Sybarite (fashion doll)

The Sybarite is a unique 16 inch resin artist-doll created by London artists Desmond Lingard and Charles Fegen in 2005. Sybarite dolls are fully articulated mannequin-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 China.

The dolls have 17 points of articulation, and have strung bodies similar to the popular Super Dollfies from Japan. The Sybarite doll was introduced shortly after Asian ball-jointed dolls were gaining popularity, but differ in that they are high fashion mannequins versus the Asian ball-jointed dolls' anime inspired childlike quality.

In 2007, a Sybarite doll appeared in the audience at a Dior Couture 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 blade 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)]

References

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2008/03/27/insideout_280308_feature.shtml BBC London: Inside Out, "Guys and Dolls" . (March 28, 2008). BBC Television.]
* [http://www.style.com/trends/blogs/style_file/2007/08/guys-and-dolls.html Nancy MacDonnell "Guys and Dolls". (August 1st, 2007). Style.com.]
*Beth Losier, "Super Obsession with Superdoll". (June/July issue, 2006). [http://www.hautedoll.com Haute Doll Magazine] .
*Charles Fegen, "Ban the Hunt Not My Lifestyle", (November/December issue 2007) [http://www.hautedoll.com Haute Doll Magazine] .
*"Fashion Scoops: Adult Education... Dressing Hillary... Kimora Lee In L.A." March 20, 2007. [http://www.wwd.com Women's Wear Daily]