Doll outfits by Claude Brabant

Dolls have always been played, children of all classes played - from peasants to kings. Adults are also fond of dolls. Dolls love to dress up, so doll clothes are the biggest need to play with them.

Claude Brabant, a Parisian doll costume designer, also fell in love with dolls, and not only fell in love, she began to dress them up. The dolls in her outfits can tell a centuries-old fashion story.

By her education, Claude was associated with historical monuments and was engaged in teaching work, not at all thinking about sewing outfits for dolls. But once, in parallel with her work, back in the 80s, she decided to start creating fabrics for doll clothes. She began to visit the Center for the Study and Research of Dolls, gradually getting carried away with the creation of doll costumes.

She started with straw dolls with which she sewed clothes. And suddenly, in 1990, she discovered another client, who turned out to be her muse. This is a Barbie doll. Soon, Claude already participated in competitions, in which she was often the winner, receiving the first prizes. When she left her main job, it was time to completely surrender to her favorite hobby, which Claude did.

It was from this time that serious work began for Claude Brabant, which led her to fame. And Barbie became a great love for Claude. Making doll wardrobes has become a passion for her. Since then, Claude Brabant has been creating historical costumes for his favorite, for which he uses paintings, art books, art exhibitions.

Choosing a fabric for a historical image, the artist has to face difficulties. The fabric can be found quite simply, but this is the case when you only need to match the color palette and print. The biggest challenge when choosing a fabric is the large print on the fabric. Then Claude solves this problem by hand embroidering the print.

The process of making doll clothes is not that simple. But if it has become a favorite thing, then perhaps some difficulties will stop. Claude first sews samples from a simpler fabric, such as coarse calico, corrects everything on the doll, and then rips the finished product and uses its elements for cutting on the main fabric. Claude also makes shoes, bags, ornaments for the doll herself. It takes about 100 hours of work to create just one dress for Barbie.

The Victoria and Albert Museum sometimes provides her with the opportunity to familiarize herself with the patterns of traditional costumes. Her creations can be compared to those of famous haute couture masters. Handmade doll dresses are made of the most expensive materials. They are an absolute copy of the original models, down to the smallest detail.

Claude Brabant created for Barbie a wardrobe that any woman can envy. She has a costume of Eve with a fig leaf, and the costume of the Duchess Anne of Brittany, and costumes of the era of Louis XIV, Madame Pompadour, the era of the French Revolution, as well as exquisite toilets in which Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot and Lady Diana celebrated their weddings.

To create costumes that are in keeping with the spirit of haute couture, Claude Brabant studies historical documents and new sewing techniques.

For over 25 years, Claude Brabant has been sewing clothes for dolls. Her Barbie has luxurious toilets and showcases haute couture models.