The Doll Podcast

The story of fashion and dolls has been linked throughout time as dolls have long been associated with social aspiration and style.   Host Louisa Maxwell is joined by Barbie expert Bradley Justice Yarbrough and Sara Woodbury curator of art at the Barry Art Museum to discuss the current shows exploring the relationship of dolls and fashion through the centuries.  Two stunning exhibitions at the Bar...

When a doll collection comes up for auction, we glimpse not just beautiful objects, but a collector's passion, vision, and journey. The upcoming Masterpiece sale at Ladenburger Spielzugauktion in  Ladenburg Germany on April 4-5, 2025 presents just such an opportunity with German collector Karin Schmelcher's extraordinary collection of rare French and German dolls. Join host Louisa Maxwel...

From astronaut to presidential candidate, Barbie's  250-plus professions mirror the evolving landscape of women's roles in society.  Barbie doll has become a cultural icon over her 65 years, reflecting the evolution of women's roles and careers. Through her myriad professions, Barbie inspires children to dream big and showcases the importance of representation, creativity, and empow...

Did you know paper dolls were the original fashion influencers?  Samy Odin author, lecturer and former Director of the the Musée de la Poupée-Paris joins host Louisa Maxwell to discuss the historic role of paper dolls.  Samy takes us through the evolution paper dolls from  their beginnings as a playful exploration of identity in the 17th century, to promoting fashion and the arts. These delicate c...

Welcome to the enchanting world of vintage teddy bear collecting, a  fascinating realm where childhood nostalgia meets the art of high-stakes auctions.  British teddy expert Daniel Agnew,  has worked with Christie's South Kensington, the London Toy Auction, and now with SAS, Special Auction Services in the United Kingdom.  Daniel shares his wealth of knowledge and passion for these timeless c...

Robert Tonner’s fashion doll Lacie Churchill is a movie studio executive who is always  red carpet ready. When she is not green lighting Oscar worthy projects at Hollywood’s Momax studios Lacie is outperforming fellow film moguls in the boardroom.  American Sculptor, fashion designer and entrepreneur Robert Tonner has created many exciting dolls during his over 30 year career. Robert launched The...

British toy designer Rachel Godfroy joins host Louisa Maxwell to celebrate over sixty years of  fashion doll Sindy.  Sindy was launched in 1963 by Pedigree toys at a time when British fashion and music were sweeping the world. The Beatle’s topped the charts with “She Loves You” and Mary Quant’s mini skirts set off a youth quake in fashion. Sindy was a doll created for the British market and she re...

Dr. Sarah Woodbury, Curator of Art at the Barry Art Museum and host Louisa Maxwell delve into the life and legacy of Martha Jenks Chase. Dr. Woodbury takes you through the "Progressive Kindness" exhibition at the Barry Art Museum, highlighting how Martha's progressive values and medical background fuelled her creations. Uncover the profound impact of Martha's work on both nursi...

The current exhibition at the Barry Art Museum in Norfolk Virginia, USA, discusses the work of Martha Jenks Chase and reveals how one woman’s desire to give her children a meaningful plaything became a movement for change and a company that would create dolls for almost 100 years. Barry Museum guest curator Brett Day Windham  joins host Louisa Maxwell to discuss  the exhibition which explores  Mar...

Stuart Holbrook president of Theriault’s Auction House joins The Doll Podcast host Louisa Maxwell to  discuss  rare dolls by Austrian artist Lilli Baitz from the collection of Rosalie Whyel.  Rosalie Whyel founded of the award winning Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art in Seattle Washington . Stuart tells the story of this major collection of Lilli Baitz dolls and how Rosalie Whyel preserved these d...

Stuart Holbrook, president of Theriault’s auction house, joins  host Louisa Maxwell to  discuss  the legacy of Rosalie Whyel,  the founder of 'The Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art' in Seattle Washington.     Rosalie Whyel wanted dolls to teach and inspire new generations and she shared that dream with thousand of visitors for 25 years. Stuart Holbrook knew Rosalie very well and tells the...

Madame Alexander has been making dolls for over 100 years - the key to her success was innovation and quality.   Curator  Sara Woodbury joins host Louisa Maxwell for Part  2 of the podcast  discussing the The Barry Art Museum's exhibition Fashioning Innovation Madame Alexander at 100   celebrating the centenary of The Madame Alexander Doll company and its founder Beatrice Alexander.  In 1955...

The  Madame Alexander  doll company  has been making dolls for over 100 years - and the key to their success is innovation and quality.  Museum Curator Sara Woodbury joins host Louisa Maxwell to discuss  a new exhibition at The Barry Art Museum entitled  Fashioning Innovation, Madame Alexander at 100 . The exhibition celebrates the centenary of The Madame Alexander  doll company and its founder Be...

Madame Alexander had a dream to educate through dolls and 100 years later, Madame’s legacy is still inspiring new generations of children.   Designer and author Bruce A. de Armond joins host Louisa Maxwell to discuss the life and work of Beatrice Alexander.     Madame was born Bertha (Beatrice) Alexander, in New York’s lower East side where her father had a doll shop and hospital. Beatrice trained...

Doll Podcast host Louisa Maxwell charts the journey of Barbie from pop culture icon to movie star. Barbie is the girl that has it all: a hit movie, a dream house and then there is Ken  - Barbie’s favourite accessory. In her over 60 years she has been immortalised by Andy Warhol  and dressed by a rota of top fashion designers including: Oscar de la Renta, Bob Mackie, Yves Saint Laurent, Escada, Ral...

The Doll Podcast is back in November 2023 for a new season.  Fashion dolls have been in the news this year as Barbie is not only queen of the doll aisle but a Hollywood star too. Bradley Justice Yarbrough joins host Louisa Maxwell to review the effect that 'Barbie, the Movie' has had on doll collectors and collecting.    Madame Alexander is celebrating 100 years of doll making and author...

Stuart Holbrook president of Theriault’s auction house joins host Louisa Maxwell to  celebrate the legacy of Rosalie Whyel,  founder of The Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art in Seattle Washington. Rosalie Whyel wanted dolls to teach and inspire new generations and she shared that dream with thousand of visitors for 25 years. Stuart Holbrook knew Rosalie very well and tells the story of how she crea...

The Barry Art Museum at Old Dominion University in Virginia USA,  features three major collections: Fine Art Paintings, Glass, Historic Dolls and Automata.  The Barry Museum’s doll collection spans three centuries of fashion and culture, the dolls are exhibited alongside great works of art challenging the viewer to see the doll in terms of art and the society that created them.  The Barry Art  Mus...

World Doll Day is June 10, 2023 this year and  in an episode from our archive we share the history of World Doll Day and how you can celebrate this year. Michael Canadas of the Grovian Doll Museum joins host Louisa Maxwell to discuss the origins of World Doll Day and how it has grown into a worldwide celebration of dolls This year we will celebrate World Doll Day on June 11, 2022. World Doll Day i...

Valerie Fogel joins host Louisa Maxwell to explore the history of   Maison Huret,  famous for creating luxury French fashion dolls with the finest fashions and accessories. In 1844 Mademoiselle Calixté Huret was inspired to create a doll with an idealised view of a young lady with an elaborate lifestyle. Calixté worked with her sister Leopoldine creating a family business that celebrated innovatio...

On our last episode Bradley Justice Yarbrough shared the story of Barbie and her career selling the dream lifestyle on film and TV.  This time in an episode from our archive Bradley relates the story of the team of talented artists, fashion designers and engineers it took to bring Ruth Handler’s vision of Barbie doll into being. In the 1950’s toymaker Ruth Handler watched her daughter playing with...

Bradley Justice Yarbrough author and expert on all things Barbie doll joins host Louisa Maxwell to explore how Barbie captivated generations of children through the medium of television advertising. Bradley has amassed an impressive archive of first hand interviews and accounts of the story behind the creation of this pop culture legend. He traces the trends Barbie has followed in her over sixty y...

Award winning artist and illustrator Mel Odom joins host Louisa Maxwell on The Doll Podcast. Mel Odom’s work  has graced magazine covers for: Time, Omni, The New York Times , Rolling Stone , Blue Boy and Play Boy . He has created artwork for numerous best selling books and album  covers for CBS records.  Mel’s art deco influenced portraits are reminiscent of dramatically lit Hollywood film stills,...

Tamara Casey is the creative force behind Designs by Jude a design house offering over nine hundred sewing patterns for dolls.  Tamara joins fellow sewing enthusiast Louisa Maxwell to share her journey as a designer.  Sewing new outfits  is one of the most creative parts of doll collecting and Tamara’s pattern collection offers designs for over sixty types of dolls. Her Youtube channel has over 4,...

Stuart Holbrook president of Theriault’s auction house joins host Louisa Maxwell in Vienna, Austria, to discuss his travels in 2022 searching for unique and precious dolls. In part two Stuart and Louisa discuss how the definition of a doll is changing and the art of the Japanese doll. They discuss how the pandemic has effected  auctions  and that even more people are collecting dolls than before. ...