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Paper dolls and doll-dressing books
Doll-dressing books offer readers the chance to tell infinite stories through characters and clothes. They showcase real fashion, making it available and accessible to all. Storehouse is home to the Renier Collection, containing around 80,000 publications for children, including the examples displayed here. This collection is both a source of nostalgia and social history. From ‘Dean’s New Dress Book’ of about 1860 to the ‘Twiggy’ and ‘Daisy’ books of the 1960s–70s, paper dolls have captured the imagination of children and adults alike across the centuries.
Written by: Laura Wood, Librarian, National Art Library, V&A
Published: November 2026
Seasonal Display
- Museum Number
- MISC.93:1-1979
- Description
- Doll
- Location and Date
- England, 1977
- Materials/Techniques
- Nylon, Gauze, Plastic, Moulding, Sewing
- Museum Number
- T.99A-1983
- Description
- Victoria Plum
- Artist/Maker
- Villeneuve, Justin de
- Location and Date
- England, 1967-1970
- Materials/Techniques
- Nylon, Acrylic (fibre)
- Museum Number
- T.5-2019
- Description
- Beret with pom-pom
- Artist/Maker
- mary quant
- Location and Date
- cumbria, 1967
- Materials/Techniques
- Wool
- Library Number
- 38041802212407
- Description
- Daisy becomes a model
- Author
- Diana Cooper
- Location and Date
- Great Britain, 1973
- Materials/Techniques
- Paper, Ink, Printing
- Library Number
- 38041802212456
- Description
- Daisy's dress show
- Author
- Diana Cooper
- Location and Date
- Great Britain, 1973
- Materials/Techniques
- Paper, Ink, Printing
- Library Number
- 38041802212555
- Description
- Twiggy model-dressing book: gay boutique
- Location and Date
- London, 1967
- Materials/Techniques
- Paper, Ink, Printing
- Library Number
- 38041802212506
- Description
- Anna: doll dressing story book
- Location
- London
- Materials/Techniques
- Paper, Ink, Printing
- Library Number
- 38041802212605
- Description
- Deans new dress book: Rose Merton, the little orphan
- Location and Date
- London, c.1860
- Materials/Techniques
- Paper, Ink, Printing