No Baby In The Bath Water

I received a comment on my last blog post and realized I had made a mistake.   For some reason, I consider FR2 and the regular tall FR dolls two separate lines!   Breaking the Mold Vero is the only 2.0 version I have on the regular FR body, but  I still have last year's Full Spectrum Veronique on the FR2 body!  She is a favorite from last year, so she's gonna hang around for a while.

The comment caused me to go to my cabinet and look at the FR2 dolls, which are even segregated in my case!  My dear Mama always said, "Never throw out the baby with the bath water."   For those of you who don't know that expression, it means "look for the silver lining" - "just because one thing has gone wrong, find the right in the situation".   I decided to take out my Randall Craig and Dressmaker Details clothing and do some experimenting with FR2 dolls.  

I found that some ensembles actually fit the FR2 body just fine.  Here is the criteria:  the bodice of any shirt or dress cannot be tailored for the bigger bust.  Most skirt ensembles actually look quite good.  Here are some examples.

One of the earliest ensembles I own is "Uncomplicated Elegance".   This outfit was manufactured before the "tall" bodies.  Fortunately, the sleeves are short and the skirt not too form-fitting.  The white knit sweater is wrap-around with a string tie.  The skirt is a black textured silk.  Nightfall Agnes from the 2013 Premiere Convention, agreed to model.

And a close-up because I cannot resist this face!

Another earlier ensemble was "Neutrally Hip".   Since I seemed to slight Full Spectrum Veronique in the last post, I asked her assistance.

The blouse is an unstructured bodysuit.   The skirt is a lovely camel colored a-line.   I can't believe how nice it looks on the FR2 body.   I like how these colors work with Vero's face up!

The next ensemble is one that took me forever to find - "I Get A Kick Out of You".   A kind doll friend sold it to me!  I purchased it with The Muse Adele in mind but was excited to see how great A Touch of Frost Eugenia looked modeling it!

The sleeves are wonderful!   I have always loved the criss-cross suspenders.  The skirt actually closes on all hooks.  The belt even fits!  This doll is just so beautiful - thanks to my friend Veronica who corrected the eyes!

I liked this so much, I went running for "April in Paris".  I chose a doll who hasn't had a lot of camera time.  This is "Subject C" from the 2012 Tropicalia Convention.  She is a Color Infusion doll that has been transferred to a FR2 body.

I couldn't get the top hook/eye of the skirt to meet, but the belt helps to hold it all together.  The chiffon blouse has to be pulled over the doll's head, so be careful with hairstyles and eyelashes!

This doll reminds me of Sandra Bullock's character in The Blind Side.  Maybe she went platinum for the summer!

Since the unstructured body suit from "Neutrally Hip" seemed to fit, I decided to try this polka-dot ensemble.  This outfit has a full skirt.

Doesn't Nightshade Kyori, look like a hot housewife?  Modesty is definitely not her strong suit!   The skirt has a snap and closes in the back.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of this ensemble!

I have enjoyed trying these ensembles on my FR2 dolls and am very satisfied with the results.  I will try some more next week, so stay tuned for Part Deux!

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?