10/25/2016

Integrity Toys "American Horror Story" COVEN Dolls

The W Club members got a one day preview of this new line of dolls from Integrity Toys.  Here are the dolls and the descriptive text from the announcement:

Integrity Toys, Inc., under license from Twentieth Century Fox Television, is thrilled to unveil its previously announced, highly-anticipated series of high-end collectible dolls based on the various characters of fan favorite COVEN, the iconic third season of the AMERICAN HORROR STORY series.

Pop culture enthusiasts and fans of the hit TV series alike will be thrilled to take home these intricate collector dolls based on their favorite characters of the bewitching, fan favorite third season of the show! Based on the likeness of the key characters, each one is dressed in miniature replicas of key looks from the show. The first doll in the series based on character Marie Laveau (played by famed actress Angela Bassett) is set to be available via Integrity Toys' network of authorized dealers starting this week!

The full line of six collectible fashion dolls includes:
-Fiona Goode (played by Jessica Lange),
-Marie Laveau (played by Angela Bassett),
-Myrtle Snow (played by Frances Conroy),
-Kyle Spencer (played by Evan Peters),
-Zoe Benson (played by Taissa Farmiga), and


-Madison Montgomery (played by Emma Roberts).


Marie Laveau Dressed Doll
American Horror Story Coven™
Limited Edition of 600 Dolls Worldwide
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
In-Stock Ready to Ship/Week of October 24th, 2016
Doll Specs:
Head Sculpt: Marie Laveau (New Sculpt!)
Body Type: FR2013
Skin Tone: FR Black
Hair Color: Black






Fiona Goode Dressed Doll
American Horror Story Coven™
Limited Edition of 900 Dolls Worldwide
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Available Approximately Early January 2017
Doll Specs:
Head Sculpt: Fiona Goode (New Sculpt!)
Body Type: FR2013
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Ash Blond





Myrtle Snow Dressed Doll
American Horror Story Coven™
Limited Edition of 650 Dolls Worldwide
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Available Approximately Mid-December 2016
Doll Specs:
Head Sculpt: Myrtle Snow (New Sculpt!)
Body Type: FR 2013
Skin Tone: Cream
Hair Color: Redhead




Zoe Benson Dressed Doll
American Horror Story Coven™
Limited Edition of 800 Dolls Worldwide
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Available Approximately First Week of December 2016
Doll Specs:
Head Sculpt: Zoe Benson (New Sculpt!)
Body Type: NU. Face 2.0
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Color: Brunette



Kyle Spencer Dressed Fashion Figure
American Horror Story Coven™
Limited Edition of 700 Figures Worldwide
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Available Approximately Mid-November 2016
Doll Specs:
Head Sculpt: Kyle Spencer (New Sculpt!)
Body Type: Homme
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Color: Blond




Madison Montgomery Dressed Doll
American Horror Story Coven™
Limited Edition of 800 Dolls Worldwide
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Available Approximately Mid-December 2016
Doll Specs:
Head Sculpt: Madison Montgomery (New Sculpt!)
Body Type: NU. Face 2.0
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Color: Dark Blond



As soon as I saw Marie Laveau, I knew I had to have her. First of all I like Angela Bassett and I think this doll resembles her. Secondly, I'm happy to be able to add a beautiful, newly sculpted black doll to my collection. I love her braided hair and her fashion is very cute. I hope the actual doll looks just like the promotional photos.

As far as the rest of the dolls, my opinion is not nearly as high. I did not see the Coven episodes so I am not familiar with the characters. I am, however, familiar with Jessica Lange and Fiona Goode looks nothing like the actress. I do like her outfit and the umbrella a lot and might try to get that. 

Myrtle Snow is rather unattractive. Is she about to do the dishes?  I suppose that those who are fans of the entire series will want all of the characters. The other dolls and their outfits do nothing for me. I don't need to know a back story to have a doll impress me. I've seen numerous attempts at character doll sculpts that have failed. However, if the doll looked great to me I would buy it.

What do you all think?


10/24/2016

Superdoll's 2016 "Glamour Ghoul" Event in London

I was able to cobble together a review of the recently held Superdoll event with text by Izzy and photos from Superdoll, Izzy, Sherryl Buchler, Gerri aka Aquabluerose and John aka dollster.

It's a strange feeling tonight being really happy after a truly wonderful conventionand a little sad that it is all over and we've already waved so many friends goodbye. 
The Glamour Ghoul week started with lots of people enjoying salon appointments: beautiful couture Made in London outfits, special headskin wigs, studio painted Gen_X dolls and previews of some upcoming production items.....including TU, the next in the current AW collection and the one Val queried below. 
The first "official unofficial happening" was the Thursday night get together held in a hotel near the salon. This had the theme "Witch's Heart" after a Halloween cocktail which is the same colours as the gorgeous first prize in the draw at the end of the evening: a specially enhanced and wigged version of Oxide wearing a OOAK salon gown. Conventioneers also received goody bags with miniatures, customized candy and postcards together with a "paper doll" of Oxide - we received three more to cover the Kinky collection during the event.

Most people spent Friday either shopping or visiting one of the many available exhibitions - The Vulgar at the Barbican Arts Centre was the most popular! This included some fabulous fashions by designers like John Galliano, Christian Dior and Pam Hogg: the Jazz Age at the Fashion and Textile Museum also had some beautiful dresses. 
On Friday evening we all assembled for The Howling: cocktails and a Chalk White exhibit at The Hospital Club in Covent Garden. Don't ask me about the drinks, the venue, the music, the canapes......I only had eyes for the dolls! (The company was pretty good too though!). 
The collection was called Screaming Dervish and was totally incredible - but far too exciting to discuss properly in an event report! 
Once we had our breath back, Charles and Desmond presented the first of our event dolls, a Gen_X Beauty called Magic with raven hair and a red and neutral dress - and stunning two tone red and dark brows! 


She was accompanied by a set of glittering headphones and cell phone and the next "paper doll". 
Then came the exciting news that Magic had a sister who was an edition of just 30 and available as a companion optional purchase the next day at the salon! 
Trillion is a really pretty colour variation with a blonde and pink palette...just lovely


After Saturday's additional salon shopping excursion it was time to start>>
preparing for the Ice Morgue Ball held at St Ermins Hotel in Westminster. The staff did a fabulous job welcoming us and not batting an eyelid at some of the rather....ahem...unusual and extreme costumes that were sported at this costume ball (though they did request quite a few photographs!). After enjoying cocktails in the beautiful Balcony Bar...all white stucco friezes and beautiful curved rails....whilst we watched the new arrivals negotiating the staircase in towering heels or mummy wrappings or masses of white tulle....we made our way to The Cloisters, a beautiful spacious room with high cornices and amazing details. 
Through a fog of dry ice clouds the staff assisted us with finding our places at a huge dining table adorned with myriad candelabras....and five gorgeous dolls dressed in gowns resembling the mummy's wrappings slowly revolving in front of our astonished eyes. 
Each place setting had a gold box containing a set of five pairs of shoes, a sybarite luggage tag shaped like a miniature doll, a set of postcards and the final "paper doll" together with chocolates and badges. 
Saturday Centerpiece Doll
After a delicious dinner of smoked salmon, tender beef and a champagne and strawberry dessert, we all savoured our coffee whilst Charles and Desmond collected our prize draw tickets and awarded the stunning centerpieces to five lucky winners. I'm thrilled to say my husband was one of them!!!!! The excitement continued with the best costume competition, loudly voted upon by all the attendees! 
Then came the high point: the unveiling of the convention doll - or should I say defrosting? For the first of the new generation 4.5 resin sybarites, Venus clone 800, was presented encased in a shimmering ice sculpture....maybe to stop us overheating as we stared at her beautiful face! Anunnaq is absolutely perfect - the most amazing make up and outfit!!!! There are pictures on superdoll's Facebook page for those who haven't seen her and I know there will be lots more as soon as collectors arrive home and get chance to play! 
Anunnaq, Resin Gen 4.5, Venus Clone 800
We celebrated her arrival with dancing, partying,talking, planning.......before finally leaving with words of see you in Paris or see you in New Orleans....already looking forward to our next sybarite events! 
__________________________________

All the dolls except Anunnaq were the vinyl Gen X type. Izzy reported that between 40-50 were in attendance. I asked her about Salon Appointments.
The exclusive salon items are sold most frequently via salon appointments - some items made in the London studio may be sold online but then would normally be described as studio pieces rather than salon exclusives. 
There are salon items produced throughout the year and it is possible to make an appointment at any time of year (subject of course to Charles or Desmond being available) but there is a greater selection of items specifically made for the convention collections. 
As well as the chance to purchase these exclusive fashions there may often be the chance to see a preview of a forthcoming production item or something unique from Superdoll's private collection - you never really know what you will find to see! 
The last two USA Superdoll conventions have included a "trunk sale" - effectively a traveling salon. 

10/23/2016

Jamieshow's 2016 Limited Edition Halloween Dolls

 "Blade"
Veronika is Blade, our first of two Halloween 2106 Ltd. Edition dolls.
Veronika wears blade shoes, and a black crystal dress with peplum at waist and shoulders.  With sculpted silver hair to coordinate with those cutting BLADE shoes.  She is a goth halloween fashion dream. A limited edition of only 50 pieces worldwide.  This is only Veronika's second introduction.   She has light blue eyes, with gold and blue mascara, and ruby red lips!  A long fitted black dress cut in the front with a train.  She is a 16" Ball jointed resin doll in JAMIEshow exclusive Smooth-J Resin.  Doll can wear any JAMIEshow rooted wig as well and new sculpted wig cap can be worn by any JAMIEshow doll.

She will be shipping end of November.

Ltd. Edition 50 worldwide
$495.



______________________________


"MADAME"
Sofia

Madame Sofia, our second Halloween 2106 Ltd. Edition dolls.
Sofia wears golden sculpted resin shoes, and a gold crystal dress with black lace and tassels.  With sculpted hair to coordinate.  She is a goth halloween fashion dream. A limited edition of only 50 pieces worldwide.  She has light brown eyes, with gold and brown mascara, and ruby wine lips!  A long fitted black dress cut in the front with a an ample train made of lace.  She is a 16" Ball jointed resin doll in JAMIEshow exclusive Smooth-J Resin.  Doll can wear any JAMIEshow rooted wig as well and new sculpted wig cap can be worn by any JAMIEshow doll.

She will be shipping end of November.
Ltd. Edition 50 worldwide
$495.




All photos and text belong to Jamieshow Dolls.

You can see more images and order these dolls here: http://www.jamieshow.us/2016-Halloween


10/17/2016

Kingdom Doll Morgana Cast A Spell on Me


In literature, Morgan le Fay is known by quite a few alternative names, one of which is Morgana. She is a powerful enchantress in the Arthurian legend.  Her role has changed over time from healer to goddess to sorceress and witch. Her name appears as far back as 1150 CE.

Morgan le Fay by Anthony Frederick Sandys (1864)
I was very lucky to win the chance to purchase Morgana, LE 8, at the Camelot 2016 event centerpiece.

She is the first doll to be released with the Demetae sculpt. The Demetae were a Celtic people of Iron Age Britain. Alexandra Forbes names her sculpts after early British tribes.



Morgana is dressed in a long, deep-wine colored skirt. It is fitted through her hips and fans out with a very broad sweep. The upper part of her fashion is pewter colored flexible resin. It ties in the back corset style.

Her wig is amazing. Perhaps photos can better describe this crowning glory.





The colors used are a blend of silver gray and platinum with either very dark gray or black.  (Ed. note: I've been told there's a touch of blue in there as well.) The fibers are crimped. There are a few tiny braids and one big braid falling from the top.

I have Morgana wearing one of her pairs of alternate hands...the one with dragon lady nails.


She cast a spell on me right from the start.



More information on the literary Morgana:
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_le_Fay and http://www.witchcraftandwitches.com/witches_morgan.html

Integrity Toys Convention 2016 Luncheon and Banquet

 'The evening started with the introduction of the final centerpiece of the weekend, the ultra-sophisticated Dania Zarr, which was followed by dinner, the announcement of this year's competition winner, Salvador Lopez Arriaga, the highly-anticipated raffle of the designer OOAK dolls and finally, an interview with top designer Jason Wu where he announced the plans for the celebration of his company's 10th anniversary in 2017 and the introduction of new features in the Fashion Royalty line, starting with the "Velvet Touch" skin finish! Jason then announced that as a thank you for everyone who opted to attend convention this year ONLY, a special pre-order offer would be included with the convention doll to pre-order the very first Elyse doll that features the "Velvet Touch" skin finish.Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for came and this year's convention doll was unveiled, the ultra-glamorous Dasha, which came with not one, but two complete outfits to match the other girls in the convention collection! What a trip!'

The W Club Member's Luncheon featured a Nu Face Doll as the centerpiece and the gift. There weren't 400 motorcycles and they were a separate purchase. Someone posted that they were $20. I don't know if that is verifiable.

Full Speed
Erin S.™ / NU. Face Dressed Doll
W Club Luncheon Exclusive Table Centerpiece
Limited Edition of 400 Centerpieces


Very cute.



Checking In
Colette D.™ / NU. Face Dressed Doll
W Club Luncheon Exclusive Giveaway Doll
Limited Edition of 400 Dolls Only
New Sculpt!


____________________________________________

Tweed Couture
Dania Zarr™ Dressed Doll
Saturday Night Dinner Table Centerpiece
Limited Edition of 350 Centerpieces Only

This was inspired by a John Galliano Couture Fashion for Christian Dior Fall/Winter '97-'98. Quite stunning!



Diva
Dasha™ Dressed Doll
Official Convention Doll
Limited Edition of 500 Dolls Only


This gown was inspired by a Christian Lacroix fashion from 1995 as seen in this image from Vogue. They did a great copy!


__________________________________________________________

La Vie en Bleu
Elyse Jolie™ Dressed Doll
Designed By Jason Wu Collection
Limited Edition: TBD
Additional 2016 Supermodel Convention Attendee Exclusive
 


I believed, at first, that they had changed the sculpt. I examined her face closely and now I am convinced it's the same Elise sculpt but painted very differently.  I don't care for this interpretation as it washes out her beautiful features. Her lips look tiny and her eyes are squinty. 


But the toned-down make-up and styling of the doll is in line with the human model from Jason's pre-fall 2016 collection. She looks taken aback and ragged.



It was announced that next year's convention will be held in Orlando.  

10/16/2016

Dolls and Outfits from Kingdom Doll's Camelot Event 2016

The exclusive convention souvenir doll is truly one of the most beautiful 16" dolls I've ever seen.  Her face, her wig, everything about her is sublime.


The gown is silk. The 'shrug' is flexible resin. I added the earrings.


An intricately designed wig by Ilaria is the crown on this beauty's head.



An optional purchase of Guinevere's gown & shoes in an alternate color is modeled here by Liberty. This fashion came with a lovely bracelet. I added the earrings. The wig is Liberty's original.


Excalibur is the name of this sequined jumpsuit which was the convention fashion gift. I have Star modeling it. She's wearing Viola's wig.


Note the lip shaped purse Star is holding. We received it in purple, red and gold. The red came with matching shoes.

One of my grab bag gifts was Orbit's jacket, modeled here by Savile who is also wearing shorts by Hazelstreet Designs.


On one room shopping foray, I picked up this trio of pieces by the talented YumYum Designs (Miriam.) Modeling is Chaucer wearing a Chewin wig.
The jacket is fully functional in that the zipper works and the buckles buckle. Nothing is there for show!


Look at the attention to detail on the back of this jacket. Amazing.


Coming soon - Morgana!