20 Handmade Dolls Tell the History of Fashion

David James , , , ,
The Georgian Era Victorian Era 

This is the story of how a series of exquisite handmade dolls, representing the history of French haute couture made their way to the United States as an expression of gratitude.

The year was 1948 and France was still suffering from the effects of World War II. Housed in boxcars and dubbed the “Friendship Train”, American aide organizations had sent large-scale relief the year before.

Now it was France who wished to show its gratitude for America’s generosity by creating the “Gratitude Train”—a set of 49 box cars filled with French-made gifts, like handmade toys and priceless works of art.

The French fashion houses banded together to create something very special.

They tasked their most talented designers with creating a set of fashion dolls that would show the evolution of French fashion.

Measuring 24 inches tall with bodies made from open wire, the designers used human hair to fashion the hairstyles.

Using period paintings, literature, and fashion plates as references, each designer chose a year between 1715 and 1906.

Representing their creative interpretations, the designers used the same level of care and attention to detail as they did for full size work.

It was a unique moment in the history of French couture.

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"1715 Doll". Marcel Rochas (French, 1902–1955)
“1715 Doll”. Marcel Rochas (French, 1902–1955)
"1733 Doll". Jean Bader (French)
“1733 Doll”. Jean Bader (French)
"1755 Doll". A. Reichert (French)
“1755 Doll”. A. Reichert (French)
"1774 Doll". Jean Dessès (French (born Egypt), Alexandria 1904–1970 Athens)
“1774 Doll”. Jean Dessès (French (born Egypt), Alexandria 1904–1970 Athens)
"1779 Doll". Lucille Manguin
“1779 Doll”. Lucille Manguin
"1785 Doll". Maggy Rouff (French, 1896–1971)
“1785 Doll”. Maggy Rouff (French, 1896–1971)
"1787 Doll". Mendel
“1787 Doll”. Mendel
"1791 Doll". Martial & Armand
“1791 Doll”. Martial & Armand
"1808 Doll". Madame Grès (Alix Barton) (French, Paris 1903–1993 Var region)
“1808 Doll”. Madame Grès (Alix Barton) (French, Paris 1903–1993 Var region)
"1820 Doll". House of Patou (French, founded 1919)
“1820 Doll”. House of Patou (French, founded 1919)
"1828 Doll". Henriette Beaujeu (French)
“1828 Doll”. Henriette Beaujeu (French)
"1832 Doll". Marcelle Dormoy (French)
“1832 Doll”. Marcelle Dormoy (French)
"1866 Doll". Marcelle Chaumont (French)
“1866 Doll”. Marcelle Chaumont (French)
"1867 Doll". Jacques Fath (French, 1912–1954)
“1867 Doll”. Jacques Fath (French, 1912–1954)
"1873 Doll". Madeleine Vramant (French)
“1873 Doll”. Madeleine Vramant (French)
"1884 Doll". Nina Ricci (French, 1883–1970)
“1884 Doll”. Nina Ricci (French, 1883–1970)
"1892 Doll". Germaine Lecomte
“1892 Doll”. Germaine Lecomte
"1896 Doll". Bruyère (French, founded 1928)
“1896 Doll”. Bruyère (French, founded 1928)
"1902 Doll". Robert Piguet (French, born Switzerland, 1901–1953)
“1902 Doll”. Robert Piguet (French, born Switzerland, 1901–1953)
"1906 Doll". Elsa Schiaparelli (Italian, 1890–1973)
“1906 Doll”. Elsa Schiaparelli (Italian, 1890–1973)

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References
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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