11/03/2008

Just Brilliant Fashion from Jason Wu is Brilliant

The "Just Brilliant Fashion" is a Limited Edition of 450 and was designed by Jason Wu for his Lana Turner/Hollywood Royalty line. The retail price was $75. My model is "A Fashionable Life Vanessa" (Platinum) who has been given a tall body.
The gown's construction is flawless; the look, timeless; the fit, perfect. I couldn't ask for more. The cute black patent shoes have one off-center rhinestone.
We love jewelry for our divas and this fashion comes with dangling rhinestone earrings, a double strand bracelet of rhinestones, a giant ring with a silvery grey stone and a big pin which I have attached at the waistline.
I was pleased to see that the packaging was conservatively made so that the bottom few inches of the gown needed to be folded. I used a light steam iron through a press cloth on the skirt to get the crease out and had no problem. Please don't ever use an iron directly on any doll clothes and start out with a cooler iron that you think you need. Be careful near metallic embroidery. Steaming often does the trick on items that can't be ironed like tulle. I have heard that some people iron tulle successfully; I'm not one of those.
The faux fur stole is soft and has a thickness which is in perfect scale. My preference is to show off the gown without the stole covering any of it.
There is a little problem with several pair of shoes lately in that the heels are too tall. This makes the doll tip forward. Either platforms need to be put under the front of the shoe or the heels need to be made shorter. A collector can remedy this by cutting out a small piece of thin foam or vinyl (or two) and gluing them under the shoe front. If the color of the vinyl/foam is white and the shoe is black, use a permanent marker to color the edges. Make sure that the foam does not extend past the edge of the shoe.



10/30/2008

Halloween-y Images


The doll above is Ellowyne Wilde, "Nevermore" from Wilde Imagination which is an offshoot of the Tonner Doll Company. Earrings are by Joy Jarred. The snarling furry thing at her feet is a Sybarite wrap. Backdrop is a CED folding screen draped with a lace shawl. The chaise is a velvet covered jewel box and the round table on the left is a vintage hand painted and gold leafed Italian miniature jewel box. The heads are spray painted Mattel items and the black teddy bear is a Pullip accessory.


In the photo below we have the spooky-looking but very beautiful 16" Sister Dreary from the Tonner Doll Company. I love this doll's sculpt and the entire misery-laden concept of this line of dolls which includes Sister's younger sister, 12" Agnes Dreary, and brother, Viktor Dreary.


Don't Eat Any Candy Until Mom Checks It!


The characters in these photographs are Halloween Hana, an 8" BJD from Elfdoll and two Kelly dolls dressed in repros of early Barbie outfits. The background is a castle from an aquarium.

10/24/2008

Luchia "Bewitching Hour" W Club Doll #2

The second W Club doll was announced recently. Here is Integrity's description:
Luchia models a "supervillan" inspired look mixed with true haute style. Luchia rocks a haute couture mini in the palest of pink hues, accented with micro-pleated detail at the bust. Her black knee-length trenchcoat stands out with a number of fabulous details including buckles that highlight the three-quarter sleeve and an oversized "leather" studded belt with lace-up closure. Black gloves, earrings and a black chrome cuff bracelet round out the ensemble. The look is completed with potentially the hottest footwear ever done for Fashion Royalty, a pair of mile-high strappy gladiator boots that would make even Carrie Bradshaw jealous!

Luchia's golden blonde locks, blush skintone (a first for Luchia) and vampy makeup

palette add the perfect complement to her "haute" outfit!


The coat looks nice. I can't tell what the dress is made from. I just get the impression that she just got out of bed, put on a wig and still needs some makeup. I think she needs a whip or perhaps a long sword like the one the Highlander kept under his coat? The gladiator boots, the pink mini dress, the helmet hair....OMG...this doll would be laughed out of my showcase. Just to be honest, Luchia is not my favorite sculpt and there are many people excited about this edgy doll.


Photographs courtesy Integrity Toys.