Behan Garrett's interest in collecting black dolls commenced after the 1991 catalog purchase of a 'collectible' porcelain doll intended as a gift for her daughter. After the doll's arrival, the decision to keep the doll and to begin a collection ensued. Her avid interest in black-doll history prompted research on dolls made during and before her childhood. She began freelance writing in 1998 for Black Doll-E-Gram. Prior to writing her first black-doll reference book, The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls, Hobby House Press, Inc., 2003, Garrett's efforts to connect with other like-minded collectors culminated in founding the WeLoveBlackDolls Yahoo! Group, in January 2001, which is now a private Facebook group. In February 2002, as co-founder and editor of The Black Doll-E-Zine, 'the first and only e-zine devoted to collecting black dolls,' her doll research, writing, and networking with doll collectors and artists continued.
In 2008, Garrett self-published Black Dolls: A Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion, a full color book which references and values over 1000 black dolls. Her most recent work, The Doll Blogs: When Dolls Speak I Listen, first introduced as an eBook and sold through Google Play, became available as an ultra-limited edition paperback in April 2011. The Doll Blogs is the first book featuring dolls that blog their experiences with their human. Hard copies are now out of print. The electronic versions of Black Dolls: A Comprehensive Guide and The Doll Blogs remain available through Google Play.
Through an associate membership of Motor City Doll Club, Garrett is also a member of United Federation of Doll Clubs. She has contributed to their Doll News quarterly publication and their 2017 convention souvenir Journal. Garrett's articles have also been published in Doll Castle News, Contemporary Doll Collector, British Doll Showcase, DOLLS magazine, DollReader, and Fashion Doll Quarterly. Garrett maintains her personal Black Doll Collecting blog and the Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black blog where she periodically profiles past and present doll companies, doll artists, and doll collectors.
Garrett, a native Texan, is the married mother of two adult children and doting granny of two boys. In addition to doll collecting, research, and writing, she enjoys living each day as if it were Saturday.
You may follow Debbie's doll journey at via her blog: https://blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com/
PODCAST: To hear the interview, visit:
- our Buzzsprout page
- our Apple Podcast page
- our podcasts page
Debbie Behan Garrett's interest in collecting black dolls commenced after the 1991 catalog purchase of a 'collectible' porcelain doll intended as a gift for her daughter. After the doll's arrival, the decision to keep the doll and to begin a collection ensued. Her avid interest in black-doll history prompted research on dolls made during and before her childhood. She began freelance writing in 1998 for Black Doll-E-Gram. Prior to writing her first black-doll reference book, The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls, Hobby House Press, Inc., 2003, Garrett's efforts to connect with other like-minded collectors culminated in founding the WeLoveBlackDolls Yahoo! Group, in January 2001, which is now a private Facebook group. In February 2002, as co-founder and editor of The Black Doll-E-Zine, 'the first and only e-zine devoted to collecting black dolls,' her doll research, writing, and networking with doll collectors and artists continued.
In 2008, Garrett self-published Black Dolls: A Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion, a full color book which references and values over 1000 black dolls. Her most recent work, The Doll Blogs: When Dolls Speak I Listen, first introduced as an eBook and sold through Google Play, became available as an ultra-limited edition paperback in April 2011. The Doll Blogs is the first book featuring dolls that blog their experiences with their human. Hard copies are now out of print. The electronic versions of Black Dolls: A Comprehensive Guide and The Doll Blogs remain available through Google Play.
Through an associate membership of Motor City Doll Club, Garrett is also a member of United Federation of Doll Clubs. She has contributed to their Doll News quarterly publication and their 2017 convention souvenir Journal. Garrett's articles have also been published in Doll Castle News, Contemporary Doll Collector, British Doll Showcase, DOLLS magazine, DollReader, and Fashion Doll Quarterly. Garrett maintains her personal Black Doll Collecting blog and the Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black blog where she periodically profiles past and present doll companies, doll artists, and doll collectors.
Garrett, a native Texan, is the married mother of two adult children and doting granny of two boys. In addition to doll collecting, research, and writing, she enjoys living each day as if it were Saturday.
You may follow Debbie's doll journey at via her blog: https://blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com/
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