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David Wolfe (1941-2023)
Artist Bio:
David Wolfe grew up in Ashtabula, Ohio, where he first discovered paper dolls through his older cousin’s collection of movie star sets from the 1940s and ’50s. The glamour of fashion and film appealed to the artistic, bookish child and sparked a lifelong fascination with illustration, design, and popular culture.
After college, Wolfe worked in retail before moving to London during the Swinging Sixties, where he became a leading fashion illustrator. His work appeared in major publications, and he created illustration campaigns for prominent European retailers. As the fashion industry evolved, Wolfe emerged as an early pioneer in fashion trend forecasting, serving for more than twenty-five years as Creative Director of The Doneger Group. His widely respected forecasts and presentations helped shape collections and buying strategies for designers, retailers, educators, and fashion organizations, and he was frequently cited by the media for his ability to identify cultural and fashion trends well before they reached the mainstream.
Alongside his work in contemporary fashion, Wolfe maintained a deep interest in fashion history and often lectured on fashion, design, and popular culture. Paper dolls reentered his life in what he fondly called his “third act,” when he joined the community of collectors, artists, and historians devoted to the hobby. As a managing editor of Paper Doll Studio, frequent contributor to Paperdoll Review magazine, and prolific paper doll book illustrator, he quickly became one of the most recognizable and beloved artists working in contemporary paper dolls. Wolfe’s article reprints, behind-the-scenes accounts, and fashion commentary can be found on his Paperdollywood Blog and Paperdollywood website. He was the featured artist in OPDAG’s Paper Doll Studio magazine, issue 80 (2004).
Through dozens of paper doll titles published by Paper Studio Press, Wolfe celebrated classic movie stars, fashion designers, television, pop culture, and holiday themes, helping to introduce new collectors to the hobby while delighting long-time enthusiasts. Beyond his artwork, he brought enthusiasm, humor, encouragement, and encyclopedic fashion knowledge to every project. His long friendship and creative partnership with Jenny Taliadoros helped shape Paper Studio Press, OPDAG, Paperdoll Review, and the broader paper doll community for more than two decades.
Wolfe’s passion for fashion history and education is reflected in the work of his daughter, fashion historian Amanda Hallay, who became a professor at LIM College and shared her expertise through her Ultimate Fashion History YouTube channel, which remains accessible to viewers. Amanda also contributed articles to Paperdoll Review and OPDAG’s Paper Doll Studio magazines, and she passed away in January 2023.
David Wolfe died in April 2023, leaving a legacy as a fashion illustrator, trend forecaster, writer, paper doll artist, and mentor whose work continues to inspire artists and collectors today. For a personal remembrance of David Wolfe’s life and work, see the tribute published in Paperdoll Review issue 87 (Spring 2023), available here.
This artist entry is part of the OPDAG Paper Doll Artists Index, an ongoing research project. Entries are updated as new information is confirmed. We welcome corrections, additions, publication information, images, and other materials that help preserve and document the work of paper doll artists. Please contact Jenny Taliadoros at info@opdag.com if you have information to share.
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Selected Titles:
Paper Studio Press
Marsha Hunt Paper Dolls (2008)
TV Moms and '50s Fashions Paper Dolls (2008)
Hollywood Style of the '30s, '40s and '50s Paper Doll (2008)
Adrian Hollywood's Star Designer Paper Dolls (2009)
Phyllis Diller Paper Dolls (2009)
Grease Paper Dolls (2009)
Marlene Dietrich Paper Dolls (2009)
Phyllis McGuire Paper Dolls (2009)
Polka Dot Paper Dolls (2010)
Hollywood Confections Paper Dolls (2010)
Doris Day Film Fashions Paper Dolls (2010)
Donna Reed Paper Dolls (2011)
Hollywood Style of the 60s, 70s and 80s Paper Dolls (2011)
Debbie Reynolds Paper Dolls (2011)
Broadway Legend Carol Channing Paper Dolls (2012)
Patti Page Paper Dolls (2012)
Veronica Lake Paper Dolls (2012)
Merrie Christmas Paper Dolls (2012)
1939 Hollywood’s Golden Year Paper Dolls (2013)
Fashions That Rocked & Wrecked the Red Carpet Paper Dolls (2013)
Connie Francis Paper Dolls (2014)
Doris Day Celebration Paper Dolls (2014)
Femme Fatales of Film Noir Paper Dolls (2014)
Ava Gardner Paper Dolls (2015)
Fashion Icons Princess Diana & Jacqueline Kennedy Paper Dolls (2015)
Hollywood Goes to Paris Paper Dolls (2015)
Vera-Ellen Dancing Star Paper Dolls (2015)
Hollywood Goes to New York City Paper Dolls (2016)
Queen Elizabeth on the Screen Paper Dolls (2016)
Classic Drama Queens Paper Dolls (2016)
Classic Dancing Stars Paper Dolls (2017)
Classic Singing Stars Paper Dolls (2017)
Hollywood Gets Married Paper Dolls (2017)
The Queen (Queen Elizabeth II) Paper Dolls (2017)
Silent Screen Stars Paper Dolls (2018)
Hollywood Gets Undressed Paper Dolls (2018)
Merry Movie Christmas Paper Dolls (2018)
Pop Trends Paper Dolls (2019)
Stripes! Paper Dolls (2019) with Julie Allen Matthews
Hollywood Fiesta Paper Dolls (2019)
Royal Princesses of the 20th Century Paper Dolls (2020)
Anna May Wong Paper Dolls (2020)
’30s Riviera Paper Dolls (2021)
The Paper Dolls Motown Girl Group Paper Dolls (2021) with Julie Allen Matthews
Hollywood Couturier Paper Dolls (2021)
Supermodels Paper Dolls (2022)
Tulip O’Brien’s Cut-Out Club (a story plus 5 paper dolls with clothes to cut & color) (2022)
Paperdoll Review
Cleopatra in the Movies (2007)
Retro Movie Starlet Paper Doll (2018)
All That Glitters Paper Dolls (2022) with Julie Allen Matthews
Belle of the Ball Paper Dolls (2023)
Elegant Extravagance Paper Dolls (2023)
Paperdollywood
Homage to Hollywood - large portfolio set, limited edition of 100 (2002)
Michelle First Lady Paper Dolls (2009)
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