12/03/2009

Haute Doll Exclusive ~ Fashion Doll Agency Kaori - Almost Mine

Since receiving Marcella from FDA recently, I have become a fan of these dolls. I bought three separate outfits and a few days ago I ordered the Haute Doll Kaori which was the premier doll put out by Fashion Doll Agency about two years ago. The price was $149.99 and for a dressed FDA doll, that is very good.

She was delivered today by UPS. To my surprise and dismay the doll box was inside a larger box with no cushioning to take up the extra room allowing the doll box to shake, rattle and roll. The exterior plastic box sleeve had to be wiped off as it was quite dusty and soiled. OK...so it was stored for a while.

Something was moving around inside the box and I held my breath as I lifted off the cover lest I see a loose body part. What I saw was not a broken doll but she looked as if she had been hit by a car. There wasn't a straight limb in the box. It had been her handbag moving around. Kaori was not tied into the box properly and was all twisted and turned. Her shoes had one heel bent. One cheek had two good-sized rub marks under the eye; her hair was fly-away. This doll appeared to have been taken out of the box at some point.

I called Haute Doll and left a message. Then I sent an email to FDA and cc'd HD.

Shortly after sending the email I got a call back from HD. The caller acknowledged that they did have one return of that doll and perhaps that is the one that was sent to me. Perhaps? They never imagined (or checked to see) that the doll might have been deboxed.

They are sending me a different doll - which is their last one. Although when I return this one...she will be their last.


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This is the partial text of the email I sent to FDA:

I have a question for you regarding the Haute Doll exclusive Kaori which I received from them today. I have a newer FDA doll who comes with a stand that supports the doll perfectly. This doll came with a different type of stand, is that correct?
The reason I am asking is that I received the doll very poorly secured in the box. Even the base of the stand was loose! One heel on one of the shoes is twisted....The doll I received from you was perfectly packaged.......
I am thinking that this doll had already been taken out of the box for some reason and that is the one they sold to me...or perhaps she was a return from someone.

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I got the nicest reply from Nunzio & Jayro which follows here in it's entirety.

Bonsoir, dear Terri!
We are very happy you choose Kaori HauteDoll, she's a very sweet girl, even if she was the very first production, that's why unfortunately some details may not seem perfect.
In fact she comes without protection paper rolled around her and her stand is just the first type. But you have a very special doll indeed, 'cause her face mold is not in production anymore and she's the one who open the way to all others FashionDollAgency Girls!
About the high hill shoe, there is metal inside the leather, so it should be quite easy to have it back in the right position; we don't have those shoes anymore, but we might be able to send you another different pair! ;-)
We do hope our answer satisfy you, please, just write again for any other question whenever you need or want to.
take care!
xxx
nunzio & jayro

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It was a pleasure and a treat to get a response from an international company that was so friendly and open. These gentlemen have moved right to the top of my list when it comes to providing customer service.

Now if only all my Tonner 16" fashions would fit these dolls........I can dream.

11/29/2009

Fashion Royalty: Night Warrior Vanessa arrives from Japan

Number 20 Vanessa joins the tribe. While worthy of the name, she is quite different from her 19 sisters in that she represents a fictional character who wields a sword and might very well have jumped off the pages of a comic book. [Correction: I have been reminded that this doll was created to resemble the character who was played by Kate Beckinsale in the Van Helsing movie.]
Speaking of series, here is the series of Vanessa dolls From the first one in 2004, Shock Bonbon. through the latest, Night Warrior, they have all been ultra-feminine with the exception, perhaps, of Aerodynamic. She carries a chair instead of a sword. Could she be the pre-cursor of a line of weapon-carrying Fashion Royalty dolls? I would prefer the use of different sculpts for warrior dolls. But that's just me. All of the images below are the property of Integrity Toys unless otherwise noted.
Shock Bonbon
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/04VanessaShockBonbon.jpg

Fashionable Life Platinum
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/05VanessaFashionableLifePlatinum.jpg

Fashionable Life Raven
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/05VanessaFashionableLife.jpg

Poésie Sans Couleur
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/05VanessaPoesieSansCouleur3.jpg

Runway Right Away
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/05VanessaRunwayRightAway.jpg

Intoxicating Mix
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/05VanessaIntoxicatingMix.jpg
(Unknown Photographer)


True Royalty
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/06VanessaTrueRoyalty2.jpg

Obsidian Society
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/06VanessaObsidianSociety.jpg

Miami Glow
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/06VanessaGlow.jpg

In Bloom
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/07VanessaInBloom1.jpg
(Photo by Natasha Powers)


Pale Fire
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/07VanessaPaleFire.jpg

Going Places
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/07VanessaGoingPlaces.jpg
(Photo by Natasha Powers)


High Tide
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/07VanessaHighTide.jpg

Color Therapy
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/08VanessaColorTherapy.jpg

Metal Maven
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/08VanessaMetalMaven.jpg

Shirred Not Shaken
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/08VanessaShirredNotShaken.jpg

Cruise Control
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/09VanessaCruiseControl.jpg

Aerodynamic
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/09VanessaAerodynamic.jpg

Luxe Life
http://woodsky.free.fr/LBX/Images/REFFR/FR/09VanessaLuxeLife.jpg

Night Warrior
Be very careful when zipping up her boots! They are rather tight and the pants might get caught in the teeth of the zipper. I taped the lower leg right down to her ankle to create a smooth surface and it was still difficult to move the slider.

Picture of the Week Award ~ November 28, 2009

The picture of the week is of Asher by Paul Pham. The photographer is Karine from Fleurdelys Shop in France.

Karine says that this Asher is beautiful, very versatile and that her body is one of the most realistic of the 16" dolls. She loves taking pictures. She believes that Paul Pham's dolls and the Sybarites are the very best of this hobby. They pose easily and lend themselves well to all types of photography.

This image is perfection in every way. The lighting is soft and flattering; the composition draws the viewer gently to the doll's eyes. The fact that the doll is drop dead gorgeous can't be denied.

If you would like to see more of Karine's work, here are several links for you:
Doll Shop
Gallery
Blog

Congratulations, Karine, on the Picture of the Week Award.



11/25/2009

Dollystyle Convention Featured Souvenir Dolls

The Dollystyle Convention just took place in Tokyo on November 21-22. Attendees were presented with a stunning Amelie (Misaki's friend) dressed all in pink. Her fashion is a a throw back to the first Misaki doll who was dressed similarly but all in black. Amelie is called "Tokyo A Go Go." The original Misaki was called "Tokyo Here We Go!"
There was also an uber-limited Tokyo Here We Go - Marui Misaki released when the Nippon line began. I wanted this doll for such a long time and then I stopped collecting Misaki. She was dressed all in white and only 100 were ever made. I still admire this doll.

The other doll took me by surprise and until I was able to secure one I was on pins and needles. She is called "Night Warrior" and has the Vanessa sculpt.
Registrants also received the following items. This partial list was posted by Robsdolls.
DollyStyle Tote Bag(The 1st two were great!)
DollyStyle Tumbler
DollyStyle Pen
ECO Cute Bag-gift from Bar-B
Mini Cosmetic bag-gift from PB Factory
Momoko Doll-Gift from Sekiguchi
Doll Stockings-Gift from Azone
Mini Doll or Blythe items-Gift from Toms Toys & Goods

The convention was sponsored by BIC Co., Ltd. owned by the wonderful Kazue.

11/24/2009

Fashion Doll Agency Marcella "Double Mousseline"

The newest girl in my collection is Marcella. This young lady arrived directly from Paris and the Fashion Doll Agency created by Nunzio Carbone and Jayro Bustamante. The team has created five dolls so far: Petra, Pola, Kaori, Manon and Marcella. Each has her own back story.
Marcella is purported to be an Italian student who was discovered during a student trip to Paris. I don't follow doll stories but they're there for those who enjoy that kind of thing.
The doll is 16 inches tall with blue eyes and brunette hair. Mousseline is the type of fabric from which her outfit is made. It's a very filmy, fairly transparent cloth which is shapeless and quite fragile. I am not pleased with the edge finishing on those two pieces. Her sandals are fabulous and made from real leather.
The earrings and bracelets are substantial and made from metal. Her purse is pink - probably vinyl - and she can hold it due to the shape of her right hand. Wonderful!
This doll is surprisingly weighty. I wasn't expecting that. And...here's a treat...her stand actually is the correct height and supports her without any problem. That's a first. But because she is so heavy, I couldn't pose her without any support. I can live with that for now.
With the aid of one small straight pin, Marcella can wear Attention's dress. It fits her better than it fits the Avantguard doll!

11/22/2009

Picture of the Week Award ~ November 22, 2009

I am happy to feature the work of France Briere today. France aka Bijou Doll is an uber-talented repaint artist. I have not seen one doll she has worked on that I wouldn't add to my collection. I met her at a Fashion Royalty convention and she is as delightful and as beautful in person as her work!
Here is a repaint of Ellowyne she posted today:



See more by clicking on this link: Bijou Doll
Congratulations, France, on your Picture of the Week Award!