A Virtual Editorial

Miniature instagramer, @adrian.dollslife , recently made a pretend magazine cover, featuring Adrian as the cover boy. As a clever touch, he included a bunch of other Instagram accounts in the headlines on the cover, including mine. I was pleasantly surprised to find a headline teasing an article on menswear trends by "@tiny_apparel_and_gus", so I decided to deliver! Here is Gus' first bit of editorial work. It may be a pretend editorial for a pretend magazine, but it was a ton of fun to put together!  

"Gus shows us a few of the biggest trends from the runways for this spring/summer season! A popular look pairs shorts, ending anywhere above the knee, with relaxed oversized tops and rugged sandals. This season, menswear designers are crafting casual comfort with lux textiles and accessories; experimenting with satins, muted florals, and artisanal tie dye. Roomy cargo pockets are being added to a variety of garments, and the adorable bucket hat hasn't lost an ounce of its charm! Continued on page 25."

A Few Favorite Photos

Instagram had a #collectorvscollection challenge this week, and I've decided to put my own spin on it. The "challenge" asked people to create a collage of favorite photos, surrounding a photo of the creator. I decided to use a photo of me sketching, in the center, to give a little behind-the-scenes peek at how I go about planning Gus and Lucian's fashion. I usually start with a few reference photos and my fabrics, and then I do a bunch of rough sketching. Putting my ideas down on paper helps me to edit them, before I move on to pattern drafting. Around the edge are a few of my favorite photos to date. 

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day, to all the fantastic dads!! Gus and his cousin, Lucian are wearing 

@stefanoricciofficial inspired looks today, paying tribute to a design house that celebrates fatherhood with style and charm!

Fabulous Flamingos

Here is Gus, modeling a pair of bespoke swim trunks, designed especially for fellow miniature enthusiast and Ken doll collector, @stovallthedoll! I hand painted each piece of the garment with a flock of wading flamingos, before carefully stitching them together, and lightly working the fabric to soften the acrylic paint. These shorts are inspired by clever @bayahibe.swimwear designs, featuring rows of birds, boats, or buses, across the hip. Below, you can see some behind-the-scenes photos of the shorts in progress.

Here are a couple of fun flamingo facts: did you know that flamingos get their vibrant pink color from the small crustaceans and algae that they eat? Also, A recent study by University of Exeter confirmed that flamingos form long lasting bonds with their friends and family, creating small communities of birds within their larger flocks.

Bespoke Birds: A Wren Family

Miniature enthusiast, @stovallthedoll, created some tiny 1:9 scale wren houses with his 3D printer, so I made him family of wrens that could live in his little birdhouses! I crafted a set of 1:9 scale wrens out of paper, glue, and acrylic paint, with two little wren nests made from faux fur.


The little wren set includes two couples, a nest with eggs, and a nest with three tiny wren chicks.

Merman Swimwear

Miniature photographer, @adrian.dollslife, requested a pair of merman swim trunks, and luckily I had just enough material left from my quarter yard of sea-creature fabric, to make them. Since Adrian has more muscular proportions than Gus, Lucian gets to be the swimsuit model here, for these fun shorts!

Driving!

Good gloves, the right blue jeans, and the smell of fresh-cut hay in the air; Gus is all set to enjoy a quiet country drive with Barry the Hackney pony. 

Here they are, trotting around the ring! Many thanks to @stovallthedoll for Gus and Barry's very sweet set of wheels!

At Home With Gus

Recently, on instagram, @barbiestyle asked: What would Barbie be doing if she were at home in your dollhouse? I know Gus would offer her a comfortable chair to lounge in, and they could talk horses, cars, and fashion, over tall glasses of iced lemonade. Gus here, is making even more progress on his knitting project.

Tissue Paper Dior

I'm asking Gus to model something very avant-garde for a doll clothes making challenge put on by instagram doll enthusiast: @fantasticlifeinplastic. The #crafting4dolls 
virtual event, challenges crafters and collectors to make a complete outfit for a fashion doll using 100% unconventional materials. Right away, the beautiful paper dresses by @jianyang1979, and the transparent fabrics from this season's runway shows came to mind, and I was inspired. I had some white tissue paper on hand, and decided to try and recreate a translucent appliqué look from the Dior Spring/Summer 2020 menswear collection, creating a collage of watercolored tissue paper across the chest, to simulate the stitched layers of dyed chiffon on the original. 

Here is Gus, strutting boldly in his tissue paper Dior jumpsuit! His paper pants were surprisingly durable and flexible, and held up to quite  bit of posing without ripping once!

Merman Fins

For the whole month of May, instagram has an ongoing mermaid theme. The concept was started, a couple of years ago, by a group of cartoonists and illustrators. Now #mermay has taken off, and artists and craftspeople of all kinds are participating in the sub-aquatic theme.  

I kicked off my #mermay themed posts, with a photo of Lucian in his merman swimming trunks. Right away, several requests cam in for merman trunks. I only had enough fabric for a couple pairs, so they are very limited editions. I will have to keep my eyes open for more merman fabric - or maybe custom print some of my own for next year. 

A friend on wanted to make a custom merman doll for #mermay, and asked for tips for making a tail. There aren't many 1:6 scale merman tail sewing patterns out there, so I got inspired, and decided to make a pattern for the etsy shop. 

The finished tail, before decoration, and my color reference betta fish. 

Looking through my scrap box, I found a piece of translucent crinkled synthetic gauze material, and thought it would be perfect for some betta-type fins. With blue spandex for the tail, and a little glitter and paint to decorate the fins, I got to work designing a pattern.

Below, is the finished tail, It is probably one of the most whimsical things I have designed yet, and Gus, here, is modeling it with maximum drama!

Here is another view of Gus, chilling in his merman tail and a 2020 @casablancabrand menswear inspired look; complete with a bucket hat and pearls.

New Coffee Table

Gus has been busy in the workshop, doing a little sawing and sanding. He certainly looks pleased with the result!

Gus' birdhouse wasn't the only thing under construction in the shop yesterday. I built a rustic coffee table out of popsicle sticks, to go with Gus' gray armchair. For Gus, it also doubles as a great spot for glamorous lounging.

BBQ and Bocce! A Memorial Day Doll Party

Getting ready for the Memorial Day Grill n' Chill instagram doll party, hosted by @thelifeofstovall and 

 @dawsondigsdolls! Gus and Lucian are bringing their family's favorite mascarpone cheese tart with fresh berries and mint sprigs!

Bocce, anyone?  Gus and Lucian are having a fantastic time at the BBQ! After digging into some delicious burgers, they created an impromptu Bocce court in one corner of the yard! Many thanks to both the hosts, for planning such a wonderful party!

"Hey, save a little of that for me, Cuz!" Lucian and Gus heard there might be an opportunity to swim at the party, so they came prepared! Gus is starting to wonder, though, if they brought enough sunscreen for both of them. Their Memorial Day swimwear has a touch of red, white, and blue, to honor those who have been lost in service; the people, the dogs, the pigeons, and the horses.

Armchair Traveler

Light casual layers are perfect for travel, and Gus is all ready to explore the world - from the comfort of his armchair. With the help of the internet, and the tap of a finger, Gus can tour gardens, admire brilliant architecture, and catch a horserace or two, around the globe!

Gus' button-up, crew neck, and jacket are all made using patterns in the shop.