Gibraltar Sybarite/DD_0126

I almost got away with not ordering this gorgeous doll because I forgot to put it in my calendar. Then I went on Facebook late in the day and there she was in all her glory.

I love this doll. Superdoll is killing it! I love everything about her from her fascinator to her wig to the makeup and all the way down. The colors are absolutely stunning.
I hope those bangles open up and I'm dying to see her "uncomfortable stilletto-heeled" court shoes.

Here's the description directly from Superdoll's website:

Venus is fabulous as could be in her strelitzia Extravaganza, a late night rendezvous calls for coiffure, blossoms and very high heels.
She probably not paying attention to anyone other than herself this evening!
From the top. A gorgeous headpiece of banana yellow guipure asymmetrically sprouts from her flaming blunt red banged wig. A statement just as we get started ...fabulous!
Her eyeshadows in the spectrum of shocking green and smoke surround her eyes of translucent pistachio and blind fern with lids of unripened vanilla. Lips of fluorescent coral Macaw and beyond.
Her 1 piece frock; an ode and a nod; in electric blue sinuous silk satin custom printed with deconstructed strelitzia embellished in laser organza petals and piece d' resistance..... a beaded Massaii corset finished with a flourish of jungle bouquet. Probably not something you would wear for pre rendezvous cocktails.. unless you were a D'Royce; of course.
Venus loves twilight and loves nothing more than oozing around in skin tight satin as the moon comes out.
Always accessorised to the twenty sevens, Venus has a discreet electric blue clutch trimmed in stuff that matches her corset, opera length gloves in almost not there yellow illusion tulle, and totally uncomfortable stiletto heeled courts in magical 'just the right' blue.
Huge inspired gilt bracelets are her final accessory!
Venus knows once the beats start beating she's gonna shimmy all night long.
Could someone please hand her, her sunglasses?

Clone: 1000 Venus d'Royce
Skintone: COSMETIQUE
Of course she comes with the following standard accessories:
-manic_cure hands (see booklet for hand change instructions)
-booklet
-stand
PRODUCTION MAY VARY FROM PROTOTYPE SHOWN.
Price: £279.75 (Excluding VAT at 20%)

279.75 British Pounds equals $375.90 US Dollars

http://www.superdollonline.co.uk/acatalog/GIBRALTAR-SYB-DD_0126-495.html#SID=45

Superdoll Collectables "Vivir"

The hits keep coming. Vivir is a new doll released today. As of this writing it is available for purchase. Link below.

VIVIR SYB/DD_0124

Venus is glam as could be in her polka dot bicorn hat and lace on lace ensemble, but just guessing by her attitude.... She probably not going shopping for wedding gifts!
From the top. A gorgeous bicorn of polka dot netting trimmed in diamante, butterflies and scarlet guipure chrysanthemums. Delicately concealing a white woven base..

Her exceptional long pure black dead straight waist length hair is detailed by cross over woven front hairline... fabulous!

Her eyeshadows in the spectrum of barely visible greys surround her eyes of translucent grey and sky. Lips of pure scarlet.Her 2 piece outfit is simple yet outrageous with a slight Mediterranean luncheon feel... forcing the wedding planner to wonder 'just who is this girl?'It is always fun to spend a day selecting wedding gifts for your best friends wedding, but Venus giggled, and of course is having none of that.Always putting herself first, in a low slashed white lace blouse trimmed in black fringing at the cuffs and black zipper waist cincher atop a scarlet lace transparent skirt; slashed (almost) to her waist, shamelessly flaunting her hold up lace edged striped hose and suspender belts. Cute white blossoms with red centres, and a few garden leaves trim her white vintage style basket purse... her accessory this day.Upon her feet... high heel red on red with transparent everything else sandals.
Venus has no intention of shopping for wedding gifts, but tic tac tic tac she walked through the cobbled shopping streets of London, what would she gift herself today?

Maybe those red frame half mirror sunglasses she has had her eye on.

Clone: 1000 Venus d'RoyceSkintone: COSMETIQUE
Of course she comes with the following standard accessories:-manic_cure hands (see booklet for hand change instructions)-booklet-stand
PRODUCTION MAY VARY FROM PROTOTYPE SHOWN.In stock and ready to be deliveredPrice: £274.75 (Excluding VAT at 20%)

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(274.75 British Pounds equals 363.22 US Dollar)

Superdoll Collectables

New Superdoll DD_0127

Venus was sweet as could be in her white bonnet and guipure lace dress, but just guessing by her gladiator boots.... She just not the type of girl you invite to your wedding!From the top. A gorgeous bonnet of satin and organza trimmed in petals and spike white flowers. Delicately hiding a row of pearl centres.Her exceptional long multitone platinum hair in a waist length braid and swirling long fringe... fabulous!Her eyeshadows in the spectrum of the heavens surround her eyes of pale putty and grey. Lips of pale pastel pink.Her dress is that of any scene stealer... forcing wedding guests to wonder 'just who is the bride?'It has always been said it's rude to wear white to a wedding (unless you the bride), but Venus giggled when she chose this frock bearing turtle doves and butterflies.Adding insult to injury, its a very short dress, shamelessly flaunting her hold up lace edged hose and suspender belts. A cute white bow and pearl trimmed vintage style picnic purse was her accessory this day and a delicate pair of white organza ruffle gloves.Upon her feet... high heel white Gladiator sandals.Venus has no matrimonial plans, so why not steal someone else's big day?

Clone: 1000 Venus d'RoyceSkintone: COSMETIQUE

Of course she comes with the following standard accessories:-manic_cure hands (see booklet for hand change instructions)-booklet-stand

PRODUCTION MAY VARY FROM PROTOTYPE SHOWN.

In stock and ready to be delivered.        Price: £279.16 (Excluding VAT at 20%) 

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Text above from Superdoll website.
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Currency exchange on the British Pound brings the cost of the doll to about $363.44 US. 
Postage to the US will put her over $400 by about $17.

I think she is very pretty. I love the fabrics, the big hat and her wig. She's a summer's delight!

http://www.superdollonline.co.uk/acatalog/SYB-0127-490.html#SID=45

"Pindot" A Collection of Dresses from Superdoll

I have a feeling that this little collection will not sell out for quite a while. I'll leave it at that.

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PINDOT - SYB/REV01

Gorgeous set of three all in one dresses. Pure cotton collars. Lined organza 3/4 length sleeved tops with front placket button detail and a high waisted pleat front skirt with white 'patent' belt.

Colours are fuschia, sky and black.

Great with coats and jackets!

Perfectly Prim and Proper.

Doll shown for display purposes only.

In stock and ready to be delivered.

Price: £149.00 (Excluding VAT at 20%)

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FYI

149 British Pounds = $186.17 US or 175.87 Euro

Superdoll's 2017 Valentine Doll: Erosia DD_120

Just released, Superdoll's adorable Valentine, Erosia.
Here is the complete text from the offering along with all the misspelled words intact.

EROSIA DD_120

In celebration of Valentine and the Birth of Venus.

Erosia is a little bit nymph, extremely cute and rather coy!

Lets start at the top. HUGE blue satin bows hold her long double bunches of blended dark blond waist lenth hair, which bear centre part and blunt fringe. Her bright blue eyes are shaded in pink and blue! Brows of ginger berry above her eyes kohled in black, and lids of icy sky. Voluptuous lips of candy pink frosting! Her mega long black lashes give her that cupid charm.

She wears a pink silk organza bra top trimmed in ivory lace that bears roleaux detail underbust and multi strap roleux, creating an aluring peek a boo decoulte. Her waist is encased in a bandeau of ivory roleux, forming a 4 row wide cumbaband.

Her cheeky blue skirt is of multi layers of blue, aurora borealis stones on netting trimmed in ivory lace and a divinely pleasted plasticised georgette and a final layer of diamond netting. A true confection!

Further she has armlets in ivory stretch netting, ivory striped weave hose, pink tulle panties and her irresistable pale candy multi strap platform boots.

Her accessorie d'Jour is a gorgeous chromed bow with pink corded hand grip bearing diamante accent. Her arrow case of silver and halogram 'leather' with huge satin bow, heart braided multi cord chest strap, a pair of pink tulle gloves and of course half a dozen cute heart shaped arrows..... aiming straight for her Valentine. Let it be YOU!

Clone: 1000 Venus d'Royce

Skintone: COSMETIQUE

Of course she comes with the following standard accessories:

-manic_cure hands (see booklet for hand change instructions)

-booklet

-stand

PRODUCTION MAY VARY FROM PROTOTYPE SHOWN.

In stock and ready to be delivered

Price: £259.75 (Excluding VAT at 20%)

She is a lovely doll. I like her blended blonde wig and her fabulous shoes; however, I do think it's time for a new sculpt.

The extremely favorable pound to dollar exchange rate brings the US price of the doll to $323.40. Shipping adds another $55-$60. 

Find her here while she lasts:  http://www.superdollonline.co.uk/acatalog/EROSIA--DD_120-417.html#SID=45

Superdoll Presents Davincia

DAVINCIA DD_112

The Grande Madam of Tatami.

Venus rules the miniature chashitsu created for them in the London Salon.

It's like a Harajuku Pyjama party, Venus hair is a blend of muted blondes and nudes, with symmetric double topknot, the back twisting into the nape of her neck and the front perching upon her crown.

Her eyes surrounded in shades of caramel and charcoal with lids bearing a stroke of muted vanilla, solid black liner and arched pitch-black brows. Her piercing steel grey eyes are offset with granite. Lips the colour of cameo.

A floor-length satin 'dressing gown' piped in black satin bears pockets and tie belt is worn beneath her patent black; gilt studded lace-up corselet.

She slips off her gown to reveal a flirty black lace bra top and a pair of illusion corded black lace trousers....of course.

Maybe just a small hint as to just what kind of pyjama party this tea party is going to be!

Furthermore, she wears a black satin and lace fan to accent this nude and black combo. On her feet, nude ankle socks, fiendish 2 tone platform sole sandals in gloss gold PVC with ankle straps and oodles of fab.

As winters chill sets in, naturally Venus knows best.

Let the Games begin!

Clone: 1000 Venus d'Royce

Skintone: COSMETIQUE

Of course, she comes with the following standard accessories:

-manic_cure hands (see booklet for hand change instructions)

-booklet

-stand

In stock and ready to be delivered

Price: £259.75 

(Excluding VAT at 20%)

I like this doll a lot but I'm trying to be thrifty. Hahaha. We'll see how long that lasts.

The British Pound is at it's lowest value in years. Great value for the $.

Announcement from Superdoll Collectables

Superdoll sent out this notice today to their mailing list (without the picture.)

As this is our first notice of 2017, we would like to start off by wishing everyone a wonderful and Happy New Year.Reflecting back on they year just gone, we here at superdoll_collectables have had a busy and exciting year. Our production facilities on the orient have seen major changes and we have been working full steam to prepare for the year ahead. Our 2016 special events have raised more than an just eyebrow and our Plans for 2017 are as exciting.

We are looking very much forward to Paris Fashion Doll Festival where we will host our Friday Night Cocktail party 10 March. We are once again very inspired by the festival theme and also a return to our Resin Sybarites for this event.

http://www.dollexpo.fr/Furthermore we are thrilled to be returning to the USA this year and look forward to the wonderful event that Drama Queen Productions will be putting on for the Sybarites in New Orleans on18, 19, 20 May. Registration has now opened for this event, please check out the details at www.dramaqueenproductions.net the commemorative doll for this event will also be Resin, and also includes an optional VIP package. Very Exciting!
Our London October Event has a tentative date set, we are just awaiting confirmation on venues. We will be sure to confirm as soon as possible.

On another note, our plans for this year also include the introduction of 2 new characters to our GenX line in addition to the incomparable clone 1000. But enough about that! Lets get on to the present.....

Our AW/2016 collection "Kinky Look" has one last surprise as we wallow in the winter cold.

(we will be sure to send out a flyer separately)

DAVINCIA.GenX clone 1000.

 On Sale 25 January 2017

In closing we would also like to wish all our Asian customers a Prosperous Year of the Rooster.

Till Later

C&D and all here @ S.D.H.Q.

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I can't wait to see what Davincia.GenX looks like!

Collecting 2016: The Best and the Rest

This has been a very interesting year in my collecting. I've cut way back on my 12" doll purchases and forged full steam ahead with my 16" BJD collection.
Most of my dolly funds went for Superdoll, designer fashions, wigs and Kingdom Doll. Other purchases were scattered amongst Integrity Toys, Mattel and Tonner.

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Mattel wins the award for a good idea but failed execution with regards to its articulated Silkstone. The first release, Classic Black Dress Barbie® Doll, was a huge disappointment. The finish of the Silkstone seams and joints was poor. The dress was seriously cheap-looking. There was no quality at all.

I did buy two other Silkstone dolls this year but I think I'm going to stop. Glam Gown has a pretty face, a nice hairstyle and in the promotional photo, her gown looks lovely. Unfortunately, IRL,  the fabric is stiff and doesn't drape well. Too bad.

Stiff As A Board Barbie

  

In my not so humble opinion, the best doll Mattel produced in 2016 was The Barbie Look™ Barbie® Doll – Party Perfect. 
She has an articulated body, a cute hairdo, a decent face and an adorable outfit. AND...she actually looks like the promo picture! Shocking. Compared to my other dolls she cost near to nothing and she's just a delight so it didn't matter that the "accessories" were garbage. 
I have a very eclectic collection which contains dolls costing less than $20 up to $1000. I buy what I like.

Each of the Barbie dolls shows Mattel's promotional photo alongside or underneath.

The best Barbie outfit came on Hudson's Bay Barbie although I did change the boots and the body, got rid of the crummy handbag and somehow lost the hat while I was holding it. I can't explain that phenomenon. She was originally on the boring Model Muse body which I can't abide. 

This outfit is so cutesy and matchy with it's dress, coat, doll coat, coffee cup and cell phone all clad in the signature Hudson Bay stripe. The fact that they included a poodle didn't hurt either.

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Integrity Toys wins the award for abandoned doll lines and dolls which are indistinguishable from toys. However, there were some that appealed to me from the very small Fashion Royalty line.

I purchased only three dressed dolls and one fashion from Integrity in 2016. I did buy quite a few designer fashions from individuals not connected with IT.

Anika Luxotika uses the Dasha sculpt and I loved everything about her such as the interchangeable robotic body parts and the strange, far away look on her face. 

Culte de Paris made the edgy fashion she is wearing in the third photo. She'll be wearing it for a very long time.

Fashionista Eugenia was my one bow to the 2016 Integrity convention. The designer dress and the beautiful Eugenia with her red/orange chalcedony color hair and full red lips are very attractive to me.

The third IT doll is Marie Laveau from the television series American Horror Story. She is played by Angela Bassett and there is a decent resemblance to her. Basically, I just really liked her hair and the outfit is cute and well constructed. Below, on the right, is an older Mini Avantguard doll whose body is quite slim. The bodysuit fits her, too.

While I'm sure Integrity has an audience with it's Jem and My Little Pony lines, the grown-ups are not going to be around for long, hungering for the scraps they feed us. I joined the W Club at its inception and the exclusives were all Fashion Royalty dolls. I may not have loved every one of them but at least I had choices from dolls I actually collected. Someone posted the number of dolls produced this year for all the lines and Fashion Royalty totaled only about 10%.

Below are two dolls I'd expect to find in an 8-year-old's room, manufactured by Mattel and priced very low.

I don't want to have to wear sunglasses to look at my dolls. 

But everything changes and all companies do what it takes to stay in business and stay relevant. I still love the 100 or so FR dolls I've kept and updated (and keep updating).

Sadly, many of the bodies, even the newer FR2 bodies, have deteriorating joints. Lots of them are now sitting down. 

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Rudi Teruel has been selling limited edition designer fashions. They're mostly for 12" dolls.

Here are some of my favorites of this past year.

When you stop buying doll after doll, it's appealing to freshen up your collection with new fashions.

From left to right, my models are Dasha, Elise, Elise and Marie.

And my dear friend, Antonio Realli, keeps them coming

These are two of his fashions for 12" dolls. Several more will be shown on 16" dolls further on in this post. 

Superdoll is putting out a lot of product. There are no shortage of GENX dolls and any collector who logs into their site at about 11 AM EST, on the date previously announced, can find the doll. They don't disappear in very short periods of time like the popular resin dolls used to. Some are even available for 24  hours or more! 

My absolute favorite Superdoll item from 2016 was an outfit called Blue Duke. The styling is trendy. There are lots of pieces - blouse, sweater, pants and jacket, handbag, boots and two bracelets. I love it. 

Miss Chief modeling Blue Duke:

Two other fashions from 2016 which are charming are Glitter Tit and Moon Mood.  

Forest modeling Mood Mood:

Star modeling Glitter Tit:

It's very useful that Kingdom Doll can wear so many outfits made for dolls from other manufacturers. 

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Kingdom Doll

I added eight dolls to my collection of Kingdom Dolls this past year. Morgana was a surprise as she was the centerpiece at my table during the convention. I was stunned that I won the chance to purchase her. She has become my favorite with Guinevere and Draig following closely behind. 

Morgana in her original fashion. 

Here Morgana is wearing a confection of a gown by Nigel Chia.

Guinevere in her original fashion.

Draig wearing her original fashion.

I mentioned above that several designer fashions have found their way into my collection.

Liberty wearing another Nigel Chia.

Here are Star and Viola modeling Antonio Realli fashions. 

One of my favorite photos I shot this year was this Halloween picture of Viola wearing a Tonner witch ensemble.

A big challenge for me was not to completely rely on my iPhone camera as it is my lazy way to go. Every now and then the phone did quite well and produced a worthy image. But the opposite is way more common. I had an excuse for several months but, thank goodness, that's over and now we'll be getting down to business. I hope.

Big news this year was Tonner's announcement that all of his proprietary lines (i.e. Tyler, Ellowyne, Marley, Cami, Antoinette, Deja Vu) are being discontinued as is the Tonner Doll Company and Wilde Imagination. He is forming a new company and will call it Phyn & Aero. (See my post dated 12/22/16.) They will be continuing with the licensed dolls and we'll see Outlander. Yay. You better believe I want Jamie in a kilt. Tonner can do excellent reproductions of costumes and hopefully we'll get a Scottish one as shown in this photo of Jamie below. This is what he wore in the wedding episode in the television series. 

The bad news this year was the discovery that decal eyes were being used on several of Integrity's dolls. The controversy and invective on the W Club board was like a typhoon. Many threads were ultimately deleted. Come to think of it, that's the regular practice of the Admins now. They delete any thread that has major criticism about the dolls. 

Collectors PAY to be there. I don't think deleting controversial threads is right. Some individual abusive posts ought to be deleted but not entire threads. That is just downright disrespectful of their clients, especially when they are paying to be part of a community. 

If it were free I'd say that it's visiting their living room and they can do whatever they want as it's their 'home.'  

But that's just my opinion. Collectors can speak with their wallets. Money is what companies understand - the bottom line is what they pay attention to. 

The other news is Haute Doll Magazine has folded. 

I wish all my readers the best New Year ever. May we all be abundant with good health, happiness and love. May we have the pleasure of beautiful dolls and fashions. May we enjoy each other's success.

Happy 2017!!

Sincerely,