Mary T's Doll House to Close

An announcement signed by Mary T of Mary T's Doll House was sent out earlier this evening. Here is the text:

I just wanted to write and update everyone on what is happening at Mary T's Doll House.  I have had a great time being a doll dealer, but the time has come to move onward and forward.  As a result, I will be shutting the shop down.  This is not an easy decision, but one that is right for me.   I have decided not to carry any of the 2012 lines and Integrity is aware that I declined my allocations.  My website will remain active for awhile so that I can sell remaining stock.  I have had a wonderful 14 years as a dealer and I thank each and every customer for supporting me all these years.  I am still  a collector at heart, so I hope to stay in touch with many of you as I consider you all not just customers, but my friends.

_______________

 

BFC Membership for 2012 Opens Today

Membership for the 2012 season in the Barbie Fan Club opened today for current members. New members may begin to register on February 15. This year all members will received a Silkstone dress form.

That's a big step up from a mouse pad. Of course you will also get your membership card.

 Every 3 months you get a $20. credit towards a purchase. There have been occasions when it was more than $20. You cannot save up your credits as each expires at the end of the quarter in which it is granted.

Membership is $24.95. This year I was charged $2. tax for the first time. Soon I will have to pay tax on the air I breathe.

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop

Fashion Sleuth Challenge

I have a challenge to the sleuths. Find sources for the clothes Jason Wu designed before he left the new crop of designers in charge. Did he copy or design?? Go back 5 or more years to the Fashion Royalty dolls outfits.

There will always be similar parts of fashion from one item to another. But as you can see below, there is no mistaking where the dolls' outfits came from. That's what I want you to look for.

A fashion sleuth over at Dolly Daily, corvas, posted these images. The interpretations are amazingly similar. There's no doubt as to the source of the clothes for these dolls.

Dior Resort 2008 - Adele/VeroStyle Counsel - Dior Fall 2008 RTW

Air Apparent Vero - Dior Fall 2008 RTW

Business Class Anja - Dior Fall 2008 RTW

Point of Departure Eugenia - Dior Resort 2008

Photoshoot From Hell

 I'm turning into a lazy photographer. I'd rather take stupid iPhone photos than go into my studio and do the real thing. I'm lazy in the studio, too. I had a handbag to sell so I hung up a contrasting piece of fabric and shot some pictures. Then instead of changing the background to suit the dolls I wanted to photograph, I decided to leave it. Blech. I knew it wasn't working almost immediately but didn't do anything to change it. It's a good thing I'm not doing this for money. On the other hand, if I were getting paid, perhaps I'd be less lazy.

Here you have a lesson in how backgrounds can ruin photographs. Ugh. I don't even want to talk about how much work it was to pull these images out. The last one, of course, has had it's background completely Photoshopped.
In the second picture of Dasha I desaturated the yellow tones. Compare it to the picture that follows and you will see what I mean. Both dresses are the same color IRL.
The dresses on Dasha and Elise are by Cholo. Vanessa is the former Intoxicating Mix rerooted. She is wearing Ayumi's outfit. That is also Ayumi's FR2 body. Ayumi's (ugly) head is on the way to Italy.

Fashion Inspiration?

Carmen Dell Orefice in 1954 Revlon ad

Monogram Allure

I think it's a great copy. I wonder how they get away with it. Apparently iconic images are not copyrighted. What about fashions?

I ordered this Monogram doll because of the outfit and it doesn't bother me that it was copied. I just can't believe that there is no copyright protection. I remember that a few years ago Jason Wu got involved in some kind of movement to protect designers' work. The copying of designs for dolls was brought up on the boards shortly after that. I think that movement sort of fizzled.

Sybarite Pompadour Alterations

Several new Sybarite Pompadour owners have opted to cover up her exposed breasts and/or otherwise alter her appearance. What do you think of the changes?

Caren Castro posted this image on Prego. Just look at all the fabulous accessories and miniatures. When Caren creates a diorama, she really goes all the way!

Here's one by Kat/SF dressed in Play's fashion with the curlers removed.

Another beauty with her chest covered photo by Marny.

This one id by 59DOLL:

By Stacy: