My Antonio Realli Fashions for Fashion Royalty

FDQ recently published my interview with dress designer, Antonio Realli of Brazil. Now I can show off the fashions that I showcased in that interview and a few more I've recently added.
My 12" dolls are definitely getting a wonderful fashion infusion.

Adele. Franklin Mint pearls.

 Below left is Elise and on the right, another Elise. Fashion Royalty shoes.

 Below on the left is yet another Elise and on the right is Vanessa. Fashion Royalty shoes.

Elise yet again. Added fur and FR hat.

Kyori

Natalia. Added Jewelry.

In every case, the seams are finished beautifully. The zippers are set in properly and work smoothly. There's not a stray thread hanging anywhere. Lest I forget, the fit is excellent. All the dolls shown have the FR2 body.

Of all the fashions I show above, the first and the last are my favorites for now. I will certainly be adding more this year.

His Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/toni.ritti.79
Website: http://www.antoniorealli.com/

Jamieshow Mel Odom's "Poised for Success" Zita Charles

After a few days of being trapped enroute due to a major blizzard, Zita finally arrived.

Zita is dressed in a stunning deep royal blue suit with a wide satin collar and cuffs in ivory. She's wearing a white blouse, blue and white pumps and a large dark blue tulle trimmed hat.

Unfortunately, the blouse was a design mistake. It's ill-fitting and looks messy under the jacket. However, I did see this in the promotional photos and I had the choice to buy or not. It's obvious which option I took.

Her face is just so adorable it's irresistible. Look at those lips!

Zita's wig cap is a deep mahogany red with a platinum streak. It's pulled back and turned under at the neck. She has a blue bow in her hair.

My wig cap, which George is going to replace, was rooted into dark brown resin which shows through on the forehead. I want to comb this one out to see how that looks but I suppose I'm going to have to return it. I hope the factory sees this wig cap and is careful not to repeat this.

In which direction should the cuffs have their opening? Away from the body, right? Of course. James would never stand for it.

Better with no shirt but on the revealing side. I've also turned up the hem of the skirt just for fun.

I didn't buy Zita for the fashion. I'm very happy with the doll herself. I'd like to see these Jamieshow Gene line dolls with fashions more like those of Phoenix, Violet and Gene Black Lipstick. I like gowns - well-made ones with some jewelry.

The New Barbie Doll Bodies

While I think it's a good thing that Mattel recognizes the fact that women come in different shapes and sizes, I still think they have a long way to go if their intention is to represent a cross section of the population. These new dolls offer 4 body types, 7 skin tones, 18 eye colors and 18 hairstyles. The body types are the new additions. There will also be clothes that come in specific sizes to fit each doll.  Good luck with keeping that organized.

Mattel wants their Barbies to reflect "real-life girls and women." Does anyone who plays with these dolls wonder why they don't have vaginas? There's not the slightest indication that there might be something down there.

She looks pregnant.

Individual dressed dolls are $9.99 which is very reasonable IMO. Dressed dolls with two additional fashions will cost $19.99. Not all the variations are available; some are pre-order at

http://shop.mattel.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=45063936&utm_source=barbie-brand-site&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=dawn-launch


This is a step in the right direction...a very tiny step.

More good photos: http://www.barbie.com/en-us

Tonner Doll Company...Gradually Slipping Away?

The well-known and admired Doll Dr. from the Tonner Doll Company, Noreen Morris, let me know today that she was let go due to company consolidation.

Many businesses cut back in hard times but when a very popular representative is let go, it affects customers' feelings towards the company.

No one can replace her cheerful demeanor and swift attention to detail.

I feel a personal loss as I met Noreen at the beginning of my collecting. I've written about it previously. The event was at an outdoor Tonner trunk sale. I only had Tiny Kitty dolls at that time. When I saw Tyler, I fell in love with her and bought several. Noreen predicted that it was "over" for me. If you don't get what "over" means...she meant the beginning of a joyous collecting adventure, which it was.
I still have many beloved Tonner dolls in my collection. I really wonder if I'll ever add more. Is Tonner done?

Waiting to see.

You can send Noreen a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nightdobes

http://www.the-doll-hospital.com/

Dr. Noreen's Doll Hospital

I know that she would love to hear from all the collectors she's met over the years.

Brunel: A Most Versatile Kingdom Doll

Brunel is the most photographed Kingdom Doll in my collection. The first photo presents her as she was originally dressed.
Photos show her dressed in fashions by Ficon, Integrity Toys, Tonner, Superdoll and, of course, Kingdom Doll. There is one dress in there by a collector. Wigs by Cheryl Wood and Ilaria.

You can click on individual photos to enlarge them. 
 

Gen X Forest Review

I was one of the lucky collectors who logged on to the Superdoll website early enough to buy Forest.  I didn't expect to see her posted at that time, but there she was.
Forest cost $387.63 with a $58.94 charge for postage. Asking price for her on eBay, almost immediately after she sold out, went well above $1000.

She is exquisite.

Forest is, most assuredly, inspired by Galadriel from The Lord of the Rings.

Cate Blanchett as Galadriel

 She brings her own light to the darkness with her staff whose branches support three candles. In order for her to hold it upright, one changes out her default hand for the clutching hand. Warming the arm in a heating pad for a while makes that process very easy.

Everything about this doll sparkles.

From the empire waistline down there are two embroidered layers of tulle-like fabric. The swirling pattern is traced with metallic silver thread accented by silvery sequins.
The under layer of the skirt is all over sequins in a random pattern.

Both the neckline and the waist are circled with rhinestones. The closure at the back of the dress is enhanced with rosettes as are the tops of the puff sleeves.

 Her boots took a good deal of patience and care to put on. 

Regarding the overlapping leg joint issue many have had with Gen X dolls, Forest still has it but it's less pronounced.

Her crowning glory is the diadem of rhinestones worn over her knee-length platinum hair.

Tonner's Galadriel was quite true to the actress' appearance and costume but I like sparkly, shiny things.

And of course, the Barbie version is a happy girl.

Forest wins.