Multi-Doll Photoshoot

I think I may be cured from buying Silkstone dolls. Afternoon Suit Barbie is seriously bug-eyed. I know they all have the same sculpt but this one is painted in such a way that her eyes are bulging out of her head. And I'm not very happy with one side of her hair. That can be fixed - I think, but I've put her in the cabinet already. I like the fashion. It looks well constructed and fist nicely.

My rerooted Kyori got to wear most of Gretel's fashion minus the boots. I'm not even going to try putting those boots on her. I think she looks fabulous. She's on a FR2 body.

Allure got another chance in front of the camera.  I was more patient this time and I am very happy with her image. I used a tiny drop of clear Elmer's glue on the inside of her finger to keep the ring from falling off. I put rubber bands on her feet to hold the shoes on. I made sure to turn the edges of the coat inside so the 'lining' wouldn't show. Her hair took plenty of post-processing time in Photoshop. She looks gorgeous.

The outfit seen on Gene below is called Lotta Moola. I've wanted this ensemble forever.

Last but not least is Winter Grace dressed in Hypnotic Antoinette's gown. Black wig by Cheryl Wood.

It was a busy day.

Everything's Better With A Puppy!

My new Winter Grace Jamieshow doll is getting plenty of camera time.

Grace is wearing a 1998 Ashton-Drake for Gene Marshall muti-piece lingerie outfit called Forget Me Not seen below on a promo card. The other pieces did not fit this doll body.

Monogram Doll: Allure

Monogram "Allure" arrived today.
My photos,  un-retouched except for a little sharpening and cropping, tell her story.

I was surprised by her eyes and eyeshadow. It's different than we've seen on any doll to-date. Her eyes are green and very side-glancing.

 Her coat is so large (I love it) that it acted as a support for the doll!

 The gown is lovely and the silver stitching is well done.

The shoes keep falling off. I think they will fit FR2. I wonder if all shoes will fit FR2 from now on.

The stitching on the lining of the coat is unattractive and I wish it didn't show up like that.

My overall impression:
The doll is very beautiful. The outfit is stunning but keep the lining hidden when displaying the doll. Was she worth the price? Sigh.

SALE Alert!

Two EXCELLENT Madame Alexander buys today at the Doll Market. 

I bought this one last year when it was on sale and I love it.

 GRACEFUL LACE OUTFIT 
Designed to fit MA's 16" Alex line of dolls, it also fits Gene and Avantguard.  On sale for $21.97.
 
Here is the description from the Matilda Company's website:

Graceful Lace gown, a lovely, two-tiered, pink taffeta gown that has been covered with white lace. This gown with the sweetheart front is longer in back for a train effect and is embellished at the waist with a black velvet ribbon.

I ordered this doll today.

HOPELESSLY FABULOUS 50S Siena  16" Alex Runway Line  Madame Alexander LE300

The original retail price of this doll was $149.95. You can find her on the internet for about $79. But at $49.97, you can't beat the price. If you do not know Madame Alexander quality, the clothing is fantastic. 
If you look on the internet for a closeup of this doll, you will she that she is gorgeous. I really wanted the outfit, although when the entire package arrives, she may be staying to join my only other Alex doll. 


Here is the description from the Matilda Company's website:

Hopelessly Fabulous 50's Sienna Evans with her light grey-brown eyes and blonde curly hair swept up onto an up do is pretty in a light pink silk Dupioni, dropped waist, halter top dress that has a full skirt. The skirt, made more fabulous with box pleats, a pink belt with a rhinestone buckle worn at her natural waist and a scattering of rhinestones, also has a ruffled, pink tulle petticoat. A white fur boa with rhinestone accents worn around her neck, nude thigh highs, a matching bag and pink shoes which have rhinestones on the heels are the reason why 16" Hopelessly Fabulous 50's Sienna Evans is not 'hopeless' at all.

The Imperium Park Collection

Robert Tonner and Wilde Imagination announce the debut of the new Imperium Park Collection.

The collection consists of two basic dolls, two dressed dolls, four separate outfits and an apothecary case accessory. Each item can be purchased individually or as a collection as shown above. Free shipping for one week.

Click here for more information:

Click here for the back story of the characters.


Long Definition of Steampunk from Wikipedia:

Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is widely used—whether in an alternate history such as Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United States, or in a post-apocalyptic time —that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology, or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art. This technology includes such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or the contemporary authors Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld and China Mieville.

Other examples of steampunk contain alternative history-style presentations of such technology as lighter-than-air airships, analog computers, or such digital mechanical computers as Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace's Analytical Engine.

Steampunk also refers to art, fashion, and design that are informed by the aesthetics of Steampunk literature. Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded by individual artisans into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical "steampunk" style, and a number of visual and musical artists have been described as steampunk.

Dolls Dressed in Cholo Fashion

 I got lucky and snatched up several Cholo gowns from a Thai seller a few months ago. Here are two of them modeled by Metal Maven Vanessa and Mini Aphrodisiac. The details on each gown are amazing. They are jewels in my collection and I want more!

Walking Suit Silkstone Barbie

I like the suit very much but I'm getting a little bored. They're all starting to look the same. This is my least favorite hairstyle for a Silkstone: giant forehead and platinum hair. I think it makes her look mean.
The suit appears to be very well constructed as does the hat. The gloves have straps or something around them which give them an interesting, large presence. I like the hatbox. The handbag is crap. I stuffed it to give it some volume. The umbrella is, of course, non-functional. You can tuck it under her hand which rests on her hip. No jewelry!

Jamieshow Winter Grace LE 50

I'm so far behind with my photography, it's ridiculous but Winter Grace made it in front of the camera for a brief photoshoot in her original outfit.
She came with a black bodysuit with faux fur cuffs, faux fur vest and skirt, faux fur boots, knitted scarf and matching hat with faux fur pom poms. That's a lot of faux. The fashion is beautifully made. Her wig cap needs stronger magnets as the slightest pull and it falls off. That's quite annoying although it does look very pretty when it's on. Her bald head cap stays on very well. I like her soft make-up palette. 

 Look at the difference in intensity of makeup from prior Graces to this new one.

 Winter Grace is still available at Angelic Dreamz. She is $395.

PFDF Numina and Barbie

Sherryl from Arizona posted these two pictures on Prego earlier of the event Barbie and Paul Pham's new Numina.

Barbie is called Le Belle Epoque. She is a vinyl, non articulated doll LE 375. I'm sure there will be quite a few floating around on eBay shortly.

Paul's doll has been mentioned previously on this blog. She is gorgeous as is her wig and fashion.
I do not think you will find this on eBay - ever.

Evangeline and Ellowyne at the 2012 PFDF

Here are the Parisian Belle Epoque Evangeline and Ellowyne dolls from the festival. These were posted by Wilde Imagination on Facebook earlier today.

"My Feet Hurt" LE100  195 Euros

Paris Fashion Doll Festival Sybarite Fidele

This was posted by Sherryl/Arizona who is in Paris at the festival. Please attribute all credit to Sherryl if you copy this photograph.

Fidele - just stunning. I love everything about this doll except the fact that I will probably never have one.

Here is a photograph of the same doll by Marilyn Sonnie.

Fideles LE100 630 Euros

Marilyn also posted the PFDF LE15 ensemble, Cubic. She posted this image of her doll, Blak, wearing it.

CDDC Challenge Two

You can judge for yourself which designers actually followed the challenge here: http://couturedoll.com/ch2.html

All I'm going to say is there are several outfits I'd love to have for my dolls. However, there is an additional creation that, in my opinion, achieved every requirement to be a winner. It is amazing in every way - unique, non-costumey, thematic and stunning.

This contestant's model is an FR2 12" doll. The detail work on the denim is beyond belief for a fashion this size. Everything works together. I love it.

Many of the creations are extremely literal in their interpretations of the theme or just downright amateurish. Three of the Intermediate contestants belong in the Professional division. I'm not familiar with video games and the challenge requires some knowledge in depth of at least one.

It's entirely possible that the same contestant that won the last challenge will win again. I think I recognize his style and I love the entry.

My other favorites are:

Barbie Birthday Sale Begins Friday 3/9

Just announced. Take 25% off anything and everything at BarbieCollector.com on Friday, March. Free shipping is being offered for Silkstone dolls through Monday.

If you are wondering about using your $20. off coupon with this, you can. I don't know if other codes will work.

You can click on the image to go to the website.

Springtime in Paris, Bellissima Couture's New Doll Fashions

Check out the gorgeous new fashions created by Hilda Westerv aka Bellissima Couture. She is calling this fashion show Springtime in Paris.
Here are just a two examples (my favorites.) Both are sold out already but there are many more.

Click this here to go to Hilda's page where you can see the rest of the show.

Wonderful Sybarite Photography

Two stunning photographs (among others) were posted on the Facebook's Superdoll Fans page recently. The use of light and shadow is key in each image.

Brandon Wood used Doku as his model.The dark area around the doll focuses the viewer on the doll's face and the net shadow is very mysterious. One eye peers out into the darkness. Is she hiding?

"Fugu Noir"

Lynn Murray shows optimal use of a backdrop with a doll. Look at the light and shadow and how it creates a sense of the doll emerging from darkness into the light. The composition draws the viewer's eye right back to the doll's face each time. Perfect. Model is Savage.

"By the cold of the morning light she returned..."

Emilia Nieminen's 2012 PFDF Auction Doll

As most of you already know the Paris Fashion Doll Festival is coming up this weekend. Many doll artists contribute to the auction which is held for the benefit of REVES, a charity for hospitalized children.

Here is Emilia's description of her fabulous contribution:

I created this OOAK lingerie doll for the La Belle Epoque theme of Paris Fashion Doll Festival (PFDF) 2012. I was inspired by the decorative style of the time, Art Nouveau and by it's father Alphonse Mucha.

The doll is a customised Integrity Toys Lana from the Hollywood Royalty line. The doll has been rerooted with a fiery 3-tone Saran mix and given a complete repaint. I added super long lashes and gave them a gradient dye from black roots to titian tips. She also got a new Nu.Face body with blushing and Art Nouveau inspired snake tattoos.

The fashion consists of a burgundy tulle blouse embellished with silk ribbons; a corset made of orange vintage lace with Art Nouveau patterns, lined with yellow silk, adorned with ribbons and 8 garters with golden buckles; yellow silk panties; a pair of teal green net stockings; burgundy gradient effect shoes with hand carved Art Nouveau inspired heels; and as a cherry on the top a huge La Belle Epoque style hat of burgundy silk and tulle, adorned with teal green net strips and feathers.

 Click on the image below to go to her Flickr stream and see more images of this doll.