Saturday, May 17, 2014

Waiting for the World To Change

This song has been running through my head recently.  I know many are waiting for changes in this world.  Some of these changes would be welcome, but there are a few recent changes in the doll world that have made me sad.

I am still uncertain about Integrity Toy's change to the body of their mainline dolls.   I am confused by what is going on at IT.  We're told the mainline body is retired but then we've been given new dolls this year with the original body.   The latest doll, Touch of Frost Eugenia, was released on the new FR2 body.  She was the last doll for W Club Members in 2013.  Here is her NRFB full length photo.
And here is a closeup.  There seems to be something off with her face up.  Many closeup photos of this doll show terribly wonky eyes.  Some have really bad hairlines.  Mine was #11 in the edition and looks better than some I've seen, but I still feel there is something a little off with her face up.
I can't make up my mind whether to keep her or sell her.  I still have Bittersweet Eugenia from the 2013 Convention in her box, and I plan to rebody her to an original body soon.  Integrity's change has rocked my doll world.

Members of the W Club will be given an exclusive preview of the 2014 Poppy and FR2 lines this afternoon.  I'm not sure what direction I will head with all of this.   As soon as we can share the information from the unveiling, I will post photos here and let you know what I think.

Another recent change that upset me was the closing of The Pink Parlour doll message board.  I was on this board in its early years when its was Vicky's.  It was how I was introduced to Fashion Royalty.  I had a doll entry in its Next Top Doll Contest.  KiKi got all the way to the top 8.  Is the end of The Pink Parlour a precursor to the end of my collecting new FR dolls on the FR2 bodies?  Sigh …



Sunday, April 27, 2014

"Unmentionables" - Warning Open At Home

First, I want everyone who comments on my blog to know how much it means to me to read what you have to say.  For some reason, this particular program will not let me respond back.   This week's blog post is about a topic that's been on my mind, and I definitely want to hear what other collectors think about it.

In the past few weeks, I've had to "de-follow" some great collectors on flick-r because their photos were just getting too racy.  I began to wonder, when do photos start becoming "naughty".

I remember when Mattel's Silkstone line was first introduced with the lingerie dolls.  It was quite a stir.  I remember news reports about "This is not your daughter's Barbie!"   I loved the line immediately and  believed you could see more real flesh at the neighborhood swimming pool!

So, here are some photos I took this weekend.  I will show a "lingerie photo" and then a closeup.  The closeups are just gratuitous because I love their faces!!!  I used NuFace models since Integrity has announced that the next webinair will be May 17 (originally announced for late April) and there will be no NuFace dolls offered at that time.  I miss my NuFace dolls, and, for some reason, they seem less naughty in lingerie than the girls with the big chests.  Also, they fit the Silkstone lingerie better.

Let's start with something that looks like a shorts outfit … Here is High End Envy Erin wearing Mattel's Highland Fling.
There is just something about a redhead wearing a tartan plaid!   It is just irresistible.  I don't believe this looks naughty at all.
Next, we'll go to Heavy Metal Lilith.  This is another Silkstone ensemble.  This time the fabric looks a little more like lingerie - a garter and stockings were added.
I'm not sure why … but are the garters the suggestive part of the ensemble?  I believe society has always had "a thing" for garters.
We've had a redhead and a brunette, so I figured it was time to get out a blonde.  Here is Dark Romance Giselle.  She is wearing the lingerie from Integrity Toy's Midnight Lace Mini-Gene.
No garters here … the tummy is completely covered, but the photo makes me a little uncomfortable.  Is it the chiffon robe and color black that makes this naughty?
When I put Fame by Frame Imogen in a white version without a robe, it doesn't seem to bother me at all.
It just looks like a cute little dress.  It doesn't make me feel the least bit embarrassed to look at it.  Why is that?
There has been plenty of lingerie made for dolls.   Here is Glam Addict Giselle wearing NuFace lingerie.
Is it the additional skin?  The garters and stockings again?  This photo just seems too sexy.  It's almost like you're invading someone's privacy - you're seeing something you shouldn't be seeing.

So, tell me …

Is it American culture that is to blame?  Are we just too sensitive to "unmentionables" that they shouldn't be seen in public places even though string bikini's are alright at the pool?  Is this forbidden fruit?

Do you find any of the photos are more naughty than others?

Are you okay with all these photos but object to photos of dolls in intimate settings?  Male and Female dolls together?  Dolls of the same gender together in suggestive poses?

Where do you draw the line?