New Silkstones on the Horizon and More from Mattel

Dealers have released Mattel's images of the first two 2013 Silkstone dolls.

First we have BFMC "Luncheon Ensemble" Barbie. They really went back in time with the styling on this gal. Her face is very pretty. I'm not quite sure about the fashion. I wouldn't wear it. The rose on the turban looks ridiculous. But it doesn't matter because I'm never pre-ordering a Silkstone again. The promotional photos are always so much better than the real dolls.

Est. Delivery April 2013  $54.95 (Cherished Friends' Price)

Next is BFMC "Cocktail Dress" Barbie. What a creative title. I like this doll much better than the other one. Again, the dress has a vintage vibe. I love the pony tail. Mattel does a pretty good job with pony tails so they'd have to try really hard to mess that up. We'll see what the dress actually looks like. I would add this one to my collection.

Est. Delivery April 2013  $84.95 (Cherished Friends' Price)

A Barbie and Midge two-doll giftset was also included in this announcement.

Est. Delivery April 2013  $79.95 (Cherished Friends' Price)

A 2013 doll that was previously announced is a Twilight character, Dr. Carlisle Cullen. For those who collect Twilight Saga figures, he will be a cool addition at $24.95. I think they captured the bloodless look the actor has in the movie.

Something I've been looking at since it was released is the Barbie Wardrobe. When I learned that it was not entirely made of cardboard, I decided to order....two of them.  We need large closets, don't we?  One is never enough.  I ordered directly through Barbie Collector. Some people are selling them on eBay for much more than the retail price of $69.95.

Although shown with clothing and accessories it arrives empty and comes with two interchangeable backgrounds. 
Closets with an interesting mix of fashions inside make great props and backdrops for photography.
I believe this item will sell out. If you like it, get it now.

Jaws

No, this post is not about a shark, it is about the head of Tonner's new Hunger Games Gale character figure. Mr. Tonner is known for his full jawed doll sculpts but this one is a bit over the top.

I hunted down a good close-up of the actor that the doll is supposed to portray, Liam Hemsworth. He's a good-looking man and he does have a pronounced chin but Tonner's combination of chin, broad jawline and small mouth make the doll look as if it has an underbite and a huge head.

I'm trying to figure out what is wrong about the mouth...is it too close to the nose? There's something that throws the entire face off in spite of the fact that the features are not that dissimilar.

I think a good re-painter could fix the mouth, reshape the jaw and restyle the hair.  But why?

Anyway, if you are interested in purchasing this doll, the retail price is $169.99. Look around for discounted prices.


I had to do it.

Is this better?

If the movie had been about giant cat paws (hehe) maybe I wouldn't be afraid to go into the ocean. I still won't.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Neurotica

The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill for the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

by Maya Angelou

Reminiscing

In a recent post, I commented that I really like several of the Fashion Royalty outfits from the last two years. I also mentioned that I purchased another Pale Fire Vanessa because my original was altered (by myself) and I wanted the original again.

I was going to sell the altered version but...yesterday, her head was affixed to an FR2 body and I dressed her in (most of) World on a String Eugenia's outfit and she's staying.  I say "most of" because the shoes do not fit on the FR2 body. I hate that.

Pale Fire Vanessa - Altered Version (Not that you can really tell anyway.)

 It's interesting that as I look back on dolls I may have altered, the originals often start to look better and better. Of course, some are still "what were they thinking dolls" but apparently my tastes change from year to year.

When I think about the dolls from the first FR convention I ever attended in Toronto, I think of how I did not like Gliteratti Veronique's hair or Intoxicating Mix Vanessa's hair. Gliteratti was the first re-root I ever did by myself and I had IM's done for me. I wish I had the originals now, especially Vanessa. I have repurchased her fashion (more than once) and at one time I had an extra NRFB.
Sigh. Easy come; easy go. I won (!) her at a convention when Jason chose one of my photographs as the winner in the contest. Those were the days.

Re-rooted Gliteratti Veronique

Original Gliteratti

Re-rooted Intoxicating Mix Vanessa

Intoxicating Mix - Original Hairstyle. Mattel's "My Fair Lady" pink frilly items.

So now that I am reminiscing over past dolls, there are two dolls I regret selling, one is High Gloss Agnes and the other is Spectacular, Spectacular Eugenia. They were both wonderful to photograph. In fact, I used SS Eugenia for a feature article I did in FDQ back then.

High Gloss Agnes

Spectacular, Spectacular Eugenia

I used to get every single Fashion Royalty doll that was produced except for those that were made for special people like the Saks 5th Avenue Agnes. I don't even know anyone who has her. 

I'm very happy with the dolls I have. When I'm not, they get voted off the island.

2013 W Club Membership

2013 W Club  Kyori Sato Love The One

Burberry-Prorsum

It's nice to know that they are keeping the membership fee to $50 for another year. There are two optional "upgrade" dolls one can choose to purchase.
Shown above is the Kyori called "Love The One..." I think the cape makes her look imprisoned because it is too long. I'm not a fan of the Burberry-Prorsum either but it looks like the model could move her arms if she chose.

The other doll is Poppy Parker dressed as a 1965 World's Fair guide. Pretty much everyone agreed that she looks like an airline hostess. It's not the most attractive presentation of Poppy we've seen.

To The Fair Poppy Parker Dressed Doll

Lufthansa uniforms from 1938 to 1979.

I'm not planning on getting either one but I am going to join again. I just hope it's not a waste of money since I really do not collect most of their dolls any longer but I do like a lot of the clothes.

And, if we're lucky, they'll come out with a decent FR2 that is not a horse-faced Tatyana or slutty-looking Ayumi.
 
Harsh, I know, but diplomacy is not uppermost in my mind tonight. I have had an allergic reaction to a sample from Sephora and it's around both my eyes. I want to rub but must not.

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Inamorata Mirrorball by Emlia Nieminen

Today's email from Haute Doll stated:

"The long wait is finally over: the INAMORATA doll line was revealed in an exclusive article by Jill Jackson on the Haute Doll January 2013 issue. Get your HD issue on stores now or order eletronically!"

That was very intriguing news as Emilia has been sending out teasers for a while. Well, the dolls look like they are going to be quite wonderful. No information on pricing was available. They are 16" polyurethane resin BJDs with 20 points of articulation. Emilia states that they were designed to look as good undressed as dressed.

Here are pictures of the OOAK that Emilia shows on her Flickr Site that will be auctioned off at IDEX in a few months.

In my opinion, Emilia is one of the most talented persons in the doll world. She says that these dolls are the realization of her life-long dream. I think it's a supreme, creative achievement and I am looking forward to seeing these dolls in the hands of collectors.
 
 If you wish to see more images and read Emilia's artist statement you will need to get the Haute Doll digital edition.