Sonia Ottolini. A Mid Century Modern Fashion Doll Documentary from Milan, Italy
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- čas přidán 30. 09. 2019
- Sonia Ottolini. A Mid Century Modern Fashion Doll Documentary from Milan, Italy
Sonia Ottolini’s figure is shapely, with elegant limbs and hands. The doll has high heels that are molded in the manner of Bild Lilli, with holes in the soles of her feet to allow for a stand. The original stand is off-white, circular plastic with a central prong to insert into one of the feet. She is an unusual doll from the late 1950s and early 60s, made at the Ottolini factory in Milan, Italy. She was created using mache-plastic, which consists of a light coating of plastic over a papier-mache or cardboard base. This material can resemble celluloid, but it is not so brittle or thin.
Mache-plastic was never used in the USA, but it was a popular material in Europe from the late 1940s to early 60s. The medium was used for a wide range of dolls from high quality to very cheap looking. The Ottolini dolls are at the top end of the scale.
If you are looking to buy these vintage dolls today, they are easier to find in their home market of Italy. But as some were sold internationally, featuring in Toy Trader of 1962, they may occasionally be sourced in Europe and the USA.
These are big dolls! Sonia is 25” tall, and has a passing (though probably not accidental) resemblance to Jacquie Kennedy - except for the striking blue, flirty eyes.
This doll is eminently displayable. The costuming was an important feature - there were tailored sheath dresses, cotton prints, and elegant flowered chiffons, all with an emphasis on chic daywear; shoes were painted in a color to coordinate with the doll’s ensemble. A trademark single row of pearls is a often featured. The dolls were sold wearing a small rectangular gold pin bearing the name ‘Sonia’.
Luckily, for identification purposes, the dolls are marked Ottolini C&D / Mod.Dep / Made in Italy. Human hair wigs were used, usually in shades of blonde or brunette. They were mainly cut in the side-parted, short, sleek style of the 1960s. An exception is the longer-haired black doll, which is a more rare item. This doll is a black-painted version of the white doll, with blue eyes, and a long black wig. She is dressed in a multi-colored skirt of felt strips, a white necklace, matching earrings, and a red vest.
Sonia was sold boxed, as a dressed doll only. Each one was styled with care as a standalone item, with great thought put into the overall look and color scheme. There was no separate wardrobe of clothes available. For the collector this means a representative selection involves amassing a number of these gargantuan beauties. Good luck with finding enough space to display them all. - Krátké a kreslené filmy
Une vidéo très intéressante sur les poupées italiennes. Je les aime beaucoup. J'ai 8 poupées Furga, 1 Cabar et 1 Italo Cremona. Elles est trop belles !
Merci beaucoup! Je suis heureux que vous ayez apprécié la vidéo. Certaines grandes poupées ont été fabriquées dans l'Italie du milieu du siècle. On dirait que vous avez vous-même une belle collection !
Great video, both informative and entertaining. I'd never heard of Sonia before, but I learned so much about her. She has a lovely silhouette that displays her amazing fashions so well. I especially like the fit n flare dresses and the mother of the bride look. I think my tallest doll is around 20" so I can't imagine having several at 25".
Thanks for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Sonia is one of my favorites - this was amongst the earliest of the videos I made. She is the perfect clothes horse, so I’m delighted that you liked her fashions. To say she is statuesque would be an understatement! You need a lot of space (which I haven’t got!) to display these girls. Thank you for writing in!
Love these exquisite dolls!
The Sonia Ottolini dolls are some of my favorites. Thank you for watching the Bold Doll channel - I really appreciate it!
Awesomely pretty doll. Thank you for such a loving and detailed presentation of her. I am knocked out by the elegance and carefully fitted silhouettes.
The shorter Simpatica doll has that problem (as you acknowledge) that drives me crazy in otherwise attractive dolls... arms too long or too short. Sigh. (Or baby hands on a teen doll---beloved Tammy doll of my extreme youth, I'm looking at you.---And oversized heads... uh oh, my brains have wandered into other territory. I must regroup!)
I know toy companies made/make non-great decisions crucially based on economics (die making for vinyl production being so expensive), but still...
Thank you for your considered comments - I really appreciate hearing from you! Sonia is one of my favorites, she has that magical doll-appeal that's elusive and hard to quantify. My only criticism, as a collector, is that they are so big! As ever space is an issue for almost anyone who collects. Your thoughts about mismatched body parts made me laugh! Whenever it's cost versus aesthetics, the latter rarely wins!
Really wonderful, informative and fun video and a great introduction to Sonia Ottolini.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks very much for the feedback - it's much appreciated!
Beautiful video
Thank you! I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it.
Such a beautiful, professional video. I have several Italian made dolls from the 1950’s-60’s. I will look for Sonia! Thank you.
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed it - and appreciate your feedback. Good luck with your hunt for Sonia, she’s a beauty!
Love the beautiful, classy Ottolini dolls.
Thanks very much Sandra. Sonia is a Star!
The narration is great ! Good job
Thanks very much - your positive feedback means a lot! This channel is essentially just me working from a room in the basement. Definitely not glamorous! Words of encouragement help keep me going and are much appreciated.
It's so interesting to find informations about the Ottolini Factory! There are none on the internet, and I've been looking for them for so long. My parents gave me a Toddler Ottolini doll for my birthday, and I was so curious to discover some informations about it!
Glad it was helpful!
Love your editing for real dude its tasteful
Thanks very much - I really appreciate it!
@@BoldDoll please make more videos about dolls! Maybe about uneeda barbie dolls?
@@geminisabah I have a couple more videos in the works - but they do take ages to make. Hopefully something soon, please check back periodically!
So fun to watch I have two Ellen dolls one with orginal dress no pin....
The Ellen dolls are fantastic - and so hard to find. Lucky you! Thanks again for writing in!
Great video! My grandmother had a doll sitting on her bed when I was a very young kid that I was obsessed with. It was from Italy and looked a lot like that blonde clone-ish Sonia with the long flip and bangs. I remember my Grandma would call it 'Tessie' and I wasn't allowed to play with her but I could look at her and brush her hair gently. I wonder if it was that doll in the video?
Thank you so much - I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks too for sharing your story about your grandmother’s doll. Sonia was an expensive, quality purchase even in those days - the Kaysam clones perhaps a little less so. But I’m not surprised her doll was out-of-bounds as a plaything! Thanks for writing in, it’s great to hear from you.
Have you heard of Italocremona Corinne dolls? I would LOVE to see you do a video on her. I collect her and have about 11 of them. She is an absolutely stunning doll made in Italy.
She was produced in the 60’s
Yes, the Italocremona Corinne dolls are lovely - so 1960s. Unfortunately I don't know anyone with a substantial enough collection of them for me to photograph and make a video. Thanks for your comments, Tatum - it's much appreciated!
@@BoldDoll I have an extensive collection if you live in the Boston area! Haha
Hi Tatum,
That would be wonderful - but sadly we’re a bit far away, in San Francisco!
I have been giving this some thought though, and I could probably put something together using the original leaflets and brochures that were used to promote the dolls. Not that I have any of those either (!) but I can see what’s available on eBay and elsewhere.
Thanks for the idea. I’ll let you know if it gets off the ground.
Hi again Tatum, Would you be up for sending me some photos of your Italocremona Corinne dolls to include in a video? I would, of course, include a credit for your images. We can talk directly if you'd like to contact me via the contact form on thebolddoll.com/ Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed the video!
You are welcome my friend, Thank you for the beautiful story and information on this beauty! 💖