Poppy Teen Dream....worked her way into my heart...and my overstuffed shelves!

I hate to sound like a size queen…but lately….I LOVE 16”…dolls that is! Lol! I originally saw the prototype of Teen Dream Poppy at the IDEX convention in Orlando at the beginning of 2012, and honestly I’ve been such a fan of  Poppy Parker since her inception that I just decided to pre-order them. Then when the onslaught of dolls came in the last couple of weeks alongside all the IT Club exclusive and Convention Workshop dolls – I must admit I got a little buyer’s remorse and thought I was going to have to draw the line somewhere. Well, kiddies…I was going to resell my PP Teen Dreams then I remember that I had a whole wardrobe of Mod clothing for 16” dolls that originally were designed for the Somers & Fields collection. So, I thought to myself, “What the hell! The worse that could happen is that I sell the doll MIB or separate from the outfit on eBay…No harm…No fowl.” Well, Integrity got me again! Once you play with the doll and see how incredible she looks in Daisy and Willows clothes (I’m so glad I kept those) – I WAS IN LOVE!

Even though I must admit, I will always prefer the “displayability” factor of the 12” dolls, you just can’t deny that the 16” dolls allows company like IT to be able to do more detail and better accessories due to the scale. So, for now, I will keep them and have fun mixing and matching their looks with those of girls their size. I think I still have some Tonner & Gene stuff somewhere! Ugh, here we go…..

Xoxox,

Frank

Ps. See you at 2012 FR Convention….. less than a month away!!!!

The OLD SWITCHAROO!

     One of the best things about collecting Fashion Dolls is being able to enjoy creativity in the process. Playing at being a "Fashion Stylist" by picking and pulling pieces and accessories that help you either put together your own unique look or mimic a look that you've seen in a fashion magazine. I must say that's the most fun for me. I rarely look at a doll that comes out, as a whole, unchangeable ensemble. In fact, one of my very good friends said that I look at every doll regardless of what she is wearing as a blank canvas. Integrity's Fashion Royalty line is one of the best to be able to mix and match with. Most of the time the pieces come as separates, they are classic and are all well made. It is easy to puzzle together a look based on the knowing what you have in your "doll's closet". I also enjoy dressing IT Dolls in the "Retro" clothing from other doll companies....somehow everything just LOOKS BETTER on an IT model! I don't know if is the pose ability or the attitude in the Wu-ified faces but somehow the IT model can breathe new life into the wardrobe of your other dolls.
     Take the girls in the picture above, I loved the new Club Exclusive "Dare" Natalia's dress, but in my opinion it just kinda went flat on the doll herself (which on it's own I still thought was gorgeous). Additionally, I also loved my Vanessa from the Mix-Match collection of 2011, but I was never really crazy about her blazer and city shorts. Vanessa looked very hi-glam to me and her outfit was just bringing her down....sooo VIOLA! The old-switcharoo! Now I LOVE THESE TWO DOLLS! I think there is a "right" outfit for each doll...and once I find that outfit and marry it to the right girl I rarely re-dress the model. I mean why mess with perfection....Of course, unless you find something that is even MORE perfect on her! ;-) Luckily, many dealers these days are catching on to this trend and allowing you to buy the doll separate from the outfit (well at least Marl let's me most of the time!) Ask your favorite dealer if it is possible and you'll be surprised how many of them would be happy to meet your request. After all, for every person that likes the doll only...there is someone who digs the outfit!
     So, try to look at the dolls that come out as individuals and their outfits as pieces to be moved around. You might surprise yourself at your ability to create your own OOAK doll that is PERFECT for YOU!