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Robert Tonner
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Tonner Doll Company,
Inc.
Tonner’s
long-time interest in dolls led him to become a collector, and in
1982, to try his hand at doll sculpting. In 1985, Tonner received
a glowing review, from an esteemed panel of judges at the National
Institute of American Doll Artists Conference in NYC, for a
model-like fashion doll he had entered for critique. During the
years that followed, Tonner turned more of his attention to
developing and perfecting his doll designs while still pursuing
the career of a rising fashion designer. In 1991, he left the
fashion industry to start the Robert Tonner Doll Company.
All of Tonner’s dolls and costumes reflect
their creator’s fashion industry background and desire for
perfection. They have been prominently featured in national and
international media including People Magazine, CNN,
Entertainment Tonight, Women’s Wear Daily and British
Vogue Magazine. Recently, several of his creations were added
to the permanent collection of the Louvre Museum of Decorative
Arts in Paris, France. Chosen from a gamut of doll makers in
the industry, Tonner Dolls holds the collectible license for
Miramax Films’ ‘Chicago’ and ‘Ella Enchanted’, and
the upcoming Warner Brothers’ Film, ‘Catwoman’. Other
Tonner Doll licenses include Betsy McCall®, Ann Estelle by Mary
Engelbreit® and For Better or For Worse®. Tonner’s top
line, Tyler Wentworth®, is based on the life of a New York
City fashion designer and her exquisite wardrobe of hand-beaded
silks, luxurious cashmere and camel hair, and a myriad of
exclusive haute couture fabrics.
In 2002, Robert Tonner purchased the
Effanbee Doll Company and its rich legacy as one of America’s
oldest doll companies. Continuously running since 1908,
Effanbee Doll Company’s focus leans toward the vintage mastery in
such American classics as Patsy, Dy-Dee Baby, Little Orphan Annie
and the fashionably popular reporter, Brenda Starr (both Annie and
Brenda Starr are licensed properties owned by Tribune Media).
Robert Tonner has served as standards
chairman and president of the National Institute of American Doll
Artists (NIADA), and regularly aligns his company and creative
spirit with a variety of charitable initiatives including the
American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR),
England’s Action against Addiction and Broadway
Cares/Equity Fighting AIDS. Tonner Dolls are featured in
worldwide doll and toy specialty retailers; and will be featured
as a fine doll boutique in the re-opening of FAO Schwarz’s
Manhattan and Las Vegas stores this fall.
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