In honor of the Neo Blythe International Beauty Contest, I am interviewing some of the participants who are involved in the contest, and just so happened to make it to the top 50 semi-finalists! If this is the first post in the series that you’re reading, I encourage you to start with this post and then read the previous interview.
Leading up to August 23rd (when the top 25 finalists of the Neo Blythe Beauty International Contest will be announced), I’ve interviewed 6 participants who entered their original designed Blythe doll in the contest. I have two interviews scheduled to drop each week in August, so you will be getting a lot of extra posts from me this month! I’m beyond excited for this interview series so that you all can get to know the amazingly creative minds behind these stunning Blythe dolls!
Today, I am interviewing the wonderful Normande of (@mandiandcompany), the creator of “Indigo Darling”. In this interview, Normande, a longtime doll lover, recounts how she rediscovered Blythe after going through some tough years, how reconnecting with Blythe has helped heal her inner child, the role Japan played in creating “Indigo Darling’s” design, and more!
We cover all this, plus what inspired her to enter the Blythe Beauty International Contest, behind-the-scenes stories, obstacles, and more. Please enjoy this interview with the maker of the Blythe doll “Indigo Darling,” Normande!
1. Introduce yourself (e.g., how you became a doll lover, how many Blythe dolls you have, other dolls you love, other hobbies, etc)
Normande: My name is Normande. I’m 25 years old and I’ve been a doll lover ever since childhood. I love taking care of them, giving them a voice, and growing up I loved playing dolls with my sisters. I started collecting as an adult about two years ago. At the time, I had a tough few years so l wanted to bring happiness back into my life and mark a new chapter by reconnecting with something that made me happy in the past. Blythe had been on my radar for quite some time, and once I saw Twenty Years of Love, I knew she’d be my first doll. I opened her on my birthday, then got Love Jayla on my first trip to Japan.
On my most recent trip back to Japan, I got some Licca-chan dolls. Online I bought a few My Blythe Style dolls, and back home at an antique fair I got a 1980s Marilyn Monroe doll. I plan to also collect Momoko dolls and 1960s Barbies soon.
I love making things with my hands. I’ve been making art, sewing, and building all sorts of things for as long as I can remember. I love making outfits and a home for my dolls; it also takes less time since they’re so small, making it an accessible hobby in my busy schedule.
2. How did you discover Blythe?
Normande: Pinterest! It naturally matched my other interests and I grew more and more curious about them.
3. Your first Blythe doll?
Normande: Twenty Years of Love
4. What inspired you to enter the Neo Blythe Beauty contest?
Normande: I knew about the previous contests and was hoping they’d do another. I was also excited about the possibility of being included in the collection book or my doll getting put into production. But most of all, it was a push for me to make something beautiful and an opportunity to grow my skills.
5. Tell us about your doll entry (explain the concept, name, the Blythe you used, the techniques you used, etc)
Normande: Her name is Indigo Darling and the concept is she has just returned from a visit to Kojima, Okayama, Japan’s denim capital, where many factories still honor vintage production methods to create pieces for today.
This look is personal to me since Kojima was the very first place I visited in Japan (as a denim lover) and the first place I traveled to with my Blythe doll. Long before the trip, I was drawn to the city for its history of keeping the denim tradition alive. Just as they preserve a vintage process to produce something new, Blythe as a brand is a revival of Allison Katzman’s designs reimagined decades later while keeping its essence alive.
I rerooted Jayla’s hair with deep indigo colored Saran hair and repainted her scalp. Her makeup was done to match the outfit. I started by sanding everything off, then used pastels and spray paint. I sprayed her entire face with a matte finish and then did glossy lips. I worked with her existing eye chips, using spray paint to create a gradient and adding pieces of glitter for some sparkle. Every item of clothing and accessories were pattern drafted and sewn or crafted by me. For this look, I created different pieces that can be worn in many combinations to create different outfits. There is a denim jacket, dress, petticoat, and bra that can be worn alone, as well as a pair of jeans.
For accessories, I made a handbag and various hair bows, flowers, and ribbons. I used a few different colors of denim-like fabric. The many shades of denim are done by using both the wrong and right sides of the fabric. I also used kimono remnant fabric for a pop of color, keeping in line with the theme of taking something old and making it new. A pair of stock shoes was repainted in dark blue to complete the look.
6. What new skills did you learn throughout the doll-making process?
Normande: It was my first time customizing a doll’s face. It was fun learning how to use pastels, paints, and spray paint to do makeup, and also a bit scary having to take apart the doll and customize her eye chips, which was also new to me. I also picked up on some sewing techniques, especially for smaller pieces.
7. What was the most difficult part in creating your Blythe?
Normande: Deciding on a theme. I had so many in mind, and I think because of that I felt overwhelmed at first with all the possibilities. But once I thought deeply about what was special to me, I was able to choose. Also, taking apart and putting her head back together. It’s always scary.
8. Any fun behind-the-scenes stories from creating your doll?
Normande: She was scalpless for too long, I felt bad.
9. Who’s your favorite doll from the top 50 semi-finalists?
Normande: Fifi by Lila Wills. I was already aware of her work through her collab with Petra Collins and Jenny Fax. I was wondering if she’d make an entry, and was so happy to see that she did. She did an amazing job and it’s so true to her style. I believe the print on my first Blythe shirt was created by her through that same collab, assuming she was also responsible for the styling and photography of the doll printed on the shirt.
10. How did you feel when you found out you made it to the top 50 semi-finalists?
Normande: I wasn’t expecting to find out so soon. I didn’t think they’d send an email prior to the stated announcement date. It gave me a sense of relief and joy that they enjoyed my concept.
11. Where can people find you? What type of content can we expect to see on your dollstagram?
Normande: You can find me on Instagram at @mandiandcompany. It’s a new page, so I’ll be posting my dolls throughout their travels, outfits, makeovers, homes I built for them, and new editions to my small but growing collection.
Thank you, Normande, for letting me interview you and for sharing all those fun behind-the-scenes photos with us! I was fascinated with how Normande worked her niche love for denim into her Blythe doll design! I always love it when people have a specific interest and how they use that as inspiration in their creations. Like, how I try to include cows into everything I create… lol
We wish Normande and “Indigo Darling” a huge good luck in the Neo Blythe International Beauty Contest!