Brides from Around the World Paper Dolls

by Tom Tierney

Four lovely brides model 28 elegant costumes from around the world. Bridal wardrobes include a Celtic robe from the medieval period, a Chinese tunic of red silk, a Philippine wedding gown, and ensembles from Holland, Zimbabwe, Korea, Mexico, Denmark, Greece, Russia, and eighteen other countries. Notes describe wedding apparel and provide information on traditional wedding ceremonies.

Genres: Fashion

32 pages, Paperback

First published November 2, 2005

About the author

Tom Tierney 8 October 1928 - 12 July 2014) was a prolific creator of paper doll books. He was trained as an artist and worked as an illustrator for department stores before turning to paper dolls in the 1970s.

"Meticulously drawn and colored, and annotated with historical information, Mr. Tierney’s paper-doll books are not just for children — and some are not for children at all. His aim, he often said, was to contribute to the visual literature of costume history," noted his New York Times obituary.

"Pope John Paul II, shown a copy of Mr. Tierney’s book about him by a visitor to the Vatican, blessed it and asked where he might get one of his own."

Reviews

[April Helms · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have several of this type of paper doll book. I find them a handy quick reference for period fashion looks and designs when I am researching such things, or I use them as inspiration when I'm in the mood to doodle. This one is so neat -- it shows that "bridal white" is not necessarily a world-wide concept.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tierney's skill is in drawing clothing. He does that very well. Unfortunately, the four dolls are...not great. There is little variation in facial feature/structure. The doll who stands in for much of Asia hardly has Asian traits. The doll for regions as widely varied as Yemen, Mexico, India, and Hawaii is far too light, and so is the doll who is normally called up for traditional dress on the African continent, but also Fiji. However, the dress is portrayed well and the book is worth the purchase for that. Supplemented by real documentation of global weddings, this is a great look at how various cultures celebrate marriage.