Mostly Not Doll Related - Joan Rivers

Laughter is the best medicine and sometimes it's the only medicine within reach. This isn't doll related but Joan often joked that she was mostly plastic with regards to the surgeries on her face.

She was a role model.

 Here she is shown walking down the street holding Ken's hand. 

Joan Rivers mocked Kristen Stewart’s threat to sue her during a characteristically no-holds-barred appearance on HuffPost Live on Tuesday.
The comedian waved around a doll, joking that she wants Stewart to show her where “she did or did not touch her director.”
Rivers defended her jokes about Stewart (and others) in her new book, saying she just wants “to make people laugh,” and that anyone who doesn’t find her funny should go elsewhere.

It's horrifying to think that the medical center may have played a role in the death of the comedienne. Supposedly she was healthy when she entered the facility on foot. It was not an emergency procedure or anything like that.

Let's remember the some of the funniest lines:

1. It’s been so long since I made love, I can’t remember who gets tied up.
2. I like colonic irrigation because sometimes you find old jewellery.
3. I was just reading about the new Lindsay Lohan diet, which is all liquid. 80 proof.
4. My love life is like a piece of Swiss cheese. Most of it’s missing, and what’s there stinks.
5. I’ve worked with Angelina Jolie. She saw a sign that said ”WET FLOOR” one time, and she did.
6. I had a cold and my doctor recommended coffee enemas. I can never go back to Starbucks…
7. I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw that my bath toys were a toaster and a radio.
8. I said to my husband, “Why don’t you call out my name when we’re making love?” He said, “I don’t want to wake you up.”
9. I hate thin people; “Oh, does this tampon make me look fat?”
10. I have no sex appeal, which kills me. The only way I can ever hear heavy breathing from my husband’s side of the bed is when he’s having an asthma attack.
11. I was the last girl in Larchmont, NY to get married. My mother had a sign up: ‘Last Girl Before Freeway.’
12. I have so little sex appeal my gynecologist calls me “sir”.
13. I have so little sex appeal my gynecologist examines me by telephone.

Mel Odom's JAMIEshow Madra "Spotted in Manhattan"

In a very unusual move, George put this Jamieshow Madra on sale for 20% off during the Labor Day weekend. Her price dropped from $525. to $420. which caused me to take a second look. Actually, the main reason I became interested was that I had seen so many gorgeous photos of her posted by collectors who already had her.
I went back and forth with the decision for about 24 hours and finally decided to go for it. She arrived yesterday and I'm happy I purchased her.
Her face paint is perfect. The resin is the same silky material used for all the Jamieshow dolls. She will make a great model for my collection of Gene Marshall clothing.
There was an issue with her necklace. I sent a photo to George and within a few hours I received a courteous response in which he told me he'd send a replacement out ASAP. As always, the customer service from his company has been excellent.
Madra comes with a ring that matches her other jewelry. It's huge. It could be worn on a chain.
The dress will need a light pressing as the train is packed folded vertically and you won't see much of the leopard print unless you smooth it out a bit.
I also recommend putting pantyhose on the doll as the strap of the shoes may stain. There's a faint line across one of my doll's ankles. You could also coat the inside of the strap with a strip of something flexible.

In these photos, Madra is posing on a Horsman chaise. The table in the background is CED.
I have her redressed already. Now I have to pick out some wigs.

Announcing the Third 2014 W Club Exclusive Doll

When I saw the name of the character, Mademoiselle Jolie, I was happy for a brief moment. Then I read further to discover that it is not Elise Jolie, whose sculpt I adore, but Isha, whose sculpt I do not care for in this incarnation. Her lips are parted and her teeth are showing.
This is what Isha used to look like before they rehabbed her to look like everyone else. Pretty gorgeous, right?

Note: You can click on any picture to bring up a larger version.

Here is the new Isha. I think the teeth will be easy to cover.

She is called Ombres Poétique and will cost W Club members $150. plus postage.
I like platinum hair but hair bumps are so over. I think the first thing I saw after the teeth was the sweeping eye makeup. The jury is still out on that.

I like the lingerie.

She certainly looks dramatic but the more I look at the gown, the more the black lace trim looks over-scaled. It's not working. I hope the production doll uses a better trim.

We've seen this gown shape several times on FR dolls. Reinterpretations don't bother me. Three of the gowns pictured below are more or less successful designs. I will have to see the new one in person to be sure.

The only other Mme. Jolie that was produced was a OOAK auction doll at the HiFi convention several years ago. This is a picture by Rob Thompson found on his robsdolls.com website. I would have loved that hairstyle and gown! But then it would not be a OOAK for the person who bought it.

Maybe I can dye the gown.... it could be a quinceanera dress.


What do you think of this new Mme. Jolie?

Gene's Final Curtain Call

This is a post that I found which was never published. It's obviously from a few years ago.



On the eve of Gene's swan song I dressed two of my (very few) ladies in fashions I recently acquired. They are waiting to be photographed and I visualized them looking over their shoulders as they retreated from the front of the stage on the last night of their performance.

Five nights from tonight I will have begun to attend my first and last Gene Marshall convention. There, amongst the 400 or so attendees, I may be in the minority. I have not been a "real" Gene collector. I was aware of Gene, of course, during her Ashton-Drake years but never veered away from my Tonner collections until getting involved with Integrity Toys' product. I had purchased a basic Gene and a dressed Gene and that was it.

Simply Gene

Perfect Match Gene with Tiny Kitty

The first few fashions I purchased disappointed me because they did not always fit Tyler. Obviously I knew very little about that line. But I did buy the wonderful furniture and accessories like the gazebo and the the patio set. I purchased the dresser and the swan bed and the clothing rack with wooden hangers and room dividers. Fabulous items every one of them.

Tyler Wearing "A Shorts Story" Gene Outfit

The second or third time Integrity Toys held an event at FAO Schwarz in NYC was the first time I met Mel Odom. (It's all been a wild blur since then. ;-)) Gene had been picked up by IT and the line was on display at the store. I had not begun my second round with the 16" dolls yet. That Gene was "Suited To A T. " The doll reminded me so much of my mother when she was young. At the time, Mom was in the final stages of Alzheimer's Disease. That was February. I couldn't get the doll out of my mind and decided to ask my husband to get her for me as a holiday gift that December, which he did. My mother died that month. I photographed that doll endlessly and began buying Gene fashions which led to buying Gene dolls which led to more and more. I bought Ashton-Drake Gene and IT Gene dolls and fashions and had a ball. I discovered another huge group of collectors who were so very different from the Fashion Royalty crowd.

Play with those dolls!

This is a post I found which was never published. It is obviously from a few years ago.

I've been giving advice and not often following it myself. This week I'm being good. I've been redressing dolls and photographing them. It feels like I have some new dolls. I love it.
Most recently the Nu Face dolls got attention. I sold off most of these little beauties so there weren't that many to be redressed. Here are Eden and Nadia. Nadja was "The Illusionist." I unwrapped the braid around the headpiece and underneath was a heavily glued stalk of hair. I washed it several times but the glue would not even soften so I just cut off as much as I could. I may rewrap the tiny braided hair, retrieved from the thing atop her head, around the nub that's left. But for now, this is what she looks like. It made her into a much more useful doll.Here she is with Eden, my favorite of all the NuFace dolls. Yes, it is difficult to photograph such different skin tones next to eachother. I lit the scene as much as possible. I think because Nadja is wearing a bright red she comes forward in the mind's eye whereas if she wore a recessive color, the bright skin and hair on Eden would overpower the photo. The lighting could still be improved.
The biggest problem I have with this color vinyl is that he texture of the vinyl shows all the tiny pits unevenness every vinyl body has. I this photo I have softened the skin contrast with a tool in Photoshop.
I have just decided to sell Erin. I never even redressed her! I took these pictures today. She's just so perfect in the microsequin dress.

Queen of the Night, Venetian Muse Barbie! $100.

At the stroke of midnight, she arrives in all her dark glory to an opulent palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal, where guests at a masquerade ball revel in gothic grandeur. Her entrance stuns the spirited crowd—they gaze at her in silence. Venetian Muse^™ Barbie^®!
Only the trancelike melody of a flute accompanies the mysterious beauty as she makes her way through the gilded ballroom. Her presence conjures worlds of luxury and elegance, for she is an enchantress—a queen summoned from magical realms.
Venetian Muse^™ Barbie^® Doll, the inspiration for myriad wondrous dreams, wears a resplendent ebony satin gown featuring a magnificent front panel embossed with ornamental gold filigree and silver sparkles.
She captivates her audience—a regal vision, illuminated by a glorious crown embellished with glittering beads and an extravagant fan of black tulle.
Her intricate headdress reflects the brilliant golden sunburst jewelry on her fitted bodice, casting rays of light upon her transfixed admirers. Enthralled, they await the hour of revelation.
She raises her hand, veiled in seductive shadowy net, as an indication she will now reveal her alabaster visage. In a show of respect, a haunting aria dramatizes the heralded moment.
Time stands still as she draws back the graceful wand of her ornate gold and polished ivory mask.
Her subjects are mesmerized by the hypnotic power of her azure-hued eyes, defined by arched brows and vibrant vermillion lips. She is a true goddess, reminiscent of the divine muses of Roman mythos.

The ladies in waiting and their men bow in appreciation, gratified for the gift she has bestowed upon them. Her glow has awakened their senses and ignited their artistry. Enlightened, they’re ready to take flight, blessed by the exquisite Venetian Muse^™—their secret Queen of the Night.

Model Muse Body, Louboutin Sculpt, Fashion is NOT sewn on.

Her eyelids are covered in glitter.

"Karl Likes Barbie Lagerfeld"

Lagerfeld's title for this photo is "Karl Likes Barbie Lagerfeld." It strikes me as very funny.

Get ready! Barbie Lagerfeld is arriving at the end of the month!
Taking inspiration from the designer’s signature style, Barbie Lagerfeld is dressed in the designer’s likeness with accents taken from the real KARL LAGERFELD line. Borrowing from Karl’s iconic silhouette, the doll wears a tailored black jacket, white high-collared men’s shirt with French cuffs and black satin cravat finished off with fitted black jeans featuring the iconic all-over head print.  The exclusive doll is adorned in accessories that include black fingerless gloves, sunglasses, black ankle boots and a black leather purse with silver metallic accents.
The Platinum-label Barbie Lagerfeld doll will be available in limited quantities (only 999 dolls will be produced) for approximately $200 USD or €200 Euro through exclusive retail channels including:  select KARL LAGERFELD retail stores, TheBarbieCollection.com, NET-A-PORTER.COM and Colette in Paris.
The worldwide retail launch is set for Monday, September 29, 2014.

Do you think the glasses will be removable? The outfit?
She looks very cute and I am definitely going to try to get one. I don't see a tiny swastika on the jacket. SCNR

Do you think the glasses will be removable?

Je veux les lunettes de Karl!

This Is Wrong on So Many Levels

I like many anthropomorphic figures but this HUJOO 60CM AMIE creature is just downright weird in my opinion. Could it be the huge breasts or the stance of the figure in the photos?

The wig doesn't help.

And it has a tail.

There's no accounting for differences in taste but if you are so inclined, here's the link for more delightful photos and ordering information.

http://www.junkyspot.com/obindex.html

Junkyspot is also offering another, 2CM smaller, figure. She's a beautiful female with a body that is similar to that of Amie. Her name is Cleopatra.

With faceup, she's $195. 60cm is just under 24"

She's no dog.

Both made of ABS plastic with rubberized joints.

It Pays to Read Reviews!

I'll admit it; I adore the silly pet play sets that Mattel puts out. I don't buy them; I imagine the fun of playing with them.

Today I received a notice from the Mattel Shop of their 20% off Labor Day sitewide sale. I've purchased lots of Monster High items from that shop when they're on sale after comparing prices elsewhere.

So I go to the website and look up the Flippin' Pup Pool and read the one review. The buyer says:

"Disappointed because the ducky floating device and squirting dolphin are molded to doll's body. So doll is useful only for pool play, not for redressing or for other types of Barbie themes."

I'm not convinced I'd have purchased it in the first place but it sure is adorable.  The diving board launches the puppies! OMG 

I'm really 4 years old at heart.

#BarbieInspired

Follow Barbie on her new Instagram channel @BarbieStyle and tell us what makes you #BarbieInspired!
Plus visit Barbie at the Fashion Lounge in NY during Fashion Week!

 

Toast of Manhattan Wrap-Up

To pick up where I left off...I loved the Winterthur trip and the Broadway show but, seriously, I could have made those optional excursions at any time because of where I live. That decision was on me. Luncheon at the DuPont hotel is probably something I'd never have experienced. It was a nice touch that could have been enhanced by a little background info or tour of the public rooms. The dining room was magnificent.

The Metropolitan Museum's Charles James exhibit was insanely wonderful. I learned so much about the artist and his work.

I was so looking forward to was George Sarofeen's presentation. Something went wrong and it was rescheduled to the next day at a time when I couldn't be there. :-(
His talks have been highlights of prior events for me.

My table mates were the best! (Go Table 6!) Luckily I was able to use credit card miles to pay for the hotel stay which was pretty pricey for a less than nice facility. Maybe I just got a crummy room. I know some people thought the hotel was fine. 

I thought I'd come home with some amazing stuff other than what I purchased and two of the convention gifts, (Tree Ball Gown and Coney Island Cutie.) The other fashions just did not do it for me.  The optional purchases were, for the most part, droolworthy. I purchased four extra fashions and wanted several more.  I have pre-ordered three additional items. During the event, as the cost went up and up, I erased my name from a few pre-order lists.

I am very fond of Sandra. She knows how to put an event together. If you have read any of my past experiences with her conventions, you will know how much I loved them. There is an incredible amount of work and planning that goes into a convention; however, I would like to see less attention focused on the optional sales and more care given to the "gifts" attendees go home with. In my opinion, the stuff given to attendees should be at least equal to the best of the lot.

I am very happy with these Charles James inspired fashions. The first three were optional purchases. 

_______________

More in FDQ's next issue.

Player Slayer Tulabelle Doll

Why would I order a doll whose lip sculpt I detest? I love the outfit. Crazy, isn't it? I'll bet there are many out there who have done the same and it's not the first time for me either.

What I don't understand is why can't the Tonner Doll Company do this for $140.?

This doll may have a botoxed face...

I want to file off her upper lip. It's a damn shelf.

...but the rest of her is excellent from her hair to her feet. Her body is very articulated and easy to pose. Her hands and feet come off for those who wish to cripple their dolls for whatever purpose. The fashion is well constructed of nice fabrics. There's that tiny zipper at the fly which is so adorable. Belt loops and tiny gold buttons are little details that go into making a nice fashion. I added the sunglasses. I did try putting them over her lips but that didn't work.

She's got accessories and jewelry. You can't tell me they're not making money on this doll.

We don't get this quality in a $225. doll from Tonner now. We do get beautiful faces.  I'm going to switch a Tonner head onto this body...but it won't have eyelashes. Sigh.