It's said that at one time Robert Tonner considered becoming a surgeon, and then turned his interests to fashion design. Perhaps his study of the human body lead to the rave reviews by the National Institute of American Doll Artists (NIADA) for a model-like fashion doll he created for critique. Working for designer Bill Blass lead to the launch of his own fashion label, and over time, Tonner combined his love of fashion and his sculpture of dolls to form his very own company, well known to doll collectors everywhere.
Tonner's original creation, Tyler Wentworth, is based on a fictional 7th Avenue fashion designer. Tonner created her wardrobe using materials you would find in closets of Hollywood royalty - silk, cashmere, and brocades which are all topped off by the quality and details the company has become known for. Other licenses soon followed with characters from DC Comics, Marvel, The Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter, The Muppets, Twilight, and Disney all masterfully recreated in Tonner's signature style. Tonner also furthered his own catalog of creations with Antoinette, Cami and Jon, and he released a new series called Déjà Vu.
I was honored to receive an interview with Robert Tonner himself, who created his amazingly detailed 17 inch Jessica Rabbit doll in 2010 - as part of the Walt Disney Showcase Collection. Which comic characters are his favorite? What other plans were there for the Jessica Rabbit doll? Here is what he had to say:
ImNotBad.com:
What were some toys/figures/statues that you liked the most as a child?
Robert Tonner:
I was a child of the late fifties and sixties and the toy companies hadn’t yet caught up to the fact that we wanted to see our favorite comic and cartoon characters in toy form—so I had to make do with what was out at the time. I liked both dolls and action figures and played with both—Barbie and G.I. Joe. Mostly, however, I loved my art supplies and I spent hours drawing superhero’s and comic characters.
ImNotBad.com:
Who were some of your favorite cartoon and comic characters?
Robert:
When I was a kid, I loved any Disney movie and all the characters. As far as TV—it was Rocky and Bullwinkle, The Flintstones and Mighty Mouse (even very young, I liked the super hero thing!). As far as comics, I was a DC kid all the way. Superman and family was my thing.
INB:
What sparked you to transition from fashion designer to doll maker?
Robert:
I spent almost 18 years in NYC as a fashion designer—it was a very tough business and it can really stifle a creative person. I loved doing fashion—it was the business I grew to detest. At the same time, as a hobby, I started sculpting figures and when I thought enough was enough with fashion, I put the two together and you’ve got a doll.
INB:
Which Disney film is your favorite, and why?
Robert:
Wow, tough question. There are so many Disney films that are so much a part of my formative years—hard to pick just one. I always loved the Disney animation and still do—both classic and digital. So, if I had to pick one for classic, I’d pick Beauty and the Beast and for Digital it would have to be Toy Story 3.
INB:
How did the idea to create the Jessica Rabbit doll come about?
Robert:
When Who Framed Roger Rabbit came out, I sat in the theatre and thought, “what the heck am I watching?”. There was so much of that film that was just so new and different that I was kind of stunned! It was really kind of subversive in a way and a very different movie from Disney. (So, of course, I loved it.) Jessica made a big impression—that sexy, 40’s sort of Glamour—she just had to be a doll and I just had to do it! It took a few years but I got it done.
INB:
Can you explain a little of what had to be done to bring Jessica from concept to an actual doll?
Robert:
I had just finished a Laura Croft doll and for Laura, I had to develop a new body that would work for her. Because creating a new body is so expensive, I try to use it for more than one character—and while I was sculpting, it occurred to me that Laura’s body would be perfect for Jessica. The next step is to get Disney to agree. They were absolutely on board and we got permission. The next step was to sculpt the head—I love sculpting cartoon characters—but I don’t get the chance that often. I think I pretty much nailed the likeness and Disney approved the sculpt. The next step was to have the sculpt cleaned up and put into wax so that we could make production molds. Once we have a plastic molded head, it’s painted, the hair is rooted. The head was put on the body and then the outfit is made. And of course, the Disney product people are involved every step of the way.
INB:
There was rumor a few years back that Jessica was going to be released as a Trunk Set with different outfits, was there any truth to that - and had you considered making any other outfits for her?
Robert:
Yeah, I really wanted to do that—just never worked out. I did want to make Jessica into a real fashion doll, but at that time, Disney was reluctant to go outside of her character description. We even wanted to do a nurse version, but Disney rejected that idea.
INB:
In the very first promo photo of the Jessica Rabbit doll, she had a purse accessory. How come that was not included with the doll that was released?
Robert:
You’re testing my memory! You know what? I really don’t remember.
INB:
Did you consider creating a doll of Roger Rabbit to go along with Jessica?
Robert:
I did consider creating a Roger Rabbit—I guess we just never got around to it. I never saw Jessica as a long term project—more of a special item and that leaves less development time and money for other characters.
INB:
With the success of creating classic comic and movie characters - do you think you would consider creating more retro characters like He-Man and She-ra or other 80's icons?
Robert:
I’d love to—but it’s all about licensing and timing. If the right opportunity presented its self, who knows?