CDDC Challenge #5 Winners

Congratulations to the winners of Challenge Five!

BEGINNER: KEVIN ROBERTS

 INTERMEDIATE: CHOLO AYUYAO

PROFESSIONAL: SUYANEE WONGCHOTWIRIYAKIT

Photography Winner: Julia Peshkova

CDDC Challenge 5 "Say Konichiwa to Fashion"

The current challenge is to take the idea of the traditional Japanese kimono and couture-ize it.  It's a great (and easier) challenge as it relies solely upon the contestant's own creativity without having to incorporate or interpret the styles of other designers or eras.

The ranks of contestants has thinned.
In the beginner section, I like this one because it's modern-looking with distinct traditional Japanese motifs and accessories.

The image suffers from uneven lighting which seems to be a problem the majority of the entries suffer from. Some aren't lit well enough at all and the beauty of the fashion can't be seen.
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This entry in the intermediate category is so gorgeous but it's difficult to see except in the last image where the pieces are turned inside out. The linings are fantastic. Layer upon layer - just like a real kimono with a truly modern, wearable twist.

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In the professional category, the following entry is just stunning. There is very little 'kimono' incorporated but I would love this outfit for my dolls. Again, the photograph does not enhance the beauty of the fashion although the images submitted for the photography portion of the contest are lit much better.

There is no law against using the same color for the backdrop as the doll is wearing. It's the light and shadow that will make or break the photo. Photography is about light, not about color. Of course I'm coming from old school photography  -  film, darkrooms, black & white, etc.

Go to this page to see all the entries for this segment of the contest.  http://www.couturedoll.com/ch5.html

Poppy and Chip, Baby It's You Giftset

 Chip makes his debut in this giftset which depicts a prom scene. I don't collect male dolls anymore but I had to order this set to see this long-awaited guy. He comes dressed in a white dinner jacket and black slacks with suspenders. His shoes are very cool. If only there were a substitute for hooks and eyes. The shirt collar would lay flat and look better. Alas, no one is coming up with anything short of sewing the fashion onto the doll. And we don't want that.

What happened to his hair? There's a giant flap of glued hair sticking up. I don't think it's supposed to be this way.

Poppy's outfit is not my taste - neither the color nor the drapery valance skirt appeals to me. The artificial flower at her waist cheapens the outfit. I thought it was interesting that she came already wearing gloves and her rhinestone bracelet and earrings. Perhaps other Poppy dolls came fully adorned with their accessories but I don't remember.

Warning, you can't leave these two alone.

Regarding the Backordered Barbie Mermaid

Those who ordered the Barbie Mermaid in February/March of this year received a backorder notice with an approximate date of availability in September, 2012. That is not the worst part. You also have to contact customer service via email or phone in order to keep your pre-order active!

I've never heard of that procedure being implemented. Normally you would have to contact a company if you don't want to accept a delayed item.

The following information is from BC moderators.


Please note since revised backorder date is over 30 days, to insure your doll is kept on order please contact customer service at  1-800-491-7514 or email customerservice@barbiecollector.com. Be sure to include your order number, name, mailing address, and the Mermaid doll item number W3427. 

According to Mattel this is a Federal Trade Regulation policy:

It is an FTC regulation that BC is required to have customers confirm they still want the doll. I suggest you check out  http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus02-business-guide-mail-and-telephone-order-merchandise-rule where it states:

"If you cannot ship the merchandise by the definite revised shipment date included in your most recent delay option notice, before that date you must seek the consent of your customers to any further delay. You must do this by providing customers a "renewed" delay option notice. A renewed delay option notice is similar in many ways to the first delay option notice. One important difference: the customer’s silence may not be treated as a consent to delay."

 

LOST AT SEA

 

If you do not contact customer service, 

your order will be

cancelled, 

swept away

inundated

washed away

submerged.

Hypnotic Antoinette

I caved and finally got Hypnotic Antoinette. I've had her fashion for a long time but she kept being put on a back burner and I couldn't find a nude at a decent price. This time I found a dressed one at a fair price and I was able to sell the outfit.

Here she is modeling Gene Marshall's Spotted in the Park. This outfit is from a dressed doll and, as far as I know, came with only one black dog. Mine came with a white dog, too.  I purchased the fashion from the late Ben Grundfast's  estate. The shoes are Antoinette's own.

Note added on April 17, 2012:
I've been told that these dogs are originally from a separate accessory set. They are called Dottie and Dashiell. What became of the original poodle, I have no idea. I think these are supposed to be Scotties.

New Monogram Doll: Admiration

This doll gets a 10 out of 10. Everything about her is perfection from the hat to the shoes. The design and construction are absolutely top notch. I love being able to say this about a doll and I am so happy she is mine.

She is still available at two dealers and possibly more but most dealers are sold out. If you love gorgeous fashion and beautiful dolls, you might want to get one now. $160.

Ultra-Fashionable Scene by Mike of Mike's Creations

Look at the details in these photographs! Amazing, right? I have spent the last 15 minutes looking over and over at this setting. The dolls themselves are gorgeous as Mike has a fabulous collection of stunning gals. The clothes are stunning, the props are perfect. What a joy.
Mike's caption for this setting is

 "Carta putting finishings touches on her collection & these frustrated models are not helping!!"

 

Be sure to click on this one to see the entire scene.

Mike posts on Prego as laughon45. His website link: Mike's Creations.

If you would like to see the original post on Prego click here.

Hunger Games Katniss Doll

She doesn't look like Barbie and that's a good thing. 

Here is the text from BC.Com:

May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor:
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.
Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
Hunger Games Katniss doll wears a hooded jacket, top, and military-style pants inspired by the costume Katniss wore in the film. Included are bow, arrows, and quiver. Completing her look is the iconic mocking jay pin.

Black Label®

Designed by: Bill Greening

Release Date: 4/9/2012

$29.95

This item is currently on back order. Expected availability: 8/1/2012

Tonner Factory Sale: Tuesday, April 10

So who's ready to crash the Tonner website? I seriously hope that they will be able to withstand the onslaught of crazed collectors looking for bargains.
Beginning at NOON EDT (Daylight Savings Time in, e.g., New York) the sale will go live.  They recommend checking your log in information ahead of time and offer a phone number for assistance : 1-800-79-2107.


Note the following:

First Come, First Served

Items placed in your shopping cart aren't guaranteed available until you complete the checkout process.  If only a few pieces remain of a particular item and other customers have them in their shopping cart and complete checkout before you, they may disappear from your cart. 

We Cannot Combine Orders 

If you have placed multiple orders, we cannot combine them.  This is an automated process handled at our warehouse in PA and orders will begin shipping immediately. 

 The "Virtual Factory Sale" applies only to items on www.tonnerdoll.com (not items in stock at the Tonner Company Store). Please note that ALL virtual factory sale items are sold "AS IS." Some items may have dinged boxes, ripped tissue paper or are missing the outside shipper boxes. All sales are final; no returns, exchanges or order cancellations.  Cannot be combined with any other offers, and good on in-stock, select items only.

Use THIS LINK to shop tomorrow. Clicking on it now will take you to a page that says Access Denied.

Who's That Girl?

Bus Stop Darla Daley Channels Twiggy

Katana

The dress and wrap Katana that is wearing are from a Monica Merrill doll. I'm thrilled that Tonner's Tyler-sized fashions fit Sybarites because their own fashions are extremely expensive.

I altered the image in Photoshop by de-saturating the entire thing and then going back in with the history brush set on 'color' to bring out the green tones. Then I colored the lips and cheeks with a low opacity brush.

As far as posing goes, I tried to create a support with armature wire but I couldn't achieve it. Part of the problem is that the shoes do not stand flat on the surface and the other problem is that Sybs are very heavy. Soooo...she's leaning on the table.

I'm falling in love with this doll. After this photo shoot I removed her wig and tried several wigs on. What a dramatic difference. Looking forward to photographing her with her new look.

Winners of CDDC Challenge Four

Congratulations to the winners of Challenge Four!

Beginner: Sue Towson

Intermediate: Cholo Ayuyao

Professional: Suyanee Wongchotwiriyakit

Photography Winner: Julia Peshkova

There were a few photographs I would have chosen over this one if I were to follow the Photo Challenge stated guidelines which are:

In general designers need to keep in mind that their creative photographs should show a clear image of the design and that the essence of the challenge should be discernable in the photograph.  Important elements in your photos are artistic expression, creativity, good use of design principles and photographic composition & quality.  (If you are not familiar with the elements and principles of design—look them up.) Remember to keep the following in mind: 
·         Lighting source (consider type of light—natural or artificial, angle of light to subject, shadows, hot spots)
·         Composition of the photograph (consider pose of model, use of backgrounds and props that enhance, but do not overpower, the design)
·         Focus & sharpness of the image (consider camera’s point of focus, angle of camera to subject, camera movement—use a tripod if possible)

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Jim Faraone 

Sense of Humor: 5

George Gonzalez' Photos of Jamieshow Evil

Evil, the new Jamieshow doll, has been redressed in the Superfrock fashion called Black Bird Society. She is just perfect for this.  Sometimes a doll and an outfit are just made for each other. This one nails it.

If you haven't heard, Evil is a new Jamieshow doll. She is on the front cover of the latest issue of FDQ. Click on the issue to go to Angelic Dreamz to see more pictures of Evil and to order her.

Hunger Games Barbie?

Here's a fun video clip from The Tonight Show:

http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/...e-4512/1395044

And, news about an upcoming Barbie:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/mar/26/hunger-games-katniss-barbie-doll