Dollusions

2012 Convention Toucan (Reimagination)

2012-06-24T11:19:00.001+12:00

I couldn't resist this souvenir doll from the 2012 Tonner Convention. She's nominally part of the Reimagination line - Toucan. There are six "bird" dolls from the convention; Toucan, Parrot, Peacock, Cardinal, Raven and Flamingo. All of them stunning except for the Flamingo which uses the Cami sculpt (vomit) and looks like something Barbie would throw up.
Anyway here is Toucan. She has the Daphne sculpt (my favourite) and is wigged on an Antoinette body. Her gown and shrug are cunningly designed to resemble a Toucan's head and beak. Reimagination indeed.

Any quibbles? A couple - 1. Why include a saddle stand when it won't fit under the doll's tight dress? Not the first time I've encountered this. Sometimes it seems common sense is a little lacking at Tonner.
2. This doll is from the 2012 convention held mid May. It's now end June and she is already stained from the black on the costume and shoes (through her stockings!). WTH? It always seemed to take much longer in the past for an doll to show up with stains (ie if left in a black garment year round). Is the vinyl used now more porous or cheaper or crappier? Surely there must be some way to seal it? Ok if you intend to leave the doll dressed as it, but come on, at these prices it would be good to have a doll that isn't deteriorating at such a rapid rate.

A Sensible Notion

2012-04-15T15:57:00.000+12:00

I've already posted pictures of Carol Barrie in Rose of Versailles, here is the 2011 basic Carol Barrie in A Sensible Notion - another outfit from the Anne Harper line. (Or is RoV Hollywood Glamour? It's too confusing to keep track of).

This Carol has a softer face up than the 2010 basic; she still looks like she's sucking on a lemon though. To me she's a million times more interesting than Cami (gag) or Antoinette - she looks bad-tempered, up herself and high maintenance. Love it! So of course Tonner put her in this sweet 19th century costume, ha ha. The back story of course is that she's a (ficticious) Hollywood star of the 40s who wears Anne Harper designed gowns and costumes. Here she's waiting impatiently for her next scene in a bad American remake of Sense and Sensibility.

Some details from the costume:

Satin shoes

Dress

Shawl

Another winner from Tonner, it looks very simple but it's beautifully made and the fabrics are gorgeous. Mind you, so it should be for the original retail price of $US129.99.

Werewolves of the Tonner Halloween Convention

2012-04-15T14:17:00.001+12:00

Two dolls from the 2010 Tonner Halloween Convention - a departure from the ethereal ghosts and wraiths in drapey gowns that Tonner usually turns out. First up is "Who's For Dinner?" (ha ha) who has the Glinda (Wizard of Oz) sculpt but dramatically made up with amber eyes and blood red lips. Underneath her werewolf coat she's wearing a cheeky little fur trimmed bodysuit. The coat has a detachable hood with ears and a detachable tail. It's an open knit fabric trimmed with fur.

Then there's "Big Bad", the male werewolf - I think he's the Superman sculpt on the superhero body. He's actually pretty useless since his chest is so big he can't really move his arms around lol. Presumably she catches their prey while he stands around trying to look busy. He has a knit jersey under that coat and a detachable tail and ears as well.

Overall, they make a very nice pair of display dolls, the costumes are detailed and well made, the face ups are cool, especially the eyes, and they look good together. Well done Mr Tonner.

Girls just wanna have fun

2012-04-13T21:54:00.001+12:00

Normally I'm not the slightest bit interested in Barbie and by association, Mattel. I never had a Barbie as a child - I had a Daisy. But I'll make an exception for Mattel's series of Ladies of the 80s. Here's my first one - Cyndi Lauper. In Barbie tradition, she looks absolutely nothing like Cyndi Lauper (the illustrations of the singer on the box make that hilariously obvious), but the costume and the stance do capture a moment of pop history. (Just as well apparently, her arms and legs don't move...)

Integrity Brides of Dracula

2012-04-13T21:32:00.001+12:00

Dracula and his brides - Mina, the Contessa and Lucy, in fantasy Gothic dress. This is the first series of Brides - Integrity did a second series in silly shortie nighties and high boots, and the Count is actually part of that group. (I see he's also resurfaced as a very ugly model in Integrity's 2012 NuFace line).

Nice costume details on the girls, Mina especially has a great cut away coat and nifty wee top hat.

Wilhelmina Wonka

2012-04-08T08:49:00.001+12:00

Willy Wonka, reinvented/Re-Imagined by Tonner. Wilhelmina has the Daphne sculpt (IMO Tonner's most beautiful) with brown eyes and a short flippy, brown wig. She's dressed, in a black and red ensemble complete with glittery cane and top hat, as the famous Mr Wonka. This was the first doll I purchased in 2011, after nearly a year's hiatus from doll collecting and she is simply stunning. An exclusive from the 2011 Tonner Conference and limited to 150.

Cherished Friends Rose

2012-04-07T12:48:00.000+12:00

An addition to the Cami & Jon line, Rose was an exclusive offered by Cherished Friends (there was also a blonde version). She has the "Suzette" sculpt with raven hair and green eyes and is definitely an improvement over the boringly bland, childlike Cami.

The outfit she's wearing is a Cami&Jon one from the first release called "Mood". It's nice enough, without being anything special. The coat is pretty (but why not lined?) and the shoes are snappy, but would it have hurt to have included a bag? Where does she keep her ipad?

Sydney Confidential

2012-03-31T20:59:00.001+13:00

aka Sydney does the Melbourne Cup. This Sydney is a Chelsea Collector's Cottage exclusive from 2009, and at the moment on special at their Australian store for an amazing $AUD59.99. I've seen the dress described as a fashion fail; I must have terrible taste then because I think it's gorgeous in the context of something you'd wear to Flemington in November.

Unusually for a regular line fashion doll, this Sydney has jointed ankles.

Rose of Versailles at last

2012-01-06T22:31:00.000+13:00

After a three month wait it has finally arrived. Carol Barrie (basic wigged doll from 2010, T10HGBD01) wears Hollywood Glamour - The Rose of Versailles (T11HGOF04).

Friday Foster x 3

2012-01-06T22:09:00.000+13:00

Thank God It's Friday (T8FRDD01), Basic Friday OOAK (T8FRBD01) wearing Stellar Stripes (T8FROF02) and Far Out Friday (T8FRDD02).

(formerly Twilight) Laurent

2012-01-05T21:02:00.000+13:00

Laurent (T9TLDD05) wearing SoHo (MO8406)

Diane Evans

2011-09-18T15:29:00.000+12:00

My favourite Tonner sculpt at present is Diane Evans from the Designs by Anne Harper line. Here are Diane Evans (dressed in Smoldering Seduction) and Basic Diane Evans (in Garden Club). They are only subtly different - slightly different hair styles, basic doll has a more matt finish to her makeup. Very beautiful. And they wear Brenda/Daphne fashions so well. I hope Tonner continues with this doll and would love to see a wigged version.

Diane Evans T11HGDD02

Basic Diane Evans T11HGBD03

Daphne in Weekend in Washington

2011-09-17T10:18:00.001+12:00

Today Daphne gets a turn at modelling the Weekend In Washington fashion. Here she wears the "leather" fur trimmed coat and sheer blouse (and leather trousers).

This was a former Queen of Diamonds Daphne who's original hair didn't turn out so well when taken down from it's do. She's been rewigged with a fabulous long, bouncy, red wig. Her original hair was more orange toned, the pink-toned red of this wig suits her much better I think.

Chill Chasers

2011-09-16T08:15:00.001+12:00

Some old school Tonner - an outfit (Chill Chasers) that debuted in 2001 worn by a very pretty Tyler from the same year (Weekend in Washington).

Chill Chasers features a brightly coloured knit jersey over a pair of brown velvet pants and a bronze fur trimmed "leather" coat. There are some wee extras that come with the outfit - Tyler's cabin keys and a driving map, cool boots (see, the girls get nice shoes) and gloves.

Who needs bendy arms anyway?

Chill Chasers (TW8102)

Weekend in Washington brunette (TW9120)

Andy Mills Party All Night

2011-09-14T21:08:00.002+12:00

Arrived promptly as usual from TonnerDirect – here he is, Andy Mills, my first non-character, male Tonner doll. I thought he was cute in the Tonner promo shot, but in person he's lovely, with his brown wigged hair and light green eyes. He's still a little plasticy looking in comparison to the Tonner girls, but a vast improvement over Matt or the others.


Andy, a bit ruffled after Partying All Night

I was tempted by Andy after seeing real life photos of him in the Fare Game outfit, I think I'd originally passed over him in the Cami lineup as the dolls in general just didn't appeal to me at the time. Also I vaguely thought he was Cami's boss or something, turns out he's her best friend and Tonner's first gay character. Poor Andy seems to be alone romantically though – there's an ever increasing chorus of female characters in Cami's world (Jon, Chrys, Rose, Gina) but no other males. (Which does make you wonder about the girls ...)

The Party All Night outfit is nicely made; a minty green suit with a satiny shirt and waistcoat, cool glasses and a stripey tie. The one thing that lets it down is the shoes – big green hunks of plastic that I'm sure a real life Andy wouldn't touch with a barge pole. Given the level of detail seen on the shoes worn by Tonner girls these are a bit of a disappointment and probably will get replaced at some point. But that's my only quibble and for now Andy Mills will be joining the rest of my Tonner collection.

Andy's ghastly shoes!

Party All Night - Andy (T11CJSD10). Limited edition 100, exclusively for UFDC 2011.