"Ur So Gay" (and you don't even like boys)

Integrity Toys and Jason Wu has recently shipped their Katy Perry doll. The MTV site has a funny bit which I quote here:

If you've ever wanted to hold Katy Perry in your trembling hands, bend her into all sorts of interesting positions or perhaps even have her re-enact the "I Kissed a Girl" video with a cast of your sister's Barbies and Bratz dolls, well, you're in luck. (You're also kind of weird.)
Perry will soon be hitting stores as a 12-inch doll, ...The Perry doll — made by the folks at Integrity Toys in collaboration with fashion designer Jason Wu.
It features 12 points of articulation and will be packaged in a box featuring exclusive "whimsical artwork." It retails for $49.99, and only 500 will be made, which might explain why — as of Monday morning (September 29) — there's already a waiting list for the doll over at Integrity's Web site.
Eagle-eyed fans might recognize the Perry doll from an early appearance it (sort of) made in her "Ur So Gay" video: ..belted gold minidress with an accordion-pleated skirt, black stockings and pink heels. Several figures from Integrity's "Fashion Royalty" line (on which the Perry doll is based, though, according to the manufacturer, the "Fashion" line dolls have a "smaller bust") made cameos in the clip.The first batch of Perry dolls is expected to ship in late fall.

My feelings about the prices of Integrity's high end Fashion Royalty dolls was confirmed. This doll has the same body as Fashion Royalty dolls with the full articulation and height. Her hair is rooted and styled nicely. She's got eyelashes. The screening may not be the same process at the other dolls. The fashion is very simple and the fabric is not the finest quality but it's as good or better than that of many other dolls from other manufacturers. She wears simple rhinestone stud earrings and her shoes are the basic molded plastic. For $49.95, we have a pretty doll who will be easy to redress and is ultra posable.
Hmmm.....
I do recommend the purchase of the Katy Perry doll. She comes in an attractive window box so those who are not deboxers will be happy to display her that way. One other plus...she was easy to remove from her box and stands very well on the included plastic 2-piece stand.

Want to know more about Katy Perry?
http://www.katyperry.com/

Just Brilliant Fashion from Jason Wu is Brilliant

The "Just Brilliant Fashion" is a Limited Edition of 450 and was designed by Jason Wu for his Lana Turner/Hollywood Royalty line. The retail price was $75. My model is "A Fashionable Life Vanessa" (Platinum) who has been given a tall body.
The gown's construction is flawless; the look, timeless; the fit, perfect. I couldn't ask for more. The cute black patent shoes have one off-center rhinestone.
We love jewelry for our divas and this fashion comes with dangling rhinestone earrings, a double strand bracelet of rhinestones, a giant ring with a silvery grey stone and a big pin which I have attached at the waistline.
I was pleased to see that the packaging was conservatively made so that the bottom few inches of the gown needed to be folded. I used a light steam iron through a press cloth on the skirt to get the crease out and had no problem. Please don't ever use an iron directly on any doll clothes and start out with a cooler iron that you think you need. Be careful near metallic embroidery. Steaming often does the trick on items that can't be ironed like tulle. I have heard that some people iron tulle successfully; I'm not one of those.
The faux fur stole is soft and has a thickness which is in perfect scale. My preference is to show off the gown without the stole covering any of it.
There is a little problem with several pair of shoes lately in that the heels are too tall. This makes the doll tip forward. Either platforms need to be put under the front of the shoe or the heels need to be made shorter. A collector can remedy this by cutting out a small piece of thin foam or vinyl (or two) and gluing them under the shoe front. If the color of the vinyl/foam is white and the shoe is black, use a permanent marker to color the edges. Make sure that the foam does not extend past the edge of the shoe.

Halloween-y Images

The doll above is Ellowyne Wilde, "Nevermore" from Wilde Imagination which is an offshoot of the Tonner Doll Company. Earrings are by Joy Jarred. The snarling furry thing at her feet is a Sybarite wrap. Backdrop is a CED folding screen draped with a lace shawl. The chaise is a velvet covered jewel box and the round table on the left is a vintage hand painted and gold leafed Italian miniature jewel box. The heads are spray painted Mattel items and the black teddy bear is a Pullip accessory.


In the photo below we have the spooky-looking but very beautiful 16" Sister Dreary™ from the Tonner Doll Company. I love this doll's sculpt and the entire misery-laden concept of this line of dolls which includes Sister's younger sister, 12" Agnes Dreary™, and brother, Viktor Dreary™.

Don't Eat Any Candy Until Mom Checks It!

The characters in these photographs are Halloween Hana, an 8" BJD from Elfdoll and two Kelly dolls dressed in repros of early Barbie outfits. The background is a castle from an aquarium.

Luchia "Bewitching Hour" W Club Doll #2

The second W Club doll was announced recently. Here is Integrity's description:
Luchia models a "supervillan" inspired look mixed with true haute style. Luchia rocks a haute couture mini in the palest of pink hues, accented with micro-pleated detail at the bust. Her black knee-length trenchcoat stands out with a number of fabulous details including buckles that highlight the three-quarter sleeve and an oversized "leather" studded belt with lace-up closure. Black gloves, earrings and a black chrome cuff bracelet round out the ensemble. The look is completed with potentially the hottest footwear ever done for Fashion Royalty, a pair of mile-high strappy gladiator boots that would make even Carrie Bradshaw jealous!

Luchia's golden blonde locks, blush skintone (a first for Luchia) and vampy makeup
palette add the perfect complement to her "haute" outfit!

The coat looks nice. I can't tell what the dress is made from. I just get the impression that she just got out of bed, put on a wig and still needs some makeup. I think she needs a whip or perhaps a long sword like the one the Highlander kept under his coat? The gladiator boots, the pink mini dress, the helmet hair....OMG...this doll would be laughed out of my showcase. Just to be honest, Luchia is not my favorite sculpt and there are many people excited about this edgy doll.

Photographs courtesy Integrity Toys.

Azalea Ice - the first Zita Charles Doll by Mel Odom/Integrity Toys

When this doll showed up on the F.A.O Schwarz site, I fell in love. I knew I wouldn't be able to add the doll to my collection but I wanted the gown. I posted a request for a collector to split this item with me and very soon a sharing partner appeared. I just love doll collectors.

Zita arrived today. Shipping took only two days. FAO always double boxes their dolls so the package arrived in pristine condition. Although she is listed at $180, there is a current 20% off coupon in effect bringing the price down to only $144.
She is much more beautiful than her photographs! Her eyes are lavender and her streaked hair is unique. It is also rock hard and I guess that is a good thing because most of the long-time Gene collectors are used to hard hair.
The gown is designed and made beautifully. The main fabric is a silver-gray satin covered by silver tulle with a metallic design running throughout. The chiffon train is three shades of pink. It feels like silk and drapes beautifully. The same three colors make up part of the bodice. The shoes are silver and have a rhinestone on top. The jewelry is silver metal with rhinestones. I'm not sure what color the gloves are -ivory or light pink.