If you’ve spent any time in Dress to Impress lately, you’ve probably seen players running around with a creepy, slightly uncanny stuffed version of Lana the Nail Lady. It’s iconic. It’s weird. It’s the ultimate "if you know, you know" accessory for anyone trying to lean into the lore of the game. But figuring out how to get the Lana doll in DTI isn't as simple as just clicking a button in the catalog or buying it with Robux. You have to actually hunt for it.
The doll is tied to the deep, occasionally dark lore that the developers have been bread-crumbing for months. Most players just want to look cute, but the ones who find the Lana doll are usually the ones obsessed with the mysterious disappearance of the original nail technician and the rise of Agathe. Honestly, it’s one of the best parts of the game—the fact that a fashion simulator has a secret horror-adjacent subplot.
Finding the Secret Room Under the Map
To actually grab the doll, you need to head to the lobby. Don't worry about the runway or the dressing room right now. You’re looking for a very specific spot. Most people walk right past it because they’re too busy planning their "Dark Coquette" or "Y2K" outfits.
Look for the shelves. You know the ones. Near the nail station where Lana (or her replacement) sits. There’s a specific section of the wall that isn't actually a wall. It’s a false panel. If you walk into it—literally just shove your avatar against the back of the shelving unit near the boxes—you’ll clip right through. It feels like a glitch. It isn't. It’s a deliberate choice by the devs to reward the players who poke around where they shouldn't.
Once you’re through, you’ll find yourself in a cramped, dimly lit room. It’s a stark contrast to the bright, pink, glittery aesthetic of the main lobby. This is Lana’s "break room," or more accurately, her hideout/shrine.
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The Interaction Trick
The doll is sitting right there. It’s small. It looks exactly like the Lana NPC, complete with the apron and the blank stare. You can’t just walk over it to pick it up like a power-up in a platformer. You have to hover your cursor or tap directly on the doll.
Sometimes the prompt is finicky. You might have to zoom in your camera or shift your angle. When you click it, you’ll get a notification or the doll will simply appear in your inventory under the "held items" or "bags" category.
Why the Lana Doll Keeps Disappearing
Here is the thing about how to get the Lana doll in DTI that frustrates everyone: it’s not always there.
The developers, specifically Christy and the team behind Dress to Impress, love to update the game’s lore in real-time. During certain events, like the Forest expansion or the various "Lana is Missing" chapters, the doll gets moved. If you go to the secret room and it's empty, it usually means the lore has progressed.
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- The Forest Update: At one point, the doll was moved to a location within the Forest map. You had to navigate through the trees to find a small campsite where the doll was tucked away.
- The Agathe Era: When Agathe took over the nail salon, the doll became harder to find because the "original" Lana was effectively being erased from the salon's history.
- Lobby Revamps: Every time the lobby gets a makeover—which happens often—the entrance to the secret room shifts slightly.
If you're looking for it and the shelving unit trick doesn't work, check the corners of the room behind the large "DTI" signs. The devs like to hide the entrance behind the structural pillars when they want to refresh the challenge.
Making the Doll Work with Your Outfit
Once you have it, how do you actually use it to win? Just holding a doll isn't enough to get five stars. You have to tell a story.
I’ve seen players use the Lana doll for "Horror" themes, obviously. But it’s also great for "Nostalgia" or "Childhood" themes. It adds a layer of creepiness that judges usually eat up. If the theme is "Urban Legend," the Lana doll is basically a cheat code for a top three spot.
Pair it with the "Muted" color palette. If you use the custom color wheel to match your outfit's fabric to the doll's apron color, it creates a cohesive, eerie look that stands out from the twenty people wearing the exact same pink dress.
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The Lore Behind the Item
You aren't just carrying a toy. In the DTI universe, Lana was the original nail artist who was seemingly replaced by a doppelganger or a more sinister version of herself. There are diary entries scattered around different versions of the map (if you know where to look) that suggest the doll might be more than just merchandise.
Some players theorize the doll is a "voodoo" item, while others think it’s just a memento left behind by a fan. Whatever the case, it’s the most famous "leak" item in the game. It’s been "deleted" and "brought back" more times than any other accessory.
Actionable Steps to Secure the Doll Right Now
If you want the doll in your next round, follow this exact sequence:
- Enter a Pro Server if possible. Sometimes the "New Player" servers have older versions of the map where the secret room is glitched or disabled.
- Go to the Nail Station. Face the NPC. Turn 180 degrees.
- Find the shelving unit with the cardboard boxes. Walk directly into the center of it.
- Click the doll. Do not just stand near it. You must interact with the object to bind it to your session's inventory.
- Check your 'Held Items' tab. If it isn't there, reset your character and try again.
Keep in mind that DTI updates almost every few weeks. If a major holiday event is live, the doll is frequently relocated to the "Event Zone." If the salon looks different than it did yesterday, the doll has probably moved to a new hiding spot within the vents or behind the main stage curtains. Always check the corners. The devs rarely remove it entirely; they just make you work for it.