Calling All Dolls: Hinamatsuri Meeting

Calling All Dolls: Hinamatsuri Meeting

Morgan, Danielle, Sarah, and Pixie outside of Calling All Dolls in Cobalt, CT; Photo by Dyzer

Earlier this year, I had an idea to have a meetup at Calling All Dolls in Cobalt, CT. Calling All Dolls is a unique doll retailer who also specializes in doll restoration. The owner has dolls and doll accessories that are not available in most stores. There is an extensive collection not only of American Girl dolls and their accessories, but also antique dolls, vintage dolls, clothing (a lot of which the owner makes herself), rag dolls, and character dolls. Pre-owned dolls are also available at a discounted price. 

When I asked the community what time of year we should have this meeting, Sarah said that we should have it in March, to commemorate the Japanese holiday Hinamatsuri. Hinamatsuri, also called Dolls Day or Girls Day is celebrated every year on March 3. It celebrates the health and happiness of young girls and women. Families put out elaborate dolls that represent the emperor/empress and their attendants to help attract heath, wealth, and happiness to their daughters. Dango, a Japanese dumpling made of rice flour and glutinous rice flour is a popular dessert served on this day. If you've ever seen a food emoji with 3 balls on a skewer that are pink, white, and green, that's dango. This dessert is often served with some kind of sweetener like sugar, red bean paste, syrup, or other sweeteners. 

For the meeting coordinate suggestion, it was simply, wear colors that you associate with wealth, health/happiness, or anything that makes you feel especially happy. I split the meeting into two parts. First we would go to the doll shop, and then we would go out to ION Restaurant for Sunday brunch in Middletown. It's Only Natural is 100% vegan, but you would never know--the food is so good!!!

Danielle and Pixie outside of the Calling All Dolls. Of course it's in a Victorian House that looks like a doll house. Photo by Dyzer

Pixie and I got to the Doll Shop first. It was an exceptionally cold and windy day for March, so we decided to get in as soon as possible and hope that Morgan and Sarah just rang the door bell when they arrived. The shop is packed from ceiling to floor with dolls. Let me show you!

100 year old bisque dolls, just as vibrant as the day they were painted!

Morgan next to the shelf with the 100 year old dolls

Surround yourself with the things you love! PS. the doll at the first step isn't for sale. Photo by Dyzer

Pixie, Morgan, and Sarah under the stairs

Inside the second room. Photo by Pixie

The dwarves in the center were lovingly restored by the owner after she bought them at an auction

Incredibly life like dolls! These are pricy---the owner said she had a choice between buying these dolls and a car, and she chose the dolls!

The owner showing us a doll that she is going to restore that she purchased at an auction. Photo by Pixie

Calling All Dolls was part shop, part museum. Renee, the owner told us about several restoration projects and all about the shop. It was fascinating. Sarah found that some of the doll clothes that Renee made actually fit her Kumya Pochette (small bear bag from Baby the Stars Shine Bright), so she got it some bloomers to wear that match dresses she already owns for it. To note though, do not wear a significant petticoat while in this shop. I must have knocked over something at least 4 times just by turning my body very slowly and carefully. 

Danielle's Coordinate for Hinamatsuri

For Hinamatsuri, I really wanted to call in the ideas of health and wealth, so I incorporated gold and green into my coordinate. I also am wearing pieces from several different brands mixed together. I started with the Shirring Princess JSK in Ivory from Baby The Stars Shine Bright. This is a very famous Japanese brand that creates beautiful sweet style dresses. Most of the time, my bust measurements are too large for this brand without alteration, but the Shirring Princess has plenty of stretch! My version is a much older model (from 2007?) that did not come with a detachable waist bow. There were matching waist ties, but I purchased it used, and they did not come with it. Then I layered a blouse from the Miss Point demon hunter series that has gold embroidery along the buttons as well as gold wrist buttons on the arm cuffs under the Shirring Princess JSK. To add length to the JSK, I wore a cotton underskirt from Miss Point as well. Over all of this, I wore the Nocturne Tulle Cardigan from Atelier Pierrot in the green color way. I had other ideas for my head piece and shoes, but when the weather was below freezing with windchill, I threw on an ivory beret and velvet brown and ivory booties. (Originally I was going to repeat the ivory/gold again in my headpiece and shoes, but the weather was just so uncooperative. In fact, my beret even blew off my head when we walked to the restaurant!)

Group Photo at ION: Marisa, Caro, Danielle, and Pixie. Photo by Dyzer

Morgan and Sarah didn't make it to the restaurant, but it's okay, because we had Marisa and Caro join us for brunch. It's Only Natural Restaurant was a recommendation from Marisa. She goes to it frequently and had lots of good suggestions on what to order from the menu. 

You could also bring a doll or stuffed animal bag to the meeting. Caro brought this beautiful ball joint doll and Marisa brought a smaller doll as well. Photo by Pixie

I matched the restaurant. Pixie has such a good eye for composition in her photography.

Pixie and I basically match the colors you see on Hanami Dango. We also have match with tulle pieces. Photo by Dyzer

Another version of the Hanami Dango, but with Marisa and Danielle. Photo by Pixie

I had such a fun time celebrating the health and wealth of my fashion community around the holiday of Hinamatsuri. It was such an incredibly good idea and I am glad I got input as well from other community members as far as the where and when. I don't own any dolls myself, but I was really inspired by Sarah's bag, so I ordered a posable teddy bear bag that is large enough to wear doll clothes. This bag will appear at a future meeting, so be on the look out for her!