Paper Dolls in New York Magazine

Imagine my surprise when I found not one, not two, not three or four or five, but SIX full page paper dolls in this week's New York Magazine! In the fall of 2014 I decided I should be more aware of current affairs, broadening my horizons beyond my current magazine subscriptions to cooking magazines and Entertainment Weekly, so I signed up for TIME and New York Magazine. Sure enough, in the following weeks I've absorbed information on world news, politics, science, health care and pop culture. Because I work for myself and don't socialize all that much, I hardly have a chance to discuss my new wisdom, other than perhaps announcing to my husband over breakfast that downtown Detroit is experiencing a revitalization. But this week my periodical discovery is too exciting to remain at the breakfast table.

Amidst restaurant reviews, new york news and personality profiles, the Dec. 29, 2014-Jan. 11, 2015 issue of New York Magazine offers fashion advice in the form of paper dolls. Six careers are represented—Wall Street Bigwig, Fashion Insider, Starchitect, Public-School Teacher, Techie and Art-World Operator. Illustrated by Kyle Hilton, each paper doll represents a real person and the wardrobe items include purchasing information. The wardrobe for Fashion Insider Joanna Hillman, style drector for Harper's Bazaar includes a $2,250 Proenza Schouler dress from Greene Street, a $135 blouse from cosstores.com and a pair of Comme des Garçons shoes bought on ebay.com. Melissa Dipinto, first-grade teacher at P.S. 321, wears $60 jeans from the Gap, a $40 Zara sweater from 666 Fifth Ave and $65 Superga sneakers from 78 Crosby St. Each paper doll page offers a wardrobe formula, such as "Perfectly Tailored Suits, Bare Ankles, Pocket Squares, and Boyish Charm" for Art World Operator Alexander Gilkes, co-founder of Paddle8.

This set of urban paper dolls is a fun find for paper doll collectors. If you can't locate this issue at your local newsstand or bookstore, you can purchase individual back issues from the New York Back Issue Store. Seeing such a large section devoted to paper dolls in a magazine like this gives me hope that paper dolls are indeed making a comeback.

Remembering Tom Tierney, King of Paper Dolls

I am sad to share the news that legendary paper doll artist, Tom Tierney, passed away on Saturday, July 12, after a battle with cancer. Known as the "King of Paper Dolls," he was officially crowned during the 2011 Paper Doll Convention in Philadelphia. 

Our paper doll world has been shaped by Tom Tierney. When the paper doll industry was nearly extinct during the 1970s and into the 1980s, Tom nearly singlehandedly revitalized interest in paper dolls with the multitude of titles he created for Dover Publishing. Since that time he has produced hundreds and hundreds of paper dolls on subjects of all kinds for publishing companies, magazines, convention souvenirs and limited edition self published sets.

Because of Tom’s super-power work ethic, he not only leaves a legacy of paper dolls, but the history that goes along with it. Each of his books was meticulously researched, rendered and annotated with historic information. 

Representing OPDAG, Paperdoll Review and Paper Studio Press, I have been privileged to work with Tom for over two decades. We've had more lively phone conversations than I can count. Anyone who encountered Tom would be greeted with his bright smile and twinkling eye, and would then be regaled with stories of his extraordinary past which could include drawing posters for the war effort, cavorting with stars during his theater days, working as a fashion illustrator in New York City, or a sweet family story such as drawing characters for his nieces and nephews. My heart especially goes out to Tom’s niece, Kathy O’Tierney, who, with her husband Patrick, looked after Tom and helped with his business endeavors. After losing her husband last year, Kathy has been there to support Tom through his illness. Tom thought the world of Kathy and so appreciated her loving care.

Tom has enriched our paper doll community through his art, his knowledge and his charm. And his influence will continue to guide so many of us in our paper doll endeavors. Thank you, Tom Tierney, for sharing your life and talents with us.

2015 Paper Doll Convention Plans are Underway!

Although the 2014 paper doll convention is still two weeks away, plans are well underway for the 2015 convention. I'll be co-hosting the event with David Wolfe, and we've chosen the charming, historic city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, for our location. We recently travelled to Chattanooga to finalize plans with the hotel and to arrange a tour of the charming downtown arts district.

So mark your calendar for June 17-21, 2015, for the 2015 National Paper Doll Convention! The location is the Embassy Suites Chattanooga/Hamilton Place Hotel. The newly built hotel is gorgeous with a modern, elegant design, upscale guest suites, generous conference facilities, and luxurious gathering areas for visiting with friends and sharing paper dolls. Hotel accommodations include a free, made-to-order breakfast and complimentary happy hour.

We will soon accept convention registrations through the Paperdoll Review website. In the meantime, click here for a printable convention flyer and registraion form. Register early to save $20!

New Clothes for Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II has gone from dowdy to divine with a 12-page, glamorous new wardrobe in the latest issue of OPDAG's Paper Doll Studio Magazine. David Wolfe provided a paper doll figure of the Queen as a young lady, and 34 OPDAG artists created more than 70 new looks for her including everything from smart suits and sultry evening gowns to casual wear and fanciful costumes. This glorious 64-page issue is one of our biggest ever, filled with a wonderful array of queen-inspired paper dolls, royal articles, artist feature, 2013 Los Angeles convention report and much more. At just $8 for a single issue, it's a fabulous way to enjoy new paper dolls by artists of today. I hope you'll give it a try! A 4-issue subscription is just $28. Click over to OPDAG or Paperdoll Review to learn more.