Sandra Stillwell Presents... The Belle of New Orleans 2016 Event!

Registration is now officially open for Sandra Stillwell Presents: The Belle of New Orleans! 

Here's a brief excerpt from the announcement:

Convention Package –

Your Belle of the New Orleans souvenir package will be an exclusive collection of couture inspired fashions -- with just the perfect twist of elegance, glamour and fun you've come to expect from "Sandra Stillwell Presents”. 

Also included with your registration will be:

• Thursday evening opening dessert reception
• Three breakfast programs
• One Lunch
• Two Dinners
• Table gifts
• Interesting Programs and Speakers
• Movie breaks, surprises, raffles, and lots of fabulously fashionable fun!
• An exclusive, behind the scenes tour of the Louisiana State Museum’s fashion archives with curator talk, a museum tour – and other surprises! (Details to be announced later)

But there’s still more!!

You’ll have first opportunity to purchase or pre-order extremely limited fashions from the Sandra Stillwell Presents: The Belle of New Orleans convention collection, including several made of the finest French fabrics, direct from Paris!

These fashions are designed to fit our favorite 16” star, but some may fit other doll bodies. 

If booked within our Sandra Stillwell Presents group room block and paid in full by cash, check or money order by July 1st, the registration fee is $500. After July 1st, the fee is $550.

An additional $150 will be added to registrations booked outside of the Sandra Stillwell Presents group room block or for guests not staying at the hotel.

A $25 service fee will be added to payments other than cash, check, or money order.

A nonrefundable deposit of $100 will reserve your spot. Payment plans can be arranged on request.

It is important that you RSVP by email if you are planning to join us.

Once you have RSVP’d, your space will be held for 1 week.

For anyone who has not RSVP’d, registrations will be accepted according to postmark.

A $125 cancellation fee applies to all cancellations prior to July 1stth. After that date, no cancellations can be accepted.

Checks or Money Orders for registration should be made payable to Sandra Stillwell, and mailed to:

The Belle of New Orleans

c/o Sandra Stillwell

8305 Blue Lick Rd

Louisville, KY 40219

Companion registrations will be available if purchased with a full registration. Please contact me for details.

Here is the full announcement:
http://sandrastillwellpresents.blogspot.com/

Sandra Stillwell Presents: Convention Wrap-Up

The fashions from Sandra's recent "Bellissima Italian Style" convention held in Chattanooga, TN is now cataloged on her website with pictures and prices along with a description of the activities from the event.

There are 49 fashions if I counted correctly. Several are available in multiple color ways.  There are 4 wigs to pre-order. I know three of them are made by Ilaria but I'm not sure about the 4th.  They're all being sold for $90., including the last one which does not look like a hard cap wig.
It has been confirmed that all the wigs are made by Ilaria. 

My favorite fashions are
"Pucci Capri Breeze" @ $140.

"Visconti" @ $175.

and "Luminoso" @ $160.

All the fashions and wigs are created to fit the Gene Marshall body, vinyl or resin. In some cases, of course, the fashions will fit other similarly sized dolls.

You can see all the fashions available to buy now and to pre-order at Sandra's site:
http://sandrastillwellpresents.blogspot.com/p/bis-sales.html



All of the photos were taken by Joan Greene. 
I have taken the liberty of brightening and sharpening a bit.

Toast of Manhattan Wrap-Up

To pick up where I left off...I loved the Winterthur trip and the Broadway show but, seriously, I could have made those optional excursions at any time because of where I live. That decision was on me. Luncheon at the DuPont hotel is probably something I'd never have experienced. It was a nice touch that could have been enhanced by a little background info or tour of the public rooms. The dining room was magnificent.

The Metropolitan Museum's Charles James exhibit was insanely wonderful. I learned so much about the artist and his work.

I was so looking forward to was George Sarofeen's presentation. Something went wrong and it was rescheduled to the next day at a time when I couldn't be there. :-(
His talks have been highlights of prior events for me.

My table mates were the best! (Go Table 6!) Luckily I was able to use credit card miles to pay for the hotel stay which was pretty pricey for a less than nice facility. Maybe I just got a crummy room. I know some people thought the hotel was fine. 

I thought I'd come home with some amazing stuff other than what I purchased and two of the convention gifts, (Tree Ball Gown and Coney Island Cutie.) The other fashions just did not do it for me.  The optional purchases were, for the most part, droolworthy. I purchased four extra fashions and wanted several more.  I have pre-ordered three additional items. During the event, as the cost went up and up, I erased my name from a few pre-order lists.

I am very fond of Sandra. She knows how to put an event together. If you have read any of my past experiences with her conventions, you will know how much I loved them. There is an incredible amount of work and planning that goes into a convention; however, I would like to see less attention focused on the optional sales and more care given to the "gifts" attendees go home with. In my opinion, the stuff given to attendees should be at least equal to the best of the lot.

I am very happy with these Charles James inspired fashions. The first three were optional purchases. 

_______________

More in FDQ's next issue.

Toast of Manhattan - One Favorite Fashion

Of all the convention souvenirs we attendees received, one of my favorites was "Coney Island Cutie." This fashion consisted of a big, wonderful flowered straw hat, earrings, shoes, a reversible top, shorts, a reversible skirt and a very short reversible skirt (not shown.)

There are, in fact, several other pieces but they were an optional purchase.
This is a photo by Jeff Lega but he shows a different hat.  It's labeled "Gal About Town."

I took these pictures at the event.

The extra pieces will be the handbag, sweater, cropped pants, coat, slim skirt, long skirt, sash/belt, necklace...I think. The sweater doesn't look very appealing as the shoulders are too wide but the rest of the items look cute.

A Very Brief "Toast of Manhattan" Convention Post

Returned home Monday, unpacked, did laundry...looked at dolls, dressed dolls and took a few quickie iPad and iPhone pictures. I have no time as we're about to leave town to join our family for a holiday and a reunion. When I return I'll be busy for a few days getting a piece ready for the next issue of FDQ. When that's done...I'll post my recap of the convention.

What I've posted here are some very quick iPad shots of the 6 fashion ensembles we received as part of the convention package.  Some of the accessories have been changed by me or left out entirely. I just don't have patience for putting gloves on dolls.

The last photo is my travel doll wearing a Retros sweater I got in a room sale.  She's carrying some of the little goodies we received as table favors. A doll has to shop!

Here is a link to the nearly 200 iPhone photos I have uploaded to Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.842777405740687.1073741827.148849285133506&type=1

For more information on the names of the fashions, you can check Sandra Stillwell's blog where the fashions and names are listed with photos by Jeff Lega. In addition, fashions that may still be available will be posted there along with fashions available to pre-order (just in case you don't have enough clothes for your dolls. Heh.)

New Fashion Ensembles from Sandra Stillwell

Those of us who attended Every Day's A Holiday last summer in Kansas City were able to pre-order an assortment of individual fashions from prototypes.
I ordered the following two. Descriptions are by Sandra.

AMERICAN BEAUTY

Sophisticated cocktail dress with sculpturally pleated skirt in seven layers of graduating lengths. A sparkling rhinestone buckle is the perfect touch. Accessories include black opera length gloves, shoes, and jewelry.

Inspired by a Roberto Capucci design, circa 1956. 

 

ON THE PLAZA

Gene is "Kansas City chic" in this stunning suit of black and silver tweed. Jacket features decorative tabs and Swarovski crystal buttons. Accessories include a scarlet red wool hat with velvet trim, matching red gloves, jewelry and shoes.

Inspired by a Betty Rose design, circa 1950's.

 

Both fashions are expertly made and fit my models perfectly.  The layers of skirt on American Beauty are not wired. They stay up as a result of their construction. It fascinates me. I think I will add a necklace.
The suit is trimmed with rhinestone buttons. You can't see it in my photos but the fabric has a metallic silver thread running throughout. The shoes are miniature masterpieces of black suede with red trim. They were an unexpected touch.

There may be extra fashions to buy-not just these.
http://sandrastillwellpresents.blogspot.com/p/sales_31.html
You can contact Sandra at dls6643@aol.com.

 

Save the Date: Sandra Stillwell Presents "The Toast of Manhattan"

Sandra Stillwell has announced the date and location for her next convention. Here are some excerpts from her blog and a link to the post itself.

I've been hard at work on our 2014 convention, and I'm proud to announce that Sandra Stillwell Presents: "The Toast Of Manhattan" will take place August 7-10th at the Crowne Plaza in Edison, New Jersey! 

 

Imagine "The Toast of Manhattan" in exclusive salons and department stores on the most fashionable avenues of 1940's and 50's New York City -- in a private box at the opera, or opening night at the latest Broadway play --  dining and dancing till dawn at THE "most happening" club in town! Imagine award winning American designers and fashion icons gracing the covers and pages of New York's Vogue and Harper's Bazaar -- the height of fashion, their creations in as much demand as the latest from Paris.... Imagine....

Exciting things are being planned for "The Toast of Manhattan" -- the cornerstone of which will be our group tour of the Metropolitan Museum's "Charles James Beyond Fashion", the inaugural exhibition in the museum's newly renovated Costume Institute! The landmark exhibit, which features over 100 of the legendary couturier's most notable designs, will also include sketches, pattern pieces, fabric swatches, and partially completed works from Mr James' last studio in New York City.
Please RSVP as soon as possible if you would like to join us, as having an idea of how many to plan on for convention and the tours is a big help.

This not to be missed event will be limited to only 50 attendees. Registration will begin in Spring. Those on the RSVP list will be notified before opening registration to the public.

You won't want to miss all the fun and fabulous fashions that we have planned, so mark your calendars and make your plans to attend now!

 Sandra Stillwell Presents

 ______________________________________________________________

"Venus Bringing the Arts to Manhattan" by Wheeler Williams, 1940's Art Deco, 980 Madison Ave, New York,

 Jake Rajs

_______________________________________________________________ 

The Secrets of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

MetroDolls Event Part II

As I posted yesterday, the main speaker at the event was Robert Tonner who talked about the design and evolution of the Deja Vu line. Unfortunately, the new dolls from that line were not ready in time for display. It was the second time I heard this presentation but apparently every time Robert tells the story, he gets funnier. I love his sense of humor.

Small selection of the Tonner display.

Sandra Stillwell Presents showed off her fashions from the recent Every Day's A Holiday convention and several fashions from prior conventions. These are all for sale or pre-order - dolls not included.

Paul Pham brought four stunning Numina dolls with him and was offering for sale a few accessories.

Angelic Dreamz - JamieShow displayed their resin BJD line and attendees could see the newest resin Gene on display as well. The exclusive Grace from the Madrid Fashion Doll event is in the black hat.

MetroDolls themselves offered many fabulous items for sale, two of which came home with me. (Smoking and Eventail)

Facets by Marcia had one of her "I want everything" displays to drool over...wigs, shoes, miniature books, jewelry, pins, furniture, accessories.

Shannon aka Flutterwing Designs showed some of her beautiful work. Not shown below, her auction contribution scored quite high on the bidding list.

Laurie Lenz displayed a few dolls.

Ed of Happily Ever After in Philadelphia brought a nice selection of merchandise including Integrity Toys, Tonner and more. You can see him and Marcia's husband (taking pictures) around the back of this sales table. I'm sorry, I did not get the name of whose table this top one was.

Another sales table.

Robin Atwell and Monica Cooper

Several MetroDolls club members displayed their Cholo Ayuyao fashions in a mouth watering display.

------------------------------------------------------>>>  Go To Part III MetroDolls