If you've collected 12 inch fashion dolls for any length of time, you realize that the promo photos of a doll and the screening produced can be quite different. Cameras aren't supposed to lie, but photos of pre-production dolls can be very deceiving. Sometimes it's a pleasant surprise and sometimes it isn't.
Knowing this, I am sometimes hesitant to purchase a doll based on my experiences with certain problems I've experienced. "Open" hairlines are definitely an issue. Sewing in a doll hairline is an obvious talent that requires a certain amount of practice and skill. When a doll's hairline is exposed, there is always the chance of getting a mess. "Baby hair" that is painted on is another concern. Sometimes, it works, sometimes it looks like the doll fell facedown into a bowl of black spaghetti. Forward glancing eyes often come across as "cross eyed" if the artist doesn't get the irises and pupils in symmetry. Exposed teeth in a screening can look "hollow" and fake. Sometimes the painters put an "outline" of paint inside the lips that is actually on the teeth which doesn't make sense at all.
All four of these production issues were possibilities for the dolls released in the W Club Maison FR Paris Mini Collection last year, plus I have to add my personal fear of "flyaway hairs" and this hairstyles definitely lended themselves to those. The retail price on these dolls was $150, which isn't a small amount of money for a doll that comes in lingerie. I decided to sit out the lottery and wait until I saw photos of the produced dolls. It was a chance, but I didn't want to spend that kind of money to add a doll to my collection that I wouldn't like.
I know this is bending Collecting Guideline 5 about purchasing secondary market, but I haven't had the best of luck with sending dolls in for replacements. (I've actually gotten worse dolls in return than what I mailed out on several occasions.)
When the Maison FR Paris dolls started arriving, there were several production problems pointed out by collectors on many of the dolls. At the same time, there were some pretty extraordinary versions. I started trolling e-bay for one of the dolls.
It took a few weeks, but I finally managed to snag the one that I thought most fit into my collection.
Here are the promo photos of Dawn in Bloom Isabella Alves, property of Integrity Toys.
As a lingerie doll, there are minimal accessories.
Here is a closeup of the doll I purchased secondary market.
I think I got a very good example of this doll. Many collectors prefer the second doll of this mini collection, Dusk in Bloom Luchia Zadra, stating she looks like Cindy Crawford. I've owned a couple versions of the Luchia mold 2.0 and have been unable to bond with it. But, I have Style Legacy Isabelle Alves and really like her quite a bit. My easy favorite from this collection was Isabella and, although I had to acquire one on secondary market to get a good version, I am very pleased with adding her to my collection. Collection Cycle 2023, Number 15 is Dusk In Bloom Isabelle Alves.
