The brainchild of noted photographer, Emmy award winning actress and former Haute Doll editor, Sharon Wright, the STAND Lookbook is not just a magazine, It is your free online portal, magazine style, to contributors sharing what they love in stunning visual form. For people that like to curl up with a print publication, a printed edition can also be ordered. The print copies come in 2 cover choices and are a high-quality art book with rich, vibrant colors printed on thick matte paper.
Sharon Wright debuted the STAND April 2016 as an extension of herself, “Whether it’s dark and brooding or happy and colorful, each image says something and evokes an emotion. I want people to truly enjoy the experience.” Just over a year later a career change opportunity came up, so she handed over the reins to Dorothy Drake whose first issue was September 2017.
Dorothy Drake is committed to broadening the STAND’s horizon by introducing in-depth artist profiles, photo contests, new awards, show reports, and insights into the sponsors of the publication. To that end, the Lookbook continues to focus on the visual display of artist’s work, but Dorothy’s inquisitive nature will also launch her on a path to behind-the-scenes looks for what makes the industry tick.
It is Drake’s pleasure to introduce the way contributors pose, style and dress their dolls in each issue. The fashions are visually incredible, but she is also interested in how the dolls move and the creative process that allows movement – as seen through a camera lens.
Previously, in-depth articles were published on Nikki Britt Issue 9, Joshua Mc Kenney Issue 10, Connie Lowe in Issue 11 and Kaye Wiggs in issue 12. Readers got to know sponsors Code Noir and Charles’ Creature Cabinet in Issue 13. Issue 14 included a show report and a comparison of antique vs. BJD articulated bodies. The last issue (15) was a photo journey themed Tell Me A Story. Contributors made their audience sigh, cry, and laugh out loud.
So who are the STANDs’contributors? BJD and Fashion doll lovers from around the world, connecting us in a global love of dolls and bringing them to life through photography. You may recognize some names or the photographers like Pure Embers, Winter Fog, Dolldive67, Masha, Pruchanun R. or Lakeida Sprenkle. Many others you discovered for the first time on the pages of the STAND. The dolls photographed are ones that readers may have in their collections or are put in their wish lists – all costumed and put into amazing scenes. Just some of the faces are from Iplehouse, Granado, Lillycat, Tracy Promber, Yolande, Elfdoll, Volks, Mushroom Peddlar, Lati Doll, Tender Creation, YouPlayDolls and many, many more!
It is Drake’s opinion that the current generation of doll artists has surged ahead of all prior time-periods and is stretching creative muscles in a lot of new directions. The STAND’s job is to allow the story, the emotion, and the brilliance to be available to thousands of fans worldwide. In a recent comment, Dorothy said “You’ve thrown a rock in a lake and watched the ripples, right? The STAND is like the rock, well respected in the marketplace with a significant following. My job is to extend its reach by finding outstanding contributors and putting together a visual journal of the dolls you love. Check it out and let me know who we are doing!”
The STAND, Lookbook is published bi-monthly. Photographic submissions and advertising inquiries are welcome, send to editor@thestandmag.com. The next issue will be available on November 30 at The Stand Magazine. For contributors and advertisers, content deadline is November 23.
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The STAND has sponsored 2 photo contests and has announced a 3rd in Issue 15.
The STAND, Lookbook’s 2019 photo contest is starting a bit earlier than usual to accommodate
public voting in the January 2019 issue. The rules are simple:
~ There are NO fees to enter your photograph, 1 entry per person.
~ The theme is PARIS – past, present or future. (Please remember that the STAND is a PG13 magazine.)
~ Entries must be submitted to editor@thestandmag.com by January 4, 2019, along with a paragraph describing how your photo fits the theme. Please limit your paragraph to no more than 250 words. In addition to the descrtiption, include your name, doll name and manufacturer, list if there are any modifications and by whom, title of work, and how you want to be credited in the magazine.
~ The size: 8inches by 10inches at 300dpi – photos not complying will be disqualified.
~ All qualified entries will be included in Issue 17, release date January 30, 2019
~ STAND readers will vote on their favorite entry. A second vote will be cast by a team of photography experts. The votes will be combined to establish an overall winner.
~ Winners will be announced and shown in the STAND, Issue 18 release date March 30, 2019.
~ The top winner will receive $200.00 and a complimentary registration to the 2019 PNW BJD Expo, in Seattle Washington April 25-27, 2019. The winning photograph will be prominently
displayed during the Expo.
~ The second place winner will receive $100.00
~ Five of the entries will be chosen to be on display during the 2019 PNW BJD Expo and other events that include BJD or fashion dolls throughout 2019.
The STAND will also be sponsoring a contest for doll artists around the world. Details will be available in Issue 16, scheduled to be available on November 30th. There will be no entry fees and the contest will have several categories such as OOAK, Face-ups, etc. There will be a special award for artists that are providing the creative inspiration to move BJD dolls into the future.
Photos above from top: Hope by Kaye Wiggs and Pixie by Nikki Britt
