Picture of the Week Award ~ July 19, 2009

Michael Bentkowski aka Michael Hawaii is a terrific photographer and stylist. His work always captures my attention. On Saturday, Michael posted that he has made some wigs to sell. This one is called "Frisky" and features a wig made by Michael on a Deva doll. Everything about this photograph works because the composition is excellent. I love the wig, too!
Congratulations, Michael.

"Frisky" Michael Bentkowski

Jeweled Goldmine

Jewels and gold, it's a wonderful thing.

Goldmine is wearing The Jeweled Cat Madra's fashion and Monique Gold's Yuri wig in red. The image has been manipulated in Photoshop.

Antoinette Fashions from Robert Tonner Doll Co.

Another fashion arrived this week for Antoinette called Brilliant. It is adorable.
In the first two photos below, Cameo is wearing Brilliant. The fabric is metallic with the top more gold and the bottom more silver. The stockings are metallic gold fishnet and the shoes are silver. Her necklace is a combination of golds and brushed silver beads.

They might be a little hard to see but her set of 6 bracelets was made by Amber Park. I have added the gold earrings. The setting for this photo is Gene's Gazebo with assorted miniature trees, potted plants and Gene's Patio Set.

This next photo shows Idyllic Antoinette in the fashion called Influential. I have removed the shirt and tights that came with the outfit. It's dressier and more sophisticated this way. Earrings are Fashion Royalty.

The last photo is the two gals together in the garden looking lovely but bored. They're wondering where the guys are that were supposed to show up at this party.

I am so in love with this line of dolls and fashions. They are comfortable, easy and neat which might be a turn off for some but not for me. That's not to say I like them any more or any less than my edgier dolls.

Repaints are showing up and so far, I have not seen one that has improved upon the original - but I do give them credit for trying. Heaven knows, if I did a repaint, it would never see the light of day.

Picture of the Week Award ~ July 12, 2009

This week's award goes to Al Gudka of Atlanta, GA. Pictured is "Flight Pattern" Kyori Sato. If she looked this good in the promotional pictures, she'd probably be sold out by now.

Congratulations, Al, on a beautiful portrait.

Deconstruction Sight Eugenia 2009 W Club Doll #1

Eugenia has a gorgeous sculpt. This doll is beautiful. The makeup is just right. The hair, although rock hard, works for her.

The dress is pretty. I see a very similar shape to the fashion worn by Statuesque, the Colette exclusive doll. The dark stripe down the front of the bodice, from a distance, presents the same color scheme as the white jacket over the black dress. Perhaps this is the RTW version? ;-)
The jewelry is heavy and although I like it, I think it would look better with something else. Note the large metal neckpiece on Jason's runway model in the previous post!

The shoes had to go. I'm not a fan of the heavy shoe, strappy gladiator look with a light feminine dress. Again, the same profile as Statuesque is seen here. It draws the eye to the foot and artistically that makes no sense IMO. I couldn't bear to take a serious photograph of her with these shoes and the black painted hands. It spoke costume, not fashion.

The problem with back of the shoe not allowing the leg to be straight is a serious issue because it has been happening over and over again for a year and is not being addressed. In this case it's a combination of a heel that is too high and incorrectly shaped back of ankle area.

If you love Eugenia, this doll is a must have. Because it was a club doll, it is not available from regular dealers unless they are selling it as an aftermarket item.

Do you see any stylistic similarity?

Image Property of Integrity Toys

FR Monogram Collection - #2 Doll "Statuesque"

The model on the right is wearing Jason Wu and so is the doll on the left. She is the second entry in the new Fashion Royalty Monogram Collection which is intended to showcase select works from Jason's fashion runway.
A limited number of dolls were made available to the public at Colette, a Parisian boutique, and online on their web site. They are sold  out now but members of the W Club may have a chance to obtain one at a future date.
In this picture she looks like Valia but in other pictures I've seen, she has a strong resemblance to the Avantguard doll, Goldmine.

The image below is from the website.

The retail price of this beautiful doll is (was) approximately $250. without VAT, depending upon the exchange rates of the moment. Shipping to the US would have brought the price up to about $300. I had her in the shopping cart and at the last minute I controlled myself. I would like to have her though. I like her much better than Lifeball.

This is what is says on her box:
"Statuesque"
Desc: Exclusive au magasin Colette, Paris
FR: Monogram par Jason Wu New York
# 93010