Collecting Guy Dolls and Clothing Them

I've mentioned before that I'm now more into having male dolls in my collection than I was previously. Some of Tonner's recent males are either super heroes, too young-looking or just plain weird and they don't fill my needs.

However, Tonner Doll has created the best looking and largest variety of vinyl male dolls of any other company in history.

For example, Aragorn.

In his new Chewin fashion - looking hot.

Chewin sells on eBay. The quality and fit of his garments are superior to most other male doll clothing out there. Just look at how this plaid shirt fits my doll. It's amazing. His placement of closures is such that barely any bulk is created. Every detail is thought out and executed well.
This particular ensemble included the chinos, belt, shirt and fabulous sport jacket and was well under $100. For this type of work, that's a great price.

My 12" gals needed one more man and I kept looking at Riot Llewellyn from Integrity Toys' Jem collection.

However, not being a fan or even familiar with the Jem series, the big hair and the costume did nothing for me. I saw him nude with his hair tamed and changed my mind. I was able to get a nude on eBay from the PA seller who probably has 100 of him and is selling splits.
In real life he arrives with a rubber band controlling his mane. It is a huge mess of hair similar to the back of the hair of most Barbies with big hair. He is on the pale side but pretty decent looking.
In my photo of him, he's dressed in Rio Pacheco's outfit which is beautifully made. Look at that cute pocket on the arm of his faux leather bomber jacket. It actually has a tiny zipper on it!
I still want to tame his hair but for now, this is how he looks.

Tonner Doll’s Wizard of Oz Contest Winners Announced

Tonner Doll recently held an interesting contest with the Wizard of Oz as the theme. One part of the contest was for photography and the other was for writing an alternate ending to the fairy tale.

The photography contest winner was Dave Decaro whose sepia toned rendition of Dorothy is spectacular. Dave has been featured on this blog for his wonderful doll photography as well. He's certainly a winner in this field. Visit his website at http://davelandweb.com/

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The winner for the Alternate Ending Award went to Kristin Laveaux. What a great ending she came up with! I think there's a message in there for all of us.

Dorothy watched the wizard drift out of sight. She didn’t know how long she stood there, rooted to the same spot in disbelief. Her only chance of getting home was gone. The Scarecrow noticed her tears first.

“Dorothy?”

She could barely whisper, “Now I’ll never get home,” before she broke into sobs.
Her friends gathered around her, as distraught as she was. She couldn’t hear their consoling words through her tears. It was only when the Scarecrow took her hand that she noticed Glinda floating towards her, the bubble of magic shimmering in the growing light.

For a moment, Dorothy simply stared as the hope she had lost moments ago began to rise in her again. “Can you help me?”

A hush fell over the crowd. Even the wind had stopped to hear the Good Witch’s words. Glinda’s smile was more radiant than the sun. “I can,” she replied, her voice like angels sighing. “For what you seek is home, is it not?”

Dorothy nodded. “Yes. I want to go home. More than anything!”

Glinda was silent for a moment, though her smile hadn’t faded. “Do you not see it, my dear?”

“See what?”

The Good Witch pointed to each of her friends in turn. “You seek to leave this place, but the family you wished for is before you.”

Dorothy hesitated. “Well, I do love you all dearly,” she said slowly, turning to the Tinman, the Lion, and the Scarecrow. “But I can’t stay here. Auntie Em and Uncle Henry will miss me.” She felt her heart sink as their gazes fell to the floor.
“I have to go back home.”

Glinda’s tinkling laughter penetrated the dark cloud that had gathered over her heart. “Dorothy, my dear, you are home! For the world which you are seeking is but a dream.” Glinda took her hand. “Do you not remember?”

Confused, Dorothy’s eyes fell to the ruby slippers. They shimmered up at her. She could feel their magic, so familiar, like a comforting childhood friend.

“Try to remember, my dear.”

Dorothy closed her eyes and thought. She recalled everything she had done since she had come to Oz. She had killed the Wicked Witch of the East and freed the Land of the Munchkins from tyranny. She had saved and befriended an intelligent scarecrow, a brave lion, and a loving tinman. She had braved the castle of the Wicked Witch of the West and destroyed her as well, saving the land of Oz.

But there was something else, the barest ghost of a memory. She had known the same feeling the first time she had met Glinda in Munchkinland. It was a feeling of peace and belonging. A feeling of…

“…Home,” she said aloud. Her eyes shot open. She had found the answer. “Oz is my home!”

“You remembered!” Glinda smiled more radiantly than ever. “Yes, my dear Dorothy, Good Witch of the South. Welcome home at last!”

Dorothy smiled as everyone cheered. She remembered it all. She was home.

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Congratulations to the winners! Well done.

Inamorata Paris dolls: Charmeuse and Predatrice

Emilia revealed two new dolls today on Prego. One never expects anything but the unique from her.  Below: Emilia's own text and photos of her new art dolls.

LE5 dressed atelier doll Charmeuse will be sold at Paris Fashion Doll Festival 16th of March. The first 3 dolls will be sold first-come-first served bases and the 2 more will be sold by a raffle or silent auction: the 4th at PFDF and the 5th through the emiliacouture mailing list.

Charmeuse unveils the new Charo head sculpt (with pierced ears) and comes in new Latte skin tone. The doll features 6 new hand sculpts, one pair of dressing hands and 1 pair of gloved hands using the old sculpt.

Charmeuse is hand painted by em'lia and comes with a hard cap wig by Ilaria (Time of Doll) styled by em'lia. The accessories (2 crystal choker necklaces, crystal earrings and bracelet, gloves, feather fans, feather boa and long black leatherette gloves) are em'lias handywork. The fashion with intricate lace and hand beading (bra, corset, panties with 6 garter belts, stockings and skirt) made by a selected seamstress with finishing touches by em'lia.

Charmeuse's lush make up has naturally shadowed pale grey eyes, rouched cheeks, mauve lips and a beauty spot below her left eye. Each of the 5 dolls is slightly different as their eyes glance in different directions creating a different mood.

OOAK dressed doll Predatrice by em'lia will be sold at Paris Fashion Doll Festival 16th of March.

Predatrice unveils the new Charo head sculpt (with pierced ears) and comes in new Latte skin tone. The doll features 6 new hand sculpts, one pair of dressing hands and 1 pair of gloved hands using the old sculpt.

Predatrice is hand painted by em'lia and comes with a hard cap wig by PattaArt.

Predatrice flaunts a tightly fitted slinky gown adorned with silver threads and sequins. The daring slit of the gown shows a glimpse of her garter belt panties holding up lace stockings and shoes adorned with silver ornaments. The look is accessorized with a crystal choker necklace cascading to the shoulders and breast, crystal earrings and bracelet, long black opera gloves and feather boa.

Predatrice's dark make up has smoky pale green eyes, rouched cheeks, coffee lips and a beauty spot above her lip on the left.

More photos to be revealed during PFDF.

Picture of the Day by Jurrie

Madra says, "Mine, Mine, Mine."

This fine photo was posted by Jurrie Devries on The Studio Commissary today.

Montaigne Market Doll: The Sky's The Limit

Two eBay auctions offering the new Montaigne Market Elise ended at more than $1000.

This is the fastest and most extreme price inflation I've ever seen in all my years of doll collecting. 

Both sellers are Paris based so they have the doll already. Another one of these is listed on the Show and Sell pages right now with a starting price of $1000.

If you didn't catch my prior post, the doll retailed for $206. Shipping to the US is strangely expensive at 50 Euros or $69.12. I suppose there was tax in Paris for those that purchased her directly. At any rate, it would have almost been worth it to fly to Paris, buy a few dolls and resell them.
Looks like I will have to make a decision.

Superdoll New Ensemble "Supernova"

Here's a bit of an update on yesterday's internet bottleneck over at Superdoll. A few people were able to order this new fashion when something went wrong at the dealer's end. Later in the day, it was fixed and we were able to see and purchase this very interesting ensemble called Supernova. Here is the promotional text directly from the website:

SUPERNOVA SYB/755

Stellar Fabulous Red Carpet Attention Grabber

Venus knows she has Paris just around the corner, yet she insists on being up to her neck in Glamour.
Strapless 'planetary' print satin gown bearing pointed neckline and transparent chastity chest belts.
Blues, pinks, yellows and a myriad of other galactic colours adorn the gorgeous print and all that as an underpinning to the dazzle of minute crystal stones and 2 size drop crystal dangles.
You couldn't ask for a showier red carpet confection.
For arrivals and concealment, the perfect eye catcher.... a huge floor length feathered cape in white satin, marabou and ostrich lined in the matching celestial print satin.
An elongated envelope clutch with chain strap, strappy cutout matching sandles and of course.... a 'crystal' and 'diamond' contemporary crown make her stand out from the competition!
display figures / manequin not included.
OUTFIT ONLY
shipping commences 20 March 2014 (we appologise in advance for this inconvenience)
Ltd Ed.

It is now sold out. The price was £219.00 which translated to $367.08 at yesterday's exchange rates.