The Carmen Dell'Orefice Doll - Review

This was a highly anticipated doll which debuted at the recent Tonner convention.
A promo blurb on the Tonner Direct website says:

Carmen Dell'Orefice

Fashion icon Carmen Dell’Orefice is the longest working super model in the business, honored in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest career as a catwalk model.  Carmen has graced the cover of Vogue Magazine, walked the runway for all the greats and has been a staple in the fashion community for 70 years.  Now, Carmen again makes history as the inspiration for the FIRST EVER fashion doll representing mature beauty.

 I am quite the fan of Carmen and I had a proxy get the doll for me. I also received a personalized, signed photo.

The doll's fashion is sophisticated and stylish. The dress is a knit sleeveless sheath with a bat winged, cropped bolero trimmed in faux fur.  Very pretty necklace and plain rhinestone studs.

There is only a faint resemblance to Carmen. The nose is not narrow enough and looks too natural whereas Carmen's nose looks like a nose job. (It is.) The eyebrows come down too far in the middle.  And I think the head is too wide. It's a combination of small things that add up to a doll who doesn't look like the model.  I would like to have seen a more intense makeup palette on the doll as Carmen wears plenty of makeup.

Nice satin platform heels. Platinum hair tied back with a satin bow. 

The quality of the doll is very good. The only issue is that the size of the bust on the dress is too small thereby causing the snap area at the back to pull and gap. Happily I do not pose my dolls backwards.

I believe the fashion was inspired by this runway ensemble.

The line will continue and I'm anticipating more glamour. Perhaps we'll see fashions like these:

I want to see some wild hair framing that gorgeous face.

What do you think of this doll?

TonnerCon Part 3

Wizard of Oz Seminar - Late Friday

Joe Petrolese and John Fricke

John Fricke was the guest speaker. He is a "world famous" Oz historian according to the Tonner Blog. Mr. Fricke spoke about the making of the original movie, behind the scenes, Judy Garland and what it was like.

Patience GLINDA THE GOOD WITCH OF THE NORTH LE 300

Patience DOROTHY –  LE 300

Just when you thought the Wizard of Oz was all wizarded out, Tonner Doll has come up with two cute new versions.

Saturday Afternoon: "It's Time for Action!"
Tonner announced a new partnership with Captain Action Enterprises and debuted the first ever Lady Action doll. The guest speaker was Ed Catto from Captain Action Enterprises who spoke on the history of the Captain Action comics and toys.

 Lady Action features the Tyler 2.0 head sculpt on the 16" super heroine body, removable wig and painted blue eyes.

Lady Action LE 250

Joe Petrolese announced a new line coming to Tonner Doll: Diana Prince.

"This is a really exciting new line and, while we all know her alter ego is a tough-as-nails super heroine, this line is going to primarily focus on Diana Prince as a fashion icon – though there will be a few Wonder Woman themed threads woven in for good measure. We also were party to a great retrospective program taking us back through all the Tonner Super Heroes and Villains we have created over the years."

The Saturday banquet:  Time and Time Again Renaissance Ball!
Centerpiece

Milady LE 100

 Convention Souvenir

Lady Arabella Bertran! LE 300

If I had attended this convention, I would have enjoyed the speakers, the workshops, the costumes collectors wore, meeting Carmen Dell'Orefice and seeing friends. As for the dolls, I had a proxy for the Carmen doll so she will be coming and I probably would have purchased the Victorian Cami in the white dress. She would have fit in nicely with my Great Gatsby dolls. I do like that fashion a lot. Otherwise, there is really nothing else I'd have come home with. I don't collect the super heroes or the little dolls. I liked being able to look at the pictures on-line.
At breakfast event on Sunday morning I wonder if Amelia or some other little doll will make an appearance. 

More From TonnerCon 2014 and Carmen Dell'Orefice

Friday Afternoon Wilde Imagination Luncheon

The Ellowyne and Lizette - not very unique. They are 'been there, done that' dolls IMO. 

Vintage Confusion Lizette

Vintage Confusion Ellowyne

Dark Attic Evangeline

Evangeline is starting to look more and more like a "normal" doll.  This one is very pretty.



Friday Night Centerpiece
Tyler's dress is not my taste. In this photo, the gathered areas of the skirt do not lay properly. I would not be very happy with her or her hair bump. She does have nice bangs - a rare quality in the doll world. 
Update: I have seen the IRL doll and she is prettier than this photo. The dress also looks better than the promo shows. 

15th Anniversary Tyler Centerpiece

Here she is, Carmen Dell'Orefice, with the Tonner gang. She is just so gorgeous. Wonderful photos! I love them. I wonder if she had to approve the doll prior to it being manufactured. I wonder how much they paid her for the right to make a doll of her and to appear at the event. What a great thing. I wonder if the press was there to cover it.

 It doesn't look much like  her but I like the doll and can't wait until mine gets here.

Look at her gorgeous hands, her simply beautiful bone structure and classy attire. She blows me away. 

Photos are from the Tonner Blog page on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/TonnerDirect

Tonner Convention - So Far

Most of you know that the Tonner Convention began on Thursday, May 15. The opening event was an ice cream party Victorian style and there were some lovely dolls available to attendees. 
The Victorian dresses and hats look beautiful.

Victorian Social Cami – TonnerCon Exclusive LE 200

Victorian Social Jon – TonnerCon Exclusive LE 100

TonnerCon Exclusive: Victorian Holiday Matt – LE 100

 The Victorian Basic (below) was the souvenir. It uses the Kay sculpt on the Antoinette body. I'm not familiar with the Kay sculpt at all.

TonnerCon Exclusive: Victorian Basic LE 250 

 

Hmmmmmmm

A Few Announcements

So Many Dolls; So Little Time

-3 Day Clearance Sale at Cherished Friends - Below wholesale prices. (Photo shows only a fraction of items on sale.)
http://cherishedfriends.com/WeeklySale1-13-14.html

-FDQ Interior Design Contest: 
http://www.fdqmedia.com/contest.html

-TonnerCon 2014 Registration Now Open
https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1328242