Picture of the Week Award (March 29, 2009)

A new weekly feature on my blog is to showcase a photo from another doll collector which I think is special. Browsing on Prego, I found the following photo taken by Vicky in Hawaii. I've never seen dolls pictured taking their own photo. It's clever and so well done. The composition and lighting are excellent! The dolls are Tonner's Jac and Sean.

Congratulations, Vicky!

Poem: A Doll Pays Her Own Way

Written by Canadian author and miniaturist, Diana Wieler. Diana is 1/2 of the talented La Boutique and Purse of the Month team along with sister, Janet Ellis.

I take back everything I said about this doll and her lips.

 

The transformation is complete.

New Paper Doll Book from Mel Odom

Mel has been a busy guy. Members of the Integrity Gene Club got "Mel Mail" today and one of his announcements was about his new paper doll book coming out in August.

Here's the description from the manufacturer's site:

Lavishly illustrated in Jim Howard's beautifully artistic style, "Gene and her Friends" features 5 dolls and 8 pages of stylish outfits based on the popular fashion dolls created by Mel Odom. The beautiful Gene doll is joined by chic villainess Madra Lord, Gene's leading man Trent Osborn, her fashionable best friend Ivy (Vee J.) Jordan, and the sultry Violet Waters.This fabulous authorized edition will be available in August 2009. Advance orders are welcome.

There is another paper doll book by Mel on that same site.

This one was illustrated by Marilyn Henry with actual outfits belonging to Gene. Manufacturer: B. Shackman.

http://www.paperdollreview.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=457
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Mel also told us about a teddy bear makeover design contest he has entered.
You can find his entry here: http://www.tedde.com/store/index.php?main_page=wordpress
The name of his bear is "Lovey-Glovey." The winner will have his entry manufactured.

Vote for him!

"Aerodynamic Vanessa" and "Heat Seeker Natalia"

"Aerodynamic" and "Heat Seeker" are two of the four new basic Fashion Royalty dolls for this season. They arrived yesterday and had their photo shoot. I have not liked the new Natalia dolls until this one. Perhaps it's the simple styling of her hair. She's a keeper.

As for Vanessa, if she's going to sport black lips, she needs the rest of the look to go along with it.

According to Kamola Navo www.thefashiontime.com (August, 2008)
"Black lips, reminiscent of the dark 90s, emerged at the YSL, Giles, and Luella Fall/Winter ‘09 fashion shows. Black lipstick showcases the magic power of decadent Goth aesthetics, along with the potential to be elegant and sophisticated, when applied correctly.

The general opinion of bloggers is that black lipstick is for Halloween or the runway. Maybe Vanessa will keep her black lips, for now, and get a suitably fashionable hairstyle to go along with the look.

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There are two quality control issues with the dolls. I have brought this up previously and apparently it is not being addressed. The heels of the boots are too high and the doll cannot stand straight when the heel and sole are placed on a horizontal surface. What is so difficult about making heels the correct height? People do not walk around with their knees bent. The boots could have been the coolest part of the basic fashions on these dolls.
Be careful not to pull too tightly as the laces will tear their way right through the boots as there are no grommets. You can see the holes beginning to tear and this was the first time I put them on. They will not last long at this rate.

The hairline rooting pattern is uneven at the forehead. Each of the four dolls has the problem to a greater or lesser degree.

Retail price $79. Available at all Integrity dealers who carry Fashion Royalty.