| Clothes Make the Vogue Dolls |
| Written by Judith Izen |
| Saturday, 01 October 2005 00:00 |
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Ginny’s originator, Jennie H. Graves, founder of the Vogue Doll Company, introduced Ginny’s baby sister, Ginnette, in 1955. Ginnette was an all vinyl doll; she was the same size as Ginny but featured curved legs and arms. A drink-and-wet doll, Ginnette is marked “VOGUE DOLLS INC” on her back. Like Ginny, Ginnette had many outfits that could be purchased separately. Among her ensembles were adorable baby rompers, snowsuits, overalls and party dresses. Grave’s daughter, Virginia Graves Carlson (for whom Ginny was named), designed all the outfits for both Ginny and Ginnette. In 1957, the Vogue beauties welcomed Ginny’s teenage sister into the family fold. Hard plastic, 10½-inch Jill became nearly as popular as Ginny and is still sought-after by today’s collectors. Little girls, crazy about Jill’s fabulous teenage wardrobe and accessories, loved imagining themselves as a sophisticated teenage girl with fancy outfits and accessories. Jill, a walker with knees that bent, was produced with blonde, brunette or auburn color hair in either an angle cut or ponytail saran hairstyle. Jill, who featured pierced ears, could even wear earrings. Jill, who came marked “VOGUE” on the head and “JILL/VOGUE DOLLS/ INC/MADE IN USA/C 1957” on the back, had wonderful teenage outfits such as “Record Hop,” blue jeans, a hostess outfit of velveteen slim-Jim pants with cummerbund, a rodeo outfit complete with gun in holster, prom gowns and a Dynel evening stole. Accessories, which could be bought separately, included nylon stockings, a panty girdle and bra (in black or white), jewelry and hatboxes. These well-made items were a delight in their fashion style and attention to detail. Carlson and Joan Cornett, who joined Vogue in 1957, designed Jill’s clothing. That very year they planned over 100 outfits for Ginny and her family, complete with matching hats, gloves, shoes and socks.
Vogue added two new family members in 1958. Jimmy, Ginny’s baby brother—a Ginnette doll dressed in boy’s clothing—and Jeff, Ginny’s big brother. Many of Jimmy’s outfits matched Ginnette’s clothes. (Ginnette’s blue overalls had ruffles on them whereas Jimmy’s didn’t.) Since he was not as successful as Ginnette, Jimmy was manufactured only for one year. Jeff, the teenage boy doll, has a somewhat indefinite position in Ginny’s family. Jeff, an 11-inch vinyl doll with jointed neck, and arms and legs, was marketed as either Jill’s boyfriend or Ginny’s brother. Jeff’s ambiguous position in the Ginny family perhaps represents Graves’ intention that he serves multiple play options for children. Jeff has black painted molded hair and is marked “VOGUE” on his head and “VOGUE DOLLS” on his back. Jeff also sported outfits that matched those of Ginny and other family members; among the ensembles were a rodeo get-up and a skating outfit. His current interest to collectors is that he completes the Ginny family. Vogue wasn’t done introducing friends and family for Ginny. In 1959, the company released Jan, an all vinyl 10 ½-inch teenage doll with a swivel waist. Meant as a friend for Jill, Jan wore Jill’s clothing. Vogue went on to add a line of dolls in 1960 called Ginny’s Impish Cousins—Brikette, Li’l Imp and Wee Imp (really an eight-inch Ginny with a bright orange wig and freckles). Li’l Imp and Wee Imp’s clothes matched one another’s, but not those of the outfits of the rest of the Ginny line. Vogue always used high-quality fabrics for their clothing such as printed and polished cotton, felt, waffle piqué, brocade, velveteen, taffeta and cotton knits on their dolls’ clothing. The clothing was always finely finished with lace borders and trimmings. The dolls all sported hats with most of their outfits. And it didn’t stop at clothing. Ginny, Ginnette and Jill had matching furniture and accessories too— wardrobe closets, chests of drawers and vanity tables (Ginny’s furniture was pink; Jill’s was lime green, and Ginnette’s was white with a pastel animal motif). Ginny and Jill even had matching jewelry. Ginny’s jewelry was plastic but little girls could pretend that the various colored necklaces and bracelets were real emeralds and rubies. Jill however had “real” rhinestone, pearl and colored stone jewelry. Ginny and Jill even had matching eyeglasses and pocketbooks. Everything a doll—and her owner—would ever need to play dress-up. To learn more about Ginny, Jill, Ginnette and the entire Vogue Doll family, see Judith Izen’s Collector’s Encyclopedia of Vogue Dolls.
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I too just fell in love with Jill this year and have collected the 57-59 year era dolls and clothes. Alot of the dolls needed repair especially the knees and arms. I can not find any info about how she is put together so i can work on her hips and knees. can anyone help?
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Jill fans are invited to visit my educationial web site that has pictures of every outfit and accessory for Jill, Jan and Jeff, voguejill.com
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This is for the first comment, Audrey Williams, is there a way to forward this to her?
I have A LOT of clothes for Ginny, I am listing them on Ebay. My ebay user name is cs32cj23 contact me via email or on ebay. Id be happy to send you pics. I also have beds, and a dresser and wardrobe closet for sale. Looking forward to hearing from you craig This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ...
I recently found a doll from my sister's childhood. It has baby Ginny and vogue dolls marked on the back of her head, painted hair, sleep eyes, and it 11" tall (if I am measuring correctly). I am trying to find clothing for her! She came in a white furry, red velvet -trimmed 'sack' with matching jacket and used to have a bottle (drink/wet). Any ideas where to look and any information on the doll would be very much appreciated by me and me little Lily, who has fallen in love with her not-so-new dolly (she's 15 months old).
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