Katana - First Look

Many are anxious to see the details of this new Sybarite, Katana. I took some quick pictures of her with a point and shoot in order to make you happy. :-) She does deserve some studio time.
My only criticism of this gal is that her wig is set too far back on her head giving her a ginormous forehead. I think she will look fabulous with other, more sophisticated wigs. The dress, shoes and handbag are meticulously crafted. The earrings are very cute. The mask...well perhaps it has a meaning I don't get. And the suicidal wrist straps are very funny. There is no sign of blood anywhere.

 The graphic lines are an overlay, not printed fabric as I originally thought.

Webinar Event Exclusive Agnes Mini Gift Set

At the end of the webinar on Saturday evening, all members of the W Club were offered the opportunity to purchase an exclusive Agnes Mini Gift Set.  She is being called "Truly Madly Deeply" and retails for $150. Deposits of $30 per set were taken at the time of ordering.
I'm not a huge fan of the ultra scowling Agnes although there  have been several versions that weren't that mean-looking. Currently in my collection I have the unique tan Agnes called "Firefly." She was an exclusive convention companion doll from Dolls in Oz, 2008.

Firefly Agness Redressed

TMD agnes is in a difficult gown. The design of the flared, trained peplum is not my taste.

It reminds me so much of other overly designed gowns, the first by Integrity for Gene Marshall (Madra is the model) and the second by Ashton Drake for Gene Marshall.

Jonquil Madra

My Favorite Bow Gene Marshall

Agnes also comes with an additional skirt and short-sleeved top:

The skirt is cute as are the shoes and handbag. The jacket's cuffs are a furry fabric. I wonder if this is the same fabric as Adele's wrap in a different color. Either way, it's odd.

 Doesn't Adele look Native American now?

Integrity Toys New Doll Release

Instead of posting every single doll that Integrity debuted the other day to the exclusive W Club members, I'm going to highlight what I pre-ordered and why and then I will review some of the other dolls.

The webinar opened with the presentation of the Dynamite Girls whose new season is called "Back to Brooklyn." That got my attention for obvious reasons...or if you don't know me...I grew up in Brooklyn, went to school there and worked there for a few years.  The dolls are cute - especially the two male dolls whose fashions are to die for. I ordered Auden because of his clothes. His hair is weird and too girlish.

Auden

  I probably should have ordered Remi, too, because I want his outfit. This is one SMOKIN' doll. The thing is, I don't collect male dolls. So what will I do with their adorable clothes? Sigh.

Remi

 I also ordered Gavin because I love red-haired dolls and she is adorable. I don't know if I will like her outfit in person. It's a little heavy looking. It sure would be cute if she had saddle shoes.

Gavin

I don't know if the designers ever lived in Brooklyn or do now but Brooklyn was more than the trendy areas that exist currently. It was a place that many refuges from Eastern Europe first called home during and after WWI. It was the beginning of a new life in the New World where many found freedom from persecution, the right to educate their children, the right to work and advance economically. Brooklyn was all that and it was home. Entire extended families lived there. Mine did. It was wonderful.

Next up was the NuFace "Live, Work, Play" collection. I ordered "Lead Singles" Lillith and Eden Two Doll Gift Set because I liked all the clothes and the dolls are adorable. Someone has pointed out to me that Lillith's fashion is based on a design seen on Lady Gaga. More about that in another post.

The rest of the NuFace Collection includes the Count. I know they're calling him something else but this is one of the seriously ugly, most frighteningly freaky-looking faces ever. He was a vampire and now looks like a relative of Dorian Gray. And the jacket doesn't fit him properly. They should break this mold and stop trying to pass it off as something it's not. Someone apparently has an ego invested in this hideous mold.

Annik, Giselle, Perry?

The Poppy Parker Collection had a doll I knew I would order the moment I saw her, "She's Not There." This is Twiggy! Well done.

 And I just had to order Chip to go with her.

 And the Rest of the Poppy/Darla collection "Sunshine Games." I would love Darla's Mondrian dress if it were shorter.

Next up, the Fashion Royalty collection, "Style Directive" was presented. I was impressed with this entire collection in that the price point was kept reasonable and each doll came with accessories.
I ordered World on a String Eugenia. Her fashion looks fabulous. The 'fur' collar comes off the jacket. It's a very versatile outfit. IMO. I'm hoping the factory doesn't destroy the cute hairdo that shows in the promo.

Eugenia

I also pre-ordered "Main Attitude" Adele Makeda. I love her outfit, too. I'm not sure about the wrap but the rest of it is just perfect!

Adele

The remaining Fashion Royalty dolls are from Veronique in the upper left clockwise to Dania, Kesenia, the newly sculpted Kyori and Jordan.

Someone said that Kesenia looked like Poesie Sans Couleur Vanessa. Let me state unequivocally that she does not look at all like Poesie. Maybe the hair color and the vinyl tone reminded that collector of Vanessa but that's where the resemblance ends.  Kesenia has a vampire mouth. Kyori has gotten a new nose. It is slimmer and has more definition. I liked the original Kyori and didn't think she needed anything. This Kyori is a gift set that comes with lingerie and an additional outfit. I think Dania is lovely but I don't like the hair. Even in the promo it looks awkward.  Veronique, (this is actually Fauxnique,) reminded me so much of "It's My Party" Tyler I had to do a double take. It could be the pose...

Tyler "It's My Party"

Finally, the FR2 dolls were presented. Elise and Dasha were missing!
From left to right below are Tatyana, Lucia and Ayumi.

In the strange style to which the designers have become accustomed, Lucia (remember her from IFDC, etc.?) has now become Lucia. Carol Roth pronounced the name Loo-cha instead of Lu-chee-ah. It looks nothing like Lucia and god only knows why they used the name again. It is the same FNO sculpt I disliked as did so many others. On the right is "Opium Ayumi." I like the dress.  I ordered Tatyana out of the three. Jason said something about using seldom seen sculpts on the FR2 dolls. Does he think that the FR2 lovers are so obsessed that they will buy the doll even if they don't like the sculpt? At $175. a doll, I don't think so.

Overall, it was an impressive collection.

Here are photos of some other dolls for comparison.

Ugly; Ugliest; Vampire

Will the real Lu-ci-a please stand up? No, not you, Loo-cha.

Vanessa, Kesenia

Sale Alert

Monarch Collectibles of San Antonio is going out of business. Beginning on April 1, 2012 there will be a 50% off sale. Check it out. You may find a treasure.
Now they are accepting only Paypal - no credit cards. 

 Click on the banner to go to the website.

I have never purchased anything from this shop so I can't provide a review. As always, check around for better prices before making your buys.

FDQ Spring 2012 Cover Features New Jamieshow Doll

Featured on the cover of the Spring, 2012 Fashion Doll Quarterly magazine is a new Jamieshow doll. She is called Evil and has the Grace sculpt. She looks kind of dangerous with flaming red hair, black lips, sharp weapons and a black vampire-like fashion.
Evil is LE50 and retails for $450. She will be ready at the end of April for delivery.

Evil

Evil is a Grace Sculpt, she features Flaming Red Hair wig cap, and comes with an additional smooth cap for wigs.  She wears a black chiffon dress, with metallic laser cut breast plate, and is covered in a velveteen cape with laser cut metal epaulets and black feather collar.  She carries with her a deadly knife and a finger holster in silver.  Her shoes are wickedly delicious!  Her eyes are a blue green color with just a touch of wicked!  

Grace is made of SmoothJ Resin, has 19 points of articulation.  Doll stand is included.

 LINK to Angelic Dreamz for more information and to order.

New Sybarite - KATANA

This morning Superdoll posted for sale a new Sybarite called Katana. The price is 344.12 British Pounds

The description is as follows:

GEN 3:2
Fugu clone: 0702, pale skintone!
FIRST OF THE CURRENT COLLECTION "FASHION POLICE"
Criminologist Katana!
Charcoal dusted lids and liner in pure black defining the crimescene! Pale grey eyes.
Custom laser latice overlaid knee length strapless frock with inset back bustle of latice. White footless hose, suicidal wrist wraps in white, and white patent Fashion Police monogram belt.
Hair of grey & white blend in center parting with a pair of braided pigtails bound in red ribbon.
Accessories consist: face pac facemask, lime white and black platform sandals and matching forensic size handbag. White enamel dip crucifix earrings.
Includes dollstand and applied eyelashes.

"...suicidal wrist straps" ??? Too funny.

If you want her you might head to the site now as these dolls sell out rather quickly. LINK

2012 BFMC Gala Gown Barbie Doll:

 On 3/22 these images were posted of a new Silkstone called Gala Gown Barbie Doll.  Today Sandi Holder's Doll Attic and Angelic Dreamz posted her on their website without definite prices. Update: price at those sites is $149.99.

The gown looks gorgeous but I am gun shy since Afternoon Suit arrived looking so different from the promotional photo. She was pretty much one of the most disappointing Silkstones I've ever purchased.

I do like the look of Gala Gown as I love red-haired dolls and her heart shaped lips are so pretty. But I just know that mine would arrive with freaky-looking hair. Actually, I don't like the hair on the promo either.

Some places have prices listed in the $130.-$145. range. The doll is scheduled to arrive in the fall of 2012.

CDCC Challenge Three Results

Congratulations to the winners of Challenge Three:
Beginner Dmitry Puzanov

 Intermediate Cholo Ayuyao

Advanced Anita Stoklosa

Three of the four advanced contestants were given 0 points by some of the judges for reproducing obvious designs in their work. In two cases, the reproductions were fairly literal. In the third case, I didn't see it. The "Baby Doll" dress has a very different affect than that created by the contestant. Not only that, it is a coat over a dress.

It's adorable and IMO filled the requirements quite nicely. One of the judges said that he consulted with the other judges regarding that entry. I found that fact surprising as I thought all the judging was done independently.

First Ever Jamieshow Convention

The staff at Angelic Dreamz has just announced the debut convention for a JAMIEshow doll! The event will take place on September 28th-30th, 2012 in Canandaigua, New York.

Click on the image above for more information.

Clearance Sale at NJ Cherished Friends

If these Jason Wu designed 21" Cissy dolls get any cheaper, they will be paying us to take them away. Cherished Friends, NJ has Envy, Vice and Lust on sale for $139.99. I have never seen anything like this before. Apparently very few wanted these dolls. I bought Vice more than a year ago and I think she is spectacular. Of the three, I recommend her but that's just my taste. I would get Envy if I had extra bucks to throw around right now.  

http://cherishedfriends.com/ClearanceItems.html

Lust

Envy

Vice

Marwencol

Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu, director of social media at Tonner Doll, suggested a documentary movie called Marwencol to me yesterday.  It features a man who survived a severe beating who has created an alternate world using 1/6 scale dolls. It is not about dolls, but it moved both myself and my husband who watched it along with me last night.

Click on the image below to get more information.

On this page, LINK, there are several short clips. But..I recommend watching the entire film.

I'm adding some of the comments I sent to Kevin after seeing the film.

My husband, Bob, and I watched Marwencol last night. OMG!
...
I experienced many feelings while watching. First of all I was near tears a few times. Next I was in awe of Mark's innate artistic vision. I also realized that he's not in reality all the time. He goes back and forth between being himself to being a figure in his town. It's tragic that he was cut off from therapy but amazing that he continues to create.
It's an amazing story and I loved it on so many levels.
This was definitely not about dolls nor do I see him as a doll photographer. He is capturing moments of his own life and making them 'concrete.' It keeps him anchored in whatever world he is inhabiting at the moment.
I felt pain during the segments of the art show in NY when he was talking to people who weren't at all connecting with him. When he talks about 'arming' himself before going out of his house I felt terrible. He has so much fear.
This movie is a treasure and should be marketed to therapists and rehabs. It's a perfect movie for recovering alcoholics to view...not that it's about alcoholism, but it's one of the tragic results of drinking...inappropriate talk under the influence. He knew exactly why those guys beat him up.
The funniest part of the movie was his perception of Greenwich Village and what he thought he'd see there.
I was a little shocked with the revelation of his cross-dressing penchant but it tied in when he talked about what he said in the bar that caused the beating.
I feel like I want to give him things and I may put together a package of art materials and doll stuff and bring it over to that hobby shop so they can give it to him. I have tons of stuff he might be able to use.
I was happy to see that half way through the movie he got a digital camera. I actually have that same film Pentax he was using in the beginning! It's a great camera. 

___________________

I agree that although it's not about dolls specifically, the part in which he talks about forgetting everything else and just being involved with the dolls is very relevant and I identified with that.
I've heard many collectors say that their cares and worries disappear when they're playing with their dolls.
I sometimes feel like that myself but on the dark side of that concept is that so many treat their dolls better than they treat themselves and their families and they also spend money that should be used otherwise.

______________________

If you have seen this film, please add your comments below.

Sybarite Swallow

This was the first time I put a Tyler gown on a Sybarite and I was thrilled that it fit.

Then I messed around in Photoshop with layers and digital backgrounds.  I still have to teach myself to create a "floor" so the doll doesn't look as if she's floating as she appears above.

CDDC Challenge Three

The designers have posted their entries for challenge three. The task was to create a couture fashion that mixed iconic elements of famous fashion design houses which are at different ends of the fashion spectrum. This was called a fashion mash up challenge. Great challenge!

One of the beginner entries: while I'm not convinced that this is fashion couture as opposed to costume, it's certainly worthy of praise.

Another beginner was spot on in her explanation and fulfillment of the task.

The following three are fashions I would love to own for my dolls. They look gorgeous. All are from entries in the intermediate category.

In the advanced group, there is one fashion that is intriguing and I would definitely dress my doll in if one detail were changed.

It should be really interesting to see the judges remarks.