Luxuriously Gifted Natalia Fatale - #15 of 2018

Natalia Fatale is one of my very favorite molds created by Integrity Toys.  Unfortunately, she rarely gets "preferential treatment" by the designers.  Sadly, this continued to be the trend with Luxe Life.  

When I first saw Luxuriously Gifted as the attendee gift doll for the opening dinner at the Luxe Life convention, I immediately connect her with Echelon Monogram from 2012.  

Fortunately, I've been lurking the boards trying to get this ensemble for a reasonable price and always come up empty-handed.  Although this version of Natalia Fatale seemed a "throw back" to other IT dolls:  most notably from the 2011 Convention - "Air Apparent Veronique," "Forever Veronique," and "Evermore Vanessa," I wanted that ensemble badly.  I was surprised that attendees had trouble selling this doll and collectors have given her such a poor response.  It worked out well for me as I was able to purchase her NRFB shipped for a little over $100.

When she arrived, I quickly opened her expecting a doll I would probably undress and sell nude.  I didn't expect to be so smitten.

The doll comes with minimum accessories.  A pair of cute earrings, another set of hands with "acrylic nails," and a pair of shoes.

The gold stands are cute!  .. BUT that bow just had to go.  For me personally, it ruined the whole presentation.

This is quite a cute doll!  Now, let's see that amazing bodysuit. 

WOWZA!  That is one well made little bodysuit!  I love it.  It will get A LOT of playtime around here!

Since this was Natalia, I had to get out the monogrammed dressing robe from Shapeshifter.

Okay!   She is really smoking HOT in black!

How about dressing her up a little.  The long mermaid skirt is from the "Black as Night" giftset circa 2006.  The fur belonged to 2005's "A Fashionable Life" Vanessa.  

What do you think?

After I got her redressed, it finally hit which other doll(s) Luxuriously Gifted reminded me of - and they are grails.  She is combination of two dolls.  The first was a table centerpiece from the 2006 IT Convention - a platinum version of Lights, Camera, Royal Veronique (edition size 150).  This photo was taken from the Fashion Royalty Website http://woodsky.lbx.free.fr/listeFR.php stating "courtesy of Amanda".

And the second is from a doll I owned but sold her last year to someone who had bought other dolls from me. 

Her father had passed away and she needed some retail therapy and wanted Optic Clash Dania.  I didn't mind selling Optic Clash, but I've always missed her and can never afford to replace her.  

I know it's not a perfect match, but I think she'll serve the purpose.  Platinum blonde hair, hot pink lips, blue eyes, pink eyeshadow.  It definitely gave me a new perspective and appreciation of Luxuriously Gifted Natalia Fatale.

Walking On Gold Adele Makeda - #14 of 2018

Unfortunately it's not easy for teachers to take several days off from work to attend a doll convention.   I do, however, love watching from the sidelines.

When Integrity Toys (IT) released the theme for the 2018 convention, I felt badly that I couldn't attend.   The theme was "Luxe Life".  My mind reeled as I made the connection to the 2009 Iconic Convention Vanessa Perrin by the same name.   The dolls from the Iconic convention all represent grails.  I imagined luxury fabrics, jewels, furs, evening gowns, etc.

Jason Wu announced at the convention that he used 1980's Christian Lacroix for his inspiration.  Having lived in the 1980's "luxe" is not the word that comes to mind.   Yes, we had Dynasty, big shoulder pads, and animal prints.  But we also had parachute pants, over-sized denim jackets, and aerobic/workout clothes.

Even though there was a lot about the dolls of this convention that I couldn't appreciate, there were elements that I really liked.

The centerpiece doll for the Welcome Dinner was Walking on Gold Adele Makeda.  This version has the 2.0 mold, which is one of my very favorites.  Here is a full length photo in the box.

And a closeup.

She is wearing a gold long sleeve textured blouse with peplum.  There is a plum colored velvet bubble skirt.  Thigh high gold boots with plum colored laces finish the look.

The jewelry is gorgeous!  I really do like this doll's faceup.  The hair is simple, but the hairline is rooted beautifully.   Her skin tone is the new "sun kissed" color.  

This doll's ensemble was based on a 1988 Christian Lacroix design.  I really prefer the original version to the production doll.  

Although I prefer the original design, the gold blouse has potential when paired with other items.  The white skirt is from the 2006 convention and the black velvet pants belonged to 24k Erin.

I stole the idea of pairing Walking On Gold Adele Makeda with Love of Luxe Veronique's pink dress.  I added the Fame & Fortune Vanessa Perrin's jewelry.

I am in love with how Walking On Gold looks.  I think she is just about perfect.  I believe Walking on Gold Adele Makeda will be in my collection for a very long time! The hair is simple but very easy to maintain.  It is clean and soft.  The lips are a beautiful color.  The eye screening is awesome.  In my opinion, Walking On Gold was one of the best dolls from the Luxe Life Convention.  I don't understand why she isn't more popular and demanding a higher price.   I was fortunate enough to get her at almost her original retail cost.