"Cafe Rose and Ivory" Cissy Doll

This Madame Alexander Cissy doll was one of the earlier "Modern Cissy" dolls issued, from the Couture Collection in 1996. Cafe Rose and Ivory has beautiful red hair with dramatic face paint.  Her original brown and white outfit exemplifies high fashion, both in design and execution.

The tea-length white satin dress has embroidery across the waist, which drops to a "vee" on one side.  Brown velvet ribbon straps have large bows on the shoulder. A brown flower is attached at the back.  The wrap that goes with the dress is made of silk chiffon, with the same embroidery pattern as the dress and the same brown flower decorations, and has a fur edging. 

There is a brown hat.  The hat originally had tall feathers, which broke off; I still have one of them. The jewelry is high quality, featuring large green stones in the necklace, earrings, and bracelet.  Accessories include pantyhose, brown high heels, long brown gloves, and a brown tulle petticoat.

This is another Madame Alexander outfit, which was part of the Madame Alexander European Travel Trunk Set. The straplessgown is purple with black embroidery and a black ribbon trim at the bustline.  It has a dropped waist and closes in back with a tiny black zipper.  The faux fur wrap is black, longer in black, and quite luxurious.  The "diamond" necklace by MA is gorgeous.  The purple slippers are trimmed with black ties. (I can't remember if they came with the dress or not, but they are a perfect match.)  The rhinestone tiara was part of a Madame Alexander accessory set; it looks great with the necklace.

This evening gown was my own design.  The fabric is white dupioni silk embroidered with gold and pearls.  (Very expensive, but fortunately, doll dresses do not use much fabric!)  I use a vintage Madame Alexander taffeta petticoat that is very full, in order to keep the lines of the skirt smooth and to show the slight train in the back of the skirt.

The dress features an off-the-shoulder design.  The waist is accented by tiny self-cording. 

Cissy is escorted to the Military Ball by her faithful Marine.

Cissy wears this suit for board meetings.  The slim skirt and jacket are made from microsuede.  The sleeveless blouse and scarf are lightweight polyester.

The jacket, blouse, and skirt are lined.  She has a purse that coordinates well, and wears brown shoes.

This dress was my own design, made from brown and tan gingham taffeta with brown grosgrain ribbon trim.

This casual outfit was also my design, with slacks and a "zebra" print top and sash.

I designed and made this gown from a piece of peachy chiffon embroidered in white.  The bodice and the hem are lace.

This is a fun costume outfit for Cissy.  The "Greek Goddess" ensemble was made for some other doll. (Maybe Magic Attic?  I can't remember.) I liked the pleated dress and the imaginative use of gold cuffs.  Nice little wreath for her hair, also.

Here are some photos of Cissy "at home."

In her peach nightgown, ready for bed.

Cissy checking her hair at the dressing table.

Two Cissy dolls enjoying tea and cakes.

Shanghai Cissy and CafeCissy enjoying a soda and a chat.

Trunk set, and extra box for big petticoat, stole, and wrap.

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"Ellen Tracy for Linda Allard" Cissy Doll

This Madame Alexander Cissy doll was issued in 1999, when the Alexander doll company asked New York designers to design outfits for the Cissy dolls.  This doll was from the designer "Ellen Tracy for Linda Allard."

I do not have the original wig or the original designer outfit that came with Ellen Tracy.  They are occasionally for sale, but I have never been successful in obtaining them.  I have given this doll an original Madame Alexander outfit, the one for Hollywood Cissy.  ( I do not have the Hollywood Cissy doll.)

This particular doll is unique in the Cissy dolls issued, in that she has pale coloring, with pink lipstick and blue eyeshadow, and no nail color.  I have two blonde wigs for her.  One wig is long and curly, and the other wig is upswept in a sophisticated chignon.

Although not what the designer intended, I think of this doll as a Southern Belle.  Her wardrobe is made mostly in pastel colors.

Here she is at her dressing table, checking her bonnet and makeup, as she prepares for a Cotillion.

A view of her long curly locks.

She is escorted to the Cotillion by a handsome Marine in uniform (a Man of Honor doll).  This beautiful pink gown was made by Jane Perrilloux and was Jane's own design and one of a kind.  It has many rows of chiffon ruffles trimmed in tiny lace.  Another ruffle frames the off-the-shoulder neckline.  The dress has a pink satin sash with a big bow in back.  There is a hoop skirt taffeta petticoat trimmed in lace.  The lovely hat and embroidered purse also came with the dress.

You can see her delicate coloring in this photo -- pale pink lipstick, faint blue eyeshadow.

She has the upswept chignon blondewig on in this photo.  She wears a yellow cotton gingham dress with a daisy at the waist. The dress was made by a talented eBay seamstress and also has a yellow net petticoat.

Ellen Cissy wears the yellow dress to tea with Shanghai Cissy. 

Dressed in this suit, Ellen Cissy is ready for business appointments.  The suit is a tiny herringbone-patterned wool.  It has a slim skirt, a satin chemise top, and a lined jacket.  There is a purse to match and a hat (not shown).  Pearls go well with the white trim on the suit.  All made by BonBon, using a Simplicity pattern.

Without the jacket, the outfit is just right for after-hours cocktails.

For a walk in the park or other casual activities, she has striped velvet pants, a white knit top, and a purple sweater.  Made by BonBon, except for the sweater (which was made by American Girl but altered to fit).

Dressed for an evening out, Ellen Cissy wears a gray embroidered organza dress lined in white satin.  There is a matching stole, purse, and feathered hat, all made by BonBon.

This is her nightgown, made of sheer embroidered fabric with white ribbon trim, made by BonBon.

Sweet dreams for a sweet doll.

This is the Hollywood outfit mentioned earlier.  It has a fur cape lined in satin that ties in front with a bow.  The dress is sprinkled with multicolored transparent sequins and has a long fishtail train.  She has long white gloves.

She even has fancy sunglasses -- she has to deal with all those pazzarazzi with their flashes, when she wears this outfit!

Here is Cissy (Ellen Tracy for Linda Allard, by Madame Alexander) with all her outfits and trunk.

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"Shanghai" Cissy

The 21" Cissy dolls by Madame Alexander are some of my favorite dolls.  They have "attitude" and they like fashion. 

Today we will visit "Shanghai" Cissy, issued in 2000. She is a lovely doll, and is my dear husband's favorite Cissy doll.

Shanghai Cissy has brown eyes and black hair.  She is wearing her original Chinese-style outfit made of red satin embroidered with gold thread.  The bolero jacket features black "frog" fasteners, a mandarin collar, long sleeves, and is lined in black.  She wears a red straw hat, black wrist-high gloves, and jet black earrings and necklace. The dress has a scooped neckline and a flounce at the bottom, both edged in black satin.

The dress ties in back at the neck to form a keyhole effect; snaps fasten down the back of the dress.

In this view you can see the petticoat under the flounce and the pretty black shoes with tiny black flowers on the toes.

This is her prom dress, made by BonBon.  The skirt has three tiers of lace.  The top is black velvet with two straps on one shoulder.  There is a detachable red satin sash and bow, and a flower pinned at the waist.

The pretty red bow is visible in this view, with Cissy at her dressing table preparing for the prom.

Here is Shanghai Cissy with her handsome date, a Marine from a nearby base.  The Marine is a Man of Honor doll, and the medal the Marine is wearing is a genuine Marine Good Conduct medal.  (Hope he is on good conduct for Prom Night!)

Shanghai Cissy is home from the prom, ready for bed in her white and yellow long nightgown, made by BonBon.  Sweet dreams!

Shanghai has her casual outfit on in this photo.  Blue jeans, red knit top, embroidered belt, all made by BonBon.  With cute white sneakers.

Shanghai Cissy is ready for an evening at the symphony in this long taffeta skirt flocked in black flowers, with a matching stole, made by BonBon.  She wears a black knit halter top with the skirt, hand made by my mother Zanell.

Perfect for a summer night date, this two-piece red cotton dress has tiny black piping for trim.  Cissy wears red pumps and carries a black purse.

Shanghai Cissy looks quite professional in her white pleated skirt and matching vest, worn with a black turtleneck blouse and white pearls.  The outfit was made by Jane Perilloux, a creative and talented doll seamstress from Louisiana who offered wonderful doll clothes for Cissy on eBay. 

Designed and made by BonBon, this dress is made from red cotton with tiny white polka dots.  It is trimmed in white piping, and it features a double flounce skirt onto a dropped torso.  Cissy carries a white purse and wears red shoes with it.

Two Cissy dolls enjoy sodas and a chat.
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Sunshine Sophie

Sunshine Sophie is a 10" doll made by Robert Tonner Doll Company, and she was issued in  the year 2004. Her outfit was designed by Mary Englebreit.

She wears a blue dress with white polka-dots, with a yellow pinafore embroidered with flowers.

Here is the display of her clothes and accessories.

Her trunk is decorated on the outside with scenes of a castle.  Inside it is solid pink.

This pink and white gingham dress features a smocked skirt gathered to a yoke, with white collar and cuffs.  Designed and made by BonBon, who also added the basket of flowers.

This romper outfit was made by an eBay seamstress and features an embroidered over bib and hat.

Sunshine has soft pink pajamas decorated with venise lace.  BonBon made the pajamas, a matching jacket and the houseshoes.

The layout of  all the pieces of the pajama outfit also shows the bunny she like to take to bed with her at night.

The Christmas dress is a black cotton fabric printed with a variety of presents, toys, candies, and decorations; the dress is trimmed in red cording.  BonBon made the dress, along with a white petticoat and tights, and the hair ornament.

This blue princess dress came with her decorated trunk.  It features gold trim and also has a gold sceptre/wand with it.

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