Tonner Launches Dr. Seuss Collection

Image courtesy Tonner Doll Company, Inc. Photography ©ernestopadrocampos. ©Tonner Doll Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Cat's hat

LE 500

$189.99

Truffula

LE 500

$189.99

 Sam I Am 

 LE 500 

$189.99

If you have a passion for fashion,

And colors galore,

You'll love this new Dr. Seuss line - 

Just wait and see what's in store!

Never a dull moment at the Tonner Doll Company! This is quite the unexpected offering, isn't it?
All dolls use the Monica Merrill head sculpt on the Tyler BW body.

They have some of that Wilde Imagination vibe going on with their intense colors and mixing of style. I like the fashions and I can visualize lots of mixing possibilities.
Although I'm not a fan of Monica Merrill's cartoonish sculpt, I think she is perfect for these dolls.

All dolls are available to order and ship now.

City Girls from the Tonner Doll Company

A very cute and affordable line of 15 3/4" dolls has been released by the TDC. They are the City Girls and are targeted toward younger doll collectors.
This debut contains one basic doll, three dressed dolls and three fashion packs. I would definitely purchase these for a child that was ready to move on from, for example, the American Girl dolls although they certainly could exist side by side in a child's collection.
Here they are.

Basic Houston

$39.99

Taxi! Billy

$49.99

Color Block Astor

$49.99

Golden Swirl Astor

$59.99

Here are the fashion packs which are $24.99 each.

Cape Town

Gray Haze

Networking

They remind me of the Mod British Birds by Somers and Field, not in their looks but in their affect—innocent, fresh faced and smartly but simply dressed.
The dolls look to be fully articulated although I could not find information on their material and construction.
Looking back in my blog, I found a picture from last February's Toy Fair of the City Girls. Apparently two of the three dolls shown there did not make it into the debut. Perhaps they will appear towards the end of the year.

Tonner's Twilight Saga "Forever Edward"

Forever Edward $189.99  Pre-Order

Robert Pattison as Edward Cullen

I must say there is absolutely no resemblance at all to Edward Cullen other than the tuxedo. The hair, the eyes brows, the mouth and the look and pretty much everything else is off. It's too bad because I love a male doll in a tux.

Zombie Boy Doll

Just when I thought the Tonner creatives couldn't get crazier (in a good way) they come out with this San Diego Comic Con 2012 exclusive, Rico the Zombie Boy.

The following coverage was blogged by Paul Nomad at Idle Hands.

Featured in Lady Gaga's Born This Way music video, model and performer Rick Genest (Zombie Boy) is a human canvas, with 80% of his body covered in tattoos. Genest's body art depicts the human form as it decomposes into a corpse, flesh-eating insects and all. His special art display has earned him two admissions into the Guinness book of World Records: one for the most bones tattooed on the body (134), and one for the most insects tattooed on the body (176).


"My tattoos symbolize life through death, or death through life," Genest said in a "Meet Zombie Boy" article featured on Dermablend®'s website, where he is a brand ambassador. "They've been a part of me forever - before I even got them done. They reveal how I feel on the inside. I'm so used to how I look now that I don't see them anymore."


Discovered by Lady Gaga's personal stylist and Creative Director of fashion powerhouse Thierry Mugler Nicola Formichetti, Genest first appeared on the fashion scene when he was featured by Mugler in the Paris fashion show in January 2011. In addition to walking runways for Mugler and other designers in Milan, Berlin, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Rio, New York and Toronto, Genest has become the face of Dermablend in its award winning Go beyond The Cover video which attracted more than 15 Million views and 650,000 likes on its Facebook. In the process he has become a social media phenomenon, with more than 66,000 Twitter fans and 66,000 Likes on Facebook. Visit his website at http://.RickGenest.com, http://www.facebook.com/ricothezombie and http://twitter.com/ricothezombie.


"When I first saw Rick in a magazine, I was instantly fascinated," said Robert Tonner, CEO and celebrated doll artist and designer. "There was something so visually arresting about his super edgy look juxtaposed with sophisticated, tailored clothes."


The Zombie Boy Character Figure™ will be 17" tall, and boasts hand-painted details and will feature a replica of Genest's intricate body art, and also include his facial piercing between his eyes. With Tonner's multiple points of articulation for dynamic poses and quality craftsmanship, this Zombie Boy Character Figure™ pulls out all the stops. Check out the sneak peek above!


"This was one of the most challenging and fun projects I've worked on in a long time," said Tonner. "We are really excited that Rick is going to be joining us at Comic Con, it's going to be a real treat to have such a special guest in our booth."


You can get the Zombie Boy Character Figure™ at the 2012 SDCC in Tonner's booth (#4149), as well as on their website, www.tonnerdoll.com (Mid July). He is a limited edition size of just 500 pieces.


Tonner states that this will be their ONLY SDCC 2012 exclusive, but they will be selling their own convention exclusives and some other special bits (along with a teased collaboration with FAO Schwarz) for the die hard fans! For more information, or to see the vast collection of comic book heroes and more Tonner has to offer, visit www.tonnerdoll.com.

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Dermablend commissioned Rick Genest to do an ad campaign for their body and leg cover makeup.
Watch this very cool and interesting video. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLpbMqQMelk&feature=colike

Tonner Products Part 2 (Yes, there's more!)

This is one of the most interesting, eclectic releases, including NuMood, that I remember in a long time. As I said in my previous Tonner product post, there's something for everyone. This part of the release includes Antoinette, Cami & Jon, American Models, DC and Marvel Characters, Freedom for Fashion, new Pirates of the Caribbean figures, Tim Burton's Corpse Bride and Ms. Beetlejuice, Oz, Gone with the Wind and a Hollywood Glamour, Madame de L'Amour Outfit. Wow! I can barely get my mind around all of this fantastic stuff!
Here are just a few samples. At the end of this post will be a link to everything.
The Corpse Bride is channeling Evangeline IMO. Hmmm.

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride $224.99

Antoinette Starshine Outfit $89.99

Hollywood Glamour, Madame de L'Amour Outfit $139.99

Tim Burton's Ms. Beetlejuice $224.99

Prices listed are all retail. The best dealers discount 10% right off the top. It used to be 15% Things have changed for sure.

2012 Preview Release

Tonner Doll Company New Website

Click on the image above to visit the new Tonner Doll Company website. It will be well worth your time.

Image of Robert and the reproduction of his signature are the property of TDC.

Reinterpreted Runway Fashion - Everybody's Doing It

Christian Dior Spring 2011 Couture

2011 Tonner Convention "Joyeux" Tyler BJD

My Favorite Dolls of 2011

Last night I went through my 2011 doll database and pulled my favorites of this year.

From Integrity Toys I chose five dolls, four of whom are FR2 dolls and one, believe it or not, is Fauxnessa. You may ask why Fauxnessa made the list when I am one of those who loved the original Vanessa sculpt. Well, this is a gorgeous doll. The other Fauxnessa, Monaco Royale, is one of this year's losers but Dress Code, the first Fauxnessa, was a winner.
I wasn't exactly sure that Flawless Elise was a 2011 doll or a 2010 doll because she took months to arrive with the proper skin tone and a properly created hairstyle but I love her along with every other Elise that's been released. Dasha is a total winner in my book and Tatyana, whose sculpt I do not care for that much made the list for her overall package - hair, makeup, dress. I just have to get rid of those black lines at the outside crease of her lips.

Tatyana, Dasha, Elise, Elise & Fauxnessa.

Quite a few Barbies and a few Silkstone dolls were added to my collection but were not considered for this end-of-year list. I tire of Barbie dolls very quickly and the Silkies, although pretty to look at, just hang out looking fabulous. However, one Mattel doll did survive the cut—Klimpt Barbie. She made it because of the back story and she is pretty. She doesn't have that pasted on smile most Barbie dolls have and her hair is adorable. A bonus is that she's not on the Model Muse body.

Angelic Dreamz' JAMIEshow Grace was a winner. I have posted many photographs of her on this blog as she is wonderful in front of the camera.

These two Ellowynes from Wilde Imagination are among the winners: An Empty Thrill and Dark Shadows.

Among the other Tonner dolls is Heart on My Sleeve. She was produced prior to 2011 but I didn't get her until mid year. This doll is from the Wizard of OZ Reimagination line. She is a creative version of the Tin Man and I think she's fabulous.

The first of the new wave of Theatre de la Mode dolls was Noir #99. This doll has a stunning sculpt.  She, too, is a fabulous photo model. Sadly, the second new TDLM, Royale #82, has not arrived as of this writing.

From the Halloween Convention came the Red Queen, with another amazing sculpt. She is so wonderfully evil-looking.

Saving the best for last...

Devon, one of Paul Pham's Numina and an FDQ exclusive released in December 2010. I was thrilled to get her. If you have never held a Numina body or seen one without clothes, you are missing something excellent! And, I am expecting the newest Numina any day now.

Talc and Geometry. What can I say other than, who knew? If their bodies had not been redesigned to allow better positioning and posing I would have not taken the plunge.

Many more have come and many have gone. I've made a few impulsive buying mistakes for stupid little stuff.
My main focus has moved back to larger dolls again. I found it very easy to sell what some would consider 'grail' Fashion Royalty dolls in order to fund my other desires. However...this year I was able to add several Tiny Kitty dolls that I was never able to get. They are still safely NRFB waiting to move to a new home - we're all waiting for that day.

I'd love to hear from all of my readers about your favorite dolls of 2011.

Tonner Posts Left Over Convention Dolls

As I suspected would happen too soon after the event, Tonner Doll has acted in a lightning fast mode and posted the leftover convention products.

You've seen all the other dolls already but one doll that may be a surprise is this resin bjd Sydney called Sydney does Halloween. She is a limited edition of only 50 pieces and is listed at $510. How many would you like to order?

Sydney Does Halloween  TDC Photo

 She is quite beautiful but the netting over her face and hair kept the convention goers from seeing what she looked like. On the last day someone pushed the net up off her eyes.

Another doll I did not post about is called Black Flame. The unique thing about this doll is that she comes with two pairs of hands. The black ones are resin and clutch the candelabra. She comes with another pair that match her vinyl. $210.

This is Cinderella aka "Unhappily Ever After." Apparently the professional photographer was afraid of the Queen of the Zombies so he never got around to taking her picture. $185.

Not quite sure who took this picture. 

It was noted that the salt and pepper shakers are not included. Drats!

Want to see the rest? Click here.

If you need the Halloween Totes, email me. I have two;  I'll make you a good deal and a nice sandwich.

Tickets!

Our tickets arrived today for A Day of Ennui ~ The Sequel. Time sure flies. It's only 12 days away. I'm not only looking forward to the luncheon and presentation on Saturday, I'm also looking forward to the Friday night reception at which there will be an exclusive Evangeline for sale.
There may still be spots open. You can find out by going to A Day of Ennui - The Sequel   
or calling 866-909-4533. 
Hope to see you there! 

 

Tonner's Email to Collectors Regarding Restructuring Distribution

 July 20th, 2011

Dear Collectors,

With the ever-increasing reliance on the internet, we realize a major shift in purchasing patterns has emerged. Feedback from our collectors suggests that it is more enjoyable being able to obtain desired products as fast as possible, and we want to rise to the occasion and be able to provide that for you. Coupled with our year-round flow of product from our factories, we have developed a new schedule of future product releases to better serve you!

Tonner products will now debut on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month through our valued Tonner retailers, who will provide you with the same excellent service that you've come to expect.  Additionally, of course, the new product will also debut on www.tonnerdirect.com.  This first such release is  scheduled for Wednesday, August 10^th.

Some new lines will need more detailed and complete introductions than most.  When those lines are being introduced, we will also be furnishing a line plan so you will grasp the breadth of a line, since some purchasing decisions are based on "what's to come".  In addition, some future lines will require that you understand the intent behind a line, and will need to see more than several pieces.  We will make those introductions as appropriately and thoroughly as possible.

We're so excited for this opportunity to streamline our new product introductions!  We are very much looking forward to a flow of new product that is in-stock (or will be in-stock within 2-4 weeks) at the time of it's introduction on a continuous, year-round schedule, eliminating the agonizing wait!   

You ask, and and we hear you; we're pleased for the opportunity to serve you in a better way! 

All the best,

Team Tonner

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Tonner Ends Pre-Ordering

This information has come to me from a reliable source.  I am going to quote a few lines from Tonner's announcement. I won't be able to answer any questions as I know no other details. Please post your reactions and questions here on the blog.  Perhaps someone will come along to answer. The Tonner people do read this.


The TDC believes that "collectors enjoy being able to obtain products they desire as fast as possible and without having time for reconsideration. Coupled with a year-round flow of product from our factories, we have developed a new schedule of future product releases." 

"Tonner products will now debut on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month on tonnerdirect.com."

Dealers will get their information on the Monday before each Wednesday and can neither take orders nor reveal information prior to the release.

What I understand is that only dolls that are in stock will be released. So when you place an order, you will be paying for it and you can expect to get it shortly afterward.

What I don't understand is who actually ships the doll. If the dealers don't have them in advance and you order them does your doll come directly from Tonner or from your dealer?

Is Tonner planning to cut out dealers eventually?

Theatre de La Mode "Noir #99"

After a long wait, Robert Tonner has given us a new Theatre de La Mode doll called Noir #99.  Mine arrived the other day and normally I wouldn't present a new doll with the plastic protective lining still on but since I'm in the midst of packing my dolls, this one is not getting displayed yet.
This was a high priced vinyl doll at $210. Full retail is near $249.99. Was she worth it? I hate that question but I have to answer, not really.

Take a look at the hair on the promo doll below,

...and the hair on my doll:

It looks like something has landed or is about to take off. This is not acceptable and I am considering bringing her to the doll doctor for reworking. I am very disappointed with this hair.

Her dress is lovely and looks exactly like the promo. The usual Tonner snaps have been replaced by a well inserted zipper. The black gloves come with nude liner gloves. The shoes are simple black pumps and the jewelry, besides the sewn on bauble, is rhinestone studs and 'tennis' bracelet.

In spite of being unsuccessfully executed, the hairstyle is daring.

Noir #99 has a new sculpt and Antoinette body with blue eyes, blonde hair and the cameo skin tone. I would have been happier if Tyler's sculpt and body were used instead.