Madame Alexander Cissette

January can be a dangerous month. There's a lull between the holidays and Toy Fair during which one has time to browse the offerings of the doll manufacturers not normally part of one's collection. One might just need a dolly fix.
This year, Madame Alexander's 10" Cissette caught my eye and my fancy. It all started when one of the doll dealers posted a picture of A Fashionable Life Cissy, a 21" MA doll whose retail price is close to $600.

Some of the more limited or more elaborate ones cost much more. For example, this 85th Anniversary Cissy is priced at $1699.95 at Angelic Dreamz.

Although the doll has a childlike face, the fashions are anything but childlike. I started browsing; however, I restricted my browsing to new Cissettes as she is affordable, adorable and has more articulation than MA's previously issued 10" dolls.

Widely available at wildly different prices, each doll requires a thorough search for the best price. I ordered two from an eBay dealer whose prices were the best I could find.

The first shown here is Belle Enchantress from The Definitive Collection - The Ingenues. LE 500.

 

"She is part of a new limited edition collection featuring 10" ball jointed dolls with unique expressive hand-painted eyes and exquisite design. The collection is inspired by classic haute couture from years past. She is fully articulated with 10 points of articulation at the neck, waist, hips, knees, shoulders and elbows."

I paid $59. plus shipping for this little gem. She goes for over $100. on many retail sites. The Doll Market has her for $69.97 today.



My second is the Boutique Shadow Cissette Couture Series Doll - Closet Full of Couture. LE 300.
"For daytime elegance, Cissette wears a silver suit trimmed in fur and accented by a fuchsia bow, black handbag and strap heels. For nighttime drama, a second outfit features a beige chiffon dress, a multicolored fur wrap and a magenta wig."
The word "shadow" refers to the fact that each outfit is a recreation of haute couture fashions created for the limited edition Cissy Boutique series.
This Cissette has 'sleep eyes.' I haven't had a doll with sleep eyes since I was 5 years old! No, she does not say Mama.

In the photo below, Belle of the Prom Tiny Kitty is wearing the second outfit. The fit is excellent.

Cissette is the perfect little dolly fix for me as she fits right in with my Tiny Kitty collection as far as size goes. They can share each other's clothes for the most part. Tiny Kitty is a little taller.
There are also wonderful Cissette Trunk sets but the Cissettes with those sets don't have bending arms. The trunks are wonderful, though.

This Boutique Shadow set cost me $89.99 plus shipping. I have seen it being sold at retail for $199. Shop around!

The "Evolution" of Foreign Affair Veronique

Impulse control? I don't have it and if you think that re-working a doll is a way to save money in a tight economy, give it up.

It all started out with a lovely Foreign Affair Veronique, the doll from a Fashion Royalty 2005 gift set.

After having this doll for a few years, I decided to change her hairstyle. What was I thinking? Needless to say, it didn't work out well. I sent the doll to Susan Korba to have her hair re-rooted. The results were stunning.

She remained in this gorgeous condition for about a year until I had the bright idea to fix her eyelashes. That wasn't too destructive but then I decided to do a little enhancing around the lashes. That fed the flames. I went on to change her lip color and it was all downhill from there.
Before quitting for the night, I had removed all her face paint and the new lashes in disgust.


Since I had already invested in the reroot, I couldn't just leave her in my studio with no face, could I?
Off she went to Ohio, to be repainted by Jon Copeland. Here are the results.

Thank You For Your Referrals

Just a note of thanks to all those who put my name in as a referral when they joined the W Club. I was one of the winners! I will be able to choose as a gift one of the coming 2009 Club dolls and I am now a W Club Ambassador. Yeah, I know, whatever.
So if you have any pressing information you'd like to pass along .... you know what to do.

My first Madame Alexander 10" Cissette dolls arrived today. I haven't had time to take any pictures. They are adorable but like all other child faced dolls I've purchased in the past 5 years, they don't stay long.

Michelle Obama wears Jason Wu to the Inaugural Ball

One news reporter said, "now Jason Wu is a household word." He's been a household word in this house for quite a few years. Congratulations, Jason!

On to the dress. Hopefully tomorrow we will get better pictures. According to another reporter it is:

"...a white chiffon one-shoulder gown by Jason Wu. The dress, with a strap across one shoulder, ruched bodice, fluffy appliqués and sparkling beading, will (as tradition dictates) be donated to the Smithsonian."

How does Michelle look in the dress? It's just my opinion that she needs a stylist who knows how to make a woman's figure look it's best. She wears clothing that is unflattering to her body. It's depressing. I guess you can't have it all.

Gene Marshall attends a Presidential Ball

How fortuitous that I just bought this costume from another collector!

Here is the text from the story card. Obviously the costume came on a doll originally.

Invited to join the Governor and his wife to an inaugural ball, Gene is thrilled to discover a new fan: The President! Presidential Ball is a sparkling special occasion gown, circa 1957 - a shimmering cascade of sparkling beadwork from bodice to hemline. Over the top: a floor-length off-white coat lined in pale peach. Includes earrings, beaded clutch, strap sandals with rhinestone trim, hosiery - and an invitation to the ball! Gene stands 15.5 inches tall. New for 2003, Gene's facial paint has been tailored to each doll in the Gene Marshall collection, with vibrant colours and soft shading that give each Gene a beautiful appearance. Individually numbered certificate of authenticity and doll stand included.

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Here is my version on Suited to a T Gene. The flag has been added in honor of the inauguration of our new President, Barack Obama.

Goldmine: A New AvantGuard Doll

Here she is in all her glory. I like her. The outfit is fantastic. The wig is mohair. I hope she looks exactly like the picture provided by Integrity!