Picture of the Day by Patty in Hawaii

The boards are awash with Halloween themed photos this week. This one from Patty in Hawaii is quite unusual. How did she get Phoenix Gene into the arms of Dracula?

Gene doesn't look too concerned.

Phoenix Gene in Superfrock and Comparison Photos

I'm definitely enjoying photographing the new resin Gene doll. It reminds me of the days when I'd get one doll at a time and spend a week changing her clothes and taking pictures. I haven't done this in a long time.
In the images on this page, Phoenix is wearing Sybarite Neurotica's dress. It fits
very nicely except the straps of the dress are extending above the natural shoulder. I like it anyway.  The shoes fit, too, but because Gene's ankles do not bend the shoe's angle, when she is standing up, is off. The wig is by Cheryl Wood. She's wearing her own gloves smooshed down and folded over.
This doll looks great in everything!

 

Above you can see the detail of her glove hands. This is the set of hands that is painted white. They were easy to switch to the regular color hands without tools but did require a third hand. In my case I held the doll between my legs and switched the hands. You can see the other hands in prior photos I posted of Phoenix.

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Tom in CA has graciously allowed me to reproduce his Gene comparison photos.

First we have blonde versions of all three Gene Marshall dolls. On the left is an Ashton Drake, center is Integrity Toys and right is the new Phoenix.  Do you have a favorite? 

In this particular picture, I like the IT version primarily because of the hairstyle which makes her forehead smaller than either of the others. 

Here is another comparison which is great because it shows the head shape differences. Phoenix has a much more realistically proportioned head.  The Gene on the left looks as if she's missing part of her skull!

Phoenix Wears Tonner Designed Fashion

Phoenix is quite photogenic. She is pretty and her resin glows.
More good news, she can wear most Tyler sized fashions and shoes.
The wig she is wearing in these shots is a fantasy style of mixed platinum, opalescent, pink and a slight metallic. It was made by Fetique Clinique.

The fashion is by Robert Tonner and is called Florentine. It was a 2002 dressed doll and is one of my favorite Tonner fashions-ever.

Heading Back to PA from IDEX 2013

I have a little time this morning before having to leave for the airport so I wanted to talk a little about the new Gene doll and post a few pictures.
Phoenix is a pretty doll who comes with two wigs caps and a plain cap for use with your own wigs. She comes with a set of white gloved hands and standard hands. They are easy to switch out once you get the hang of it.
Monday night Sandra Stillwell came over and we spent about 4 hours dressing and redressing Phoenix and an IT Madra in Sandra's designs from her last convention. My rudimentary photo studio consisted of an ironing board, a few dim lamps and a good camera with a small external flash unit attached. Certainly not optimal conditions but we made do.

Yes, the IT dolls were taller. Even blocking out Madra's hair, you can see that the legs or torso contribute to the height. Phoenix is closer to the old AD height. Every other part of the body appears to be the same size.
Here she is with her brunette wig cap.

Phoenix dressed in her own gown without her jewelry and train.

Phoenix dressed in one of Sandra's lovely fashions.

These are just teasers. I will have more pictures of the doll herself later on.

Here are pictures from Saturday, the day of the presentation. The room itself was very dark so there is only one picture from there. Most of these are from the hall outside the venue and from nearby.

Mel went around like a proud Papa showing Gene to attendees. He was glowing with pride and joy.
During his verbal presentation he talked about how much he enjoyed the collectors over the years, sharing with them and traveling around the country to events. Sounds like he wants to pick that up again.
There are a handful of naysayers complaining about the price which was $525. at the event and $550. on line. But there were many more who defended the price of this exclusive resin convention doll as being similar to other resin BJD event dolls.
Apparently there is a market in this price range for resin BJD Gene because Phoenix Gene sold out lightning fast. Another one is on the way from FDQ according to the magazine distributed to attendees by Pat Henry.  More information on that doll will be forthcoming. What we do know is that she will be in day wear a la Dior.
This revival will be very interesting to watch. I'm looking forward to any individual fashions that may be designed and released. No, I do not have insider information on that aspect - I'm just hoping.

In the meanwhile, Sandra Stillwell has some beautiful, era appropriate designer fashions for sale on her website. I photographed many of them for her on Monday and will be sending her the images shortly so she can post them on her site. I'll post some of them on my blog, too.

Robert Tonner

John Dean, Philip Myers

The New Gene: Phoenix

Here is her picture courtesy of Angelic Dreamz. She comes with two rooted wig caps and a plain cap for using with your own wigs. I haven't had a minute alone with my own doll to take pictures.
It is really Gene! A dream come true for Gene collectors although the price point may be a nightmare for some. It's better to have one gorgeous, high quality doll than 4 or five who will yellow. (At least that's what I tell myself.)
Phoenix Gene will be able to wear all earlier Gene clothes.

The price pre-ordered was $525. The on-line price for May delivery was $550. I was told that the entire edition of 150 sold out shortly after the additional 50, not reserved for event attendees, were posted for sale.