For those of us who are a certain age, the thought of paper dolls brings back fond childhood memories. I was no Barbie and Ken lover, but paper dolls, which can easily be cut out and outfits changed at will, are a whole other story.
There is excellent news for those feeling nostalgic, or who would love to give a young person the chance to feel that childhood joy. Creative Islanders Kate Taylor and artist Elisa Cohen have teamed up to create “Kate Taylor Paper Doll,” an alluring, whimsical small book for old and young alike.
The project originated when Taylor told Cohen that Vineyard artist Margot Datz once proposed to create a paper doll of her because of Taylor’s unique and memorable wardrobe.
“I said to Kate, ‘No, I’ve got to make the paper dolls! This is what I do. I grew up with paper dolls,” Cohen said. Taylor told her she had to ask Datz, which she did, and Datz graciously agreed to pass the baton.
The book is a jewel. Printed on recycled paper by Tisbury Printers, it is a complete Vineyard production.
On the cover, Taylor looks out at us with her signature countenance and cowboy hat tilted just so. A bold turquoise border adorned with small flowers frames the page, as it does throughout the book, providing a visual consistency and a bohemian flair.
The inside cover invites you to have fun with Kate Taylor to inspire a paper doll experience: “Enjoy her whimsical journey as a singer, painter, rug hooker, bead crafter, and Ukelady! — Cut her out! Dress her up! Have fun!”
What follows are pages devoted to Taylor’s abundant artistic endeavors. There is a spread relating to her albums. The next is for her paintings, with samples on the left and Kate on the right in her studio dressed in her ever-present bloomers and floral-patterned smock. There’s another spread for her impressive rug-hooking pieces, and one for her beadwork. The six Ukeladies spread across the lively centerfold.
Then there are pages with cutouts of Taylor’s fabulous outfits and accessories, including snazzy boots, funky bags, black leather gloves with flared cuffs, and fringe gloves, a guitar, and a ukulele. There are also instructions for making a stage backdrop, and, finally, on the inside back cover is the paper doll of Taylor herself.
Cohen talked about the artistic process of putting the book together. She began by capturing Taylor’s face: “I wanted her to be happy with it.” She also determined the stance that allows Taylor to hold an instrument.
Cohen and Taylor’s good friend, Laurie David, producer, author, and environmental advocate, saw Cohen’s ideas, and jumped at the chance to publish the book. “Like everyone, I constantly marvel at Kate’s eclectic style, and the moment I heard about the idea to do a paper doll book, I was in,” David said. “It reminded me of the recent success of coloring books for adults. So retro, so fun, and so meditative!”
The trio went through Taylor’s entire wardrobe to select the outfits and jewelry. David recalls, “The crazy thing is there were so many more outfits to choose from! Going through her closet with Elisa was the most fun day. Tossing things on her bed, making her try things on. Without a problem, we could definitely do part two!”
The three collaborated to formulate how the book would reflect Taylor’s impressive creative expressions. “We would come together and talk a lot about what the writing would say, who the audience was, and how it would work. We all just had a really good time. It was a project of love, and so fun,” Cohen said.
“I’m grateful to Laurie and Elisa for having a vision of what they wanted to see, and to bring back paper dolls, which is such a wonderful thing to do — to revisit that joy,” Taylor says.
Cohen comes from a lineage of paper dollmaking. Her mother fashioned many, creating costumes through the ages, from before her lifetime into the future. “I started making paper dolls with her, of all my clothes and friends. As I grew up, I would make them for birthday cards for my friends’ kids and my daughter. I just always loved making paper dolls,” Cohen says.
Taylor explains why she agreed to the project: “Elisa was so excited and dear about it. She had her vision, and I could not say no. She does such a good job. She makes me look great.”
David shares, “I think it’s a joyful novelty, and will make people happy to see it, reminisce, and start snipping. Also, I think it’s a great Island item for any guest room or wedding basket. Kate is our very own Island icon. And paper dolls are the perfect way to immortalize her.”
Taylor herself states, “I hope the book inspires people to dress up and have fun,” adding, “Take a picture of your doll, and if you see me in that outfit, show me the picture, and you get a prize!”
“Kate Taylor Paper Doll.” Available at Edgartown Books, Salte, Tending Joy, Rosewater, Martha’s Vineyard Museum, North Tisbury Farm, Grey Barn, Bunch of Grapes, Beach House, and Chilmark Flea Market, or Kate Taylor’s Etsy site, bit.ly/Etsy_KTPaperDoll. For more about Elisa Cohen, visit @ecohenillustration on Instagram.
