Randall Craig Part II

I've really enjoyed trying the different Randall Craig ensembles on FR2 dolls.   This is the second part of my findings.

1)  The pants ensembles do not fit.  They are too short and will not close in the back.  Those will stay for the regular FR/NuFace/Victoire dolls.

2)  Even though the pants do not fit, it seems the capris do!  What a pleasant surprise!  Here is Rock Me Baby Rayna feeling ready for summer.

3)  The Monogram dresses fit quite well.  This one is called "Elegant" and Fashion Explorer Vanessa Perrin is modeling.  The cummerbund skirt top does not completely close in the back.  The blouse is a nice fit.

I was fortunate to win the next ensemble in a contest on Doll Divas a couple years ago.  I think Elusive Creature Natalia looks wonderful in it.  It was a Yahoo Group Exclusive that came in several different colors.  I don't know what it's called.

4)  The vintage dresses designed for FR that have the fuller skirts need the larger bust to truly look their best, especially if the dress is fitted.  Here is Renegade Dasha modeling "I Know A Place".

And I can never do a redressing post without including Agnes Von Weiss.  October Issue insisted on showing you how "Just An Impression" looks.

This one needed a slight modification in the back to look right.

So, as a summary:

• Most skirts fit and will close in the back!
• Fashions designed for Monogram/NuFace usually fit but may not close completely in the back
• Short sleeve blouses, bodysuits, and sweaters fit quite well
• Although pants aren't long enough, the capris look great!
• Dresses with fitted bodices require pinning or threading to pull the excess cloth back.  

Randall Craig's clothing is very well made.  It is tailored beautifully, lined, and exquisitely designed.  Unfortunately, Randall Craig hasn't released anything new in the past couple of years, so it's getting increasingly difficult to find.  Some of the items bring a high secondary market price since Silkstone and other 12" doll collectors are always on the search for fashions as well.   I hope this series has been beneficial to my readers.  If anyone has "A Little Moonlight" for a reasonable price, let me know!

Inspirations and Aspirations

After my last blog entry, I was inspired to test some clothing on my FR2 bodies.   I decided to take out four of my favorite FR2 releases from last year.  Four dolls that I believe are quite under-rated and under-appreciated.

I started with my Monogram clothing (included in the previous post).  Here is a repeat photo of Sheer Sensuality Vanessa mold 1.0 wearing it.  It fits like a glove!

Next, I thought I would try some Silkstone clothing.  I have quite a number of lovely suiting possibilities.  As long as there are no long sleeves, it seems Silkstone also provides a clothing option to FR2.  Here is Full Spectrum Veronique wearing the Fashionably Foral Ensemble that was recently released.  You can see why this Silkstone is already sold out!  The outfit can be picked up on e-bay for around $35 shipped.

I felt like I was on a roll!   I took out an older outfit from a doll seamstress.  The pants and blouse were created by SL Doll design (Sanglian) who is currently selling on Etsy.  It is being modeled by Elusive Creature Natalia.  I believe most collectors prefer her sister, Brazen Beauty, but I really like Elusive Creature.

I hope my readers have noticed the new format for posting photos.  I have taken the inspiration from another collector on Flickr.   I think it is a nice way to show how the doll looks in the ensemble and then see a closeup of the doll's face.   Speaking of inspiration, a Flickr poster recently created a collage of clothing designs they would like to see in the FR reveal later this month.   One of the designs sent me looking for this Clear Lan dress and NuFace jacket.   The model is Fashion Explorer Vanessa mold 3.0.

Now, that I've covered "inspirations", it's time to write about "aspirations".   A few years ago, I thought I would try something different and combine Fashion Royalty mainline heads with NuFace bodies.  I was going to attempt a "When they were young" group of dolls.  I wanted to pretend like the new dolls were the teen versions of the beloved characters.   Here is a photo.

I tried to choose dolls that looked "young".   I picked Girl of the Moment Veronique, Spring Forward Eugenia, Something Sexy Adele, and Urban Geisha Kyori.  I have Shock Bon Bon Vanessa ready for a spa visit to correct her eyes.  I also had Capricious Natalia, but in a purge frenzy two years ago, I sold her.  Although I have some seller's remorse (a latin NuFace body is rare - The Making of Erin is the only NuFace doll to use it), she resides with a dear friend and fellow blogger.

Unfortunately, the older NuFace body is no longer being manufactured, so this project will be unable to be finished without a lot of effort and money.  I hate to abandon it, but I'm not sure it is worth the time to complete.  I liked Spring Forward Eugenia so much in her ensemble, I had to show you another photo.

Integrity Toys - Spring Reveal 2014 - Fashion Royalty

W Club members got the special treat on Saturday, May 17, of being the first to see Integrity Toys Spring 2014 dolls.  We were not allowed to share this information until Monday, May 19, at 12:00 noon EST.  All photos are the property of Integrity Toys and used here, with permission, for informational purposes only.  I have nothing for sell.  You can contact an Integrity dealer to place your pre-orders.   If you don't have a dealer you can find one through this link:

http://www.integritytoys.com/page/dealers

I decided to give one entire blog entry to the Fashion Royalty collection since that is the focus of my collecting.   The entire collection will be available in August/September.  Each doll retails for $135.  I believe the edition sizes reflect the popularity of the dolls.  Natalia and Eugenia will be released in an edition size of 800.   Elise, Veronique, and Kyori will be 700 each.  Adele, bless her heart, will be released in only 400 dolls.  Please know that these are my personal views in what I say.  Many may disagree with me, but that is why doll collecting is so much fun!

First up we have Elusive Creature Natalia Fatale.  

Oh yeah!  We can do some talking on this one.  The skirt, although similar to Fire Within Jordan's skirt, works quite well with this outfit.  LOVE the boots and handbag.  The hat is great.  I love the neutral color palette.  Although Natalia usually wears her hair this way, it continues to be effective.  COME TO MAMA!

The second doll is On the Rise Elise Jolie.  

Although I love Elise, I already have four dark-haired Elise dolls.  The dress is lovely and a great color, but I don't see it getting much time in my collection.  I do love the shoes though!  I am trying keep within budget, so this one was a reluctant pass.

Next up is City Prowl Eugenia Frost.

Anytime I hear the name Eugenia Frost, I know I'm a goner.  At first I told myself, "I already have Diamond Society Eugenia.  They look similar."  Then I rationalized, "I'll pick the outfit up on secondary market."   I finally just gave in and signed, "Resistance is futile!"  Already confirmed on her purchase at my dealer!  That leopard blouse will get worn out by the girls residing here!  I'm a little concerned by the eye makeup, but I know the closeup photos are always more extreme than how the doll looks in person.  Outstanding presentation head-to-toe!

The fourth doll was Faded Desert Kyori Sato.

As beautiful as this doll is, I believe her looks are too similar to Love the One.  I didn't want to get readers confused by including a photo of Love the One, but you can check it out at the reference page.  I hope to pick the entire ensemble up on secondary market though.  Passing on her may be my biggest regret of the Spring reveal.   When on the fence though, I tend to lean to the cautious side.

I totally freaked out at the next doll.  Here is Full Spectrum Veronique Perrin:

This doll had me at "thatched eyebrows".   It is rare for any doll manufacturer to release a short haired doll.  It is even rarer to get that short hair style to be effective.  I can't wait to get this doll in my hot little hands.  I love the dress and had to show the photo highlighting the cut out in the back.  I adore how the lip color is a perfect match to the shoes and dress.  

I thought we were finished at five dolls - but there was a sixth!  Here is Vivid Encounter Adele Makeda.

Again, I realize the diversity of our doll collecting community.  One of my very best doll friends loves this outfit.  I, on the other hand, don't understand it in the least.  I think it would have been much better as a jumpsuit paired with a baggy safari jacket and some tan suede boots and hat.  The dolls is just too much like the Convention doll from last year.  She was my only "easy pass".  I think IT needs to retire the word "Vivid" - it always translates to a hot mess.

So here is a photo of the six dolls together to get an idea of the collection:

It is a pretty cohesive collection.   I was very impressed.  I still struggle with the FR2 body, but I have enough extra bodies around here to make any changes I believe necessary.  Some dolls, at least to me, just look better on the older version body.

The event doll - available to all W Club members only - was a big hit.  No matter what's going on, Agnes always seems to get the center of attention.  This webinair was no exception.  I give you High Visibility Agnes Von Weiss.  This doll was a mini gift set and collectors get quite a bit of bang for the buck.

This doll has a beautiful face up which deserves a bigger photo.

Her cost was the same as the rest of the FR line - $135.  What a steal!  The edition size will be based on how many members actually order this doll.  My bet is that it will be well over 1000!

If you purchased the entire collection (including Agnes), you would wind up spending $945 (not including shipping).  Collecting FR dolls has gotten expensive!

I was conservate this time around.  My collection will only be increasing by four dolls:  Elusive Creature Natalia, City Prowl Eugenia, Full Spectrum Veronique, and High Visibility Agnes.

Did anyone survive unscathed?