The
Sybarite is a 16 inch
resinResin is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. It is valued for its chemical constituents and uses, such as varnishes and adhesives, as an important source of raw materials for organic synthesis, or for incense and perfume. Fossilized resins are the source of amber...
artist-doll created by London artists Desmond Lingard and Charles Fegen in 2005.
Sybarite dolls are fully articulated
mannequinA mannequin is an often articulated doll used by artists, tailors, dressmakers, and others especially to display or fit clothing. During the 1950s, mannequins were also used in nuclear tests to help illustrate the effects of nuclear weapons on human beings...
-like dolls and have appeared in several fashion trades (French Revue des Modes, Style.com, Women's Wear Daily). HauteDoll features Sybarites on the Covers of their magazines.
The designers work under the "Superdoll" moniker and produce the dolls for a collector market.
The
Sybarite is a 16 inch
resinResin is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. It is valued for its chemical constituents and uses, such as varnishes and adhesives, as an important source of raw materials for organic synthesis, or for incense and perfume. Fossilized resins are the source of amber...
artist-doll created by London artists Desmond Lingard and Charles Fegen in 2005.
Sybarite dolls are fully articulated
mannequinA mannequin is an often articulated doll used by artists, tailors, dressmakers, and others especially to display or fit clothing. During the 1950s, mannequins were also used in nuclear tests to help illustrate the effects of nuclear weapons on human beings...
-like dolls and have appeared in several fashion trades (French Revue des Modes, Style.com, Women's Wear Daily). HauteDoll features Sybarites on the Covers of their magazines.
The designers work under the "Superdoll" moniker and produce the dolls for a collector market. Previous to artist dolls, Fegen worked in the fashion industry as a clothing designer.
Early dolls were handmade in London by Lingard and Fegen in their workshop. As the dolls went into the mainstream market,
manufacturing moved to ChinaMade in China is a mark affixed to products manufactured in the People's Republic of China, specifically mainland China. While Hong Kong and Macau are special administrative regions of China, most products made in those regions are labeled as "Made in Hong Kong" and "Made in Macau", respectively...
.
The dolls have 17 points of articulation, and have strung bodies similar to the
Super Dollfie, often abbreviated SD, is a brand of ball-jointed doll, or BJD, made by the Japanese company Volks. They are cast in polyurethane resin, a porcelain-like, hard, dense plastic. The most common standard models are about 60cm, or 2 feet, tall, taller and heavier than most comparable Western dolls...
dolls from Japan. The Sybarite doll was introduced shortly after Asian
ball-jointed dollA ball-jointed doll is any doll that is articulated with ball and socket joints. In contemporary usage when referring to modern dolls, and particularly when using the acronyms BJD or ABJD, it usually refers to modern Asian ball-jointed dolls. These are cast in polyurethane resin, a hard, dense...
s were gaining popularity, but differ in that they are high fashion mannequins versus the Asian ball-jointed dolls'
animeis animation originating in Japan. The world outside Japan regards anime as "Japanese animation". Anime originated about 1917.Anime, like manga , has a large audience in Japan and high recognition throughout the world...
inspired childlike quality.
In 2007, a Sybarite doll appeared in the audience at a Dior
CoutureCouture is the name or part of the name of several communes in France:*Couture, in the Charente département*Couture-d'Argenson, in the Deux-Sèvres département*Couture-sur-Loir, in the Loir-et-Cher département-See also:...
fashion show.
A seat had been purchased for the doll to sit in. Lingard and Fegen are known for their lavish publicity stunts. The dolls were also exhibited at Jeffrey New York in an "all white collection", including a "
razor bladeRazor blade may refer to* A razor* The Razor Blade, a 1920s racing car* Razor blade steel, a type of steel originally designed specifically for razor blades...
dress", suggesting a very controversial cocaine theme.
In March 2008, the BBC aired a segment on Fegen and Lingard claiming the duo's handmade creations are treated with "the reverence normally reserved for catwalk fashion". BBC's David Harper accompanied Fegen and Lingard to Paris where the 2008 Collection, entitled "War+Peace", was shown at a private 16th century residence. Fegen explained some of the ideas behind his collections such as red and white polka dot shoes representing "magic mushrooms for breakfast", and showed costumes featuring tiny bullets which were actually miniature lipsticks. At the end of the BBC segment, David Harper stated that one of a kind handmade studio Sybarites have been purchased for up to $20,000 to $40,000 USD. Collectors were interviewed but would not discuss pricing with the BBC. At the Paris showing, the purchase of a two doll set required a signed contract stipulating owners could not discuss pricing or sell their dolls for 3 years.
Sybarite Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MwuVJ3skbQ BBC London: Inside Out Feature on Sybarites (March 28, 2008)]