11/24/2008

Graphic Language Adele

Graphic Language Adele is one of the most popular and beautiful Fashion Royalty Adeles. She was issued in 2004 dressed in an argyle pattern sweater, black tights, black pumps with gold heels. Her jewelry was rhinestone studs and a pink plastic cuff bangle with a W monogram embedded with 3 rhinestones. She came with an adorable pink round travel case. GL Adele was the first Adele with the new Adele sculpt. She was on a straight arm body. One thousand of these dolls were issued at a retail price of $59.99.


In the photo above, Adele has been given a tall articulated body and is wearing "Sugar Plum" a Dressmaker Details creation. Believe it or not, I have removed two layers of this gown and it's still pouffy and huge. Unfortunately, the gown is being held closed with a safety pin because they were all made too tight for the large busted FR body. I bought this gown when it first came out and I just couldn't get over how much it looked like a crocheted or tulle toilet-paper-cover-doll that my students' parents would make for me at Christmas when I was a teacher. I returned the gown at that time. This time I got it at a very reduced price on eBay with the intention of cutting it down. It looks nice on Adele when she is seated like this.
Jewelry is by Bev Shahab.

11/17/2008

Will The Real Natalia Fatale Please Stand Up?

Not that I think about it often...but I don't know for sure why Jason Wu decided to change Natalia's facial sculpt. Why didn't he just create a new character? They don't look at all like each other.

Was something wrong with this face? This doll's face and screening are perfection.


She's pretty in the plastic sense of the word but the "new, improved" Natalia looks like a snob. Her plastic surgeon went a little too far with the nose job. I wonder if she can even get air in through those nostrils. Her nose, chin, cheeks and eyebrows all looked pinched.


Maybe I need to be more forward-looking ... in the direction of Natalia's features.

Robert Tonner, You Take My Breath Away

My model for this spectacular fashion from the Tonner Doll Company is Ooh La La Gene. She was a Wu Gene Club exclusive last year (2007). Since this gown was not created for the Gene body, I had to take up the halter a bit. (My secret : I use Scotch magic tape; it doesn't leave a residue.)

The fashion entitled Take My Breath Away is from Tonner's new Dick Tracy line. Tonner's site describes the outfit as a "figure-hugging black sequined halter style evening dress with gathered chiffon skirt and dazzling gold and black beaded applique´ across the bust." The look is pulled "together with full length opera gloves, pantyhose, black and gold faux leather strappy heels, and stunning black and gold jewelry."
It's not exactly the skirt that is gathered. The part of the gown that is gathered begins at the knee.
The quality of the fabric is superb. I found no defects. The shoes fit. I'm impressed.


Be warned about the bracelet as it is weapon-like. The sharp bezels containing the beads are not in touch with the beads and are useful for creating snags and pulls. I held my breath putting it on over the glove. Perhaps that's why they named the outfit Take My Breath Away. Hmmmm.


Retail price is $99. You can get it for less. I recommend this fashion in spite of it's high price. Tonner's sequined fashions hold a good deal of their original value. If you ever consider reselling, don't put the bracelet on.

11/12/2008

The Wolf and The Hood .... In The Hood?

I just love these two dolls to bits! Kumi has an extraordinarily delicate sculpt. I did trim her bangs a tiny bit.
Yuri is adorable. I cut her hair to make it even all around but it still needs some work. I did freckle her face and when I finally get it right I shall post photos. This was before the freckling.
For the setting I gathered some assorted pine branches, cut some wild red berry branches and other growing things and tried to create a forest scene. Unfortunately, when the lighting I use hit the background, it looked like the inside of an aquarium. I dimmed the flash output and I was not satisfied with the results at all. These three were the best of the lot...and I took a lot of pictures...all too dark. Every now and then I just don't get it right.
Film was much more forgiving. No pixels.




11/09/2008

Sister (not so) Dreary "Mistletoe Mishap"

Mistletoe Mishap from the Tonner Doll Company arrived the other day and I am happy to report that she is just as beautiful as her promotional photos.


Her gown of crinkled taffeta with it's draped chiffon at the sides which end in a large bow with train is a delicious deep blood red and it fits her like a dream.
This version of Sister Dreary has high-heel fashion feet instead of flat feet with articulated ankles. Her facial screening is more sophisticated with darker lips and shadow above and under the eyes. Her hair is styled in a glamorous knotted bun atop her head with plenty of long, free hanging hair at the sides and back.
When viewed next to each other, this Sister Dreary and previous versions do not look like the same sculpt.

Sister Dreary Mistletoe Mishap is a limited edition of only 200 and is priced at $174.00 retail. She sold out rather quickly at those dealers who discount her for $139.99 but is still available elsewhere.
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I am sad to say that after seeing Mistletoe Mishap, the original Sister Dreary has decided to leave home because it's not dreary enough here. It's odd that she would take my pink train case.