Jose´ Ferrand, Designer

This afternoon I received a lovely email from Jose´ Ferrand who designed many of the Ashton Drake fashions produced for Gene Marshall and Madra. Here is what he wrote:

Dear Teri,

I was the first (chronologically) of the "second batch" of Gene designers during the Ashton Drake years. Designing for her was the most enjoyable work I had ever done; it was like playing with dolls for a living. Aside from that, she proved to be a much needed balm to soothe the immense pain of losing so many friends to AIDS in the Nineties and provided many hours of quiet solace. I'll be forever grateful to Mel and Joan (Greene) for those years. 

PS: It was nice to see "Belle of the Ball" in purple and green in Sandra's collection.

Jose´ is referring to the images I posted here. I would love to meet Jose´ and hear his story of that time. Perhaps I can get Sandra to invite him to an event. 

Some of his designs (left to right) After Hours, Stardust Memories, Cat Walk, To Have and To Hold:

See more on the Gene Marshall Wiki: Items designed by Jose´ Ferrand

Paul Pham's New Numina

Here's a beautiful new doll from Paul Pham. A 1/2 deposit up front is required. Delivery is tentatively end of August. You can place an order on-line or by phone. Visit the site for more information.

The Studio Commissary Board's Fifth Anniversary

Although I would not classify myself as a big collector of the Gene Marshall line I have been a participant at The Studio Commissary since it's beginning five years ago.  I discovered Gene dolls after I was already collecting Tonner's dolls and heavily into Fashion Royalty.  I did start buying a few here and there after meeting Mel Odom at FAO Schwarz during a W Club event. Little did I know of the depth and history of the doll.

By the time Integrity Toys was ending it's relationship with Gene, I was very interested. I had joined the Gene W Club which would be it's last year. Collectors did not know that. In 2009 it was announced that the 'end' was near and there would be one last convention in 2010 in Philadelphia. It was a wonderful convention. I'd love to do it again - I would not change a thing.

Sandra Stillwell had (some of) her immense collection of Gene dolls on display.  There are only some of the photos I took in that room (which had terrible lighting. ) I didn't even know Sandra back then and had no idea what her history was with prior Gene events.

Anyway, this post is supposed to be about the Studio Commissary and has turned into my own history with Gene Marshall. 

What inspired me to post this today was the anniversary celebration which just ended on that board. The last "game" played was a question which asked: "What do you love about Gene?" 

Here are parts of the answers.

The people I've met, the friends I've made & the places I've gone because of Gene! 

Her soft, beautiful face, calm expression and the variety of outfits she has. - 

I don't think I can add a thing to what's already been said... I love her lovely vintage world! I>> 

It was love at first sight. And each time I see her it is like that first time 

She's a 3-dimensional version of Mel's unique art--and her sculpts have so much character. -

Her wholesome good looks, peaceful expression and, of course, those clothes! 

She wears the clothes society no longer appreciates and aren't appropriate for my workplace! -

She lets me spend time in a world which contains only kindness and beauty. - 

redressing her - she looks great in everything! 

She take me back to my childhood days of sitting by the fire and making clothing for my 

I love the vintage fashions, and it reminds me of my mom; she was a young woman in the 30s-50s. 

Her beautiful beautiful face which can become so many different personalities 

Her classy outfits and big eyes! 

that a tiny plastic woman can engender so much creativity in so many different people! 

She has the "It" factor as compared to most fashion dolls! 

I love the outfits her and her pals wear.

I have always loved the Golden Age of Hollywood, and she reflects it beautifully. 

The fact that she gives me an opportunity to enjoy elegant, vintage fashions in miniature scale; 

Everything everyone else has said plus a fun stress release for me after long hours of work. glamourous age and she gets to wear -

I'm echoeing the others: vintage fashion, vintage movies, and learning to "play" , and the people >> tory, the fabric, the hats.

To me she represents a world of grace and beauty. I've enriched my knowledge of fashion, history, 

The friends I've made because of her! 

the fashions and vintage hollywood 

Hollywood's Golden Era with the studios creating movie stars!

I love the 30s and 40s era and the movies made during those decades. - 

I love vintage Hollywood and Gene represents that perfectly for me! - 

The vintage style and grace of the dolls and fashions; quality of fashions; 

She was a friend when I needed one very badly.

Her glamour, style, story and her fans - all of us!

Representation of an era of class, sophistication, glamour, and gentility that is 

The fact that she represents a wonderful time period for fashion and glamour. 

I love the people who collect her! When I got involved in this community >> - 

Her connection to the Golden Age of Hollywood & the decades of fashions - 

The glamour and detail of the fashions, and the active "customizing" community>> 

I love every inch of her... -

The era s of fashion she represents. The accsessories! -

The 'Hollywood Glamor'! 

The fashions! -

I can dress & redress her with lovely outfits. No hands-off! -

She reminds me of my mother. I have photos of her as a young>> -

The world of movies she represents and her wonderful fashions! - 

Love the 40s fashions and that she represents the heyday of the big Hollywood stars. -

Her Iconic look & that time period in fashion -

She is the re-creation of old Hollywood glamour and the fabulous >>> - 

Her versatility: she can go from innocent to Hollywood Icon with the change of an outfit! -

The details in her clothing and hairstyles for the eras she represents. -

Gene is the epitome of Hollywood style and glamour! -

She taught me how to love dolls! -

The eras of fashion....I especially love the 30's and 40's. -

The world of fashion, friends & fun she offers.Playtime is COOL! - 

The eras that she represents....especially love the '50s fashions - 

The chord she's struck in all her admirers: love of -

The Studio Commissary 

 

Cho:lo Doll Couture Spring/ Summer Collection 2014: "Sheer Madness"

Always highly anticipated and never disappointing, Cholo Ayuyao has released the images of his new collection entitled Sheer Madness. The collection consists of 10 OOAK magnificent fashions which are now open for silent bidding.

Im so excited to announce that the Spring Summer '14 Collection "Sheer Madness" will be out this July 19, 2014, Saturday 9:00PM, Philippine Standard Time. There will be ten looks up for silent bidding after the online presentation via my Flickr account (just click my flickr account icon on your right side) and further information regarding how to bid will be posted here on my blog also. Since we all come from different parts of the world, hence different times, there will be a 24 hour bidding time, so everyone gets a chance.

Sheer Madness came from this idea while I was competing for the Couture Doll Design Challenge, CDDC, Years back during one challenge. A famous fashion forward actress was so into herself and her fashion to the point of being admitted to a mental institution from too much fabulosity. Even in her lockdown, she imagined herself in sheer embellished straight jackets and gowns, her mind twisting and turning with the ideas of grandeur and opulence. I thought this year will be a great opportunity to do that idea and actually expand it into 10 looks. I made one single pattern for every look, but different treatments in terms of embellishments. all looks are made of layered tulle, corset back for versatile fit. Five looks are fitted on Numina body, which could also fit Inamorata dolls, JS and Deva and similar size dolls, and the other five, fitted for sybs, which could also fit JS and RDG dolls. Embellishments are translation of the fashionista's crazy mind. its opulent, there's movement, intersecting, parallel lines of twinkling beads and finished off with textures of florets, tulles amd embossed fabric flowers. Instead of wigs, I opted for a lace headgear with a gag mask. The dolls are all barefoot this season though.

(You may click on the photos to bring them to full size.)

 Cholo told me that "since darker colored dolls are close to my heart, I've added 3 looks specially for aa skin toned dolls."

These are his favorites of the collection.

 See more photos on Cholo's Flickr:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/becholo/

Bidding information:

Thank you once again for joining me in celebrating doll couture madness. To bid for one or many of the ten looks presented, pretty much its the same drill as before. Email me at d_jeweler@yahoo.com. Written on the title is the look that you want (ex "Look 9")and in your email, write down you bid for the look you want starting at 200USD, that includes international shipping already, and your shipping details (name, address and one working phone number)

Ill get back to you as soon as ive read your emails for confirmation and we would all have to wait 24 hours before the offers stop and would email back if the offers won you the look or looks and should pay promptly. Payments through Paypal Only. Thank you once again for watching the show here's to anticipating the next collection for fall/ winter 2014, "Santita"

Horsman, Ltd. Christmas in July Sale

I am so bad. I looked through the Horsman items yesterday and although the prices are ridiculously great, I decided to pass. 
Today I was browsing Prego (not a great idea if you don't want to spend $$) and I caved.  I went back to Horsman and ordered their two backdrops, (City Loft View and the Classic Column Room Backdrops,) two pairs of shoes and their well-scaled fireplace. These are for 16" dolls.

Before shipping, the total came to just under $85. The sale offers 60% off of everything on their site, dolls included. I'm not a fan of the Vita doll but if you are...get in there and order one or two. A $200. doll will cost you $80.  Some of the furniture is sold out already but there's still plenty available. I was hoping for the storefront but alas, it was not listed. 

Link: http://www.horsmanltd.com/default.asp

Do let me know if I've enabled you. :-)

Surprise...It's a Poppy or Two

In a surprising turn of events, the IFDC souvenir and companion dolls were both Poppy Parkers! Diehard Poppy fans who did not attend the event are fuming and feeling betrayed because it will be very expensive to secure these dolls on the secondary market. If eBay is a guideline, they will go for between $250. — $375. and up.

The convention souvenir is called "Glamorous Darling." She is part of the Poppy Parker 5th Anniversary Collection and has a hybrid body with a high-heeled foot. My personal preference is for the fashion foot as the articulated ankle always looked awkward to me.

As I noted in my last blog post, Poppy is looking more mature and glamorous. Is she not going to continue being the teenage model she started out began as?
She's also graduated to a contemporary accessory seen here in the platform shoes.

She is a beautiful doll IMO.

The companion doll is called "IT Girl." I love what this doll is wearing and I'd like to own her!

_________________________________

So, what do you think? Are you a Poppy collector? Will you try to get these dolls? Of the three, which is your favorite? Do you wish IT would have kept these dolls and had their dealers offer them to collectors?