Picture of the Week Award ~ May 31, 2009

Check out this re-styled Cruise Control Vanessa! Jenn in Florida did a great job on her hair. The gown is a dyed version In Full Regalia - Eugenia. Fantastic in every way!

EBay Seller Steals My Signed Photograph!

I'm a little shocked and a lot angry right now. A collector friend just informed me that eBay seller betlasvegas has blatantly stolen a signed and copyrighted image of mine for use in their auctions! What kind of gall (brazen boldness coupled with impudent assurance and insolence) is that?
This person is not new to eBay and knows exactly what he is doing.
As long as this person feels he has the right to broadcast a stolen image, I am going to broadcast that this seller should be boycotted. He is unscrupulous and a thief. I wouldn't buy anything from a seller that went around stealing signed images.

The eBay seller to avoid is betlasvegas.

I have contacted the seller and reported both auctions to eBay.

Rant over.

This is the image.

Valia Pivoine Haute Doll Exclusive Finally Ships

After a wait of more than 6 months from the expected delivery date, the third Valia has shipped. Valia Pivoine graced the December 2008 cover of Haute Doll magazine as their exclusive retailing for a price of $375 to non-subscribers and $350 for subscribers. Upon the announcement of the delay, another discount was granted in the amount of $50 (to allay the anger).

Touted as having a new, lighter weight, cutting edge resin body with 15 points of articulation and a meticulously crafted outfit, the original promo text said the fashion would come with jewelry; the current text says coordinating accessories.

I have scanned the boards for posts of those who have purchased Pivoine and have found very few. It's quite possible that those who purchased her are not de-boxers. Three or four on the W Club board posted their dissatisfaction with the stringing, weight and feel of the doll. George of Angelic Dreamz posted some photographs of her. I have not seen her redressed and I look forward to that.
There's not enough information to do a valid review but I have had a little fun with her picture and that of the Innoquii™ doll by Superfrock. I see a resemblance between the dolls and have combined their features and created my own exclusive!
First is the actual cover of HD with their exclusive Innoquii.

Here's my spoof. I call my exclusive doll Valia Innoquous. Do you like her?

Picture of the Week Award ~ May 24, 2009

Kevin aka KatwalKev posted this image among others today on the W Club board. It's so much fun that it needed to be awarded the Picture of the Week Award. In the picture, Eugenia is standing victoriously over Pierre with his underwear held aloft. Kevin named the picture "Easy, breezy, cover boy!"

Basique Blak, a Gift Set from Superfrock

Yes, I've gone and done it. I've crossed over the pond to the dark side with one big toe and a few other little piggies by purchasing a Superfrock Ltd. fashion collection called Basique Blak. Picture me calculating with my currency converter the average price of each of the many pieces in this set and then throwing all caution to the wind by clicking BUY NOW.

Following is the market description of the set:

BASIQUE BLAK at it's basic FABULOUSNESS!
Set consists full length 'petticoat' evening gown in sequin with braided 'leather' straps,
black tafetta bolero jacket with braided 'leather' belt, black silk satin evening skirt and the ever so cute, wide neck pelvic length silk satin blouse. Lurex fishnet hose as well as a pair of sheer black, a pair of black silk sandals and the ultimate black mesch [sic] and patent over knee boots.
Final pieces being a hot and sexy red satin and lace underwear set!

No, I do not own a Sybarite doll nor do I intend to own one, but I counted on the fashions fitting my AvantGuard dolls and I was correct. I have not tried the hose, lingerie or boots yet.

I added the rhinestone pin to the top in the first pictured ensemble. The fabrics are silk and feel wonderful. The shoes, which I must photograph, fit beautifully. I am pleased. The red wig is from one of my Cissette Shadow dolls.

The cost with shipping from Great Britain was $377.18. Think about this...if one were to purchase one newly released premium Tonner fashion doll the cost would be between $150-$175 and more. Considering that nude Tonner dolls resale value is usually half or less after four months, the value is in the clothing. This set was not that expensive when I compare it to the prices I have paid for less. The fashions are timeless and beautifully constructed.

This item sold out very, very fast. People have money and are willing to spend it for quality dolls and related items. If Integrity Toys would wake up and stop trying to be all things to all people, pehaps they could concentrate on quality. Of course there would be rending of garments, vociferous demonstrations of hatred, beating of breasts and uncontrolled wailing if they released a $300 fashion pack. But if there were only 200 of them and the fashions were amazing with a commitment to quality and attention to detail, they'd sell out before hitting the ground.

Lana Turner "Portrait of an Era" Giftset

I was on the fence about this FAO giftset featuring Integrity Toys' Hollywood Royalty Lana Turner until I had it in my hot little hands and started taking pictures. This is the prettiest of all the Lana dolls so far. Her hair flatters her face and is well done. She comes dressed in a tight pink sweater and black A-line skirt. I added the necklace.

At first the suit appears to be a copy of the suit from the Haute Doll exclusive Lana doll in a different color. That suit was somewhat ill fitting. This suit was a surprise. It fits nicely and has distinctive styling like the high waisted skirt. The necklace which is not shown is the same as the previously mentioned set which is a mistake on Integrity's part. Why would a collector want the same necklace twice?
The jewelry isn't really worth mentioning further as it is plain and not memorable. The shoes are too large and are unusable. Those are the only two items that miss the mark. The suit is lined in a similar pink to the sweater. The hat is really more like a headband and goes on easily and stays on! I like the faux fur stole. The entire appearance is very elegant. There is a sleeveless, v-neck mauve shell for the doll to wear under the jacket or she can wear the pink sweater.
The details on the suit are classic Fashion Royalty and that's really good to see.

The third outfit is a hostess fashion which consists of a strapless jumpsuit and a sweeping robe. I couldn't close the robe over the jumpsuit so I just tied it shut. The shoes are cute little silver pumps. The necklace was added by me.

The jewelry should have been more interesting and the ill-fitting shoes are very surprising. The drawbacks are minor but annoying in a set priced at $225. We were given a code to use for free shipping. However, one W Club member found a 20% off offer which was accepted. Those of us living in a state where FAO does business in Macy's, also have to pay tax.

I do recommend this set because of the beauty of the doll and the well-constructed, classic fashions. Of course, each collector will have to weigh the high price against the contents in making the decision to purchase or not.