Summer Project Continued Part V

July 1, 2019

Vanessa "True Royalty" 2006.  Rerooted
Wearing Antonio Realli dress. I don't recall the origin of her hat.

I've always thought True Royalty was one of the least attractive of all the 1.0 Vanessa dolls. There is something weird about her face - it's as if it is pushed in at the upper part of the nose.
But her clothing was beautiful and so different that she was irresistible.
There was a big controversy before her actual release. First of all, one had to buy a Magma Heritage calendar. It was filled with beautiful FR photography. If you bought a calendar, you became eligible to be in a lottery to be able to purchase her. There were a few pissed off collectors. Then she was listed at one price and shortly after, Integrity tried to raise the price. Collectors rebelled and IT backed down. Magma Heritage, who owned the exclusive, stopped being an IT dealer after that.
I had a lot of fun photographing her in her original form. Some of those photos are located in posts on this blog.

Here is her original presentation.  This was a very large padded box and it was fabulous. It was one of three "Atelier" products ever offered by IT. They did not call it a gift set if I remember correctly.

Vanessa "Aerodynamic" 2009.  Repainted by Vin Trapani
Wearing "Illustrious Luxury Wear Costume" Available at Gloss Convention 2014  as an outfit only. I've always thought it was unattractive to show the under-bust joint on a doll wearing a low cut gown. In this photo, I have edited the joint out.

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June 30, 2019

Vanessa "High Tide" 2007
Wearing Elise Jolie "Flawless"

Vanessa "Sheer Sensuality" 2014
Wearing a OOAK by unknown (at this stage) artist.

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New Poppy Parker Collection Debuts "Swinging London"

Sign of the Times

Poppy Parker™ 2 Doll Gift Set

The Swinging London Collection

Edition Size: 825

Estimated Delivery: Mid to Late-Summer 2017

Suggested Retail Price: $180.00 US

Body: Poppy 1.5 (Body disassembles and features newly improved joint stability)

Foot Sculpt: Traditional Poppy feet with articulated ankles

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Brunette (Doll No.1) and Platinum Blonde (Doll No.2)

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Poppy is in London and she'd like a Carnaby Street makeover. She hits some of the most popular London boutiques like "Sign of the Times" and gets her hair and makeup done at the grooviest salon in London... Sid Vasoon.

Newly arrived from her modeling stint in Paris, Poppy knows it's time for a new look and this gift set totally delivers! Here you get not one, but two fabulous Poppy Parker dolls in the same super fun collector friendly package, showing Poppy upon her arrival to London from Paris and then post her sleek Mod makeover! Each fully rooted and articulated doll features very distinctive looks, designed to illustrate Poppy's passage to a new evolution of her look as a "Mod"ern teen idol! 

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Item # PP113

Glad All Over

Poppy Parker™ Gift Set

The Swinging London Collection

Edition Size: 725

Estimated Delivery: Mid to Late-Summer 2017

Suggested Retail Price: $160.00 US

Body: Poppy 1.5 (Body disassembles and features newly improved joint stability)

Foot Sculpt: Traditional Poppy feet with articulated ankles

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Poppy has arrived in London and she's so excited to see the debut collection of her clothing line, "Poppy Gear". She's having fun trying on and modeling a few of the new dresses from the collection. She'll be the focus of the ad campaign, modeling the dresses.

This totally groovy gift set features a fabulously youthful rendition of Poppy Parker, which features fully rooted hair and delicately hand-applied eyelashes. Poppy comes with three ultra-colorful mini-dresses, three pairs of shoes and all sorts of fun little mix-and-match fashion accessories to create many fun looks! It comes in a brand new Mod-themed collector package that you won't want to miss!

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Item # PP117

Sunny Slickers

Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll

The Swinging London Collection

Edition Size: 725

Estimated Delivery: Mid to Late-Summer 2017

Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US

Body: Poppy 1.5 (Body disassembles and features newly improved joint stability)

Foot Sculpt: Traditional Poppy feet with articulated ankles

Skin Tone: FR Black

Hair Color: Brunette Mix

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Poppy is on a photo shoot in the streets on a rainy day for makeup company Miss London promoting their new line of lipsticks called Sunny Slickers.

Dressed in super vibrant colors to really bring out her lovely features, Poppy puts some pop in her step in a totally groovy rendition of the traditional rain coat. Set to stay perfectly dry on any rainy day, Poppy's colorful look could bring a ray of light on any dull and dreary rainy day! Comes complete with adorable clear vinyl boots and a fully functional clear vinyl miniature umbrella. 

Here is my own altered version of this doll with her lips and hair changed. She looks much less child-like. Pig tails were not Mod.

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On another topic - briefly:

There is something weird about giving a doll FR black vinyl when she has the same Caucasian features as Poppy Parker.  It seems like a shortcut to pleasing black doll collectors.  It was done before with Midas Touch Poppy who turned out much prettier than Sunny Slickers in any case.

Editor's Note: I realize that what I said in the paragraph above was not properly and well thought through. There are no specific "black" features. I did not mean to offend anyone and apologize if I did. I think this Poppy doll is beautiful. 

I am aware that Darla, the AA friend of Poppy, was not very popular. It was the face paint and styling that doomed those dolls to be slow selling. Just look at this amazing repaint of a Darla Daley by Laurie Lenz.

A beautiful AA sculpt is there but the presentation is not:

Hit Single Darla

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Now back to the release:

Item # PP120

Downtown

Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll

The Swinging London Collection

Edition Size: 725

Estimated Delivery: Mid to Late-Summer 2017

Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US

Body: Poppy 1.5 (Body disassembles and features newly improved joint stability)

Foot Sculpt: Traditional Poppy feet with articulated ankles

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Light Auburn

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

On a day off from work, Poppy has decided to take in another day of sightseeing "Downtown". With her brand-new 35mm portable camera in tow, Poppy will soon be in awe of all the incredible sites and attractions the city has to offer!

Poppy is a fully articulated doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. Perfectly clad in her super modern pastel tweed suit, Poppy is set to take London by storm; she just wants to see it all and not miss a beat! 

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Item # PP115
Welcome to Misty Hollows
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
The Swinging London Collection
IT DIRECT EVENT EXCLUSIVE
Edition Size: TBA
Estimated Delivery: Late Summer 2017
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US

Body: Poppy 1.5 (Body disassembles and features newly improved joint stability)

Foot Sculpt: Traditional Poppy feet with articulated ankles

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Silver Blond

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

While in London Poppy was asked to be a special guest star on a few episodes of her favorite British Spooky TV series, "Misty Hollows". This was quite an honor, as she had been watching this show back home even before it became cool to do so!

Poppy Parker is dressed perfectly to play the part of the "spooked out" neighbor in this classic British TV series! This absolutely stunning edition of everyone's favorite teenage model comes dressed in a fashionable Victorian inspired Mod dress, complete with lace cravate [sic] and matching ribbon in her hair. Since we couldn't leave our girl in the dark, Poppy also comes with a super detailed miniature candle and holder*, perfect to shine some light on the mystery surrounding the plot she stars in! 

Note: *The miniature candle does not light; the pictures below have been digitally augmented.

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If I were a Poppy Parker collector, I'd have ordered the two-doll gift set already. Those two dolls are adorable and very different from each other. At $180. the set is a bargain. 

I like the FR black Poppy except for her lip color. There is too much contrast between her skin tone and the lipstick. It almost hurts my eyes when I look at her for a long time. I think I'd like a more mature hairstyle for her as well. Her outfit is delightful; I want that umbrella! The striped tights and clear boots are TDF. 

The Misty Hollows doll appeals to me and I'm trying to resist her but I may break down and pre-order. She is a direct event exclusive and W Club members can order her through May 17. 

Regarding the promotional layout, I admire how Alain has presented the poses for each individual offering into a larger composition. It makes for easier blogging.

Have you ordered your Poppy Parkers yet?

Kingdom Doll Elgin

Elgin is the newest doll to be released by Kingdom Doll. Her sculpt, Icini, was used only once before on a OOAK auction doll during the Orlando convention in 2016. This was the largest edition so far from KD. Sixty-five Elgins are now in collections around the globe. Of course, this edition, like all of the others, sold out very quickly.

The sculpt, named after an ancient Brittonic tribe, Iceni, follows in the path of all of KD names which are associated with the history of Britain. You can see the names of Kingdom Doll's sculpts and one of the dolls' names on this map. Can you pick out the sculpts from the map below?

http://boudiccanhd.weebly.com/the-iceni.html

Elgin's resin is a glowing, warm tan color called Roman Bronze. Her sleek, short wig was made by Ilaria. The ivory silk satin gown is designer inspired. It's undulating flares of fabric create drama and movement while the train gives sense of stability. There is an insert of pale gold leather at the bodice.
Elgin's pumps are retro with their peep toe and platform sole. I love them and I'll be using them with other fashions.

She could be a bride doll if a collector wished. A lovely veil and a bouquet would look divine.

I'm off to play with other wigs and different outfits.

I really love this doll!

Chewin's Website

Those of you who are fans of Chewin's work, as I am, may already know that he has a website which showcases his fashion and wig offerings.

The work ranges from underwear to historical to sportswear to formal wear to shoes. Doll sizes range from 1/6 scale Fashion Royalty to 1/3 scale dolls.  The prices and the quality are excellent.
His hard cap wigs are stunning and he will use your preference in colors if you don't want the one shown.

On Prego today he posted a beautiful OOAK bridal fashion for an EID size doll.

Here are a few more items currently available on his site.

Go see for yourself!   http://www.chewingallapa.com/

"Karl Likes Barbie Lagerfeld"

Lagerfeld's title for this photo is "Karl Likes Barbie Lagerfeld." It strikes me as very funny.

Get ready! Barbie Lagerfeld is arriving at the end of the month!
Taking inspiration from the designer’s signature style, Barbie Lagerfeld is dressed in the designer’s likeness with accents taken from the real KARL LAGERFELD line. Borrowing from Karl’s iconic silhouette, the doll wears a tailored black jacket, white high-collared men’s shirt with French cuffs and black satin cravat finished off with fitted black jeans featuring the iconic all-over head print.  The exclusive doll is adorned in accessories that include black fingerless gloves, sunglasses, black ankle boots and a black leather purse with silver metallic accents.
The Platinum-label Barbie Lagerfeld doll will be available in limited quantities (only 999 dolls will be produced) for approximately $200 USD or €200 Euro through exclusive retail channels including:  select KARL LAGERFELD retail stores, TheBarbieCollection.com, NET-A-PORTER.COM and Colette in Paris.
The worldwide retail launch is set for Monday, September 29, 2014.

Do you think the glasses will be removable? The outfit?
She looks very cute and I am definitely going to try to get one. I don't see a tiny swastika on the jacket. SCNR

Do you think the glasses will be removable?

Je veux les lunettes de Karl!

Fashion Sleuth Challenge

I have a challenge to the sleuths. Find sources for the clothes Jason Wu designed before he left the new crop of designers in charge. Did he copy or design?? Go back 5 or more years to the Fashion Royalty dolls outfits.

There will always be similar parts of fashion from one item to another. But as you can see below, there is no mistaking where the dolls' outfits came from. That's what I want you to look for.

A fashion sleuth over at Dolly Daily, corvas, posted these images. The interpretations are amazingly similar. There's no doubt as to the source of the clothes for these dolls.

Dior Resort 2008 - Adele/VeroStyle Counsel - Dior Fall 2008 RTW

Air Apparent Vero - Dior Fall 2008 RTW

Business Class Anja - Dior Fall 2008 RTW

Point of Departure Eugenia - Dior Resort 2008

Designer Ties One On or An Ungapotchked Outfit

"Exquisite"~ A New Monogram Doll ~ An MFD LE300 Exclusive ~ $175.00

In the new design tradition (don't ask)  of Tricks of the Trade Eugenia, Regal Solstice Anja, Out of the Blue Kyori and Fire Within Jordan, Integrity Toys has released a new Monogram doll called Exquisite. Sigh. 
 On Wednesday, April 20, a lottery was announced to generate excitement and sales of this doll.

Integrity Promotional Photo

 MFD  has had gorgeous exclusives from the very start of the Fashion Royalty line:

Soir De Paris LE 200 $35.00

Paradise Veronique LE 750 $35.00

Girl of the Moment Veronique LE 1000 $72.00

Overachiever Eugenia LE 450 $139.99

Marg Matsui, the owner of My Favourite Doll aka MFD has hosted several Wu conventions and is an established and important dealer.

To my knowledge, with an exclusive, the dealer arranges for the creation of and pays for the item up front. I wonder how much of the design process is shared. I think perhaps only the concept is discussed.


For the sake of Marg Matsui, I hope the dolls sell out quickly. From the comments on the W Club board, the chances of that happening quickly appear slim. But only a very small percentage of the membership actually posts so one doesn't really know what most of the W Club thinks. The rest of the dolls will be available to the collecting public after the lottery winners take theirs.

I didn't want to post large pictures of the following because one can get lost in the details. In every case below the doll fashion is either overly designed or overwhelms the doll itself. In the last case, the draping is exceedingly poor.  Dolls aren't human and can't move on a runway. The clothes have to look good on the doll with zero motion. A real model can prance and walk down a runway in such a way as to make an outrageous fashion look amazing. Dolls can't.

Several years ago I was going crazy because every Tonner Tyler Boutique item coming out had bows and ribbons. Good grief. Now they're ruffle crazy.

Couture Sleuthing

I searched couture images everywhere this afternoon looking for a style that could have been the inspiration for Anja's gown. There are plenty of hem lines that are shorter in the front. The photo below shows last season's Avantguard "Hot to Trot" in profile compared to "Regal Solstice."

Hot to Trot and Regal Solstice

 

Another collector sent me this image of a Balenciaga design which certainly inspired "Hot to Trot."

The Dior below has many design similarities and may be the closest couture item that could be identified as inspiration for Regal.

I could not find the shape of the bodice which resembles opened petals that stand away from the body. I'm starting to think that the factory may not have interpreted the look properly. I believe the images we were presented with are prototypes.
The Valentino dresses below show a wrapped style that could be related to Anja's gown as far as the gathered, ruffly upper part. But these dresses have a closer fitted bodice that is very flattering to the female body and works with the rest of the fashion. Hopefully, there will be an adjustment in the bodice on the finished product for Anja.

If I could sew really well, I'd fit the bodice to the body more closely. Then I would add many more layers of tulle under the chartreuse as can be seen in the black/yellow Dior above. I'd get rid of the black straps that look like a bra and pick up one of the brighter colors.

I give the designer/s an A for effort. Now if only the factory could interpret the designers' wishes to provide us with an edgy as opposed to messy fashion.

Some Armani and Dior eye candy for your enjoyment follows:

Osvaldo Vasquez, Dolly Dress Designer

Twice a year, Osvaldo Vasquez, aka Ovaz, debuts a new line of breathtaking gowns for 1/6 scale dolls. His creations are, for the most part, not for the faint-of-heart. Sequins, beads, lace, skin tight and sheer fabrics are his palette. Here are two from his latest collection. I want them!

Photos above by Ovaz

I interviewed Ovaz a few days ago. Here are the questions and his answers:

1. How you make the dresses?

All my dresses start in a scrap of paper. Sometimes I see a couple of dresses in a store and I vision a couple if each dress details into One design. That's how the process start..then the selection of the fabrics .. Living in NY that's very easy. lol

But one of the most important thing during the fabric selection is the size of the sequins and crystals.. They have to be at the scale of the doll..so it look natural...I don't create Doll clothes. I create woman clothes for a doll.I think that's what I want to accomplish .

2. What types of fabrics are used? Where do you buy your fabrics?

I use alot of different fabric... Chiffon,strecth, anything with sequins.

Most from NYC stores... I even sometimes go to macys or bloomingdale to the clearance racks and buy gowns just for the fabrics..

3. How long you've been doing this?

I been designing for about 15 years

4. How long does it take to make most dresses?
It take me about 3 days to finish a dress with alot of sequins..(beaded by hand,no glue. With the glue technique about 1 day.. But when it come to a whole collection it take me about 3 months to complete the collection

5. How many collections per year you make?

I try to do 2 regular collections (fashion shows) and 1 Holiday collection

6. Do you do OOAK commissions?

Sometimes I do commissions, but not a lot. It's hard for me to follow direction or visions of somebody else.. Lol

7. What is your art background or your background in general?

My background has nothing to do with Fashion.. My background is in the travel & Hotel industry ..all this started when I wanted to come to the USA to study... I needed 3 credits to graduate from High School before the regular end of school year and the only class available was sewing 24 student and I was the only guy. But I learned the basis of sewing.. And look now...

8. What dolls do you collect?

Fashion Royalty - but not all of them because sooner or later they end up in somebody's home with one of my designs. The only dolls I love are my repaints by Pink Man. They love it when I dress them, but they don't leave my house....lol

9. What designers do you admire - real or doll sized?

Hmm...I love Bob Mackie and Versace, also Valentino. Fellow artist I admire are Pink Man, Gin-O, Tula, Randall C., Matisse. And when it come to blog or Photo if the week....You, Terri.

I have several Ovaz gowns in my own collection and the girls are always fighting over them. Here are some of them. One can never have enough Ovaz!

If you would like to see more of Ovaz' work, here is the link to his website: www.ovazdesigns.com