HELLO DOLLY: UNICEF’s designer dolls initiative known as Les Frimousses (or little faces, in English) is celebrating its 10th anniversary. This year, 43 figurines are being conceived with a futuristic theme in collaboration with designers and fashion houses including Jean Paul Gaultier, Gucci and Christian Dior.
Missoni and Maison Lesage are first-timers. Also taking part are jewelers Lorenz Bäumer and La Maison Roure; 10 interior designers and 19 artists, such as Ara Starck. The dolls will be on show at the Petit Palais from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2 and then go under the hammer during an auction on Dec. 3 in the same location.
Last year, the reserve price for each little toy was 500 euros, or $647 at current exchange. UNICEF is to distribute funds raised from their sale to help vaccinate children in Sudan’s Darfur region.