mademoiselle blythe

I discovered Romina‘s talent with the Blythe Beauty Contest 2009. Her custom doll “Arctic Victoria” won the third price, and that success was so well deserved as her creative skills are incredible! Romina is celebrating I HAVE WINGS 6-Year anniversary this month, and I am amazed at how she developed her style into something so unique and immediately recognizable. Congratulations, Romina!

Photo: Ihavewings. Romina

Hi Romina! Can you introduce yourself?

I am Romina from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I’m 32 years old. I consider myself a city girl but I dream about living in the suburbs or the countryside in the future. I am tired of cement, buildings and noise!

I have a degree in Film Making, although I worked in that area very few times. I took a second degree in Graphic Design but I didn’t finish it! I also took courses in Fashion design, pattern drafting, History of Fashion & Fashion Editorial. All this has been very helpful with my doll creations. I work as an illustrator/graphic designer, scenery and costume designer for theater, comic lettering and I HAVE WINGS.

Photos and sketches: Ihavewings. Sketches for June and July 2010.

I consider myself a happy person, optimistic and creative. I am sociable but being raised a single child, I enjoy time on my own and I sometimes feel awkward with people. I find it really hard to make small talk but I enjoy a good conversation.

How and when did you discover Blythe?

I discovered Blythe in January 2004, flipping a Japanese magazine (Gothic&Lolita Bible). I instantly fell in love and conveniently my husband was in Tokyo at that time, so he bought me my first: Velvet Minuet.

Gothic & Lolita Bible.

How many Blythe dolls do you have in your own collection?

I have 16 Blythes. I had more some time ago, but sold almost half of my collection to be able to travel to Tokyo for the Blythe Beauty Contest in 2009. I don’t regret it, but I do miss them.

Photos: Ihavewings (left) and Natsuko (right). “Arctic Victoria” at the Blythe Beauty Contest 2009 in Tokyo.

I now have 2 SBLs, 5 EBLs and 9 RBLs. Some of them have slight customizations made by me.

What kind of dolls do you prefer?

I like them all very much. I think the RBL mold is my personal favorite. I like custom dolls too, but not too dramatic at least for my personal collection; I do however appreciate a well made, quality custom doll.

Photo: Ihavewings. Heather Sky custom wearing the Mori Girl set.

Where and how do you store your own dolls?

I used to have them in a shelf but I have a very naughty cat that enjoys stealing their shoes or knocking them down. So a year ago I inherited an old glass door cabinet which I restored, and now they live in there. There haven’t been any more kitty-incidents since

Photos: Ihavewings. The doll cabinet.

How about your Blythe customs? Why did you start customizing Blythe yourself and how did you learn how to do it?

I started customizing a few months after I got my first doll (2004), just out of curiosity. I’ve always liked painting, sculpting, crafting etc… so I thought it would be fun to change her into whatever I wanted her to be.

I have to thank Melissa from Puchicollective (Puchimadam at that time) for her amazing tutorials, they gave me the confidence to do it.

The rest was self taught or trial and error!

Photos: Ihavewings. Little Dead Girl custom (left) and Oh La La custom (right).

Why did you start to create clothes for Blythe?

Out of basic necessity. There weren’t any doll clothes here in Argentina, so I took my sewing machine and started creating dresses. At first with the simple vintage Skipper patterns and then slowly adding more and more detail as I learned how to do it.

How did you learn how to do it?

It’s been a long learning process since the first garment I made back in 2004. I made human clothes for myself but this was a very different technique. So it also took a lot of trial and error to get to where I am now. I am still learning every day. I try to incorporate new techniques, details and appliqués to keep the line fresh. I also don’t like to repeat myself too much. If there is a set or pattern I especially like, I might make 2 or 3 versions of it. But I try to change often, mainly because I get bored and also because I usually get a new inspiration or discover something new I have to try right away!

“Alice in Junie Moon exhibition“, 2010. Romina created 3 different sets showing her free interpretation of “Alice in Wonderland”, and the embroidery details are breathtaking!

Photos: Ihavewings. “The Dark Side of Wonderland” was inspired by the obscure and creepy tone from the wonderland, showing the naughty grin of the Cheshire Cat and the mysterious potion bottle.

Photos: Ihavewings. “The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” is a classic representation of Alice herself with the twist of an apron illustrating the cluttered tea cups scene.

What gives you inspiration?

If I should categorize my doll clothes style I would say its an Edwardian-Lolita-Mori-Natural look. So the inspiration I seek are in those areas.

There are times when I watch & re-watch certain films and I sketch like crazy (while watching them): anything Regency, Edwardian or Dicken’s style. Also I get a lot of inspiration by flipping fashion magazines, specially Japanese ones. Real human fashion inspires me all the time. I like the challenge of adapting into doll size, and it also allows more scope for whimsical features, fantasy, things one regularly wouldn’t wear. But I would say films are my main source.

Photo: Ihavewings. The Pettipants of the Little Dead Girl.

How do you like to work and what’s your work rhythm?

I am a morning person. I wake up at 8 am everyday even on weekends. I work until midday, stop for lunch, run errands etc, and then I work until 8 pm. This includes working on other stuff (not only doll clothes). So I try to juggle all this into this time frame. There are weeks when I focus 100% on I HAVE WINGS, usually if I am taking part of an event or exhibition.

Photo: Ihavewings. Work in progress.

Photo: Ihavewings. The whole production for the Dollshow 26 in Tokyo on November 2009. One month of hard work!

How does your studio look like?

I am lucky to have a room for myself were I have my computer, scanner & printer in one table; and the sewing machine on the other. I have numerous plastic bins with yarn, fabric, buttons, paper flowers, beads… It’s alarming! They seem to reproduce!

I love to buy fabric, I cannot control myself!

Photo: Ihavewings. The Studio.

Photo: Ihavewings. The light box.

Where do you sell your creations?

I have my own website were I sell my clothing line. My custom dolls I sell on eBay.

Photos: Rockylountainroz. “Follow me deer” set (left) and “Forest Hideaway” set (right).

Photo: Rockymoutainroz. “Antique Dream” dress. Roz has the largest and most amazing collection of I HAVE WINGS creations.

What are you working on these days and what are your next projects?

I am working on a huge order of sets I have due by the end of June that are going to Junie Moon. I also have a custom doll in the making to celebrate the 6 years anniversary of I HAVE WINGS, that I think will be on eBay by the end of June too.

Photos and sketches: Ihavewings. The 6-Year-Anniversary Blythe Custom.

Photos: Ihavewings. Moriko, the Forest Girl. Details of her outfit.

On the side I am working on some more summer outfits, but I am focusing my creativity on Autumn and Winter 2011: planning the collection, buying fabrics, sketching, etc.

Any last thoughts you would care to share?

I simply want to thank all the Blythe fans who support my work, who leave nice comments and encourage me. I wouldn’t be here without you. You made this dream real and I am living a creative fulfilling life thanks to I HAVE WINGS. I hope I can keep doing this, because it gives me bliss.

Many thanks, Romina, for sharing your Blythe love and creating the gorgeous outfits that set your fashion apart. Your custom dolls are rare, but always so beautiful. I really enjoy the world you create for Blythe, and I cherish all the I HAVE WINGS outfits I have been lucky enough to get! Apart from our passion for the big-eyed doll, we have a lot in common: I am a single child too, and I love history of fashion. I even taught classes in a previous life! I am looking forward to seeing your “Forest girl”, and the new collections. What a delightful prospect!

Photo: Ihavewings. Coco Moon.

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