Too Many Damn Vampires

 Coming from Mattel in the Fall, Bob Mackie Countess Dracula. Gold label, designed by Ann Driskill.  OMFG.

It's pure over-the-top Mackie. Enough with the vampires and fanged dolls already. Perhaps they're just painted on. I would love to see this doll in person-especially the hair. That's got to be the biggest hair explosion on the planet.

 _________

Coming in August: Gold label Byron Lars Fenella Layla. This doll is also over-the-top but in a stylish and wonderful way like his entire line. The dip 'n dunk arms gotta go along with the model body but that's a never-ending battle and it's useless to hope it will change. The outfit is amazing.

The Mackie style is static. Nothing new; nothing innovative-just more glitter, sequins, feathers and glitz.  There have been a few stunners but it's time to end the line IMO.
Byron Lars on the other hand, is a designer with a vision and a feel for style. His work changes and evolves. I may not like everything he does but at least there's something happening.

Body Double Veronique Re-Bodied

There's nothing wrong with customizing dolls or fixing up older dolls but ordering dolls that need work right out of the box is ridiculous.  Adding the original cost of the doll, the reroot and the new body, this Veronique wound up costing more than the exclusive JamieShowGrace I ordered. I'm not going to do it anymore. I want dolls that arrive wonderful. The have-to-have-every-doll mentality is finished.

The original Body Double Promo Photo

She is gorgeous though.

Theatre de La Mode "Noir #99"

After a long wait, Robert Tonner has given us a new Theatre de La Mode doll called Noir #99.  Mine arrived the other day and normally I wouldn't present a new doll with the plastic protective lining still on but since I'm in the midst of packing my dolls, this one is not getting displayed yet.
This was a high priced vinyl doll at $210. Full retail is near $249.99. Was she worth it? I hate that question but I have to answer, not really.

Take a look at the hair on the promo doll below,

...and the hair on my doll:

It looks like something has landed or is about to take off. This is not acceptable and I am considering bringing her to the doll doctor for reworking. I am very disappointed with this hair.

Her dress is lovely and looks exactly like the promo. The usual Tonner snaps have been replaced by a well inserted zipper. The black gloves come with nude liner gloves. The shoes are simple black pumps and the jewelry, besides the sewn on bauble, is rhinestone studs and 'tennis' bracelet.

In spite of being unsuccessfully executed, the hairstyle is daring.

Noir #99 has a new sculpt and Antoinette body with blue eyes, blonde hair and the cameo skin tone. I would have been happier if Tyler's sculpt and body were used instead.

Male Dolls - One Collector's Pictures

We'd probably agree that the majority of doll collections are populated by female figures with a male doll thrown in here and there. I realize that I rarely post pictures of male dolls. Today on Prego, JinCincy answered this week's theme, the color black, with a few picture of her own Men in Black. Droolworthy.

RHage, Iple EID Akando

Kamal, Iple EID Luo by Lyn Raftis

Ian by Tracy Weston

Adam by DAO

There's much more. Jackie's blog, Vinyl Connections and Resin Residents are two sites where you can see more hunky guy dolls and her girls, too.

Seen on Prego - Superfrock Salon Exclusive 2011

Collector Shasha posted images of some of her favorite Superfrock Salon Exclusive 2011 items. Impressive.

Link to the original post.    You will need to be a member to log in to Prego. Why not sign up today? Free.

Too Close For Comfort?

We've seen over and over again how doll designers use runway fashions for inspiration. We've also seen some outright copies. This one is the latter.

Wunderkind Spring 2011 RTW

Go Home, IFDC Convention Souvenir Doll

Wunderkind's Spring 2011 RTW show took place on October 6, 2010 in Paris. That's a 10 month time span to have a doll ready for an early July, 2011 convention. It almost took that long for me to get a replacement head for a doll! Snark, snark.


Have a look at the entire Wunderkind show.  It's wonderful.  I'd like a few more of these fashions for my dolls! Not this one, however.