The Doll Podcast

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 Maxwell as we explore the highlights of th...

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 empowerment in society.

Join Barbie doll e...

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 creations are now valued collect...

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 companions and the  factors that con...

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 Tonner Doll Company in 1991, which b...

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 reflected the culture and fa...

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 nursing education and children's in...

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  Martha Chase’s work and how she used do...

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 dolls for future generations to enjo...

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 story of how she created a...

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 Beatrice Alexander introduced he...

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 Beatrice Alexander. 

The Bar...

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 and worked as a bookkeeper...

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, Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Vivi...

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 and designer Bruce DeArmon...

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 created a collection to insp...

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  Museum's guest Cura...

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 is not just for doll enthusi...

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 innovation, in the art of the doll.

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