Support a Great Cause and Get a Gorgeous Antonio Realli Gown

UPDATE: The winning bid for Antonio Realli's gown was $1000. The generous bid was made by Diane Johnson of Illinois. This amount will be donated to Guide Dogs for the Blind through Metrodolls. Many thanks to Antonio and Diane.



Happening NOW! 

My good friend and wonderful dress designer, Antonio Realli has contributed a gorgeous gown, the proceeds of which will be donated to Guide Dogs for the Blind, (https://www.guidedogs.com/) 

Metrodolls Club has a charity luncheon planned for November 12, 2017 to benefit that organization and presenting them with a check from the proceeds of this auction will help the great cause. 

THE GOWN 

The dress is a fitted, sleeveless sheath with an A-shaped lower portion. The first layer is a sheer net with gold embroidery. Over that are many hand-applied tiny cream colored pearls and gold sequins. The hand work is beautiful and precise. The back as well as the front is embellished. There is a zipper closure. This gown fits Integrity Toys FR16" dolls as well as Kingdom Doll. 

HOW THIS WILL WORK 

Bidding starts at $175. 

YOU decide the maximum you are willing to pay for the gown. 

E-MAIL your bid to me. Do not post it, please. My email is huntdolls-one@yahoo.com. 

AT THE END OF THIS EVENT, the person submitting the highest offer wins the gown. I will publish the winning sum and the winner's name (if they permit.) Postage will be determined according to the winner's location. 

Make your best offer! 

Any questions? Email me, please. 

Neither Savile nor her accoutrements are included.

Black and White Tweed Suit Silkstone BFM

I was waiting for the Barbie Collectors' Club to start up again before ordering. Barbie.Com sold out and the Club is another story. I have a feeling it's not going to happen at all.
A few doll dealers still have her.  I purchased mine from Cheryl's Dolls & Collectibles whose price was $69.95. She shipped very quickly. Just ignore the evangelist christian literature she encloses with your merchandise. Not kidding. What is it with these people?
Here is one of Mattel's promo close-ups compared to a close-up of mine.

Is mine a little wall-eyed? The promo shots are always perfect, aren't they?

I thought she'd look cute with another black & white suited Silkstone.

Someone spilled the cream.

Kingdom Doll Elgin

Elgin is the newest doll to be released by Kingdom Doll. Her sculpt, Icini, was used only once before on a OOAK auction doll during the Orlando convention in 2016. This was the largest edition so far from KD. Sixty-five Elgins are now in collections around the globe. Of course, this edition, like all of the others, sold out very quickly.

The sculpt, named after an ancient Brittonic tribe, Iceni, follows in the path of all of KD names which are associated with the history of Britain. You can see the names of Kingdom Doll's sculpts and one of the dolls' names on this map. Can you pick out the sculpts from the map below?

http://boudiccanhd.weebly.com/the-iceni.html

Elgin's resin is a glowing, warm tan color called Roman Bronze. Her sleek, short wig was made by Ilaria. The ivory silk satin gown is designer inspired. It's undulating flares of fabric create drama and movement while the train gives sense of stability. There is an insert of pale gold leather at the bodice.
Elgin's pumps are retro with their peep toe and platform sole. I love them and I'll be using them with other fashions.

She could be a bride doll if a collector wished. A lovely veil and a bouquet would look divine.

I'm off to play with other wigs and different outfits.

I really love this doll!

Integrity Toys Unveils "East 59th" Collection

I'm going to post most of the description directly from the announcement and add my commentary at the end.

Featuring elaborate vintage-inspired looks created by Integrity Toys designer Chris Stoeckel and a storyline he collaborated on with Alain Tremblay, the EAST 59th collection promises to take us back in time to chic and swanky 1950's New York, where the bold personalities of the talented individuals involved in the modeling, advertising and PR scene clash for a bigger share of the marketing pie! Everyone from newcomers seeking to be discovered and chasing the American Dream to socialites wanting a bigger presence in the high-society pages of top fashion magazines will stop at nothing to be noticed! This is where we come in... and where Victoire Roux will enter later...

The story goes like this:

Picture a woman, a man, a big city and a chance meeting that would launch the career of a lifetime.

As we furtively glanced at each other in the luscious decor of the Hawthorn Room, I immediately knew that a truly exciting path was ahead. My name is Evelyn Weaverton and my life completely changed the day he discovered me. 

That is until she arrived on the scene, the mane of all my troubles, the one everyone in the industry loved to hate, Constance Madssen.

I found fame, drama and love on East 59th, wrapped in the arms of glamour. This Spring, follow our adventures and together we will shine like no one ever has 

Luxurious Leisure

Constance Madssen™ Dressed Doll

Edition Size: 400 Dolls Worldwide

Suggested Retail Price: $135.00 US

Head Sculpt: Constance Madssen (New Sculpt!)

Hair Color: Raven

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied

Body Type: EAST 59th 1.0

Foot Sculpt: Traditional High-Heeled Feet

Skin Tone: Cream

Classic Glamour

Evelyn Weaverton™ Dressed Doll

Edition Size: 400 Dolls Worldwide

Suggested Retail Price: $135.00 US

Head Sculpt: Evelyn Weaverton™  (New Sculpt!)

Hair Color: Flame Red

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied

Body Type: EAST 59th 1.0

Foot Sculpt: Traditional High-Heeled Feet

Skin Tone: FR White

Captivating Cocktails

Constance Madssen™ Dressed Doll

Edition Size: 400 Dolls Worldwide

Suggested Retail Price: $135.00 US

Head Sculpt: Constance Madssen™  (New Sculpt!)

Hair Color: Luxe Blond

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied

Body Type: EAST 59th 1.0

Foot Sculpt: Traditional High-Heeled Feet

Skin Tone: Cream

Glittering Gala

Evelyn Weaverton™ Dressed Doll

Edition Size: 400 Dolls Worldwide

Suggested Retail Price: $135.00 US

Head Sculpt: Evelyn Weaverton™ (New Sculpt!)

Hair Color: Brunette

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied

Body Type: EAST 59th 1.0

Foot Sculpt: Traditional High-Heeled Feet

Skin Tone: FR White

 _____________________________

Constance Madsen's sculpt is rather insipid (like so many of the CI dolls.)

When I saw that they had a new body type, I immediately eliminated them from consideration. That was the issue that doomed the Katy Keene line as well. The suits designed for Katy's companion were stunning but the body just did not work for me with it's giant hands and enormous feet. 

Collectors like me want variety but we also like dolls to be able to share clothes and shoes. 

IMO the great majority of collectors currently populating the W Club are not, for the most part, vintage oriented. They like young, edgy fashion so I am surprised that the dolls are sold out on pre-order. 

Chris is a very popular and talented designer. This would make an excellent line of 50's fashions to purchase separately if they were the proper size for Fashion Royalty dolls.  

Why are their shoes plastic? That's a new backward step.

April Purse of the Month Collection

Here is the latest release from Diana and Janet.

Denim is a timeless favorite, especially when it's been re-created with Uptown Style!   It's our theme for April and there's a fun, fashionable look for every doll.

Our handbag options have both been created in denim-colored leather.  The Michael Kors tribute is to the Ava bag, with its sweet flowers, bold silver logo and chain and leather handle.  32.00  For a bigger, dazzling purse,  choose the Prada Bling bag!  Both front and back are heavily decorated in white studs and rhinestones, and the front sports a large logo.  36.00

The Tote Set is softly elegant.  Stone-washed denim with silver decoration, it also features a white, feminine design that resembles lace.  And it includes a long scarf.  30.00 / set

The separates this month are simple and sweet.  A crisp cotton shirt in raspberry pinstripe also includes a belt.  35.00  Wear it over a pink bodysuit (25.00) and finish the look with a lovely stone-wash skirt, with white floral embroidery.  30.00

To view the handbags, tote and separates, click here:

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/24570917

I love the look that Janet has created for the Elite Ensemble.  Stonewash denim with white floral embroidery makes up the Jacket and skirt, with careful planning to make the most of the design.  Also included are a pink bodysuit, tote set, shoes, earrings, belt and your choice of handbag.  150.00 + shipping

To view the Elite Ensemble, click here:

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/24765152

All items shown in 12" can be upsized to 16" for a modest increase.

Please send all orders to: dianawieler@hotmail.com

_______

I adore that Prada bag but I'm not a big fan of the fashions. That mix of pink and blue doesn't work and the stying of the jacket is kind of boring. 

Barbie Fan Club "We're Sorry For Making You Wait" Reward

Those of you who faithfully send your $25 every year to the Barbie Fan Club are being rewarded for having to wait so long this year. According to those in power "the launch of the 2017 Club is part of a newly optimized website experience...and we want to get everything just right for you." The last time they "optimized" the website, all hell broke loose. It still freezes for me on a regular basis.
Even the link:

included in the email announcement, takes one to a blank page. They need help.

In any event, they're offering a "one-use" discount that will be good all year. Unfortunately, one must spend money in order to 'save.'

One detail to note is that the "free standard shipping offer with $100 minimum purchase" is valid even with this offer.