Reminiscing

In a recent post, I commented that I really like several of the Fashion Royalty outfits from the last two years. I also mentioned that I purchased another Pale Fire Vanessa because my original was altered (by myself) and I wanted the original again.

I was going to sell the altered version but...yesterday, her head was affixed to an FR2 body and I dressed her in (most of) World on a String Eugenia's outfit and she's staying.  I say "most of" because the shoes do not fit on the FR2 body. I hate that.

Pale Fire Vanessa - Altered Version (Not that you can really tell anyway.)

 It's interesting that as I look back on dolls I may have altered, the originals often start to look better and better. Of course, some are still "what were they thinking dolls" but apparently my tastes change from year to year.

When I think about the dolls from the first FR convention I ever attended in Toronto, I think of how I did not like Gliteratti Veronique's hair or Intoxicating Mix Vanessa's hair. Gliteratti was the first re-root I ever did by myself and I had IM's done for me. I wish I had the originals now, especially Vanessa. I have repurchased her fashion (more than once) and at one time I had an extra NRFB.
Sigh. Easy come; easy go. I won (!) her at a convention when Jason chose one of my photographs as the winner in the contest. Those were the days.

Re-rooted Gliteratti Veronique

Original Gliteratti

Re-rooted Intoxicating Mix Vanessa

Intoxicating Mix - Original Hairstyle. Mattel's "My Fair Lady" pink frilly items.

So now that I am reminiscing over past dolls, there are two dolls I regret selling, one is High Gloss Agnes and the other is Spectacular, Spectacular Eugenia. They were both wonderful to photograph. In fact, I used SS Eugenia for a feature article I did in FDQ back then.

High Gloss Agnes

Spectacular, Spectacular Eugenia

I used to get every single Fashion Royalty doll that was produced except for those that were made for special people like the Saks 5th Avenue Agnes. I don't even know anyone who has her. 

I'm very happy with the dolls I have. When I'm not, they get voted off the island.

Ode to Vanessa by Rachel Ryan from Australia

This poem knocked my socks off. For those of you who are not familiar with the character Vanessa Perrin, her sculpt was discontinued to the dismay of most of her diehard fans. She was one of the most popular of all Fashion Royalty dolls and the news of her disappearance was sprung on collectors with no prior notice.

See if you can find the individual names of the Vanessas in the poem.

RIP, intoxicating Miss V - you were true royalty among dolls. I'm so glad you enjoyed such a fashionable life - and what a luxe life it was! When you were at your high tide, your every incarnation was a temptation .... we loved you on the runway right away, we loved you in bloom, we loved you in cruise control. It came as such a shock bonbon that they could even think of replacing such a wonderfully aerodynamic personality.

For me, from now, there can never be another collection with that special glow you gave; they will all be sans couleur. Your successor may be a pretty girl, but considering how we all fell as moths before your flame blue, she can only ever be a pale, pale fire of your dazzling colour therapy.

It hurts so much that you are going places where we won’t see you any more. Perhaps when -- well, maybe one lonely night warrior, when I am obsidian on my own, just maybe it will all metalmaven sense to me. But until it does, I will have to remain shirred not shaken ... and yours eternally ...

My darling Vanessa ... I miss you so.

You can see pictures of Rachel's dolls on flickr. 

Real Life Photo of Jason Wu's Fashion Night Out Doll #2

My friend Alejandro posted this lovely picture of his FNO doll with her hair down. What do you think?

I love the original open-mouth Vanessa and Avantguard sculpts but this doll's mouth borders a little on the Kesenia/Bucky Beaver side. I think it's the shape of the upper lip that creates the buck-toothed effect. The upper lip is too plump and rises up higher than a 'normal' lip. The two upper lip hills (I don't know what else to call them) are too close together creating the appearance that teeth are pushing it out and up.

I will not be keeping the head.

Honoring Vanessa Perrin

While I should have been doing paperwork and other important things, I got busy instead creating a montage of my Vanessas. I captured all 22 original sculpts. There is a duplicate and a few altered ones in there. I left out my other OOAK Vans. Can you find the altered ones and the duplicate?

Private Goddess Natalia vs. Pale Fire Vanessa

I previously commented on the fashion that PG Natalia is shown dressed in and how poorly the draping appears. While it is certainly possible that the photographer could have rearranged the folds to look better, I have the feeling that it just doesn't work as a high fashion gown anyway.
I looked back to see other ballgowns in the Fashion Royalty line and came up with the Pale Fire Vanessa doll.
On several levels the PG Natalia pales in comparison - no pun intended. Pale Fire was part of the 2007 Cult Couture line available from FR dealers. She was an edition of 1000 and was the most expensive doll of the five issued at $159.00. The bodice of the gown had a corset-like construction and the skirt was crafted from a high quality, moderate sheen fabric. There are actually two skirts with the top layer lined in the same color as the full bottom skirt. The drapes and folds were voluminous and did not need to be arranged to look right. Her jewelry is still sought after by collectors. It was an intricate collection of woven beads with hair ornaments, neckpiece, earrings and bracelet. Collectors had been clamoring for more jewelry and this was the answer. The entire line that year had excellent jewelry, beautifully crafted fashions with terrific handbags and shoes. There was no fried, frizzy hair either. It was to be the last superbly dressed and coiffed Vanessa - not counting the convention dolls which were to follow. There have been eleven Vanessas since then and not one regular line issue has been anywhere near Pale Fire.__________________
In Bloom - W Club Doll - 2007
Going Places* - The Royal Life Convention Souvenir Doll - 2007
High Tide - Style Du Jour Basic - 2007
Color Therapy* - The Glamorous Collection Premium Spring - 2008
Metal Maven - The Glamorous Collection Basic Spring - 2008
Stirred Not Shaken* - The Heist Convention Centerpiece - 2008
Cruise Control - W Club Doll - 2008
Night Warrior* - Dolly Style Convention Souvenir Doll - 2009
Aerodynamic - Future Perfect Collection Spring - 2009
Luxe Life* - Iconic Convention Collection - 2009
Temptation - The Dazzle Collection - Basic Doll - 2010
________________

I put stars next to the dolls that appear to have been designed and constructed on a higher fashion level. Metal Maven and the other basics are just that - basics. One doesn't expect that much in terms of fashion.
I focus so much on Vanessa because she has been my muse. Once I couldn't wait to see the next Vanessa. Now I tremble in fearful anticipation. But I have gone off the subject of this post.
I'm not pleased with the direction of the premium dolls. I do not think that the Monogram dolls can ever take the place of Fashion Royalty although that is apparently where they are going. All the talent (Jason's ?) goes into designing their clothes. But then what about the Monogram Brilliance outfit? I think that if the construction error on the front of the jacket hadn't happened.....

I can understand that Jason's interests lie elsewhere and I applaud his success. But he was the design talent of Integrity and Fashion Royalty. Now what?