Escada from Emperis: A New 16 Inch Resin BJD

The people over at Emperis asked me to put out some information on their new doll, Escada, who will go on sale on April 18, 2014. The price will be £420  ($703.33) + shipping from the UK.  She is a Limited Edition of only 10 dolls. 

Here is some of their promotional text (in their own words) and doll specs:

We're three friends - Marcus, William and Carlos. Three avid collectors who came together through a love of all things to do with dolls and collecting. We wanted to create our own doll, so in 2010 formed Emperis and began development. Emperis uniquely bears a stylized face of Megan Fox. From the beginning we had one vision and that was to have our doll completely designed and manufactured in England. Once there was an abundance of talent in the UK for the manufacture of dolls, but finding any remnants of this has proven somewhat difficult. It's true we can have our doll made in Asia, but that would take us away from our vision of ‘Made in England’ which for years meant quality and excellence, this is what we're striving to achieve once more. So that's us; three avid collectors striving for greatness...

 We believe that we have a unique sense of fashion and style; we want to share it and bring something fresh to the world of dolls and doll fashions. So far all our designs have been met with adoration and lead to an extensive fan base. A first look at Emperis can be seen in the gallery on our website, there you will see our first prototype doll which after redesigning lead to our first sales model Escada. We're hoping everyone will love our vision for Emperis. All our friends and fans will spread the word and that word is 'Emperis'.

Escada with her innate elegance and natural beauty, she will become the defining face of Emperis. Her unique blend of strength and elegance will have you captivated. Her flawless looks raises the bar for doll models everywhere. She will conquer and solidify her place as the girl of the moment, Escada from Emperis.
Our girl can wear fashions wigs and accessories from other similar sized dolls.

Emperis' Website:  http://www.emperis.co.uk/

Introducing two new dolls to the JAMIEshow Gene Collection

They're back!

 Madra's edition is 150; Violet's is 50. 

Shipping begins at the end of April through May in two waves. 

Each doll is priced at $525. 

Ordering will begin at 6:00 PM EDT at the Jamieshow website.

http://www.jamieshow.us/JAMIEshow-GENE-MARSHALL_c_43.html

 Madra Lord was accustomed to causing a scene wherever she went.  She depended on it.  So wearing a slinky, Dior-inspired gown of beige and ‘leopard’ was the logical choice for the Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League of NYC.

The impression was to be that she would be leaving the ladies of the League’s affair for a much dressier, much more entertaining function than theirs.  At five o'clock she was to be notified by her assistant’s whisper that it was time to go, followed by her gracious apology at having to leave so soon and a fast line for the door.  Madra Lord could stand only so much art.  

Madra Lord makes her comeback premiere to JAMIEshow dolls in this iconic dior look.  Dressed in a off white silk dress with faux animal print, and a belt. Her heels are also made of animal print with one strap.  Emerald green earrings, necklace and bracelet adorn her.  Her wig cap is a red updo to compliment those fiery green eyes.  Madra is lovingly sculpted from the original sculpt by Mel Odom.  

“Satin Doll” was the heading above the photo of Violet Waters on the posters announcing her nightclub appearance.  The show had been named for the hit song, with it’s brand new lyrics by Johnny Mercer, as well as the satin-smooth voice of the lady in the spotlight: Violet Waters.  Violet’s pale lavender, silk satin gown was the final claim to the title.  

Violet Waters makes her comeback premiere to JAMIEshow dolls in this iconic look.  Dressed in a satin silk dress with peplum, with an violet in her updo rooted wig cap.  She wears violet strappy high heel shoes and soft pearl earrings and necklace.  Violet is lovingly sculpted from the original sculpt by Mel Odom.  

 

New Superdoll Event in LA Announced

The announcement:

I'm sure this will be absolutely amazing, incredibly costly and completely sold out.

Paypal Updates Its Rights

I'm actually reading this and I can't believe it.

The new Sections 15.5 and 15.6 read as follows:
15.5 License Grant from You to PayPal; IP Warranties.  Subject to section 15.6, when providing PayPal with content or posting content using PayPal Services, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, transferable, and sublicensable (through multiple tiers) right to exercise any and all copyright, publicity, trademarks, database rights and intellectual property rights you have in the content, in any media known now or in the future. Further, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, you waive your moral rights and promise not to assert such rights against PayPal, its sublicensees or its assignees.  You represent and warrant that none of the following infringe any intellectual property or publicity right: your provision of content to PayPal, your posting of content using the PayPal Services, and PayPal’s use of such content (including of works derived from it) in connection with the PayPal Services.”

 Perhaps I don't understand it but what content would I ever post using Paypal services except my bank account number and credit card number?

If someone out there can interpret this cocky-poo for the rest of us, please post.

It's Not About The Fabric

I may have mentioned this before regarding a conversation I had with Robert Tonner years ago - possibly the first time I met him. I said, "I love the fabrics you use." He replied, "It's not about the fabric; it's about what is done to the fabric." By this he meant embellishment and draping.
Three days ago, we put together one of those Detolf Ikea showcases. I needed another to display my beautiful Tiny Kitty dolls who were all squished in with my Silkstones. That's definitely not a pleasurable way to enjoy a collection.
After arranging the dolls - many of whom did not fit anyway - I shot a few iPhone pictures some of which are below.
What does this have to do with anything? You know I'm going to tell you.
The reason I've been disappointed in several of the newest Tiny Kitty offerings become clearer when I look at my collection and compare.
Just look at the handling of the beautiful fabrics on these little dolls. 

I use risers to lift the back row of dolls but I ran out of them so most are on the same level for now.

The only way to fit these gals in was to sit them down.

This shelf has a combination of Silkstones on the left and Tiny Kitty plus Simone Rouge on the right.

On this shelf, all the dolls are in their original outfits except the far left.

The embroidery, the beading, the lace overlays, the full skirts, the pleating, the hats, purses and accessories...sigh. Gone. These dolls are rarely offered for sale anywhere and if they are, the prices are above the original retail.
You can find three of the new TKs in there. One is nekkid as I purchased her that way and haven't decided which of the many fashions I have she will wear. 

Her hair arrived with the forehead curl sticking out on the side of her head. There is no glue residue on her forehead. That's going to need a little fixing. I wonder if the seller noticed that before shipping.
This is the doll who was offered dressed in a glitter gown with glitter gloves and shoes. But she is also the first TK to have eyelashes. I wanted her.

If you want to see previous photos I've taken of Tiny Kitty with a real camera, just search the blog by entering the phrase Tiny Kitty into the search box at the top left of the blog page.

Tonner 2014 Mainline Release

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the television series entitled Big Bang Theory, I will explain. The character Sheldon is obsessive compulsive and when he knocks on his neighbor Penny's door, he has to knock three times and say Penny. He does this three times.
It has become a meme.

On to the Tonner release...

Here's Sheldon!

SHELDON COOPER - First Edition $149.99

Robert did a great job sculpting the likeness. It's one of his best ever! While it's not a doll I need in my collection, I think the price is right. What troubles me is the finishing of the clothing. It's one of those details that is important to me.

Anyway, a huge portion of this release consists of childlike dolls: Half Pint, who has the (annoying) Kickit's sculpt, Patsy and Patsyette. The Patsy and Patsyette are very cute and their clothes are adorable. I don't collect this type of doll.  I look at the Tiny Kitty outfit and sigh. If you know anything about sewing and fabric, you will agree that the wrong fabric was used for this gown. The gathering is awful. My Tiny Kitty collection is done. It ended with glitter and I doubt that anything will bring me back.
Here is a screen shot of the entire new release. 

http://www.tonnerdoll.com/2014-mainline-release

The Jon, Cami and Liu Liu are nice looking dolls but their fashions, if one can call them fashion, are ignorable. And the Party Stripes Cami...seriously...was she high already when she got dressed? A short lime green skirt and striped top is not fashion or fashionable. Who the heck signed off on that doll? She should have been sold nude or as a basic in a bodysuit.

New opportunities for "Who Wears It Better" have cropped up recently.

I think the 22" American Models are lovely.  I'd have to build another level onto my home to accommodate more of them. There have been many that are so gorgeous.  These two come to mind immediately.

But I digress.

It's a no-brainer that a manufacturer cannot maintain the same quality of goods as prices keep rising.
Lowering the quality is not the answer.  
Make it better and charge more.
Then sell the lower priced items as basics without stands, clothes or any extra doo dads. 
Refine the line.
There are collectors who spend small fortunes for beautiful dolls with fabulous clothing. I'm not just talking about OOAK dolls.