Photography dOLiA*s

I actually completed a project?! Yes! Yes, I did. Here's the final result: dOLiA*s



Remember the 90’s? Remember the dELiA*s catalog? If so, you kNoW wHeRe i’M gOiNg wiTH tHiS!

I have mapped out the steps that I will need to take for this project to be a success (though not necessarily in this order):

1. Choose models and items to be featured in catalog. I had originally planned to feature all of my minis but after realizing I have nine of them, I think I’d better narrow it down to three or four.

2. Create light box for photography. I have a white book case that I can use as a backdrop but it’s in a tight space that doesn’t lend itself to good lighting. So I’d like to create a light box that will fit both my dolls and he individual items to shoot them all with a good clean, white background. I ordered an actual studio-in-a-box setup with lights and backdrops so that is taken care of now!

3. Photograph items. This seems to be the simplest step but in my experience it will likely be anything but. I’m not a very experienced photographer, hopefully my boyfriend will help me out.

4. Photograph models wearing items. Before I can do that, I will likely have to restring and / or suede a few dolls so that they can hold the dynamic poses the catalog was known for. Then again, get help from the actual photographer in the house.

5. Edit photos. This will probably actually be the simplest step.

6. Write descriptions / pricing of items. Fortunately I keep a lot of this information in an AirTable database. I just have to match the formatting of dELiA*s.

7. Write rAnDoM pHrASeS. This is going to be fun! I’m hoping to crowdsource some of this. Since I’m not sure yet how many spreads I’ll be doing, I don’t know how many sayings I’ll need either. The only one I know I want in there for sure? pReSs pAPiLLa gOoD fEeL.

8. Use InDesign for catalog layout. I’ll be honest, I’m not a pro with InDesign. We don’t get along well. But I figure if I can use it with this project it’ll help me learn it a bit better since I don’t use it much at my current job.

9. Publish! I want to make an online version and host it on my website. Also, since I work at a print ship, I want to print a few physical copies for myself and my friends.


It’s a long, involved project and I don’t want to stress myself out, so my goal is to have it finished by next year, 2022.

 

Ok it’s been over a year but I’m finally ready to start on this! I’m getting one of those photography studio-in-a-box things delivered today so this weekend I’m gonna start shooting!

 

First test shot in my new “studio” I had to clean it up a bit in Photoshop but I got exactly the result I was hoping for

dOLiA*s test shot by Jessicat P, on Flickr

 

Aaand first two spreads are done! Well, first drafts anyway. I just wanted to figure out how to lay things out and all that. I need to actually get into InDesign though... I'm lazy and did all this in Illustrator :B

dOLiA*s first spread by Jessicat P, on Flickr

dOLiA*s spread 2 by Jessicat P, on Flickr

 

I still need help thinking up pHrASeS
Here’s what I’ve got so far:

hOw NoW tAObAo?
fEeLin’ sUPeR DoLLfiE cUTe, mIGhT dELetE lAteR
sOMeOnE diAl NiNe9-oNe-OnE!
LUTS dO LuNCh
SoRRy i cAn’T, i hAVe a cLIcKWaR tO WiN
bJdS aRe My rESiN fOr LiVinG
sLOwEr tHaN a dOLLsHe oRDeR
iPpLe? eYePLe? tHe wOrLD mAy nEvEr KNoW
wE’Re aLL a LiTtLe hIGh sTrUNg
cHEcK oUt mY dOLLsTaGRaM
iF tHe DoLL sHOe fiTs…
jUSt sOmE dOLLiEs
tHE DoLLiE dOCtoR rECoMmeNDeD plAStiC sUrgErY
pReSs pAPiLLa gOoD fEeL

If you have any other ideas, PLEASE share

 

I’m nowhere near done but I’m at a point where I wanted to see a published draft so I uploaded this wip to issuu.com Constructive feedback welcome!

dOLiA*s wip v4

Edit: Updated link is posted below.

 

I totally get it I think I only ever ordered one thing from Delia’s, a Sailor Moon t-shirt that was described as “Japanimation tee.” And I had saved up quite a bit of allowance for that!

 

Latest update is linked below! I just need to photograph a few more items that I forgot last time, and set up the “order form” that goes in the middle. I think instead of actual order forms and return policy, I might list which doll is which sculpt, what wig and eyes, etc.

dOLiA*s wip v5

 

And it's finished! The digital version, anyway. Still working on the "order form" that will list info about my dolls in the physical copies I'm going to print

Here it is! Enjoy!
dOLiA*s

 

Thank you! I’m really glad you like it