Mauro Marchetti Francie
Image by Tinker*Tailor loves Lalka
Mauro Marchetti is... a vintage doll customizer who began the art of customizing about 7 years ago. He lives and works as a free-lance graphic and web designer and has been collecting the vintage Barbie® doll and family since the end of 1993.
His inspiration was Mikelman whose dolls he discovered in several 1992 back issues of Barbie Bazaar© magazine. "The look of those dolls were so 'Vintage Mattel', exclaims Mauro. This is what he used to call the modern dolls which capture the feel of the early Mattel-produced vintage dolls. These early dolls were made in Japan during the golden years of 1959 thru 1971. Mauro tries to recreate this same look on vintage dolls found in bad condition. When he first started, the nostalgic repro dolls weren't yet available, but the "bargain basement" dolls, luckily, were more affordable and easy to find.
Mauro has several other items of inspiration. Many derive from the vintage dolls and accompanying fashions. "I love the great details of the fashions and accessories used with both the Classic and Mod dolls." tells Mauro. He is also inspired by characters from movies or fairy tales. Such inspired fairy tales are Alice in Wonderland©, Peter Pan©, Little Red Riding Hood© and Jessica Rabbit®.
When asked, "What type of a background do you have that may have added to your skill as a customizer?" Mauro answered, "Well, I must confess I never studied fashion or other disciplines involving fashion, beauty or the like."
Besides working as a graphic designer, Mauro also has a few hobbies including model building, miniatures and dollhouses. Another talent of our fine artist is making accessories using polymer clays, cast resins or other materials.
One of the many projects in progress include miniature dolls with some boxes of fashions. These fashions will compliment a junior doll on Christmas morning, probably for Tutti® or Kelly®.
I had to ask Mauro one of my favorite questions, "What is your favorite and least favorite part of the customizing process?" Mauro begins, "My favorite part is actually the project itself; finding the right fabric and accessories. Then, when everything is done, assembling the doll and looking at the result." He adds, "While the least favorite is the re-rooting process. That could take lots of hours of work." His most favorite moment is when he looks at the finished doll and knows she is just what he wanted her to be and thereafter he sends one to someone and they return the greatest of compliments.
Mauro's favorite dolls are the ones bearing a vintage head mold with bendable legged bodies. The nostalgic American Girl® repros are an all time favorite. "I like modern bodies with Shani® arms and closed mouths." Fabrics used are chosen to compliment each particular project. Mauro doesn't have a specific style. He likes mostly vintage daywear and also mod outfits. "I don't really like those elaborate ballgowns, too much embroidery and beads", Mauro protests.
Doll shows are an intricate part of Mauro's doll distribution. In the past, dolls were sold at shows in Italy, Germany or France. Now, he started his selling at online auctions. Mauro has been a member of the CustomDolls list at yahoogroups since March 1999. "The best part about belonging to the group is the ability to meet lots of people from all over the world with the same interests, lots of tips and information to share with each other." He also belongs to a Barbie® Collectors' club in Italy founded by many people including Mauro.
What would Mauro like to see in the future of customizing fashion dolls? Well lets just ask. "I would like to see Mattel start to sell a DIY (design it yourself) doll. Imagine this: A blank box that one could customize. Inside the box is a nostalgic American Girl® repro or a nostalgic TnT® repro with the correct length arms." Mauro continues, "The doll would have a blank face and a head without rooted hair or hair holes. Every customizer could buy LOTS of these dolls at a very affordable price and can paint the faces, root the hair and design the costumes."
To see more of Mauro's dolls on his website, click here: web.tiscali.it/meandmydolls/
Email Mauro at memyd@tin.it
Interview found online here:
rebeccachulew.com/mauro/mauro.html
Mauro Marchetti Francie
Image by Tinker*Tailor loves Lalka
Mauro Marchetti is...a vintage doll customizer who began the art of customizing about 7 years ago. He lives and works as a free-lance graphic and web designer and has been collecting the vintage Barbie® doll and family since the end of 1993.
His inspiration was Mikelman whose dolls he discovered in several 1992 back issues of Barbie Bazaar© magazine. "The look of those dolls were so 'Vintage Mattel', exclaims Mauro. This is what he used to call the modern dolls which capture the feel of the early Mattel-produced vintage dolls. These early dolls were made in Japan during the golden years of 1959 thru 1971. Mauro tries to recreate this same look on vintage dolls found in bad condition. When he first started, the nostalgic repro dolls weren't yet available, but the "bargain basement" dolls, luckily, were more affordable and easy to find.
Mauro has several other items of inspiration. Many derive from the vintage dolls and accompanying fashions. "I love the great details of the fashions and accessories used with both the Classic and Mod dolls." tells Mauro. He is also inspired by characters from movies or fairy tales. Such inspired fairy tales are Alice in Wonderland©, Peter Pan©, Little Red Riding Hood© and Jessica Rabbit®.
When asked, "What type of a background do you have that may have added to your skill as a customizer?" Mauro answered, "Well, I must confess I never studied fashion or other disciplines involving fashion, beauty or the like."
Besides working as a graphic designer, Mauro also has a few hobbies including model building, miniatures and dollhouses. Another talent of our fine artist is making accessories using polymer clays, cast resins or other materials.
One of the many projects in progress include miniature dolls with some boxes of fashions. These fashions will compliment a junior doll on Christmas morning, probably for Tutti® or Kelly®.
I had to ask Mauro one of my favorite questions, "What is your favorite and least favorite part of the customizing process?" Mauro begins, "My favorite part is actually the project itself; finding the right fabric and accessories. Then, when everything is done, assembling the doll and looking at the result." He adds, "While the least favorite is the re-rooting process. That could take lots of hours of work." His most favorite moment is when he looks at the finished doll and knows she is just what he wanted her to be and thereafter he sends one to someone and they return the greatest of compliments.
Mauro's favorite dolls are the ones bearing a vintage head mold with bendable legged bodies. The nostalgic American Girl® repros are an all time favorite. "I like modern bodies with Shani® arms and closed mouths." Fabrics used are chosen to compliment each particular project. Mauro doesn't have a specific style. He likes mostly vintage daywear and also mod outfits. "I don't really like those elaborate ballgowns, too much embroidery and beads", Mauro protests.
Doll shows are an intricate part of Mauro's doll distribution. In the past, dolls were sold at shows in Italy, Germany or France. Now, he started his selling at online auctions. Mauro has been a member of the CustomDolls list at yahoogroups since March 1999. "The best part about belonging to the group is the ability to meet lots of people from all over the world with the same interests, lots of tips and information to share with each other." He also belongs to a Barbie® Collectors' club in Italy founded by many people including Mauro.
What would Mauro like to see in the future of customizing fashion dolls? Well lets just ask. "I would like to see Mattel start to sell a DIY (design it yourself) doll. Imagine this: A blank box that one could customize. Inside the box is a nostalgic American Girl® repro or a nostalgic TnT® repro with the correct length arms." Mauro continues, "The doll would have a blank face and a head without rooted hair or hair holes. Every customizer could buy LOTS of these dolls at a very affordable price and can paint the faces, root the hair and design the costumes."
To see more of Mauro's dolls on his website, click here: web.tiscali.it/meandmydolls/
Email Mauro at memyd@tin.it
Interview found online here:
rebeccachulew.com/mauro/mauro.html
Mauro Marchetti Francie
Image by Tinker*Tailor loves Lalka
Mauro Marchetti is... a vintage doll customizer who began the art of customizing about 7 years ago. He lives and works as a free-lance graphic and web designer and has been collecting the vintage Barbie® doll and family since the end of 1993.
His inspiration was Mikelman whose dolls he discovered in several 1992 back issues of Barbie Bazaar© magazine. "The look of those dolls were so 'Vintage Mattel', exclaims Mauro. This is what he used to call the modern dolls which capture the feel of the early Mattel-produced vintage dolls. These early dolls were made in Japan during the golden years of 1959 thru 1971. Mauro tries to recreate this same look on vintage dolls found in bad condition. When he first started, the nostalgic repro dolls weren't yet available, but the "bargain basement" dolls, luckily, were more affordable and easy to find.
Mauro has several other items of inspiration. Many derive from the vintage dolls and accompanying fashions. "I love the great details of the fashions and accessories used with both the Classic and Mod dolls." tells Mauro. He is also inspired by characters from movies or fairy tales. Such inspired fairy tales are Alice in Wonderland©, Peter Pan©, Little Red Riding Hood© and Jessica Rabbit®.
When asked, "What type of a background do you have that may have added to your skill as a customizer?" Mauro answered, "Well, I must confess I never studied fashion or other disciplines involving fashion, beauty or the like."
Besides working as a graphic designer, Mauro also has a few hobbies including model building, miniatures and dollhouses. Another talent of our fine artist is making accessories using polymer clays, cast resins or other materials.
One of the many projects in progress include miniature dolls with some boxes of fashions. These fashions will compliment a junior doll on Christmas morning, probably for Tutti® or Kelly®.
I had to ask Mauro one of my favorite questions, "What is your favorite and least favorite part of the customizing process?" Mauro begins, "My favorite part is actually the project itself; finding the right fabric and accessories. Then, when everything is done, assembling the doll and looking at the result." He adds, "While the least favorite is the re-rooting process. That could take lots of hours of work." His most favorite moment is when he looks at the finished doll and knows she is just what he wanted her to be and thereafter he sends one to someone and they return the greatest of compliments.
Mauro's favorite dolls are the ones bearing a vintage head mold with bendable legged bodies. The nostalgic American Girl® repros are an all time favorite. "I like modern bodies with Shani® arms and closed mouths." Fabrics used are chosen to compliment each particular project. Mauro doesn't have a specific style. He likes mostly vintage daywear and also mod outfits. "I don't really like those elaborate ballgowns, too much embroidery and beads", Mauro protests.
Doll shows are an intricate part of Mauro's doll distribution. In the past, dolls were sold at shows in Italy, Germany or France. Now, he started his selling at online auctions. Mauro has been a member of the CustomDolls list at yahoogroups since March 1999. "The best part about belonging to the group is the ability to meet lots of people from all over the world with the same interests, lots of tips and information to share with each other." He also belongs to a Barbie® Collectors' club in Italy founded by many people including Mauro.
What would Mauro like to see in the future of customizing fashion dolls? Well lets just ask. "I would like to see Mattel start to sell a DIY (design it yourself) doll. Imagine this: A blank box that one could customize. Inside the box is a nostalgic American Girl® repro or a nostalgic TnT® repro with the correct length arms." Mauro continues, "The doll would have a blank face and a head without rooted hair or hair holes. Every customizer could buy LOTS of these dolls at a very affordable price and can paint the faces, root the hair and design the costumes."
To see more of Mauro's dolls on his website, click here: web.tiscali.it/meandmydolls/
Email Mauro at memyd@tin.it
Interview found online here:
rebeccachulew.com/mauro/mauro.html
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