Deneuve asks...

"Why on earth are you wasting your time with other dolls when you have me now?"
This lovely lady arrived in the midst of a mountain of Gene Convention goodies. The poor dear has only had a quick point & shoot session with a toy camera. She deserves so much more and when I get the time she will be introduced to the camera which resides upon a tripod in my studio.
But since you asked, here are some of her initial shots.


Deneuve comes with a different wig than the Monique Gold one she is wearing in these pictures. I can't wait to put several other size 4/5 wigs on her that I recently purchased. They fit perfectly.


Once you hold this doll in your hands, you won't be able to let go. Her resin is smooth and silky. Her articulation is superior and she can pose like a dream. Deneuve is ultra-pale with an non-standard proportion to her sculpt that turned me off at first. This sculptor marches to the beat of her own drum and I'm willing to open up to a different beauty.

She comes with 'dressing hands' that are ball shaped attachments which one removes after the doll is dressed. Her hands are graceful and her fingernails are carefully manicured as are her toenails.

She can stand without the doll stand but I didn't trust the possibility of a gust of wind out-of-doors.

As far as her outfit goes - under the dress is a lacy bodysuit. The dress itself is a sheer silk. Her corset is a warm platinum colored resin with easy to open and close metal hook-type thingies in the back. The boots are the same color as the corset and are properly made so she can stand correctly with the sole and heel of the boot in contact with the ground. Yay!

Deneuve has the new body with improved articulation and is part of the JAMIEshow line sold at Angelic Dreamz. She is a FDQ exclusive doll with a limited edition of only 50 dolls.

You know you want one.
Contact Pat Henry at FDQ for updated purchase information or call 1 (212) 961-0662.

Mattel's Monster High Dolls

"High school sweethearts Cleo De Nile and Deuce Gorgon are the most popular couple at Monster High and the most fashionable! And they have some very famous scary cool parents as well! Cleo De Nile is the daughter of the Mummy and Deuce Gorgon is the son of Medusa. The Deuce Gorgon doll comes with his pet rat, Perseus, and his cool shades. The Cleo De Nile doll has her pet snake, Hissette, and golden purse. Includes 2 dolls, 2 pets, 2 accessories, 2 diaries, a brush, and 2 doll stands."

The new Monster High Dolls and related merchandise has launched and I think they're going to be very popular. Their clothes are trendy; they're affordable, quirky and adorable. The two-doll set is $34.99.

"Draculaura, Clawdeen Wolf, Frankie Stein and Lagoona Blue are the coolest ghouls in school with their trendy fashions, accessories and scary cute pets! And they have some very famous scary cool parents as well! Draculaura is the daughter of Dracula, Clawdeen Wolf is the daughter of the Werewolf, Frankie Stein is the daughter of Frankenstein and Lagoona Blue is the daughter of the Sea Monster. Dolls are fully articulated so they can be posed in many different ways! Includes 1 doll, pet, accessory, diary, brush, and doll stand. "

The Monster High Doll Assortment Case of 6 individually packaged dolls sells for $109.99.

For more informaton: Entertainment Earth.

Sideshow Toys - Hot Toys True-Type 12 Inch Obama Figure

This image is wrong on so many levels. It's not that it's nude but the fact that it is a likeness of the President and he's posed in front of an American flag. It's downright disrespectful in my opinion. I don't know much about Sideshow and Hot Toys but I'm guessing it is not a country based in the US. Feel free to correct my assumption if I'm wrong.
I actually think it's a great looking doll. The thighs are removable which makes me laugh. Seems they've already removed several other parts. And what's up with the ankles? This doll would look great in a good suit or sports clothes.

Here are the specs as put forth by the manufacturer:
The True-Type Figure Body 12 inch Figure features:

* Newly sculpted head
* Newly developed body
* Two (2) neck styles
* Muscular arms and thighs with detachable thigh muscles
* Two (2) sets of bendable and interchangeable palms, including one (1) pair for holding gun and one (1) pair of relaxed palms
* Over 38 points of articulation
* Suitability for 1/6th scale fabric costume and accessories
* Figure display stand
Price at Angelic Dreamz is $49.99. Item is available for Pre-Order.

Are you going to order one?

______________________________

After I published the above I did a search for Obama doll. What a variety! There are actually a few that are more offensive than the Nekkid POTUS. (POTUS=President of the United States.)

"Snow White" Kumi and "Rose Red" Yuri Price Drop!

I blogged about these Nu.Fantasy dolls here:
http://terrigoldphoto.blogspot.com/2010/05/integrity-announces-bic-exclusive-two.html

The W Club announced the price reduction on these dolls from Azone and BIC, Integrity dealers in Japan, supposedly due to the strength of the yen and negotiations with the factory. That doesn't sound honest to me. If these dolls were flying out the door, the yen could have been as strong as ever and the price would have stayed the same. The reception from collectors to this pair was quite cool and I think the lack of interest spurred the price drop more than the strength of the yen.
It's the economic principle of supply and demand in action. Consumers won't buy -> supply is great -> price drops.
Deceptive backpedaling.
Why couldn't they just say they priced the dolls too high for this market and have adjusted the price accordingly?
Would negotiations with the factory go like this? "We won't pay you and your children will starve?"

Pictures of Sandra Stillwell's Gene Display at Convention

Believe it or not, this is only a small portion of Sandra's doll collection! How she packed it all up and shipped it to Philadelphia must be an interesting story. Perhaps she drove but I don't think so as she lives in the south.
It was a large, poorly lit room so no complaining about the quality of the pictures, please.

Click here to see pictures.

It's easier to move from picture to picture if you click on the small white triangle/arrow next to each large image.

Jason Wu Wins Swarovski Award for Womenswear

Click on title of this post to see Jason's blog.

Back Again with More Stardust Stuff

Stuff...it's what our lives are filled with. Coming home from a convention goes beyond instant gratification of dolly desires; it exceeds the MDR and quickly becomes overload. I have to photograph the spoils of war in order to grasp what greed really means.

Top - bagged outfits purchased in the Integrity store at very low prices. The boxed fashion was also a 'steal.'

These two fashions I could definitely live without but at the price, why should I? Purchased in a room sale.

From Happily Ever After, this DAE fashion will fit Trent (at least that's what they told me.)

In addition I picked up three wigs from Marcia and a sweater from Dayle in the vendor's room. I swooned over a gorgeous gray silk dress with ribbon embroidery from Pam Seeman of Paintbox Designs. It became mine.

I got so tired of shopping that I actually forgot to buy something I wanted. Don't tell my husband you heard me say that. I will deny it.

More Convention Pictures and Stardust Dolls for Sale

The centerpiece dolls were Gene, Madra, Zita and Trent. I was able to purchase the Madra and Trent. Gene is apparently a fan favorite as there are people practically begging for her on the boards. She is quite the beauty and her outfit is adorable. Her hat is fabulous! Madra is in a highly stylized suit. The lace front forms a heart. It's definitely Madra-esque. Zita is glamorous and very pretty. I love her hairstyle but the gown is just average. I'd like to see her in a dark color.

Gene

Love, Madra

Zita

The Integrity sales room was filled to the brim with previously released Gene dolls. I availed myself of a load of stuff. One doll I always wanted was "All About the Eyes" Gene. I can't wait to get her out of the box. The prices were ridiculously cheap. If this is an indication of how much it costs to manufacture a doll then I just don't want to know. The mark-up is unbelievable.
The other boxed sale doll I purchased was for the gown. It is Marsha Hunt in "The Irene Gown."I have always loved this gown but not the doll. The price was right. We were permitted to purchase just one of each of these sale items.

There was a room for vendors in addition to Integrity's sales room. In there one could find jewelry, props, OOAK dolls, manufacturer dolls of many different types, clothing, shoes, Dressmaker Details line of clothing for Gene, Happily Ever After and lots of goodies. One visit wasn't enough!

And the room sales-most were concentrated on two floors which was a plus compared to the FR Pittsburgh dis-organization all over the hotel. I picked up this Horseman/Vita furniture which I've been wanting ever since seeing it at IDEX. It's fantastic. The chair is fully scaled for 16" dolls. It is not skimpy like most furniture. Covered in vinyl with metal supports and legs, it will be perfect for my dolls. The tables are very lightweight. The bases are cut from plastic and must be slotted together carefully. Once together they are nearly impossible to take apart.

Puki Madeline, my travel doll, enjoyed sitting on the back of the chair in my room.___________

Updated:
This is what remains to sell:

NUDE "Dreamy" Trent Osborne Dressed Figure $95..

Click on the link to see pictures and descriptions.
http://www.thedollpage.com/ads/searchresults.php?owner=46

Stardust Wrap-Up ~ Is It Really the End of the Line?

I've had a whole day and a 190 mile drive to think about the answer to that question. I don't think it's the end. Someone will come up with something. What do you think? I'd really like to know.
.......

The day began with good news in that my defective Stardust doll was replaced. Thank you Joan and Melissa.
I thought checking out was going to be a hassle but the hotel was so organized and prepared with extra staff that instead of the 30 minute wait for a bellhop, they arrived in 10 minutes. There were many carts being pushed through the lobby piled high with Integrity Toys boxes and being followed by tired but happy collectors. Loews Philadelphia is a well-run hotel. The staff is extremely friendly and polite. The hotel was clean; the room was comfortable. I would definitely choose to stay there again.

It took me 3 hours and a large cafe Americano to get home. When I was about 30 miles from Woodstock the skies opened up and for a few hair-raising minutes, visibility was akin to looking through vaseline covered glass. And then the sun came out. And then the wind started blowing. Earlier this evening we had a tornado warning. What's next? Locust?

My baby (the dog) and my husband were very happy to see me. The spousal unit emptied the car. Men are so useful. :-) This is only the boxes that contained dolls. There was much more in my suitcases.
Then the unpacking began. Now the suitcases and cartons are empty. Dolls, outfits and swag are everywhere. I have tentatively decided what to keep and what to sell. I took quickie pictures of the boxed dolls and I dressed my flocked Trent in Matt's lounging pajama outfit. Isn't he great-looking? Only those who were signed up for Alain Tremblay's flocking class were able to purchase this doll. Most came with a different color flocked hair. Alain did beards and moustaches for those who desired them. He's definitely a unique Trent. Here are some pictures of the boxed dolls:Above: The souvenir gift set called "Daily Threads" that we were given one a piece at a time. On the left is the convention sheath and on the right is a Kio wig that was presented along with the doll on Saturday night. Above: Midnight Madra.Above: Men's Club Trent, the centerpiece doll from the Trent Luncheon. I believe everyone who paid $55. to attend that luncheon should have been able to purchase one of these dolls. We were all handed credit card forms to fill out in advance. These were pre-printed with our names! This led me to believe that everyone who wanted a doll would be able to buy one. What a let down it was to find out differently. I know a couple who didn't get one between them. They felt that the Philly cheese steak sandwiches were not worth the fee of $55. each. I agree with them. For $55. one would expect a really nice luncheon and not a sandwich buffet with very limited choices. I thought the food was fine but certainly not worth the price. I'm lucky that I was able to get a doll from a tablemate.

Above: "Fringe Festival" Ivy "Vee Jay" Jordan.

Above: "Moss Rose" Ivy "Vee Jay" Jordan. This doll was given as a table gift on Thursday night to all attendees.

Above: "Hostess with the Mostest" Zita Charles.

Above: "Dreamy" Trent Osborne.

Above: "Bellwether" Oona.

Above: "Midnight" Madra Lord.

Above: "Triumph" Gene Marshall
This doll was not received well at all. Many expressed disappointment at her severe hairstyle. I like her gown.

Above: "Parfait" Zita Charles. I think this is my favorite doll of all. We were given this doll on Friday afternoon at lunch. What a surprise!

Above: The convention souvenir doll "Stardust" Gene Marshall. In the box, it's difficult to tell how very pretty she is because her hair is secured by a net. But she is gorgeous and so is the gown. Mel told us the original designers of these gowns. The fashion sleuths on the Studio Commissary board have been posting photos that they're finding of the originals.

More tomorrow.