Lucian's new Build

Hey you all! Look who’s got a #madetomove physique now! Lucian’s been hitting the gym and limbering up, this holiday season; and he’s gone from 5 points of articulation to 22! 🤸🏼🐇👟

A big thank you to my friends here on Instagram, who helped out with customizing advice and encouragement! 😊 Now Lucian can jump, do a push-up, and raid even more of Gus’ closet! 😁

A Moment in Hairclips

This year, @adrian.dollslife came up with a monthly photography theme for Ken dolls, and November’s theme is “molded hair or rooted hair?” Now, that’s a very contentious question for a lot of doll collectors, and I know people with strong opinions on both sides of the fence. So, Lucian is here with his unpigmented locks in backstage clips, to finally settle the debate, proudly representing: Flocked Hair! 😂🐇🌨

Thank you @adrian.dollslife for your creative themes this year, highlighting Ken’s 60th anniversary. This was a fun one!!

A Drive wirth Barry

Gus is in the barn, carefully putting polo wraps on Barry, the Hackney pony, before his workout. Polo wraps are like a cross between a shin guard and an ankle support, and they also can add a stylish splash of color to a horse’s turnout. 

This photo is inspired by @adrian.dollslife ‘s monthly #adriandollslifekenchallenge photo theme. The theme for October is “Everybody needs a Ken in their lives.” I say that “everybody” most certainly includes #breyermodelhorses too.

 Dashing through the woods, in a one-pony-two-wheeled-cart! Gus and his beagle, are enjoying a drive through the foliage, courtesy of Barry the pony. 

 

 

Barry the pony worked hard and was a very good boy, so Gus is bringing him extra peppermints from the candy jar. “Thanks for the drive, little man!”

The Crew

 Gus gets together with his crew: the friends that feel like family (Barry and Sinatra) and family that’s like a friend (cousin Lucian), for the #adriandollslifekenchallenge.

The theme for the September photo challenge, celebrating Ken’s 60th anniversary, is “Ken’s Best Mates.” So in honor of the theme, a shoutout to buddies, besties, homies, mates, and ride-or-die sidekicks everywhere, who have each other’s back through thick and through thin, making the world a more caring and beautiful place.

Thank you to @adrian.dollslife for your friendship, and for coming up with this awesome monthly photo inspiration!! 

 

Glitter and Gold

Hold onto your hats everyone, ‘cause today, Gus is hopping on a fashion time machine! He’s going throughout modern history, and across Eurasia, trying on an array of sparkling gentlemen’s earrings!
The July theme for the #adriandollslifekenchallenge celebrates the first ever Ken doll to come with a pierced ear (released in 1993). The second, a pirate themed Ken, was released a few years later, in 1998. So, in honor of this timeless piece of jewelry, Gus here (starting on the lower left) is rocking 17th century royal earrings from the Mughal Empire, inspired by a portrait of Prince Dara Shikoh. Next, Gus sports simple gold hoops, inspired by a portrait of Francesco Tominz, from 1819. On the lower right, Gus, wears der Löffel, a traditional men’s earring, always worn in the right ear in Appenzell, Switzerland. And, finally, on the top, Gus wears a single Renaissance-style pearl drop, inspired by a 2018 editorial photo of model @aaronshandel. Swipe to see the inspiration pics. 🎨💎✨

Gus’ earrings are staying on with tiny pieces of kneadable eraser. 

Man of Style

Gus, here, is aiming to be “the most stylish guy in town,” for the #adriandollslifekenchallenge, celebrating Ken’s 60th anniversary!The initial clothing collection, created for Ken in 1961, was a study in classic menswear! Gus hopes to capture a similar timelessness with his look today, but with a generous helping of his own sense of sprezzatura. Thank you to @adrian.dollslife, for providing fabulous inspiration, with this months’ photo theme: The Most Stylish Guy in Town!!

 

Bespoke for Barbie

 

 

Gus is in his tailor’s studio, helping test the drape of some fabric (for a project that is a bit outside my usual repertoire!) while his neighbor, George, waits to get her measurements taken. Miniature artist, @carliekarl, requested a bespoke Barbie-sized shirt dress, and Gus and I are doing our upmost to get it right. This project reminded me forcibly of two things, 1: the iconic photo of mid-century design genius, Jacques Fath, draping fabric in his studio, with his wife, Geneviève, and 2: @adrian.dollslife ‘s May photo theme for the #adriandollslifekenchallenge “Anything for you, Barbie!” Scroll down to see George modeling the finished dress, and the faux suede jacket that was requested along with it.

 

 

 

These pieces were inspired by the this jacket and shirt-dress from this past Autumn/Winter Polo Ralph Lauren ladies' collection. 

 

 

Men at Work

Gus and Lucian take us to their job site, for the 60th Anniversary #adriandollslifekenchallenge !! This month’s photo theme celebrates the more than 40 occupations, that Ken has tackled over the past 60 years. He’s been everything from a farmer to an astronaut, and Gus and Lucian are adding to the collective Ken resumé, by putting in their hard earned hours, working for the menswear industry.

A Bespoke Suede Jacket

Gus is wandering through the tailoring studio, and has stopped in front of his dress form.
Gus: “who’s tiny little jacket is that? There is absolutely no way I’m gonna fit in that thing!”               Don’t worry Gus, you don’t have to. 

 The petite faux suede safari jacket is a very special tailor-made request from @carliekarl. Gus’ neighbor, George, is just the right size for it, and she’s agreed to help model it, so Gus is off the hook. 

 

 

 

Gus Suits up for the Ken Doll Photo Project

Here is my 2nd photo for the #adriandollslifekenchallenge, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Ken doll!! Ken was first introduced as the ideal boyfriend for Barbie. However, it takes a village to make a perfect boyfriend, and Gus, here, is ready to pitch in and give Ken an earful of advice, about what to wear on a romantic date with Barbie. As a model, Gus has had first hand experience with all sorts of outfits, and he’s got plenty to say, on the topic of style! The February #adriandollslifekenchallenge theme is “the perfect boyfriend.”

The Ken 60th Anniversary Project

Miniature instagramer, @adrian.dollslife, created a monthly photo challenge, celebrating Ken’s 60th anniversary. This is my first photo for the #adriandollslifekenchallenge! With it’s flowing script and jaunty tilt, the iconic Ken insignia is a lot like Ken himself; compact, dashing, versatile, and timeless! Here, Gus is putting on his Ken high-tops, featuring the elegant little signature on each ankle. The January theme is “Hi! My name is Ken.”