"Poolside Paramour" Sergio Silva Fashion Figure by Integrity Toys

 Remember this?

“Cool sophistication in breezy Palm Beach! Sporting a dashing jacquard-patterned jacket with a light pink polo shirt and crisp white pants, Ken doll is ready for Palm Beach social season, sunning by the pool and a stroll with his little companion.

“Fashion designed exclusively for the Silkstone Barbie doll body. Includes Ken doll, jacket, pink polo shirt, white shoes, dog with leash, swim trunks and accessories, doll stand and certificate of authenticity. For the adult collector. Order yours today!

 

“On sale April 2010. Only $81.99!”

Well, it was canceled by Mattel. Why?  Rumor had it that some uppity "conservative moral majority" people got their panties up in their behinds over his name. Was he gay? Oh, my dog. 

 

"Mattel said the doll's name was in reference to Ken's pet -- Sugar, a white West Highland terrier that Ken leads on a pink leash. The dog is included with the doll, along with several accessories, including sandals, sunglasses and swim trunks.

Asked about the possibility that the doll's name may be misinterpreted, a Mattel spokeswoman wasn't fazed.

"At the end of the day, this collection is targeted toward adults," said spokeswoman Michelle Chidoni. "While the name of the doll does refer back to the dog, I think people are going to interpret it as they want to interpret it."

It's now 2013 and Integrity Toys comes through, sans dog, with "Poolside Paramour." One cannot ignore the similarity. He is the one 12" male doll I've bought in 4 years. 

BUT I just had to change something. The most important thing was missing. Now it's much better. 

From the Virtual Doll Convention: "How Doll Collecting Makes Your Life Better"

 Virtual Doll Convention puts out a ton of reading material and video content. Today I was looking through their posts and came across this article dated February 24, 2023. 

So, just in case you didn't know already, doll collecting makes your life better! Here are some of the ways it does so.

We are ALL about doll collecting here at Virtual Doll Convention. Expanding our knowledge, creating communities, and enjoying the hobby is where we thrive. And chances are that if you are reading this, you might feel the same. 

 The thrill of the hunt: Doll collecting can be a fun and exciting hobby because it involves searching for rare or unique dolls to add to your collection. This can include scouring antique stores, flea markets, and online marketplaces to find the perfect addition to your collection. Click the video to shop at the Flea with Rachel, Allison, and Paul. It was so much fun!

 Learning about history and culture: Collecting dolls can also be a great way to learn about different cultures and historical periods. Many dolls are made to represent specific ethnic groups or time periods, and researching the background of your dolls can be a fun and engaging way to learn about different parts of the world and different eras of history 

 Creative expression: Doll collecting can be an excellent outlet for creativity, as collectors can style and display their dolls in various ways. This can involve creating custom outfits and accessories, setting up displays and dioramas, or even creating their own stories and scenarios for their dolls.

 Connection with other collectors: Collecting dolls can also provide an opportunity to connect with other collectors who share your passion. This can involve attending doll shows and conventions, joining online forums and social media groups, or even hosting your own events to share your collection with others. 

Nostalgia and sentimentality: For many collectors, dolls hold sentimental value because they represent a connection to childhood memories or special moments in their lives. Collecting dolls can be a way to reconnect with those memories and hold onto something special from the past.

Sense of accomplishment: Collecting dolls can also provide a sense of accomplishment as collectors work towards completing a collection, finding rare or unique dolls, or restoring damaged dolls to their original condition. This sense of accomplishment can boost self-esteem and provide a sense of pride in one's collection. Can you remember a time when you felt accomplished in your doll hobby?

Overall, doll collecting is a hobby that can bring joy and fulfillment to collectors of all ages and backgrounds. Whether collecting for nostalgia, aesthetics, historical or cultural significance, or as an investment, the beauty and intricacy of dolls make them a timeless and cherished collectible.

Source: https://www.virtualdollconvention.com/virtualconventionblog/benefits-of-doll-collecting

Meet My Smart Dolls

 I have three now. There is only one more that I want but I can wait. I love looking at these gals. It's so different for me. 

For a few years, I owned several 21" Madame Alexander Cissy dolls. I loved them because the MA company made their fashions so beautifully and so detailed. I came to feel that they weren't fun. There was very little flexibility and posing was limited. They passed on to other collectors. 

These Smart Dolls are very flexible and pose beautifully. A huge benefit is that I don't have to handle them with gloves (literally.) They're not going to get shiny from being dressed by clean, bare hands. Not that I wanted to, don't be ridiculous, but I accidentally dropped London this morning. Her hair got messy. That's it. What freedom! 

I adore my other dolls but I have room in my life for these girls, too.

London, Brooklyn and Paris 

Originally Chitose Multiverse Semi-Real, Future (Semi-Real ver. Mirai) and Prowess Cocoa.

Chitose was purchased as a head only. 

Here is Paris in Chitose's wig. Meh.

Brooklyn's wig is not on correctly. Oops. It is a lace wig. I know that many human wigs are made this way. This photo was taken in my bedroom, lit by a lamp at night. I had just put the wig on her for the first time. The next day, I removed it and carefully cut the lace to the hairline. I've never done that before.

All their clothes, except for Brooklyn's hoodie, are Mirai labeled. London and Paris are wearing wigs from the Dallas Doll Co. Brooklyn's wig is from Sophie's Toy Paradise. 

This is the first time in over 20 years that I felt certain dolls needed names. Just calling them by their sculpt name didn't make sense to me.  London is a city I love. Brooklyn is where I was born and grew up. Paris reminds me of someone I knew in Woodstock. I may have decided upon the name of my next one but I'm not telling yet.

Starting on Another Path: Smart Doll

 

Prowess

Chitose

Prowess

She is Loki's new friend now.

Kingdom Dolls Koal and Queenie

Koal is the most recent Kingdom Doll release. She came with everything in the first photo except I changed her shoes. In the second photo, I switched from the Dragon Lady nail hands to her gold-gloved hands. In that photo she is wearing the short pants and shoes she came with, a different wig and a piece of jewelry from elsewhere.

Queenie (12/21) was the most amazing gift set. She came with four pairs of hands and a load of other goodies as you can see in the first photo. She is fun to play with as is her puppy, Princess.

Some of my Newest Photos

Draig is modeling an ensemble by Kha Hoang. The gown is beaded and the detachable train is fully sequined. Wig by Chewin.

 

Koal is the latest doll released by Kingdom Doll.