Picture of the Week ~ Wayne Nilson

Today our photo is of the beautiful Zita Charles by Wayne Nilson aka Wayne in FL. She is the Zita from the Stardust Convention collection known as "Hostess With The Mostest." The original dolls looked like this:

Wayne restyled her hair by removing her white streak and moving the position of one of the curls. She is wearing an Ashton Drake fashion called "Pin-Up" with shoes by Integrity.

Wayne said:

This was a very simple set up using 2 pieces of white foam-core board, one overhead spot light and a beautiful satin boudoir seat made by a fellow collector, Jay Aastrup.

I use a Canon Powershot A570 camera. I think digital photography is a godsend.  You can literally take hundreds of shots before you get that 'perfect' one, all at no expense.  I always use 3 or 4 spotlights to light my subject.  I never use the camera flash.  Because it's so hot here (most all of the time), I never take pictures outside in natural light.  I always manipulate my pictures in Photoshop to correct lighting or color problems, to remove any stray hairs, sharpen the eyes, mouth and any other elements I want to stand out.  I use very few, if any, props.  I feel they distract from the main subject matter.

2010 IFDC Convention Souvenir and Companion Doll

The two dolls presented on Saturday night to attendees are based on characters from Alice in Wonderland. They are being considered part of the Nu.Fantasy collection but will be outside of Japan.

The souvenir doll, "The Red Queen", uses the previously issued Fashion Royalty Tatyana face mold.  Her gown is red tafffeta with black tulle and beaded embellishment on the bodice. She is called "Checkmate." LE 300.

The companion doll called "Curiouser and Curiouser" is a take off on the Alice character. She uses the Gavin Dynamite Girl sculpt.

For those of us who are used to expecting Fashion Royalty dolls, the landscape has changed. The upcoming "Dark Romance" convention is not called the Jason Wu Event/Convention; it's the Integrity Toys Convention with Jason Wu. It's interesting to watch as the company changes.

Facebook Bans Doll Nipples (Seriously!)

 Source: Asher Moses via http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/now-facebook-bans-doll-nipples-20100705-zwnr.html#poll


"Facebook's prude police are out in force yet again, this time threatening action against a Sydney jeweller for posting pictures of an exquisite nude porcelain doll posing with her works.
Victoria Buckley, who owns a high-end jewellery store in the Strand Arcade on George Street, has long used dolls as inspiration for her pieces and hasn't had one complaint about the A3 posters of the nudes in her shop window.

 But over the weekend she received six warnings from Facebook saying the pictures of the doll, which show little more than nipples, constituted "inappropriate content" and breached the site's terms of service.

The warnings said Facebook would remove the images and Buckley is worried she will be banned from the site if she posts them again.

It comes after the site incurred the wrath of mothers all over the world by banning photos of women breastfeeding their children, calling such shots "obscene content". Facebook has also come under fire for banning images of a British woman's mastectomy scars, published on the site to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Buckley said Facebook was behaving like "philistines" and blamed the issue on "American puritanism".

"Really here we're talking about nipples on a doll - I've got A3 posters of her in my window in the Strand Arcade that have been up for months and we haven't had one negative comment. The doll herself is in the window," Buckley said.

"Somebody's got a Michelangelo fan group on there and they do have a picture of the Statue of David ... why is that OK and this isn't?"

And these aren't just regular barbie dolls, they're high-end porcelain figures designed by Marina Bychkova of Enchanted Doll in Canada, featured in art and culture magazines all over the world.

Those who want to buy one face a two- to three-year wait. The dolls can cost from $5000 to $45,000, which is the price one sold for on eBay in January.

"The shoe designer for Louis Vuitton collects her dolls and they're really hard to get hold of; they're really precious things, they're not just a barbie or something," Buckley said.

"They're the right scale for my jewellery, they interact with it visually, so I actually design collections around these dolls and their interactions with my jewellery."

For now, Buckley has censored the images of the dolls on her Facebook fan page but has posted the uncensored versions on a new group dedicated to the doll called "Save Ophelia - exquisite doll censored by Facebook".

Buckley wants to gauge Facebook's response to the images being posted on that group before deciding whether to put the uncensored version back on her own fan page.

Her emails to Facebook have so far fallen on deaf ears, although this may be because Sunday is a public holiday in the US. Buckley had also posted the photos to Flickr but these were removed for similar reasons.

"I've invested quite a lot of money in this campaign for my jewellery and I'm quite reliant on the Facebook page to get the message out," she said, adding thousands of people had said they love the dolls and imagery.

"You can invest thousands of dollars and months of your time building a new campaign and you put it on sites like Facebook and Flickr and it just takes one person [complaining] to bring the thing down.

"I've got another campaign coming up soon with another doll but I don't know what to do."
Ironically, while Facebook is overzealous in targeting relatively innocuous images on the site, it has been criticised by police for its unresponsiveness to real criminal issues. The Australian Federal Police has said the site's woeful relationship with law enforcement bodies was hampering police investigations and putting lives at risk.

Facebook has been approached for comment."

I've seen so much offensive content on Facebook that doesn't seem to be policed. It's mindless automatons who work behind the scenes that are doing stuff like this. If you object to this type of random and harmful censorship, I suggest you take some kind of action to let Facebook know. But how does one even contact Facebook? Is there anything but a chimpanzee on the other end of the line? 

Playing With Eugenia

When I have the time, I do like to play with my 'older' dolls. It's like getting a new doll! Yesterday, three dolls were stars in my studio, one of which was Deconstruction Site Eugenia. In this photo she is wearing LifeBall's gown (a bit tight in the bust but it closed.) She is carrying an early FR purse. Jewelry by Facets. I think she looks drop dead gorgeous. I was fooling around with some mylar coated paper as a backdrop. The technique definitely has a learning curve as I'm sure I can do better. One has to begin somewhere!





Another favorite Eugenia is "Overachiever". In this photograph I have her dressed in the Tonner 13" Miss Revlon dress. It's very large and pinned in the back from the bodice down to the hips. Her coat is from the Wrapped in Decadence giftset. Purse, shoes and sunglasses are from earlier FR fashions. This coat looks wonderful with a short dress.

Sandra Stillwell presents THE GOLDEN AGE of DOLL COUTURE in Nashville

My reservation is made! Sandra Stillwell, widely known for presenting fabulous doll events, has announced the event of the summer. She is calling it The Golden Age of Doll Couture. Read the description below to find out more. The inserted photos and illustrations are gathered from various sources and are intended to entice you—if you actually need more enticing after reading what Sandra has in store.

Hello, Friends!

Save the date! August 27th-29th, 2010!!

Please mark your calendar and make plans to join us in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Millenium Maxwell House Hotel, for Sandra Stillwell Presents: The Golden Age Of (Doll) Couture.

Limited to only 50 attendees, this intimate doll collector's retreat will be a celebration of friends, dolls, tradition, and timeless couture in Nashville, a fashion forward city known for it's "kick up your heels" atmosphere!

Themed around the London V&A Museum exhibition of the same name, The Golden Age Of Couture will highlight the creations of designers from Paris to London, 1947-57. This landmark exhibition, shown exclusively in the United States at Nashville's Frist Center For The Visual Arts, will be an integral part of our program. 

http://www.fristcenter.org/site/exhibitions/exhibitiondetail.aspx?cid=795
 

Our souvenir will be a beautiful fashion gift set designed to fit your favorite 16" fashion doll. Inspired by "The Golden Age of Couture", the collection was manufactured especially for this exciting event. Centerpiece dolls modeling stunning haute couture fashions will be showcased at each meal function.

In addition to fashions, the registration fee will also include 3 meals and a gala Saturday night banquet, illustrious guest speakers, interesting displays, table gifts, raffles, room sales, and more surprises!

I'm happy to announce that for the first time, your all inclusive registration will also feature an exclusive off-site reception and tours with transportation on Friday and Saturday.

Expect a fun filled, activity packed weekend of dolls, friends, and fashion!

Tentative Agenda:
Friday:
We'll kick off convention with a 'welcome' breakfast on Friday. Our guest speaker, Andee Rudolph, from the curatorial staff of the Frist's "Golden Age of Couture", has prepared a special program to give us an in depth, behind the scenes view of the exhibition. 

Nashville is nicknamed "Music City" for it's colorful musical legacy. After breakfast on Friday, we'll be visiting the not to be missed Country Music Hall of Fame and the historic Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry and "Mother Church" of country music. Shop and stroll down famed Broadway and the Second Avenue district in downtown Nashville, or take a minute to enjoy performances by talented artists hoping to be "discovered" in one of the many downtown establishments. 

Nashville boasts it's own style, as evidenced in elaborate suits of beautiful embroidery and dazzling rhinestones by the legendary cowboy couturier, Manuel, who began his career in the mid 1950's in Los Angeles.

As head tailor at Nudie's of Hollywood, Manuel dressed many Hollywood celebrities. Today his career has even deeper roots in entertainment history, with his having been responsible for the "look" of Johnny Cash, Elvis, and the Rolling Stones, among others! 

Event attendees will have the rare opportunity to see the Rhinestone Rembrandt at work when Manuel graciously opens his studio to host an exclusive, private soiree for our group on Friday evening. 

Imagine a beautiful Victorian brownstone full of spectacular one of a kind creations at every turn! Manuel's studio is truly a paradise for every fan of "sparkle" and style! Prepare yourselves for a real treat as Manuel and staff welcome us as only they can do...with over the top Nashville style!

Following the reception, take in the Nashville nightlife or have dinner on your own.

Saturday:
Saturday morning brings a celebration of all things Madra! Ms Lord is a little miffed that there has been such a to-do over Gene's 15th Anniversary and Retirement, when nary a word has been mentioned about this being her 10th Anniversary! Madra will grace us with her presence in a special display and as the morning's centerpiece as we highlight her "career". She suggests that guests bring their Madra dolls to join in the celebration, as Madra always loves a good party! (Don't tell Madra, but of course, other fashion dolls are welcomed, too!) Our guest speaker will be former Gene Team Director Joan Greene, who will share tidbits about Madra's "history" and highlights of her own career as a toy designer. 

After breakfast on Saturday, we'll visit the Frist Center For The Visual Arts, where we will have a special guided tour of the "Golden Age Of Couture" exhibition. See over 200 rare examples of haute couture fashion and accessories created by preeminent European fashion designers such as Dior, Balenciaga, Fath, Desses, and Hartnell, among others. A bonus is the ability to see the fine detailing of these exquisite artifacts from all sides, as many fashions are displayed in the round. Also shown is related fashion photography and rare news footage of vintage couture fashion shows on monitors throughout the exhibit. 

A must see for every doll lover is the elegant fashion doll, Miss Lachasse, complete with miniature wardrobe from the Bath Fashion Museum, and a sampling of Theatre de la Mode fashion mannequins on loan from the Maryhill Museum of Art. 

Our tour guides will also tell us about the history of the landmark building that houses the Frist Center -- a prominent architectural treasure from the Art Deco period that was once the Nashville downtown post office.

Enjoy a snack or light lunch on your own in the coffee shop, or walk next door to have a drink at the historical Union Station hotel, a magnificently restored 19th Century train station. 

We'll return to the hotel for an elegant late afternoon Victorian Tea, hosted by well known doll artist and designer Cheryl Crawford, of Crawford Manor. Intriguing surprises await! 

Our gala Saturday night banquet will feature the elegance of a vintage couture fashion show finale. 

Fashion shows are famous for their quick changes. The most fashionable 50's lady had a wardrobe of "after hours" fashions to entertain her closest friends. Whether your "after hours" attire consists of an elegant hostess ensemble or kitschy PJ's, make a quick change and join your friends back in the banquet room for an after hours party!

Of course, a party isn't a party without games, so brush up on your "Fashion Sleuth" knowledge for lots of prizes! To make sure we leave with all the answers, we will be showing an onscreen presentation of doll fashions directly inspired by vintage couture.

Sunday:
Convention will conclude with Sunday's "Legacy" breakfast, hosted by George Gonzales Angelic Dreamz and JamieShow.
Stunning centerpieces representing the future of Haute Couture will "walk the runway" at this finale.
http://www.angelicdreamz.com/

Registration and Hotel:
A non refundable deposit of only $50 will reserve your spot for this limited event. The registration fee is only $299 if paid in full, by cash or check, by July 31st. After July, the fee is $329. A $12 charge will be added to other payments options.

Hotel rooms must be reserved through the group's room block to qualify for the above prices. There will be an additional $75 charge for those not staying in the hotel or booking through 3rd parties.

A $50 cancellation fee applies to all cancellations prior to August 1st. After that date, no cancellations are allowed.

Companion registration will be available if purchased with a full registration. Please contact Sandra for details.

The address to send registrations can be found at the end of this email. Please be sure to include your contact information, including email address and phone number.

Our special group room rate is $93 plus tax. In room Internet access is included in the group rate. The Millineum Maxwell House Hotel also offers free parking and complimentary airport and downtown shuttle, based on availability. The group rate is available from Monday, August 23rd, through Wednesday, September 1st for those who would like to come early or stay over to take advantage of the many fun sightseeing opportunities in the area.

The phone number for hotel reservations is 1-800--457-4460, 8-5 PM Central Time, M-F. You must mention the code 1009SANDRA or identify yourselves as being with the Doll Collector's Convention to be included in the room block.

You may also register online at:
http://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?Hotel=11542&Chain=5303&Dest=USA&locale=en-US&arrive=08/26/2010&depart=08/30/2010&adult=1&child=0&Group=1009SANDRA

Please don't delay in booking your reservation, as the group room block is extremely limited and will only be held through July 26th. Once the block is sold out, and after July 26th, reservations will be made subject to availability. One night's fee will be charged upon reservation, refundable up to 48 hours of guaranteed arrival.

If you have any problems making reservations, please contact me immediately.

Airport and Flights:
Nashville International Airport (BNA) is serviced by all major airlines, with 45 cities nonstop. Southwest Airlines, which recently featured Nashville in it's Spirit Magazine, is one airline that especially stands out. http://www.spiritmag.com/city_profiles/article/meet_Nashville/
Book your flights soon to take advantage of summer sales!

When booking your flight, don't forget to allow a few extra days if possible to enjoy the multitude of tourist attractions and unique activities that Tennessee has to offer!

Additional Tours:
Whether attending a performance during the Grand Ol Opry's 85th birthday celebration, recording your own demo at famous RCA Studio "B" where Elvis and other greats recorded, relaxing on a riverboat cruise on the General Jackson, visiting historic Hermitage: the home of President Andrew Jackson, taking a tour of the Mansion at Belle Mead Plantation with wine-tasting and tea or lemonade in the carriage house, touring Belmont Mansion and the grounds of the college, or taking in an evening of Chiluly and Art the grand Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Art Museum, Nashville has something for everyone! Day trips to other nearby Tennessee destinations include visiting Pigeon Forge and Dollywood for it's 25th Anniversary Celebration, Memphis and Elvis' Graceland, or Loretta Lynn's Hurricane Mills Museum. 

 
Depending on interest, we can arrange optional excursions, either post or pre convention, for any of the experiences below, so please let me know what you'd like to do!

Since many people arrive on Thursday, we will offer our traditional Thursday tour. The agenda will be decided according your feedback, but I would strongly recommend ending the day at Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Art Museum for the spectacular "Chihuly at Cheekwood". The Chiluly At Night exhibition features breathtaking sculptures of Chiluly art glass showcased throughout the 55 acre gardens. Also on display in the 30,000 square foot art museum is a magnificent collection of Faberge eggs, world-class artwork and decorative arts. Built in the 20's, the Georgian-style Cheekwood Mansion was originally home to the Maxwell House Coffee dynasty family. We can enjoy a light boxed dinner on the patio while taking in the beautiful foliage. http://www.cheekwood.org/

  On Sunday afternoon, I suggest we step back in time and tour the lovely Belle Mead Plantation, once the South's preeminent thoroughbred farm. The Belle Mead Mansion, built in 1853, is the centerpiece of the property. Enjoy a wine tasting in the plantation winery, shop in the gift shop, or leisurely stroll through the log cabin and carriage house for a true southern experience. Depending on our group size, we may also book a tea in the carriage house or a lemonade and desert break on the back porch!
http://www.bellemeadeplantation.com/

 
Raffle Donations:
We will be having raffles to help cover convention expenses. Donations of all sizes are greatly appreciated. If you would like to donate to the raffle, please email me at dls6643@aol.com.

Nashville has risen from the recently devastating floods and is stronger than ever. Nashvillians are very interested in our program and are eager to welcome us with open arms and southern hospitality!

A sentimental favorite of mine for many reasons, I've wanted to share Nashville with friends and fellow doll fans for a long time. Especially now, it's my honor to bring guests to this amazing city!

Please remember that this event is extremely limited, so do not hesitate to register. If you plan to attend, please RSVP as soon as possible so I'll have an idea of how many to count on.

I hope you'll join me in August for an event to remember!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions...
Sincerely,
Sandra Stillwell

dls6643@aol.com

Please mail registrations to:
Sandra Stillwell
8305 Blue Lick Rd
Louisville, Ky 40219

When Bad English is Good for a Laugh

Discovered as a result of Googling for "Tea Time at the Plaza" Gene:


"1999 FAO Schwarz Exclusive Tea Time during a Plaza Gene In 1999, a brand new Gene doll was denounced during a special eventuality during FAO Schwarz."