Robert Tonner, known throughout the world for his award winning dolls and fashions,
began his career as a head designer for Bill Blass after graduating from the Parsons School
of Design.
Pictured right: FAO Schwarz Excluisve Scarlett O' Hara Dressed Doll by Robert Tonner
In recent years he has combined his fashion experience with sculpting and
design talents to produce the unique and appealing dolls that have established him
as a leading doll artist.
What makes Robert unique in the doll world is the fact
that he is a collector himself. His knowledge and vision as a collector embodies the
sublime beauty of the art of the doll.
Through his designs, the Robert Tonner Doll Company recaptures the magic of classic
characters such as Orphan Annie, Betsy McCall, Mary Engelbreit’s Ann Estelle, Superman,
and Lois Lane. Inspired by his own passion for
doll collecting, he sculpts and designs
dolls ranging from high fashion American Models, to storybook fairies, to little girl
dolls that reawaken childhood memories.
Pictured left: FAO Schwarz Exclusive Rapunzel by Robert Tonner
Robert is the immediate past president of the National Institute of American Doll
Artists (NIADA) and his dolls have been featured in national and international media
including People magazine, CNN, the Barbara Walters Oscar Night Special,
Entertainment Tonight, and British ogue magazine.
A recent, and very special,
honor was having another of his creations added to the permanent collection of
the Museum of Decorative Arts at the Louvre complex in Paris.