Damned Dollies

Aviator Tee

admin — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:31:00 +0000

When I first discovered this t-shirt, I was pleasantly surprised. I have to say, though, I was a little taken aback with the color. It is not something I would normally choose to wear. I usually go for more formal colors in whites, blacks and muted shades. I immediately put it on to test it for form, shape and length. It was marked a large, but it felt like a small to medium on my frame. I was a little disappointed with that.

I did, however, study the amusing scene trailing across the upper right shoulder of the garment. It features a girl flying a plane. She looks melancholy, with a cigarette hanging from her mouth. A scarf of stripes flies in the wind behind her. There are birds flying all around the plane. The plane itself is bright red, which really catches your eye. She has on a cute little jacket, emblazoned with a red crest, and a little cap and jacket to finish the ensemble.

On a positive note, it felt good on and, upon further inspection, was actually made of 100% cotton, which is great because we all know that cotton breathes. The washing instructions were simple and required just a warm wash and tumble dry. This is certainly an easy garment to care for, which is always a plus considering our hectic lives. After wearing it for a while, it remained comfortable on the skin, and I like the shorter sleeve length.

I would say that other than the fit and the color, this is a good little tee. It is fun and vibrant with a sense of whimsy, which we can all use from time to time.

Written by: Amber Whitman-Currier, July 17th 2007

Barfing Girl Tote

admin — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:00:00 +0000

Damned Dollies

I've been collecting tote bags for years, long before they were available in bright patterns at Old Navy and Urban Outfitters. As with many accessories, there are those of us who wear belts to keep our pants up, and those of us who wear belts to show that we're aware of the latest trend. I am of the utilitarian camp, and so, I expect a tote-bag to be strong and durable. I want to take it to the Farmer's Market and stuff it full of greens, peppers and a bottle of water for the road. I, then, want to visit a garage sale and know that I can stretch the tote bag to squeeze in a new hoodie. Unfortunately, ironic design aside, Damned Dollies' Barfing Girl Tote lacks in the strong and durable department.

The fabric of the tote is thin, like a pillowcase fabric, not the strong canvas I've come to expect in a tote. Another complaint is that the overall size of the tote is rather small. It is a tote to carry for a night on the town. It is meant for the hip girl who prefers a tote with an ironic image of a little girl puking to a couture handbag made of dead animals. So, while I'm not a huge fan of the tote, I do think I'd like some of the other products on Dana De Kuyper's Damned Dollies website, like the coinpurse or one of her handmade original dolls. Also, I think it is great that we live in a world where women can hand-make artsy items and sell them on the internet and through small boutiques. So, if you like adorable references to either bulimia or the stomach flu, you prefer to buy handmade items and you want a nice, small, lightweight tote, then this is the bag for you.

Written by: Ailecia Ruscin, July 9th 2007

Ginger Brooch

admin — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:28:00 +0000

By Damned Dollies

Ugly yet endearing, the Damned Dollies brooches have that freak chic element that appeals to the fourteen-year-old goth girl inside all of us. Approximately two inches tall, the handmade brooches are big enough to make a fashion statement yet small enough not to hinder regular movement and can be secured easily to a bag or jacket. As the Damned Dollies website claims, I received a brooch similar to, but not exactly like, the model shown online. The online version of the Ginger Brooch featured a red-haired doll with a white top and pink patterned skirt. The Ginger Brooch I received had black hair with a pink top and black skirt. Same style, different colors. As promised though, the angry expression painted on the doll’s face was identical to the one online. The website claims that while many of the brooches are similar, no two are alike, making each brooch unique. Perfect if you’re into one-of-a-kind pieces, but if you’re picky about colors, then this probably isn’t the accessory for you. I fastened the brooch to the outside of my purse and was pleased with how well it held up. After a few weeks of being exposed to the elements and bounced around my car, the only visible damage to the doll was some slight mussing of its hair. The Damned Dollies brooches are available online and at various stores in Canada and the United States.

Written by: Victoria Kroeger, June 28th 2007