French Doll Artist Marie Lemmet Delivers Distinctive BJDs
By Wil Peterson
Uniqueness, diversity, and French flair to spare are hallmarks of YouplaDolls. For owner and designer Marie Lemmet, these elements are nonnegotiable directives that set her ball-jointed doll beauties apart from other resin releases.
Faces and vibes differ dramatically between the YouplaDoll characters. Some are sweet, and others are sultry. One is pensive, while another is playful. All of them showcase the inspiration and signature style informing Lemmet’s creative process. Walking the line between innocence and allure is a constant balancing act that requires subtlety and skill to yield artistic excellence.
“YouplaDolls is my small, artisanal business, a project that is very close to my heart. I take great pride in creating a unique aesthetic that reflects my personal vision, influenced by my experiences and my French culture,” Lemmet said. “With my own style, I strive to highlight the diversity that surrounds us. The world is vast, and every person — with their story and uniqueness — is an endless source of inspiration. It’s hard to run out of creativity when you take the time to observe the world around you. I hope this vision is reflected in each of my dolls and that each one tells a unique story. They certainly do for me.”
Based on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, YouplaDolls is known for its 15.75-inch and 22.84-inch resin BJDs, which Lemmet designs in her home studio. Realistic facial features and physical flexibility are priorities for the artist, whose current body design includes 21 points of articulation.
Lemmet said, “Understanding the mechanics of joints is definitely a challenge. Knees and elbows are the most complex parts for me, because they require a balance between aesthetics, stability, and mobility. Sometimes, you have a precise idea in mind, but it doesn’t always work out as planned. In such cases, aesthetic compromises are necessary to ensure good posability. However, aesthetics shouldn’t be sacrificed entirely for the sake of articulation, as that could diminish the creative essence. It’s all about finding the right balance. I spent weeks perfecting the knees of my doll bodies, and nothing makes me happier than hearing from clients who are delighted with their doll’s stability.”
A background focused on 3D models provided Lemmet’s foundation for crafting dolls. After receiving a master’s degree in graphic design from LISAA Paris, she spent several years working in the video game industry. She said, “It was a job I absolutely loved. I specialized in creating 3D characters, which, in retrospect, wasn’t so different from designing dolls. Afterward, I returned to a more traditional 2D graphic design role for a while. My journey into the world of dolls began when I started collecting Disney’s Frozen limited-edition dolls. One thing led to another, and I discovered the art of doll customization, which ultimately led me to BJDs.”
Through trial and error, Lemmet gradually learned how to paint face-ups on her dolls and eventually began accepting commissions. In 2015, she made a fateful decision that had life-altering repercussions. “Around that time, 3D printers became more accessible to individuals,” she said. “Since I already had expertise in 3D modeling — something I had been missing — I challenged myself to create a BJD from scratch. I haven’t stopped since. This also happened during a time in my life when I felt the need for a professional change and wanted to become more independent. Everything fell into place at the right moment.”
Part of Lemmet’s 2015 career transition involved launching YouplaDolls (a nod to her longtime nickname, Youpla) and her debut character, Zopa. She quickly became determined to learn every aspect of operating a successful, one-person business. A decade later, her process involves designing each doll via digital modeling, testing the results on a 3D printer, and ordering a high-quality print from a professional company. Sanding and refining the print follows, prior to resin casting by a partner factory. Finishing steps range from completing the face-up to taking promotional photos for the preorder launch.
“When I create a full doll, I have to go through these steps for every single body part. On top of that, I need to ensure that the joints function as intended – which never happens on the first try!” said Lemmet, who usually sources wigs, clothing, and accessories. “There’s a French expression that says, ‘The perfect is the enemy of the good.’ How many times have I tried to improve something, only to end up ruining it, whether it’s a piece or a face-up. It’s important to be a perfectionist, but sometimes, you need to know when to stop. Otherwise, you risk not making progress, or even going backward.”
Lemmet is excited that YouplaDolls has multiple developments on the impending-release horizon and said, “I’ve been working on a 45 cm (17.72 inches) boy for a while. He’s not ready yet, but he will be coming in 2025 — with a new body and several expressions for the same face. Otherwise, I already have a new 40 cm (15.75 inches) doll ready, which I will be showing soon, along with other surprises.”
Meanwhile, Lemmet is eager to have personal contact with as many collectors and fellow artists as possible. “What I learned, too, is that doll events are essential for me — not only as opportunities to connect with my clients but also as a source of motivation and inspiration for my creative work,” she said. “Engaging with people in person, receiving direct feedback, and sharing my passion in a tangible way are aspects that fuel my artistic progress. Without these interactions, I felt a certain disconnect, both professionally and creatively. These events made it clear just how much they contribute to my growth, pushing me to innovate and evolve in my craft.”
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