Fashion Royalty Fine Print Elise Jolie Review

The Elise Jolie dolls are simply the only remaining Fashion Royalty dolls that interest me. And even though they've gone back to producing Vanessa 1.0, my completist attitude to her has been broken. Yay.

Fine Print is a sophisticated looking doll. She is dressed for a day at the office, in the boardroom or seeing clients. Hopefully, it's warm inside as the dress is sleeveless under her faux cashmere coat.
Every piece of the fashion has been made beautifully. The dress is detailed and fits perfectly.

 The detail that is missing is the opening bag. This one is sewn shut. Disappointing cost cutting measure.

Look at the excellent seaming details. The construction is flawless.

Jewelry - it's a different design and is just OK. It does sparkle up what might otherwise be a drab as in olive drab, ensemble.

She comes with her hands painted in a tan color. The color doesn't work at all as it doesn't make enough of a contrast between her skin tone and the coat color. I could barely get one hand out to try them on. I'd have to warm her arms to remove both hands if I wanted to. I can repaint the hands myself and I'd do them black to match her shoes.

The promotional doll was shown with the black belt over the coat. I prefer the coat open and so I just did not use the belt.

The jury is still out on her hairstyle. It's appropriate for the way she's dressed but it has no sex appeal at all. The best thing about it is the color and the fact that it's gelled to within an inch of it's life so it will never get messed up.

All things being said, I'm happy to add her to my Elise cabinet.

A Compilation of Photos & Descriptions from Neutron Prom, a London Sybarite Event

This past weekend, those collectors lucky enough to be able to attend the  2015 Sybarite Convention "Neutron Prom" in London, England were treated to wonderful dolls, fashions and a Chalk White event. 

Izzy beautifully described her experience on Prego.

The venue was spectacular - a secret room in one of the old big Victorian railway hotels rediscovered behind bricks and plaster when the hotel was redesigned as a luxury boutique venue about four years ago.

Marble steps and columns, black and white tiled floor, chairs from carved wood and leather - looking like thrones, white candles flickering everywhere......and above it all this incredible painted and gilded and sculptured ceiling with the signs of the zodiac and other mystical symbols.

Yeah.....despite the gorgeous blue and gold painting and the beautiful room.....all eyes were on the four pedestal cabinets precisely lined up in the centre of the room.

To discordant yet beautiful music we made our way from the Zodiac perfume launch to our seats in this magical room.

The music changed.....and with Charles and Des looking gorgeous in their formal evening dress at the end of the room....a voice began to speak.

As the voice described how we were all gathered together for a single purpose a breathless hush descended....and finally the voice queried what was behind the curtain.

Suddenly lights illuminated the cabinets and we could see colour/shape/pose/outlines...... there were the girls we had come to London to see! Even through the black drapes we knew we were in for an exhibit of truly amazing beauty.

In silent unison Charles and Des walked along the room removing each black drape and revealing the full glory of the collection.

For a few seconds we sat in stunned silence unsure of what to do next or where to look next...AND THEN WE RAN TO THE CABINETS!!!!!

Twelve beautiful girls....one named for each sign of the Zodiac although we didn't get to know that until much later.

A mixture of DC and Venus faces.....I'm not sure of the actual split but possibly somewhere around equal numbers of each.

Vibrant shiny glossy hair colours....some teased out into beautiful styles and others hanging in fabulous ringlets. I may be wrong but I think the hair colours were in four groups to represent the air/fire/earth/water signs in blues, blondes, auburn and brunettes (not in that order). All the colours were beautifully saturated with the blondes having delicious golden strawberry tones and I think all were slightly different shades.

Lips were a mixture of soft corals, vermilion, deep red, plum......gorgeous shades!

Colour was everywhere but looking totally fresh....almost like freshly dried paint on some of the gowns which appeared to be sewn literally from "old masters"! The girls themselves were rising out of a bed of undulating plain artists canvasses I think...at least that was my impression.

Most were dressed in full length gowns but with totally original shapes and trims....I do remember at least one girl in a cocktail length strapless gown too.

Gold snakeskin slippers with sparkling jewelled soles...some with fur pompoms or buckles or trims.

And.....acupressure maps on their palms!

____________________________________________

Here is a photo of the cabinets posted by Superdoll on Facebook

 ____________________________________________

Janina Fiehl has been extremely helpful in explaining the events so I could pass the information on. All of this information and all the photos below were provided by her.
Registration took place on Thursday. Attendees received "Vanity" and had the opportunity to chat with other collectors at the Salon.
On Friday evening, guests received Pandora and Mischief and the new Superdoll perfume, Zodiac!
That evening, the Chalk White exhibit took place as well. 
On Saturday there was a formal dinner and the beautiful (resin) "Dawn Star" doll was given.

Vanity

Mischief

Pandora Gift Set

Pandora Gift Set

Pandora Gift Set

Dawn Star

Dawnstar is French resin and was literally made from old bodies they had left over from a OOAK collection.  It is a material they used for very few dolls. 

_____________________________

Simon Farnsworth of Doll Observers.com posted a detailed write up and a few more photos at this link: http://dollobservers.com/blog/sanctum-a-superdoll-chalk-white-exhibit

The Best Halloween Diorama EVER!

Johanna in MD does it again. This collector is the embodiment of believing in the power of play. Her creativity and involvement with her dolls and their settings blows me away.

Just a few days ago she posted a picture of her diner with a new addition.

Today she posted pictures of the diner in Halloween mode. The details are beyond belief. Take some time to examine everything. You will be amazed.

All of the original photos are on Prego.

Introducing the Third 2015 W Club Exclusive: "Never Ordinary"

On Friday, the members of the W Club were introduced to the third 2015 club exclusive. It is a 2 doll set of the Nu.Face twins, Lilith and Eden. The 'special' W Club 10th Anniversary price is $199.
Deposits of $25. are due immediately but we won't see the dolls for at least 5-8 months!
I don't like being locked in for such a long time for a doll I don't even collect whose hair is just about the strangest style I've ever seen on a doll.

These two do not appeal to me. Prior releases of these characters have been much more interesting and prettier.
But they are nice dolls and I think people will order them just to have a set of twins as they are hard to get. The edition size will be based upon how many in the club order so it could go over 1000 and most likely will.  Not quite exclusive anymore.

More Photos from the Kingdom Doll and MetroDolls Events

I finally moved most of my new goodies into my studio in order to take better photographs.
Here are Liberty in her gorgeous Dior inspired suit and Chaucer in the optional purchase pink version of the suit along with close-ups of the jackets.

___________________________________

Here are some photos of the amazing Bashettte bed that I won in the auction.

The Marley doll was included along with her original outfit and box with shipper.
The bed is metal. The mattress, two pillows, sheet and top sheet are pink and white criss-crossed striped. The first coverlet is white with lace and embroidered and gathered inserts. Matching pillow covers on two more pillows. The quilt is a true miniature quilt with embroidered details that include tiny buttons. Two pillows use one of the quilt fabrics and another pillow is has a quilted face. As if that weren't enough there is also a crocheted throw. This is really a work of art that I just love owning.
The night gown on Marley is another handmade item along with her headband of flowers.
Since Marley is 12" tall, this bed is the correct scale for my Fashion Royalty dolls although the pink metal frame might be on the girly side for these sophisticated ladies. If I wanted to, I could always change the color of the frame.

This Marley is originally Ocean Mist Basic.

I've had a few of the original Marley dolls but not for years. The line ended before the body was updated to bending wrists so she's a pretty stiff one. I think Tonner's Patience and the younger Sister Agnes use the same body with full articulation. I wonder if the vinyl is the same tone.

Kingdom Doll and MetroDolls Events — Review

The first ever Kingdom Doll event was held on Saturday, October 4, 2015 at a restaurant in New Jersey. Wine and hors d'oeuvres were served in the very noisy bar area and I was happy when we were called to go upstairs to our dining area. Upon entering the room we were treated to the sight of the actual Liberty doll we were to receive and the optional pink version of her fashion. This was the first time I've seen an event doll up front, not hidden under a table. It was a sophisticated way to present our doll. The tables were, of course, pre-determined but I was surprised that the actual seating at the tables was also set.

As far as the food went, the salad and appetizer were good. We had several choices for a main course and I ordered the steak. It was tough and I ate very little of it. I gave it to a friend to take home for his dogs. The owner asked me if I'd like something else but I wasn't very hungry. Others who ordered the fish or pasta said they enjoyed their meals. Dessert was a chocolate lovers dream.

During the meal we were given several table gifts. One was a fabulous pair of white boots trimmed in gold.

Several other gifts turned out to make a complete and coordinated fashion. Eire is modeling here.

Marie Nido or Machelle Dubriel made these red dresses with earrings for everyone! Sorry I don't remember which. I'm sure someone will correct me.

This miniature FDQ magazine was also a table gift.

We were treated to close-up, hands-on experience with the Kinsman Dolls. They are like no other male doll I've ever seen and will surely be a topic for a future post. We had fun with their being anatomically correct because underneath our shiny exteriors, we're all children at heart. Take it from me that they are very well hung. Picture Michelangelo's David without pubic hair but with a larger penis.

The first edition will come in briefs. With a body like his, why even bother with clothes?
However, clothes are being designed and will look fabulous down the line.

Attendees got the chance to pre-order the Holiday Angel doll. She will have the new and improved Kingdom Doll body.

Here's the gorgeous new Liberty and the optional outfit modeled by Chaucer. Liberty's jacket is black. Her skirt is hot pink with a black overlay. She came with a headband, necklace, hosiery, hot pink panties and shoes. The pink fashion came with a delicate silver bracelet and white panties. Every piece fits perfectly. The incredible detail that went into these jackets is mind blowing. The folds are origami-like and the beading was hand done. Truly little works of art.

Inspiration - Dior

There is a bit too much fabric in the origami folds of the doll fashion to allow them to lay flat like the originals. I may take a stitch from the inside to hold the lapels down more.
 

We went back to the hotel (and in some cases, home) with a wonderful collection of new 'toys' to add to our collections.

_______________

The Tenth MetroDolls event began at 10AM Sunday morning. There was much to see and do and so many doll friends to meet and greet. Many of my photos from the post immediately preceding this one show the range of offerings and vendors. 

I enjoyed Robert's talk as always. His topic was Ladies Who Lunch and he talked to us about his involvement with Bill Blass and the earlier era of society ladies who set fashion trends and the designers whose clothing they wore.

The food was awful, I'm sorry to say. The salad was drenched in dressing. There weren't enough rolls for our table so they gave us stale French bread. The main course was practically inedible. It was an overcooked, breaded rolled-up chicken breast stuffed with a spinach-cheese mixture. The texture was dry and the food was tasteless. The vegetables were limp. The food at MacDonalds is much better if I remember correctly.

Why do people think that everyone likes chocolate? 

I don't like chocolate cake or red velvet cake. But I tried it anyway and it wasn't good.  Of course the meal isn't the most important part of the event but when one is away from home, eating a decent meal and a good piece of cake is a plus. All I can say is that the hotel had good coffee. 

I bought the blonde Carmela companion doll. I bid on and won the Bashette bed which is incredible. Pictures in another post to come.

At first I loved Carbon Nite Marley but the more I look at her, the more I think she needs different hair and a different dress. One bit of unusual construction about this dress is that the faux turtleneck part comes off.  I may sell the dress and remove her wig. I'd like to see her in a glamorous Hollywood styled wig. I think this wig was originally meant for the Carmen Dell'Orefice line which is apparently not going to be produced. It ages Marley.

More, later.