The Winners, The Biggest Loser and The Sleeper

This is just a short post after a long, tiring weekend. Someone counted up and listed all the dolls that were available either for purchase and/or as convention gifts including helper gifts. That number came to 38.  I believe it may actually be 39 because there is a variation Eugenia giftset that I learned about a little while ago.
I have not seen the Dynamite Girls but they wouldn't be in the competition for my favorites anyway.
The winner is Evermore Vanessa with Exceptional Tatyana following as a close second. Next is Victoire Roux (pictured in the previous post) who is tied with Most Wanted Elise FR2. (I don't have an official picture of Elise that I can post and I'm not using anyone's pic without their permission so you will all have to wait to see what she looks like if you haven't already.)

I think I'm going to love the Eugenia giftset as well. Five out of 38 ain't bad. In prior years I would have kept most of the dolls I came home with. I'm quite relieved.


I think that Sunset Rave Ayumi's outfit is hot and it's a keeper. I never liked Ayumi's sculpt and still don't.

The outfits from the Adele and Veronique giftset are also going to be calling my home theirs.

The biggest loser of the convention was Brightness Calls Isha. What a disastrous face this doll has. She must be an error the factory made because I can't believe anyone would design such awful facial screening. After the last Isha that was so beautiful, someone had their eyes closed on this one. She looks like a kid who borrowed mommy's makeup and put most of it on all at once.

Vivid Impact Agnes is the sleeper of the Convention. She will go up in popularity once collectors start to work with her. The initial photos of her were really bad. Her facial coloring is wonderful and I don't even like Agnes. But I can see that those who like the morose version of Agnes, that this one is not to their taste. Well it appeals to the rest of us. Her hair needs styling but otherwise, she's a good-looking doll.

More to come.

Integrity Toys' Convention Dolls: Official Pictures - First Half

For those of you who are not members of the W Club and who are not attending the convention, like myself, here are the official pictures of the dolls which have been released so far. All W Club members have been sent emails with the images. There is no link for non-members to see these pictures. 

 "Business Class" Anja  Thursday Night Table Gift

"No Reservations" Kyori Centerpiece Thursday Night

Ready, Steady, Go!  Poppy Centerpiece Friday Afternoon

"In The Air" Poppy Table Gift Friday Afternoon

"Psychedelic Splash" Friday Night Centerpiece (Erin Sculpt)

"Sunset Rave" Friday Night Table Gift (Ayumi Sculpt)

Two new lines of dolls were introduced (so far) and I will post images later on with information.

Talc Poses Nude

I am thrilled with this doll's posing. Before putting clothes on her I wanted to photograph her nude to show how well she can be manipulated. I'm still a little afraid that I'm going to break her. I've never had a doll that posed like this - ever!

 

 

RIP Steve Jobs

He changed the world. He changed my life. May his company and the standards he set continue. 

The following homage to Steve Jobs was posted by Patricia Heguchi on Facebook.

http://www.patty.net.br/

My First Sybarite, Talc

I feel like a school child writing a composition - My First Pet; My First Bicycle...
Writing my FIRST...does that mean there will be a second? Most likely. Two are always better than one.
This doll was packaged beautifully with extraordinary attention to protection and padding. It took time and attention to get all the wrapping off to release her. She's pretty amazing.
Talc is a basic doll in that she's not dressed in more than her corset and accessories. From what I've been told, Talc's outfit is quite desirable, especially the metal belt.

Earrings can be hooked on to the metal eye loop already in her ears. Her head has a soft flock which is great under wigs.

She hasn't made it into the studio for a session with good camera but she had to have her picture taken out-of-doors, on the deck. The posing is fabulous. This is going to be fun. 

Natural light is not always the best.  I like it for travel pics but not for dolls.

Talc is gorgeous but the silvery blue lips are not my cup of tea. I want to repaint her lips to look like Geometry's and I will do that myself.  I can't stop staring at her face. Her eyes are so gorgeous and deep. I love the colors used there.

Some people are telling me that I will become addicted to Sybarites. That would be unfortunate. I know what it's like to have to have every doll in a certain line. I can't imagine that ever happening with these dolls because they are expensive and I have a life. I want my dolls to give me pleasure, not pressure.

Even More Cheap Thrills with Barbie Basics

I don't know what got into me these past few months but I have purchased a bunch of Pink Label Barbie dolls. I keep them in my studio and yesterday they got lucky in front of the camera.  Angelica's hair is typical Barbie quality - uneven, shaggy ends and no style. The Hispanic (?) Barbie has lovely hair but she has glitter glued under her brows. The red Target Barbie is adorable. Her hair will never get messed up as every strand is glued down. She needs a pivotal body and lashes to make her into a useful doll that can pose.

The last vinyl Barbie I will buy this year is Tokidoki. I swear.

Monster High: Lagoona Blue and Spectra Vondergeist

More cheap thrills come your way via the silly and strange Monster High dolls.

Don't expect high quality for in the $20. range as these are fragile dolls, albeit very clever.   I don't know what their hair is made from but it's difficult to keep tamed and their limbs often take on a life of their own. But they do snap back together.
Lagoona Blue, on the left, comes with the funniest 3 eyed frog. She is depicted as being in the school science lab. She also comes with a locker and an extra fashion. Spectra Vondergeist is mostly translucent - as a ghost ought to be. Even her pet, which is unidentifiable, is kind of see-through.
I picked up Lagoona at my Target store and got Spectra directly from Mattel. I recommend both of them for play value and adorable-ness.

Not Your Mother's Bergdorf Goodman

Jason Wu Designs a Line of Clothing for Target: A few press excerpts.

Mr Wu today said: 'My collection for Target embodies my signature aesthetic of feminine sophistication, with a mischievous nod to the 1960s.'

And, according to Target's Twitter feed, the creations are, somewhat eccentrically, influenced by a cat named Milu.
Mr Wu told WWD: 'This partnership offers an exciting opportunity for me to interpret my aesthetic into a collection made for a broader market.
'It was very interesting for me to translate my signature touches into a more affordable collection without compromising quality, design and sophistication'
It 'features clothes and accessories that are easily convertible from day to evening — sophisticated, feminine dresses, mix-and-match separates and playful accessories all with a bit of charm and dressed-up attitude.'

The collections will focus on apparel and accessories only, differing from the Missoni range, for example, which saw fervour over a vast 400 pieces crash the retail site. That line sold out within 24 hours of its much-lauded launch.
Rather than creating 'just an item for the season,' Mr Wu has before said that he 'strive[s] to create clothes that can be worn for a lifetime.'
Target, not known for its high-end quality, makes a change from Mr Wu's usual territory.
The line will range from $19.99 to $59.99 and will be available at many Target stores and online.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2044736/Jason-Wu-Target-Michelle-Obamas-favourite-designer-announces-collaboration.html#ixzz1ZpOoTt97

 It will certainly not be the first time a trendy designer, including McQueen, Missoni, Gaultier, Schouler, Thakoon, Temperley, has partnered with Target. I can't wait to see the results!

Target Night Out doll needs a new sculpt.