Company

Ernst joined the business in 1986. Initially, Ernst lived in Hong Kong and travelled throughout the region sourcing quality fabrics, laces and components. He moved to the U.S. in 1993 and fostered a strong relationship with U.S. dstributors and the television shopping retailers QVC U.S., QVC Germany and QVC U.K. Currrently, Ernst communicates the family's vision for creating beautiful, heartfelt designs.

Liesbet initially concentrated her efforts on managing the day-to-day operations of the factory. Over time, Liesbet's love of design compelled her to work side-by-side with Pauline in the development award-winning dolls. She is presently overseeing the re-launch of the classic cloth dolls, as well as continuiing the development of the award-winning line of miniature Paulinettes.

Pauline's eldest son, Mikkel, joined the business in 1980. Mikkel closely followed in his mother's footsteps when his initial interest in drawing developed into a passion for sculpting. Mikkel uses his extraordinary skill and unwavering attention sculpting the beautiful heads, arms and legs for our vinyl and porcelain.

October 7, 2006 - Internationally recognized for more than thirty years of creating award-winning collectible dolls, Pauline Bjonness-Jacobsen, 71, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Saturday morning near her home in West Vancouver, Canada. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2003 and until very recently was able to continue working on her passions of illustration and doll design.

Pauline will be deeply missed by her surviving family including brothers Karel and Ernst; her sister, Trude; three children, Mikkel, Liesbet and Ernst; their father, Mick; six grandchildren, Alexander, Katrina, Paulina, Steven, Isabelle and Annalise; nineteen nieces and nephews, as well as extended family and friends from many countries. People who knew Pauline grew to love her timeless elegance, warmth, generosity and wonderful sense of humor.

Born in Makassar, Indonesia to Paulina and Josef Hoen, Pauline survived being interned in a Japanese concentration camp in Indonesia during World War II before her family re-settled in their native Holland. She studied in Switzerland, then moved to Hong Kong where she met and married Mick Bjonness-Jacobsen. They raised their children in Borneo, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines before she finally settled in West Vancouver, Canada.

A true artist at heart and a creative force, Pauline first harnessed her talents building a retail business with her husband consisting of five elegant stores in Hong Kong selling beautiful rattan furniture from the Philippines, plush animals from Italy and fine crystal from Norway. Her love of drawing and sculpting led to Dolls by Pauline in the 1970's and, during the next three decades, her doll-making art was the subject of countless magazine articles, more than ten years of personal appearances on the television shopping channel QVC in the US and Europe, and over thirty prestigious doll awards nominated from industry insiders as well as collectors themselves.

Her business became a family treasure she shared with thousands of collectors around the world. Her children, who have worked with her for over 20 years, intend to continue Pauline's tradition of excellence.

Liesbet is the principle designer and the daughter of the late Pauline Bjonness-Jacobsen, the world-renowned founder of Dolls by Pauline. Mikkel is the master-sculptor while Ernst communicates the company’s vision for creating beautiful, heartfelt designs. Over the years, the Jacobsen family has been nominated for over 42 prestigious design awards including Doll Reader Magazine’s celebrated “Doll of the Year” award and Dolls Magazine’s distinguished“Award of Excellence.”