"Why I still believe in Kazue" posted by Denise Travers

This was posted by Denise Travers on the gogomomoko Yahoo site on May 15, 2011. I have reproduced her post here for those who may not have access to that board.

I have been staying away from posting about this mostly because I have no new information and I freely admit I may not be able to think clearly about this. Kazue is my Best Friend and my biggest concern is the hope of seeing her again. I have to share my reasons for still believing in Kazue as far as BIC is concerned. I don't believe Kazue meant to lose BIC; I have already posted about BIC meaning so much to Kazue and how hard she worked. But there are events and opinions that enforce my belief that Kazue did not plan on BIC closing.
I will share the most relevant.

The biggest thing is those who worked with her for many years. Her distributors, suppliers etc. None have bad to say about Kazue or BIC. Only concern for her well being. Kazue made large payments on pre-orders taken. Paying debts usually isn't a sign of bad intentions. She asked me to help her get some items for her customers about the same time she disappeared and she would not have benefited from this until much later. Again it didn't seem like something that would be done if you planned to take off with the money. The last time her (April 5) and I talked it involved long conversation and excitement about future plans including upcoming conventions.

Those who lost money have every right to be upset, I still hope for some type of settlement for all involved but only Kazue can do this unless it is a forced bankruptcy in her absence. I wish I knew the answers. I know I don't know all the details. In fact I admit I know very little and it is very frustrating. But I do believe the information I have received as fact and contrary to many nasty rumors.
I still believe in Kazue.
Denise

I hope Denise is correct. My concern is that Kazue may not be alive. Someone would have seen or heard from her by now. Surely there is a missing persons bureau that has this case. Perhaps I watch too many episodes of Without A Trace. I'm sure they are totally inundated (no pun intended) since the earthquake/tsunami disasters by searches for missing persons.
Was Kazue running every aspect of BIC alone? Is that even possible that only she had the keys so to speak? That's quite a burden even for a supermom.  Denise said that "paying debts usually isn't a sign of bad intentions."Putting affairs in order including the paying of debts is sometimes a sign of something else.

SouoL by Louos Fashions and Palm Beach Coral Silkstone Doll

Red Rabbit Misaki and Ayla (Soom's tan Aren) got new outfits from SouoL by Louos.

 

Boots are Azone. Jewelry is Integrity Toys. Projector is a vintage 8mm Revere from my distant past (my parents.)

 

This outfit came with short socks but I didn't have shoes that would fit over the socks. I added the jewelry. Wig by Tabloach.

I purchased the Palm Beach Coral Silkstone during the last BC.Com sale using my quarterly bonus and the discount provided by the sale, she came down from a ridiculous retail price of $150. to about $50. She was worth the wait. The fashion is made very well. In fact I was surprised that the coat fastens with a hook and eye! The pants and top use snaps. The fabric is a very nice quality the embellishment is done nicely.  It's really one of the nicest Silkies produced in the last two years.

 Open coat reveals cropped top and flared pants

The coral branch pattern continues all around the back of the coat.

She has an intricate hairstyle which, in my pictures, is still in it's net. I'm dangerous around Silkstone hair so I prefer not to remove the nets right away.

The doll is fetching $100 and up on eBay. 

Princess Beatrice's Philip Treacy Hat on eBay for Charity

I think it's pretty cool that she has put this hat on eBay for the benefit of charity. She stated that she was surprised at all the attention it got and that would be a good thing for her charities. There are even some of the public created fun pictures using the hat on the auction page. I am impressed!


Here is the link to the auction:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230620500557

www.mikestone.co.uk photography

Seeking a Non-Collector to Attend the FR Convention in my Place

If you or a friend or spouse wish to attend the Fashion Royalty convention to participate in the 4 meals and other activities but you do not collect the dolls, I will pay for your convention fee. In return you will gather all the gifts and souvenirs and ship them to me at the end of the convention. Shipping will, of course, be paid for by me.

I would also ask you to buy the convention collection (or part of it) and any centerpiece dolls you can get and have them shipped. This will also be paid for by me.

The registration would be in the name of the attendee (you, spouse, friend) and that person can go to the workshops and everything else available.

Please email me with any questions and/or to arrange something.You can find my email address by checking on the right hand side of this page for my profile and clicking there.

Integrity Toys Releases Preliminary Registration Package for Convention

The Integrity Toys/Wu convention will be held in Schaumburg, Illinois on October 6—8, 2011 at the Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel.  This is the weekend of  Yom Kippur.



The theme is Jet Set.

There were a few notable things in the announcement such as the fact that the convention collection will be more limited to ensure it's value on the secondary market. Does that mean there will be less characters or fewer dolls? There has to be at least one doll per attendee so I'm guessing that the collection will be smaller - less characters. Either way wouldn't be a bad idea.

There will also be dolls offered at the convention that are not part of the collection. Grab bags will be limited to one per person. They were supposed to be limited to one per person last year, too.

Apparently, the disappointment of so many who were not able to get a good assortment of products in the Design-A-Doll Studio will be taken into consideration and they are going to try a new format. Would that format be having-enough-for-everyone? What a concept! If I sound a little snarky about that one, I am. I was one of the attendees who was scheduled for a late Saturday appointment in the studio. I thought it was nice until I saw the outfits that earlier attendees were able to choose. They were much better than what was available during my time slot.

The oddest change (I couldn't think of an appropriate adjective for this one) is that workshop attendance will be by lottery. This is very (insert appropriate adjective) because the lotteries are not held publicly and there is definitely hanky panky that goes on behind the scenes. Is that an accusation? Ahem. I said it last year, too. Think what you like but when the one person who loves to be loved is in charge of the outcome of contests, table host positions, stage games, treasure hunts and more, the opportunity for favoritism is rank.

Many comments were made last year about the requirement to put names on raffle tickets and the fact that they were drawn privately. I certainly hope that this practice which has the appearance of impropriety is stopped for the benefit of those who spend their money on the tickets.

The cost per person if staying at the hotel is $380. That includes four meals, lots of souvenirs and the convention doll.  In a later post I will go over how to calculate what attending might actually cost. 

  ______________________________

As you probably remember, Jason designed a line of dolls in the style of the famous illustrator called Monsieur Z. All of his work was ultra modern jet-set themed 1960's style. Everyone was rich, shapely, had a pool and a penthouse, flew everywhere and spent a lot of time in airports. The stewardesses were sexy, and everything had a forward movement - nothing static here.

Just for fun!
After the announcement the other day, many on the W board were speculating about the theme and I did a search for "jet set dolls." This is what I came up with.

Barbie Glam Jet

Takara's 2002 Kisara Calendar Girl and jason Wu's 2005 Monsieur Z Girl

Assorted Doll Luggage

Westjet Flight Attendant doll with Luggage - Brunette by Daron

Diane Von Furstenberg Barbie Doll-Mattel

 

Jet Set Jaunt - Tonner Tyler Outfit

Grace Kelly - Jet Set Chic - Mattel

Continental Holiday Silkstone Doll - Mattel

Yom Kippur is one of the holiest days of the year for the Jewish people.

This post is not doll related although is was sparked by the realization that the Fashion Royalty/Integrity Toys convention is scheduled for the same weekend upon which Yom Kippur falls this year. I'm in a state of shock and agitation. For all their worldly behavior and pretense, the staff in charge of scheduling this event has no clue that other religious backgrounds besides their own may exist. Carol Roth is Jewish.

Many secular Jews do not observe other holidays or traditions through the year (just like people of other religions. )BUT:
Wikipedia says it best:
As one of the most culturally significant Jewish holidays, Yom Kippur is observed by many secular Jews who may not observe other holidays. Many secular Jews attend synagogue on Yom Kippur—for many secular Jews the High Holidays are the only recurring times of the year in which they attend synagogue,—causing synagogue attendance to soar—and almost four-fifths fast.

It's difficult for me to believe that you can live in this country and not be aware of Yom Kippur.

There's a site that I visit sometimes that states "because if we don't say something they might think we don't care." 

I care.