Swept By The Moods of Paris: Tatyana Alexandrova

"I left Moscow with one goal in mind: to conquer Paris and break it with my iron will. I was wrong, one does not conquer the City of Lights; Paris conquers the heart at first sight."

Above is the text from the story card that accompanies the Paris J'Adore Tatyana Gift Set. This is only the second Tatyana. The first was the 2008 Wu Convention doll about whom I wrote previously:
terrigoldphoto.blogspot.com/2008/10/tatyana-new-fashion-royalty-character.html

This fabulous set comes with the doll, a long lace gown, a long brocade coat embellished with rhinestones, faux fur and a tiny frog closure, a short brocade dress embellished with beads and a faux fur hem, a head piece, earrings, ring, bracelet, necklace, panties, hosiery, shoes and boots. If you like the sculpt you will like this set. The fabrics are very rich and the clothing is elegant and finely constructed. There are many pieces of great jewelry (I love that) and varied looks can be created from these wardrobe items and the coming Moods W Club collection.

The one defect that has popped up several times this past year is the uneven sole/heel combination of the shoes and boots. The heels are too high and the doll cannot stand with her heel and ball of foot planted on the ground. Apparently they tried to remedy this problem on the shoes by adding an extra piece of sole.

It is not enough. If the doll were to stand in the shoes or boots with the sole and heel touching the ground, she would tilt forward. So...please, Mr. Newsum, tell the factory to get on this and re-engineer the height of the heels. We don't want our dolls falling on their faces, do we?

Jason must love this character to have elevated her so fast - first a convention doll and then an FAO exclusive giftset!

Many collectors were surprised and others dismayed at the length of Tatyana's hair. I think it would serve well used as an extension if one were to cut it off.

The doll modeling the short dress is She Means Business Veronique whose hair was restyled by Parawatee of Thailand. The fur stole is not part of this set.

Still available at FAO Schwarz website for $250. Limited Edition of 300. Item #: 916556.
Right now shipping is free on orders over $120. Last week there was a site wide sale of 20% off which brought the price down to $200. Don't forget that FAO now charges tax in many states than they previously did due to the fact that they have boutiques in Macys stores. As far as giftsets go, this is a decent price for what you get. It's still a lot of money to spend right before the holidays. But if you can swing it and you like Tatyana, I recommend this purchase.

On the CDCMHS (Compulsive Doll Collector Must-Have Scale) this scores a 7—8.

Avant Guard Lush Lottery

The W Club holds regular lotteries to determine which collectors can purchase a particular doll or giftset.
Today the first drawing was held. I received a congratulations email at about 4 PM. I was very happy as I really didn't expect to be chosen. About 1/2 hour later, I received a second congratulatory email. I entered with both of my memberships and got lucky. I still don't know whether to laugh or cry.
One example of the experience of doll collecting is overabundance. I have it.

Gene Marshall Line - Wave 4 - 2008 Images Released

The new Gene Marshall Wave 4 dolls have been released by Integrity Toys and they look like winners. Each is limited to only 300. Descriptions are from the manufacturer.

Gilt-y Girl Gene Doll

"Guilty as charged, as long the crime in question is Gene stealing your heart in this lovely, three-piece, day ensemble. A tailored white, button front jacket with abbreviated waist and padded shoulders, sits atop a black and white gingham blouse lavishly embroidered in metallic gold and fitted to a T. A pencil-thin black skirt with flared hemline is the noir side of this early 40s look with it's sophisticated silhouette and dark connections to the gold embroidered, black and white gingham turban and black 'leather', platform pumps. The loot is 'diamond' earrings and enough 'gold' jewelry to thrill even a gun moll with multiple broaches and 'gold' cuff bracelets worth surrendering for. Gene's stylish coif is medium brunette and her makeup a look that says 'innocent'. What is it they say, 'white gloves, black heart' or maybe it's 'white gloves, heart of gold'? Either way, you'll have no trouble picking Gene out of the fashion lineup with Gilt-y Girl."

Retail Price is $125.00. Available January, 2009


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Olympia Gene Doll

"A 1930s style evening gown composed of two complimentary shades of green satin; 'Olympia' is a masterpiece of dramatic cut and draping. A two-toned halter neckline is knotted at the throat and whittled through the torso into a slender waist. A fitted draping of the two greens at the hips echoes the neckline's details and accentuates the rhythms created by this reverent homage to the female form. Beneath this, a slender column is expanded into a lavish mermaid skirt featuring a voluminous train and 'yards' of draped satin. A tiered, crescent shaped wrap of satin and deep green-dyed 'fox' is the cover story for this fashion plate with matching closed-toed sandals and green satin, elbow-length gloves to complete the polished look. The gilding on this Oz lily consists of clear 'diamond' earrings, hair-clips and bracelet with a striking silver cuff. Gene's maquillage is a soft one and her hair a coppery red."

Retail Price $125.

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The last three dolls are basic dolls. They are all priced at $99 and are available this month (December).

Special Scene Gene (Turquoise) Essentially Gene Marshall Doll

"Vibrantly flame haired Gene leads the fashion pack sporting curly bangs, white headband and a swinging ponytail above her sky blue, scoop-neck sweater. This form-fitting, knit sweater sports 3/4 length sleeves and is belted in white to match her perfect white cotton short-shorts. Accessories for Gene are all about white from her pearl earrings and necklace down to her stylish wedgies."

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Special Scene Madra (Coral) Essentially Madra Lord Doll

"Raven-haired Madra for once is the vision of propriety in her cream-colored cotton A-line skirt, worn together with a gorgeous coral sweater. As with Gene, the accessories are all about one tone with creamy pearls at the ears and neck and a cream-colored headband matching her belt and wedgies."

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Special Scene Violet (Magenta) Essentially Violet Waters Doll

"Violet completes our trio in a classic black Capri pant and form-fitting mauve sweater. Accessories this time are all basic black from the pearl jewelry and headband down to the belt and matching black wedgies. Violet's hair is worn in a fetching, dark-blond pageboy."