Kitty Cane Ornament
You know the old saying, “With friends like that, who needs enemies?” Well I’ve got friends like that. Actually, that’s unkind — I’m sure she didn’t mean to do what she did…
She sent me a sweet gift, a pick-me-up between friends; she likely had no idea that she’d set the collector’s illness a-flowing through in my veins…
She sent me Kitty Cane (complete with red glitter and a pink poodle), one of the adorable, risqué pieces from the Alley Cats series.
The Alley Cat series of “glamour pusses and sex kittens rolled into some tough hair balls” is by Margaret Le Van Dominguez of Margaret Le Van Designs.
Daisilyn Monroe Alley Cat
If that name sounds familiar, you might remember the designer from her line of hand painted evening bags and custom totes (sold through MooRoo Handbags) which were seen on Friends and even made Oprah’s “O” List.
Prior to handbag fame, Margaret Le Van Dominguez was a professional decorative artist, specializing in faux finishes, trompe l’oeil murals and hand painted furniture. Now she splits her time between creating fine art and licensing her paintings, illustrations and other designs, including the delightfully whimsical Alley Cats.
Alley Cats are the purr-fect combination of humor and classic film glamour, so they hit all my hot buttons. Each feline has her own story, or bio — rather like (but shorter than) my other glam obsession, Gene Dolls — which fuels my fascination.
The polyresin Alley Cats appear on red carpets and even as domestic divas — always keeping their girlie glam. And there even are swanky male Alley Cats too!
Male Alley Cats
My Kitty Cane is an ornament, a product of Kurt S. Adler, Inc., but Artisan Flair, Inc. began producing the Alley Cats line in 2004 — which means I am four years behind!
And so that’s where my sweet, well-meaning friend has gone and done something she never meant to do — she’s got me thinking I can’t stop at just one… And I can’t even just settle for the new releases, but must be on the prowl for all the Alley Cats. So that’s what she’s done; she’s started me on another addiction, another collection. I honestly couldn’t be more thrilled — she’ll just have to live with the knowledge that she’s now my enabler. *wink*
Alley Cats
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Hi
I have enjoyed reading your page about your Alley Cat dolls !
I have two figurines, but I have a feeling they may be imitations ones as they say they are made in china under them. It still has Margaret Le Vans name on thier tags.
I have been unsuccessfully trying to track more of these Alley Cats here in Australia, but have had no luck so far
They seem impossible to get, even the ones like I have. Everytime I mention them to my friends, they don’t know anything about them.
I would love to collect them, as they are so quirky and beautiful, and they have captured my heart !
I could order them from the USA, but it would probably work out too expensive for me to do that.
It’s just disapointing they don’t seem to be getting imported over to here in Australia. I wonder why that is ?
Jules
January 25th, 2009 at 9:37 PM
I don’t see them in as many stores as I thought I would… But perhaps if you contacted Margaret Le Van Designs they would be able to get you a list of retailers — even in Australia.
PS Mine are made in China; I think they all are.
May 30th, 2009 at 9:18 PM
tHEY ARE ALL MADE IN CHINA. i HAVE 25. lOOK ON EBAY