Bad, Bad Bodies

I'm so disappointed every time I come across a discolored body. 98% of the time the body is an Integrity Toys product. These aren't even old. And what's old anyway? Five years? I don't think so.

The one on the left is a handspeak body and the rest are tall bodies - each has discoloration.

In each and every case, the hands have not turned yellow, making the rest of the body look even worse.

It's a very good reason to abandon collecting these dolls. I don't know if the FR2 bodies are discoloring but they are very swingy now. It's odd because they're not strung dolls. I know that strung dolls can get swingy with time. The FR2 haven't even been around for very long.

I read somewhere that someone had success with either bleach or peroxide in restoring the vinyl to it's original color. Anyone remember that?

"Blue Serenade" Katy Keene

We picked up this new Katy Keene doll yesterday and when I opened the box I was very pleased to see that Katy is even prettier in person than her promos showed.

This particular Katy's hair style is closer to the early comic book Pin-Up Queen's style with it's roll bangs. I have hunted far and wide and have not found a KK with a chignon but I do love this style for a doll as it's neat and will stay that way.

I was surprised to find that the gown is two pieces. The satiny top has soft folds horizontally across the torso and has teensy buttons at the back of the neck (UGH) and the rest of the closure is hook and eye. There are two large bows cinched by a circle of clear beads that are the same as the beads around her neck.

The long chiffon skirt has a small zipper closure. The fabric drapes beautifully.
There's a little clutch and silver/grey long gloves. They will stay in their plastic bag as I don't like the effort it takes to put gloves on small dolls.
The earrings are silvery sparkly with faceted metal and rhinestones. They match her cuff bracelet which is not shown.

Her faux fur stole is long and has three "tails" at each end. On mine, the lining is not sewn properly. It is too large and I will have to pin it so it won't show when it's being worn.
Shiny silver strappy pumps complete the ensemble.

If you're a fan of the Color Infusion body, this is a perfect doll for you. I bought her for the outfit sans shoes which I know are too large.

Links to Photos from the LA Sybarite Convention

The recently ended Superdoll event held in Los Angeles, CA was certainly a glamorous affair. For those of us (the 99.9%) who did not attend, here are links to several good photos.

http://dollobservers.com/blog/superdoll-la-convention-2015

https://dutchbarbieworld.wordpress.com/2015/07/19/la-sybarite-event/ 

https://instagram.com/drama_queen_productions 

Integrity Toys for IFDC - NuFantasy Dolls

For those who did not attend the recent IFDC event in Vegas, there are additional companion and souvenir dolls which are being offered, by lottery, to W Club members.

Without You

The Nu. Fantasy™ Collection

LE 500 Dolls$150.00 + Shipping

Head Sculpt: Erin 2.0

 Wouldn't It Be Loverly?

The Nu. Fantasy™ Collection

LE 500 Dolls

 $150.00 + Shipping

Head Sculpt: Eden

Danced All Night

The Nu. Fantasy™ Collection

LE 500 Dolls

 $175.00 + Shipping

Head Sculpt: Giselle Diefendorf

I suppose Giselle's price reflects the fact that she is the convention souvenir, however, the edition size of 500 is the same as the other two dolls and her fashion doesn't appear to be more complex.  I did put in a ticket for the Giselle doll lottery. I like the gown and hopefully, the fabric is OK. I see a ripple effect around the slit where the fabric joins the lining. That's never a good sign but I like the style and the accessories. 

Eden's outfit is very interesting and I love pink. I'd have to see and feel the fabric before making a decision as to whether I'd want it in my collection. Although I do not collect NuFace dolls, their fashions are lovely for my Monogram dolls.

Erin is the most beautiful of the three and I like her hairstyle. I do not like the gown. It is a confusing style. That big white border at the hemline is heavy and distracting. The diagonal fabric at her thigh is another odd element. This is one of those fashions that looks like it was dashed off in a hurry. It feels out of place with the other two. 

All the dolls have the FR white skin tone and brunette hair color. 

Good luck to all who have entered the lottery!

Kingdom Doll Eira

I have one word to describe Eira—PERFECT.

The only problem I have with her is when I put another doll alongside they pale by comparison.

<Sigh>

Guest Review: "Odds Are Stacked" Gloria Grandbuilt from Integrity Toys

"ODDS ARE STACKED" Gloria Grandbuilt

Text and Photos by Michael Basala

The first doll in the Katy Keene collection to arrive is ODDS ARE STACKED Gloria Grandbuilt [sic]. Let me begin by saying my biggest and only issue is Integrity misspelled her name. It is Grandbilt like Vanderbilt. I am surprised that being an Archie Comic's licensed product the name is spelled wrong. I only know about the early Katy days and maybe they changed the spelling when they brought Katy & Co. into the 80's.

I will come right out and say it.... I love this doll. I do wish Integrity had used a body besides Color Infusion but it isn’t a deal breaker for me. As much as I would like, I doubt she can share clothes with Lana Turner, Mini Gene and Victoire. Her legs seem very long!

I think she is lovely; beautiful with just the right amount of snobbishness to be Katy's frenemy. A few people on doll boards have noted a resemblance to Madonna from her Dick Tracy era. I can see it.

The fashion is based on a 1949 Schiaparelli suit and is fabulous! I would have preferred IT used a different veiling for the hat. It is pretty netting but too heavy for this use. I have tucked it under for pics because you couldn’t see her face with through it. The accessories are all top notch. She comes with a magnet pin which makes me happy!!! No more holes in doll clothes.

I was ready to rate this doll a 9 out of 10 when I discovered an unexpected touch to her suit construction; the jacket and skirt are lined in leopard print fabric! Just what I would expect from Gloria!

I preordered three dolls from the Katy Keene collection; Gloria, the gift set Katy, and Lorelei. The 1980’s Dynasty Katy does not interest me but I seriously may purchase "Blue Serenade" Katy in the future.

This line has not sold out so I am guessing it is not very popular. I don't know why but I know many people do not like the Color Infusion body. Katy Keene fans have said the dolls are too much Fashion Royalty and not enough like Katy & Co as they appeared in the comics. It doesn't bother me. I see it as an interpretation. I am more interested in the fashion and being a fan of vintage couture, for me, this collection is a winner right out of the gate.

"ODDS ARE STACKED" Gloria Grandbuilt - 10 out of 10 - An unexpected joy!

Gen-X Precious from Superdoll

I adored her fashion, her accessories and her hair. The spousal unit thought she was scary looking. I didn't care until I stood her next to Eira and her head looked enormous. I was cured of wanting to keep her at that moment.
Of course, many dolls will pale next to the beautiful Eira but this was different. Precious looked ridiculously out of proportion to her own body. Her head is too damn big. Maybe that's the point...big headed, egotistical, rebel princess.

"Shimmering Dynasty" Katy Keene Doll

There's so much truth to the statement, "When it rains; it pours." Yesterday we picked up nearly 50 artist dolls we'll be selling on consignment. Today "Shimmering Dynasty" Katy Keene and Sybarite "Precious" arrived.  Tomorrow  Kingdom Doll "Eira" is due to arrive and I believe "Midas Touch" Poppy is due very shortly.  A new microwave oven is on it's way to be installed this afternoon and we're meeting with our real estate agent tomorrow for the second foray into the housing market this week. I'm trying to stay calm. I only go crazy when tornado warnings are issued which seems to be almost every week lately in addition to torrential rain and lightning. I need a vacation...but I'd probably be bored to death.
Wait...I forgot one thing. My graphics card dropped dead on Sunday night. Off to the Apple Store I went to have one of their geniuses check it out. Luckily for me there will be no charge to replace the card because there has been an issue with this particular card. Yay. But I'm using a dinky old laptop without Photoshop. The things we become accustomed to....

Anyway, let's discuss Katy Keene. For the first time (for me) from Integrity Toys, the inner doll box was wrapped in tissue paper—just like a Silkstone doll. That was a nice touch.
The box is very attractive with it's KK graphics inside and out.

The gown is exactly as shown in the promotional photos. It's lovely and I hope it fits my other FR dolls.

I'm not a big fan of the painting of this sculpt. It could be beautiful if there were shading but that's not going to happen. I have said it before...Katy Keene should have been created to look like vintage Katy Keene, not a distant relative of Jem who owns a comb.

KK shares Jem's sculpt but not the wild hair.

It would have been appropriate to have cartoonish screening without shading in that case. Just slapping a name on a doll does not mean anything. The graphics on the box are the only authentic Katy Keene thing about this doll.

I had to give her a chance because I loved Katy Keene when I was a child.

Her hair is separated into three distinct curled, uber-gelled segments. It is not a cohesive style. That is the only defect and it's a result of a poorly trained or poorly instructed factory worker.