Kingdom Doll Eira

I have one word to describe Eira—PERFECT.

The only problem I have with her is when I put another doll alongside they pale by comparison.

<Sigh>

Guest Review: "Odds Are Stacked" Gloria Grandbuilt from Integrity Toys

"ODDS ARE STACKED" Gloria Grandbuilt

Text and Photos by Michael Basala

The first doll in the Katy Keene collection to arrive is ODDS ARE STACKED Gloria Grandbuilt [sic]. Let me begin by saying my biggest and only issue is Integrity misspelled her name. It is Grandbilt like Vanderbilt. I am surprised that being an Archie Comic's licensed product the name is spelled wrong. I only know about the early Katy days and maybe they changed the spelling when they brought Katy & Co. into the 80's.

I will come right out and say it.... I love this doll. I do wish Integrity had used a body besides Color Infusion but it isn’t a deal breaker for me. As much as I would like, I doubt she can share clothes with Lana Turner, Mini Gene and Victoire. Her legs seem very long!

I think she is lovely; beautiful with just the right amount of snobbishness to be Katy's frenemy. A few people on doll boards have noted a resemblance to Madonna from her Dick Tracy era. I can see it.

The fashion is based on a 1949 Schiaparelli suit and is fabulous! I would have preferred IT used a different veiling for the hat. It is pretty netting but too heavy for this use. I have tucked it under for pics because you couldn’t see her face with through it. The accessories are all top notch. She comes with a magnet pin which makes me happy!!! No more holes in doll clothes.

I was ready to rate this doll a 9 out of 10 when I discovered an unexpected touch to her suit construction; the jacket and skirt are lined in leopard print fabric! Just what I would expect from Gloria!

I preordered three dolls from the Katy Keene collection; Gloria, the gift set Katy, and Lorelei. The 1980’s Dynasty Katy does not interest me but I seriously may purchase "Blue Serenade" Katy in the future.

This line has not sold out so I am guessing it is not very popular. I don't know why but I know many people do not like the Color Infusion body. Katy Keene fans have said the dolls are too much Fashion Royalty and not enough like Katy & Co as they appeared in the comics. It doesn't bother me. I see it as an interpretation. I am more interested in the fashion and being a fan of vintage couture, for me, this collection is a winner right out of the gate.

"ODDS ARE STACKED" Gloria Grandbuilt - 10 out of 10 - An unexpected joy!

Gen-X Precious from Superdoll

I adored her fashion, her accessories and her hair. The spousal unit thought she was scary looking. I didn't care until I stood her next to Eira and her head looked enormous. I was cured of wanting to keep her at that moment.
Of course, many dolls will pale next to the beautiful Eira but this was different. Precious looked ridiculously out of proportion to her own body. Her head is too damn big. Maybe that's the point...big headed, egotistical, rebel princess.

"Shimmering Dynasty" Katy Keene Doll

There's so much truth to the statement, "When it rains; it pours." Yesterday we picked up nearly 50 artist dolls we'll be selling on consignment. Today "Shimmering Dynasty" Katy Keene and Sybarite "Precious" arrived.  Tomorrow  Kingdom Doll "Eira" is due to arrive and I believe "Midas Touch" Poppy is due very shortly.  A new microwave oven is on it's way to be installed this afternoon and we're meeting with our real estate agent tomorrow for the second foray into the housing market this week. I'm trying to stay calm. I only go crazy when tornado warnings are issued which seems to be almost every week lately in addition to torrential rain and lightning. I need a vacation...but I'd probably be bored to death.
Wait...I forgot one thing. My graphics card dropped dead on Sunday night. Off to the Apple Store I went to have one of their geniuses check it out. Luckily for me there will be no charge to replace the card because there has been an issue with this particular card. Yay. But I'm using a dinky old laptop without Photoshop. The things we become accustomed to....

Anyway, let's discuss Katy Keene. For the first time (for me) from Integrity Toys, the inner doll box was wrapped in tissue paper—just like a Silkstone doll. That was a nice touch.
The box is very attractive with it's KK graphics inside and out.

The gown is exactly as shown in the promotional photos. It's lovely and I hope it fits my other FR dolls.

I'm not a big fan of the painting of this sculpt. It could be beautiful if there were shading but that's not going to happen. I have said it before...Katy Keene should have been created to look like vintage Katy Keene, not a distant relative of Jem who owns a comb.

KK shares Jem's sculpt but not the wild hair.

It would have been appropriate to have cartoonish screening without shading in that case. Just slapping a name on a doll does not mean anything. The graphics on the box are the only authentic Katy Keene thing about this doll.

I had to give her a chance because I loved Katy Keene when I was a child.

Her hair is separated into three distinct curled, uber-gelled segments. It is not a cohesive style. That is the only defect and it's a result of a poorly trained or poorly instructed factory worker.