The Doll Podcast

If you have ever dreamed of travelling to France to shop for exquisite dolls but don’t know where to start we have the perfect podcast for you. Samy Odin director of  the prestigious Paris doll museum La Musée de la Poupée for 25 years, joins Doll Podcast host Louisa Maxwell. Together they explore what makes a great collector travel experience: on Samy’s curated “learn and shop” doll tours of France that combines private collections, dealer visits, seminars, auctions, and top-tier shows.

This year's tour launches in December 2026 with an exclusive visit with miniature artist and collector Marguerite Courtois, known for museum-style historic scenes of daily life in one-twelfth scale and beyond. 

Collectors then travel  to Dinan, the medieval Breton town in northwestern France where Samy makes his home and the location of his shop Gallerie Samy Odin.  Events will include a  seminar about dolls  and the French children’s magazine La Poupée Modèle.    Launched in 1863, these monthly magazines are a detailed record of children’s play and dolls from the 1860’s to the 1920’s. The magazine serves as  a time capsule of doll: patterns, paper dolls, miniature furnishings, and period-accurate ideas of what a child’s doll world should include. 

The tour then moves toward Chartres for a high-energy auction experience at the Galerie de Chartres auction house.  Collectors then attend one of Frances premiere doll shows “Chartres en Poupées” organised by organised by Véronique Derez and Vanessa Brunel, where expert international dealers will be displaying the perfect doll for your Christmas wish list.

Samy also reveals his next tour dates and locations for 2027 and we will be delighted to follow in his footsteps learning about the collections, auctions and doll shopping opportunities which make Europe the perfect destination for doll lovers.

The story of fashion and dolls has been linked throughout time as dolls have
long been associated with social aspiration and style.   Host Louisa Maxwell is joined by Barbie expert Bradley Justice Yarbrough and Sara Woodbury curator of art at the Barry Art Museum to discuss the current shows exploring the relationship of dolls and fashion through the centuries.

 Two stunning exhibitions at the BarryArt Museum run in tandem :“Carved Couture “ offer's an intimate look at the world of the 18th century fashion doll - while the second exhibition “ Out of the Box: A Barbie Doll Retrospective considers the evolution of this iconic fashion doll and the role of the innovative teams that created the fashion doll that has endured for over 66 years.

The Barry Art Museum brings this rich history alive through not just displaying historical dolls but creating immersive experiences, including life-sized recreations of Barbie's iconic Dream Houses that visitors can explore. Join us for a lively discussion on dolls and fashion and the enduring historic legacy of the fashion doll.

When a doll collection comes up for auction, we glimpse not just beautiful objects, but a collector's passion, vision, and journey. The upcoming Masterpiece sale at Ladenburger Spielzugauktion in  Ladenburg Germany on April 4-5, 2025 presents just such an opportunity with German collector Karin Schmelcher's extraordinary collection of rare French and German dolls.

Join host Louisa Maxwell as we explore the highlights of this remarkable collection with Pia Fast Seidel of Ladenburger Auction House and distinguished collector Marco Bröning, Karin Schmelcher’s longtime friend. They guide us through exceptional pieces including two rare Bru Jeune ballerina dolls with wooden bodies that can strike an elegant pose.  An Andrè Thuillier (AT) doll with mesmerising blue eyes that "speak to your heart," and the historically significant Emile Jumeau  Bébé awarded the prestigious Medal d'Or at the 1878 World Exhibition in Paris.

What distinguishes Schmelcher's collection is her unwavering commitment to originality—every doll retains its complete original costume and accessories. Her expertise led her to co-author definitive books on Bru and Heubach dolls, making her both a collector and historian. 

Karin Schmelcher’s collection is truly a Masterpiece weaving a rich tale of the art of doll making, the role of the collector and the doll historian. Join us for this fascinating conversation about passion, provenance, and the enduring legacy of one collector's vision. 

From astronaut to presidential candidate, Barbie's  250-plus professions mirror the evolving landscape of women's roles in society. 

Barbie doll has become a cultural icon over her 65 years, reflecting the evolution of women's roles and careers. Through her myriad professions, Barbie inspires children to dream big and showcases the importance of representation, creativity, and empowerment in society.

Join Barbie doll expert Bradley Justice Yarbrough and host Louisa Maxwell as they chart Barbie’s 65 years as a pop culture icon. 

Did you know paper dolls were the original fashion influencers? 
Samy Odin author, lecturer and former Director of the the Musée de la Poupée-Paris joins host Louisa Maxwell to discuss the historic role of paper dolls.  Samy takes us through the evolution paper dolls from  their beginnings as a playful exploration of identity in the 17th century, to promoting fashion and the arts. These delicate creations are now valued collectables and a record of fashion and play through the centuries.

Welcome to the enchanting world of vintage teddy bear collecting, a  fascinating realm where childhood nostalgia meets the art of high-stakes auctions.  British teddy expert Daniel Agnew,  has worked with Christie's South Kensington, the London Toy Auction, and now with SAS, Special Auction Services in the United Kingdom.  Daniel shares his wealth of knowledge and passion for these timeless companions and the  factors that contribute to the high market value of certain bears.  
Listeners are treated to an inside look at the upcoming December 3, 2024, auction at  Special Auction Services. This highly anticipated event promises to be a highlight for vintage bear lovers worldwide, with the potential to break world records. Daniel Agnew shares the excitement of preparing for this auction and the anticipation of connecting collectors with their cherished finds.

Robert Tonner’s fashion doll Lacie Churchill is a movie studio executive who is always  red carpet ready. When she is not green lighting Oscar worthy projects at Hollywood’s Momax studios Lacie is outperforming fellow film moguls in the boardroom. 

American Sculptor, fashion designer and entrepreneur Robert Tonner has created many exciting dolls during his over 30 year career. Robert launched The Tonner Doll Company in 1991, which became famous for producing fashion dolls, pop culture figures, and collectibles that combined exquisite craftsmanship with artistic design.

British toy designer Rachel Godfroy joins host Louisa Maxwell to celebrate over sixty years of  fashion doll Sindy. 

Sindy was launched in 1963 by Pedigree toys at a time when British fashion and music were sweeping the world. The Beatle’s topped the charts with “She Loves You” and Mary Quant’s mini skirts set off a youth quake in fashion. Sindy was a doll created for the British market and she reflected the culture and fashion of a very exciting time. 

Louisa and Rachel chart the course of fashion doll Sindy throughout her six decades  and her enduring legacy as a time capsule of popular culture and fashion.

Rachel Godfroy, who has worked in the Toy industry for twenty years as a designer, illustrator, and brand developer and was the designer for Sindy’s relaunch in 2020. 

Dr. Sarah Woodbury, Curator of Art at the Barry Art Museum and host Louisa Maxwell delve into the life and legacy of Martha Jenks Chase. Dr. Woodbury takes you through the "Progressive Kindness" exhibition at the Barry Art Museum, highlighting how Martha's progressive values and medical background fuelled her creations. Uncover the profound impact of Martha's work on both nursing education and children's intellectual growth, as we explore the intersection of art, medicine, and social reform.

The current exhibition at the Barry Art Museum in Norfolk Virginia, USA, discusses the work of Martha Jenks Chase and reveals how one woman’s desire to give her children a meaningful plaything became a movement for change and a company that would create dolls for almost 100 years.

Barry Museum guest curator Brett Day Windham  joins host Louisa Maxwell to discuss  the exhibition which explores  Martha Chase’s work and how she used dolls as tools for social change and innovation.   Brett  is a multidisciplinary artist whose work uses found objects to create sculptures and images. she has exhibited throughout the United States and created iconic art installations for the prestigious New York Department Store Bergdorf Goodman.