Famous faces show up at Moscow doll show

Published 12 October, 2007, 11:24

Dollmakers in Russia find inspiration everywhere. It doesn't matter whether you're the Russian President or a billionaire oligarch. If they have a mind to make you in miniature, that's what will happen. And some of the best have been on show at the annual International Doll Salon in Moscow.

Billionaire owner of Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich, may not be too happy with his likeness. He's been made to resemble a popular character from Russian literature, known for his slyness. The scarf and the hat are the tell-tale clues.

But Abramovich is only one among hundreds of exhibits at the doll show which has opened in Moscow.  It is the annual gathering of the world's best doll makers, and the collectors who are willing to spend thousands on their hand-made designs.

With 52 exhibitors from Russia and Europe, and collectors from all across Russia, it's a doll fair not to be missed.

Russian designers predominate and have a wide variety of dolls on offer.

One of the most unusual projects presented at this year's fair is quite traditional in appearance.

Mooqla is a type of doll that represents boarding-school girls. Each one has an intriguing

background story and sports looks and clothes some may find unsuitable for a fourteen-year-old.  All the girls are fat-lipped – implying they've had implants, or “mooqlas”.  The word is Russian slang word for women who've had cosmetic enhancement.

The prices vary from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the doll's size.

There are not just dollmakers at the fair.

Bob Davis and his Russian wife Tanya have traveled from Manchester in the UK, bringing with them not only rare dolls, but spare parts.

“Moscow women are very knowledgeable about these dolls. They know what they want to see, to buy. And they buy with passion! Some are in tears because of not buying something – that wouldn't happen in Britain!” Bob Davis said.

discuss it