NiniMomo and Dior

Sometimes the most difficult aspect of creating one-of-a-kind dolls, outside of the tedious and labor intensive beadwork which has become NiniMomo's hallmark, is the constant demand for new and fresh designs.  It can be difficult and sometimes frustrating trying to be constantly creative on a daily basis and many times you just feel drained of ideas. About 5 years ago, Nik and Marie were feeling a little stagnant in their designs and knew they needed some fresh inspiration.  That inspiration came to them around 2005, thanks to Nik's partner, Bjoern who had purchased some high end haute-couture fashion magazines while flying to New York via Paris. Those magazines opened up a whirlwind of inspiration, ideas and challenges for the two.

It wasn't long before NiniMomo was incorporating Armani, LaCroix, Valentino, Versace, Gaultier and the designs of famed Lebanese couturiers of Murad, Saab and Chakra into their weekly releases. The designs of Christian Dior were also part of this new crop of NiniMomo Delegates. Nik and Marie gained a new appreciation and respect for design and the artists that create these stunning pieces of art. There is much research and analysis that goes into translating a human's gown into a 1:6 scale creation, and many times it could be trial and error. Although the intricate construction and finer detailing were more time consuming, there was a true sense of pride and accomplishment seeing a 1:6 version of a gorgeous haute-couture ensemble translated from a famed designer's haute-couture collection.

Of all the designers that NiniMomo replicated, it was the works of John Galliano for Dior that truly became the fast favorite for Nik and Marie.  The two were in awe of not only the House of Dior through the past 70 years but particularly of Galliano's past ten years of designing for the famed label. The possibilities were endless when it came to customizing a Barbie in Dior's clothing and it wasn't long before a NiniMomo Delegate draped in a Dior replication became a standard in their weekly releases.

One of their first Dior evening ensembles came from the 2005 Winter/Fall show and Miss Poland 2006 (at left) was the lucky recipient of this ensemble. Since then, numerous NiniMomo's have been donning Dior from various styles dating back to the 40's.

Many of NiniMomo's Delegates of "Dior Origin" have either won or placed in NiniMomo's Doll of the World. In fact, back to back winners of NiniMomo's Doll of the World 2007 and 2008 have been wearing exquisite Dior Haute-Couture fashion.

Below are just a fraction of the NiniMomo Dior replicas that have been translated onto Barbie's 11 1/2" frame in the past couple of years......

Miss Spain 2007, winner of NiniMomo's Doll of the World 2008 wears a Dior Replica from the Spring/Summer 07 Couture Show	Miss Greece 2006, last year's winner of NiniMomo's Doll of the World is encrusted with thousands of hand-sewn seed beads and sequins. The inspiration for this gown? Non other than classic Dior dating back to 1949.	Miss Malaysia 2007, a finalist in NiniMomo's Doll of the World Competition is a jewel wearing this Asian inspired Dior from the Spring/Summer 07 Collection	This Dior Couture from the Spring 07 Collection is opulently based on famed artist Kadinsky's paintings. Miss Ecuador 07 wears it well, evidently so, as she was among the semi-finals in NiniMomo's Doll of the World 2008.

Miss Dominica is one of the few Delegates to don a short evening ensemble. This gorgeous style came from the Spring/Summer 08 Dior Couture Collection	Miss Texas is decadent in her Dior Couture from the Fall/Winter 2008 Collection wearing the finale gown of that collection!	Our decadent Miss Swaziland 2009 is an early preview from next year's line wearing a Galliano Dior dating back to 1999!	Miss Israel turns heads in her Dior replica from the Spring/Summer 08 Couture Collection.

Miss France 2009, an early preview, is magical wearing a replica Dior gown that was worn by eva green for the Dior Poison Commercial. Notice Galliano's use of origami in his work!	Miss Chicago 2007 dons another origami inspired creation from Dior's Spring/Summer 07 Couture Collection, this time in mint green. Shalom Harlow wears the original creme gown	Another beauty sporting a short dress covered in dazzling hand-sewn beadwork is Miss Florida wearing a Dior replica from the Spring/Summer 08 Collection.	Dating back to Winter 1998, when Galliano was new to the House of Dior, Miss Native American Community is suitably dressed in this replica modeled by Naomi Campbell

Miss Macedonia is a warrior goddess in Dior's inspired Joan of Arc ensemble from his Fall 2006 Couture Collection	From Dior's Egyptian inspired 2004 Couture Show, Miss Luxembourg is regally dressed in one such ensemble	From Dior's dramatic Fall 2007 Couture Collection comes this dramatic Spanish inspired number	Another Diva in red, Miss Poland 2008 is the Queen commanding attention in this decadent replica from Dior's Fall 2004 Couture Collection

No matter the season, no matter the year, John Galliano for Dior has consistently inspired NiniMomo to create his design's into 1:6 scale stunning couture ensembles for their Delegates.  His intricate designing, such as his braided or tiered evening ensembles from the 2007 Spring Collection continuously challenge NiniMomo and with every style completed, something new is learned.

Much of  Dior's designs have also fit perfectly into NiniMomo's theme  of hand-sewn beadwork as much of Dior's designs are lavishly smothered in the most gorgeous of beads and sequins.

If you peruse the NiniMomo website, you'll find many more Dior inspired Delegates, as this was just a sprinkling of the stunning designs from one of the world's most  talented designers. Visit the Dior website or better yet, visit style.com to see more of Christian Dior! Please feel free to ask any questions regarding any of the Delegates, their designs or information listed here!

Finally, a note of interest, if you'd like to learn more about the House of Dior and the man that put Paris on the fashion map, please visit the Dior website and click on "the House of Dior" for an amazingly interesting biography on Christian Dior with some very interesting trivia. Did you know that Ava Gardner, Marlene Dietrich and Rita Hayworth were all Dior models? And Christian Dior was the first designer in history to grace the cover the TIME magazine in 1957.  Such famed designers as Yves St. Laurent, Marc Bohan and Gianfranco Ferré have been creative directors for the House of Dior. And Marilyn Monroe wore Dior for her final sitting photo shoot just before her tragic death in 1962.

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