28/12/2012
A DOLL A DAY
BEFORE CHRISTMAS
JOYCE collaborates with French maison On Aura Tout Vu to create a line of one of a kind collectable porcelain dolls that will make the perfect gift for fans and collectors. The design duo behind the brand talks to us about the project at their atelier in Paris.
The On Aura Tout Vu atelier is tucked away behind the very elegant Palais Royal. Hidden behind an understated wood door, lies a magical world (On Aura Tout Vu translates as “You Think You’ve Seen it All,” in English) full of glitter, sparkles, sequins and jewels. At the centre of it all are the design duo behind these fantastical creations, Yassen Samouillov and Livia Stoianova.
“The couture worn by these dolls is exactly the same as the couture we make in real life. It’s just a miniature version. Everything is made by hand and we apply the same technique of couture onto the dolls’ clothes,” explains Samouillov.
Samouillov and Stoianova worked in accessories with many great couturiers including Lacroix, Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent before launching their own haute couture, ready-to-wear and accessories label. Each design, be it a haute couture dress or evening clutch, is a considered a work of art. Made from various fabrics, objects and colours colliding together, everything is injected with “magical dust” in the form of sparkles and sequins. So when JOYCE invited On Aura Tout Vu to collaborate with us on an exclusive project, the results were whimsical, fantastical and magical.
“When JOYCE approached us we wanted to do something very special, something that we have never seen,” Stoianova says.
The result is a collection called A Doll A Day featuring 35 unique dolls inspired by film, music and fashion icons, from past to present and West to East, such as Amy Winehouse, Audrey Hepburn, Bjork, Beyonce, Coco Chanel, Christina Aguilera, David Bowie, Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Rihanna and Hong Kong pop stars Faye Wong and Sammi Cheng. Measuring just 14 inches tall, each doll comes dressed in custom made couture clothing.
“The couture worn by these dolls is exactly the same as the couture we make in real life. It’s just a miniature version. Everything is made by hand and we apply the same technique of couture onto the dolls’ clothes,” explains Samouillov.
“Each doll takes about five days to make. They are really unique and exceptional, not just the couture worn by the dolls but we also do their hair and makeup,” adds Stoianova.
So what part did they most enjoy when creating these wonderful works of art?
“In real life we can’t do our client’s hair and makeup but on the dolls we can,” Stoianova says smiling.
While owning a piece of couture is intangible for most lovers, a unique couture doll is definitely an easier way to add a bit of magic to your everyday life.
The first 30 dolls represent a day in December and are sold with a birth certificate bearing their name and date of birth. The collection also includes five mystery dolls which are sold in specially sealed boxes. These are original designs that embody On Aura Tout Vu’s most creative spirit. Upon the purchase of a mystery doll, you are gifted with a book which comprises the exhibition hosted by On Aura Tout Vu in the New National Museum of Monaco in France. The exhibition encompassed fashion, art and also handmade porcelain doll by On Aura Tout Vu.
The dolls are priced at HK$3,950 each and will go on sale on November 14th at an exclusive pop up area in JOYCE.
