Showing posts with label Madame Alexander Cissette. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Madame Alexander Cissette. Show all posts

4/22/2013

Tiny Kitty To Make A Comeback

I forgot to mention that Robert Tonner announced the return of Tiny Kitty at the IDEX breakfast last week. They showed the line but it was a slide show so I didn't get to see enough. I thought the dolls looked more like Simone Rouge than Tiny Kitty. Simone is less innocent looking.
The bodies will be the same...boo hoo. I would have liked if they could sit without their knees spreading apart. In any event, I am pleased that there will be some new Tiny Kitty dolls to join my collection.

This is a really old photo. My first Tyler and possibly one of my first Tiny Kitty dolls.

One of my favorites, "Little Miss Kitty."

I love the blonde TKs.
Wearing a Poppy Parker outfit. Seated on her own bed.


Tiny Kitty loves to wear Fashion Royalty clothes! The shoes do not fit (the boots do) and the bust is a different proportion but many of the multi-piece outfits from the 2nd generation FR work well.


Tiny Kitty and Simone Rouge share the same body. They can also wear modern 10" Cissette fashions.

This is a picture of Simone wearing a Madame Alexander Cissette (or Coquette) fashion.

My girls get along with each other. The big ones look after the small ones. Antoinette and Simone.

12/09/2011

Guilty Little Pleasure - Madame Alexander Cissette

I've have previously discussed my affection for Madame Alexander Cissette dolls. They're just so cute. The trunk sets are extremely attractive to me. They're like little parts of doll houses and there are lots of fashion items in each one. My newest trunk set is the Christmas Trunk Set. I took a chance on an unknown seller I located on ecrater because it was the lowest price I have ever seen on this set.

The exterior of the trunk depicts a front door decorated with a wreath. It's the same on both sides. The interior is holly papered with a space for the doll and four drawers.


One doll is included. She comes dressed in a very traditional taffeta and gold mesh Christmas plaid dress with green suede-like pumps, stockings, crinoline, long gloves (oddly without fingers) and a hat. I didn't want to tie the hat on so it's probably not supposed to look like that.


In the following pictures, I have dressed two additional Cissette dolls in the two other complete fashions that come in this trunk set. Nothing has been skimped on. There are shoes for each outfit!

There is even a dress under the white coat! This is a really great set especially if you have other dolls to dress in additional fashions for a holiday display.



 Check out the ice skates above. She's got a headband to hold her hair away from her face while skating and white tights to keep her legs warm. Perhaps the fingerless gloves would go better with this outfit than the plaid dress.



The caped coat and hat are a low pile fur-like fabric. It's lush. She has wrist length gloves and leatherette tall boots. The red dress underneath is a sleeveless taffeta with a gathered skirt. I added the earrings.

I've seen this set priced from a low of $117. to a high of $220. Shop around!
Today I found it for $119.95 at Carytown Dolls & Bears.


5/24/2009

Basique Blak, a Gift Set from Superfrock

Yes, I've gone and done it. I've crossed over the pond to the dark side with one big toe and a few other little piggies by purchasing a Superfrock Ltd. fashion collection called Basique Blak. Picture me calculating with my currency converter the average price of each of the many pieces in this set and then throwing all caution to the wind by clicking BUY NOW.

Following is the market description of the set:
BASIQUE BLAK at it's basic FABULOUSNESS!
Set consists full length 'petticoat' evening gown in sequin with braided 'leather' straps,
black tafetta bolero jacket with braided 'leather' belt, black silk satin evening skirt and the ever so cute, wide neck pelvic length silk satin blouse. Lurex fishnet hose as well as a pair of sheer black, a pair of black silk sandals and the ultimate black mesch [sic] and patent over knee boots.
Final pieces being a hot and sexy red satin and lace underwear set!

No, I do not own a Sybarite doll nor do I intend to own one, but I counted on the fashions fitting my AvantGuard dolls and I was correct. I have not tried the hose, lingerie or boots yet.
I added the rhinestone pin to the top in the first pictured ensemble. The fabrics are silk and feel wonderful. The shoes, which I must photograph, fit beautifully. I am pleased. The red wig is from one of my Cissette Shadow dolls.
The cost with shipping from Great Britain was $377.18. Think about this...if one were to purchase one newly released premium Tonner fashion doll the cost would be between $150-$175 and more. Considering that nude Tonner dolls resale value is usually half or less after four months, the value is in the clothing. This set was not that expensive when I compare it to the prices I have paid for less. The fashions are timeless and beautifully constructed.
This item sold out very, very fast. People have money and are willing to spend it for quality dolls and related items. If Integrity Toys would wake up and stop trying to be all things to all people, pehaps they could concentrate on quality. Of course there would be rending of garments, vociferous demonstrations of hatred, beating of breasts and uncontrolled wailing if they released a $300 fashion pack. But if there were only 200 of them and the fashions were amazing with a commitment to quality and attention to detail, they'd sell out before hitting the ground.

4/11/2009

2009 Silkstones (So Far) & Marilyn Monroe Dolls



Debut™ Barbie® Doll 2009 Gold Label™ Collection

This is a big, big year for Mattel and it's Barbie line. Barbie's 50th birthday was celebrated in a huge way at Fashion Week, in Bloomingdales and on-line with a great deal of promotional advertising. I don't consider myself a Barbie doll collector but I've been known to buy Silkstones on a fairly regular basis usually as a result of impulse in response to pretty pictures. (I know I'm not alone.)
I pre-ordered the Caucasian Debut Barbie without hesitation. She looked great. My one word bottom line review for her is 'meh.' She's too Caucasian in person. The entire area above her eyes is too broad and empty looking. The AA one is prettier. And the brunette from the Paris Doll Festival is very lovely. The things that look like sequins on her bathing suit are actually tiny pieces of glittery stuff that comes off on your hands and everything else.
She's not awful but on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (perfect), she ranks a 5.5.
But I couldn't NOT buy her because of the repro-look. She won't be voted off the island immediately.

The best of both worlds — vintage and modern — come together to celebrate Barbie® doll’s 50th anniversary! Robert Best has created an amazing interpretation of the original Barbie® doll from 1959, with a Silkstone® twist, of course! From the chic upswept ponytail to the sparkly black and white bathing suit to all the sensational accessories, this glamour girl will set tongues wagging. Gorg-eous! Designed by Robert Best.

AA Photo from BC Site
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Gal On The Go™ Barbie® Doll 2009 Gold Label™ Collection Barbie Fan Club Exclusive

Gal on The Go is the first of a series of Club Dolls being offered this year. She has a very pretty face and I like her short curly hair style. The quality is very good on this gal and the colors of the outfit and her screening are excellent with eachother. I give her an 8.

All work and no style play is not an option for today's woman as the office meets the runway. Gal On The Go™ Barbie® Doll wears an inspired take on 1960's fabulous Busy Gal™ ensemble. Recreated by Robert Best, this exquisite doll and fashion perfectly celebrate Barbie® doll's 50th anniversary.
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Southern Belle Barbie® Doll 2009

This lovely doll is called Southern Belle and is now my second all time favorite Silkstone after Provencale. I am thrilled with her delicate facial screening and beautiful hair. Her dress is nicely constructed and the heels on the shoes are not bent and curved like so many. Happily she does not come with a bent elbow left arm as shown in the promotional photos. This doll has my highest recommendation of the three. I'm giving her a rating of 10!

The “Since 1959” Collection commemorates famed vintage Barbie® fashions, re-invented for a new era! Gentle, ladylike, and oh-so-romantic, Barbie® doll looks lovely in a chic modern take on vintage fashion Plantation Belle™. A pale pink dress accented with delicate lace compliments the doll’s auburn bob and sophisticated face paint.
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The club rebate this quarter is $30. instead of $20. That's a nice surprise perk for club members. I was going to dive right in and get the new Marilyn Monroe doll who looks fantastic. But I decided to wait instead for the next club doll.
Barbie® Doll as Marilyn Monroe™ 2009 Pink Label™ Collection

This doll begins a new collection called The Blonde Ambition Collection which also includes an adorable Goldie Hawn doll. It is not the first time Mattel is reproducing the actress. In 1997 three Barbie dolls were released which portrayed Marilyn wearing some of her most famous fashions in "Barbie as Marilyn." The series consisted of two dolls from the movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and one from "The Seven Year Itch."
In 2002, Mattel released two dolls whose features are intended to portray Marilyn Monroe herself, in "Timeless Treasures Marilyn" One was a sad replica of the Happy Birthday gown and the other was a fashion from "How to Marry A Millionaire." It came with a second fashion.
There are other companies who have put out Marilyn Monroe dolls and if you are interested you might want to search them out on the web. I have made the names into links to websites that either feature, sell or discuss Marilyn Monroe dolls.
They are Tristar, World Doll, DSI, Franklin Mint and Madame Alexander. And then there is always eBay on which a search for Marilyn Monroe doll returned 189 results.

Two new Marilyn dolls due to arrive in July of this year are from Madame Alexander. One uses the 10" Cissettte body and is called Marilyn Monroe Collection Seven Year Itch. LE 350. I have a fondness for the general high quality of MA dolls. These little Cissette dolls are delightful and this one will find her way into my collection. I don't know if she has sleep eyes or if they are painted. But she's a cutie in the iconic white dress whose hem is wired so it looks like the wind is blowing it upwards. She's got her trademark beauty spot on her cheek. Adorable! We're looking at a Pre Order price in the $110 range.

The second Marilyn from Madame Alexander uses the 16" Alex body. This doll oozes glamour and is absolutely gorgeous dripping in 'diamonds.' She is called Marilyn Monroe Collection Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. LE 350. Pre Order price is about $145.
I want her!

1/27/2009

Madame Alexander Cissette

January can be a dangerous month. There's a lull between the holidays and Toy Fair during which one has time to browse the offerings of the doll manufacturers not normally part of one's collection. One might just need a dolly fix.
This year, Madame Alexander's 10" Cissette caught my eye and my fancy. It all started when one of the doll dealers posted a picture of A Fashionable Life Cissy, a 21" MA doll whose retail price is close to $600.



Some of the more limited or more elaborate ones cost much more. For example, this 85th Anniversary Cissy is priced at $1699.95 at Angelic Dreamz.


Although the doll has a childlike face, the fashions are anything but childlike. I started browsing; however, I restricted my browsing to new Cissettes as she is affordable, adorable and has more articulation than MA's previously issued 10" dolls.

Widely available at wildly different prices, each doll requires a thorough search for the best price. I ordered two from an eBay dealer whose prices were the best I could find.

The first shown here is Belle Enchantress from The Definitive Collection - The Ingenues. LE 500.

 


"She is part of a new limited edition collection featuring 10" ball jointed dolls with unique expressive hand-painted eyes and exquisite design. The collection is inspired by classic haute couture from years past. She is fully articulated with 10 points of articulation at the neck, waist, hips, knees, shoulders and elbows."


I paid $59. plus shipping for this little gem. She goes for over $100. on many retail sites. The Doll Market has her for $69.97 today.



My second is the Boutique Shadow Cissette Couture Series Doll - Closet Full of Couture. LE 300.
"For daytime elegance, Cissette wears a silver suit trimmed in fur and accented by a fuchsia bow, black handbag and strap heels. For nighttime drama, a second outfit features a beige chiffon dress, a multicolored fur wrap and a magenta wig."
The word "shadow" refers to the fact that each outfit is a recreation of haute couture fashions created for the limited edition Cissy Boutique series.
This Cissette has 'sleep eyes.' I haven't had a doll with sleep eyes since I was 5 years old! No, she does not say Mama.






In the photo below, Belle of the Prom Tiny Kitty is wearing the second outfit. The fit is excellent.





Cissette is the perfect little dolly fix for me as she fits right in with my Tiny Kitty collection as far as size goes. They can share each other's clothes for the most part. Tiny Kitty is a little taller.
There are also wonderful Cissette Trunk sets but the Cissettes with those sets don't have bending arms. The trunks are wonderful, though.

This Boutique Shadow set cost me $89.99 plus shipping. I have seen it being sold at retail for $199. Shop around!






1/24/2009

Thank You For Your Referrals

Just a note of thanks to all those who put my name in as a referral when they joined the W Club. I was one of the winners! I will be able to choose as a gift one of the coming 2009 Club dolls and I am now a W Club Ambassador. Yeah, I know, whatever.
So if you have any pressing information you'd like to pass along .... you know what to do.

My first Madame Alexander 10" Cissette dolls arrived today. I haven't had time to take any pictures. They are adorable but like all other child faced dolls I've purchased in the past 5 years, they don't stay long.