My own Signature Style Tyler Wentworth, dressed in a Gene Marshall outfit.

Photo by Stratos Bacalis

Dressed to the nines. As Tyler Wentworth should always be. Ready to celebrate her 15th anniversary. as dear Tommy Courtney (who spend a decade with her, making her look glamorous and fantastic through his photographs for Tonner Doll) kindly reminds us in his lovely commemorative article. On the 14th of December 1999, the first Tyler Wentworth dolls shipped to retailers. And thus begun a dream story, with a core idea so simple, yet so powerful: The power of play.

A version of Tyler that became a classic throughout her career - and embodied her "life" and story more than any other is the Signature Style Tyler. The first one, in 1999 (above), had some problems at first, but quickly became the darling of collectors. And while the doll progressed through the years. the style became a staple that kept on being re-released as a basic dressed doll version of Tyler - and a great entry doll for those seeking to discover Tyler's world. Fashion designer extraordinaire. She even got her own design desk and atelier accessories. I hope I will be able to find a set one day for my signature style Tyler. Yes, my one and only Tyler Wentworth doll is a BW (bending wrist) Signature Style with raven hair from 2004.

Signature Style Tyler through the years

Of course through the years she came with a magnificent wardrobe, lots of accessories, many friends (and a boyfriend, who finally married her) and furniture - even a piano! She even got released in a resin BJD version (with inset eyes even). She got to wear some of the best designs Tonner has ever released, from suits to gowns to casual wear, from pret-a-porter to haute couture - even goth! I am a proud owner of some, even one from the first ever collection in 1999: the Central Park Benefit Luncheon suit, exquisitely made.

Central Park Benefit Luncheon, outfit only, 1999

Even her body evolved. From the original one with articulation only at the shoulders, hips and knees, she gradually became articulated at the elbows, waist, wrists, bust and even got interchangeable feet: high heeled, flat and even ballet arched ones. She even got a new sculpt in 2007, with a slightly more angular face. The power of play indeed. 

Fifteen Years Dressed Doll, 2014

Fashion Design Weekly  Awards, outfit only, 1999

Chicago Sophisticate LE 500

United Federation of Doll Clubs (UFDC) "Fin du Millenaire" Convention

Standing Ovation Gold - Special Edition

Tonner Doll 10th Anniversary Celebration Convention, May 2001

Papillion, 2002

Cinema Satins Tyler Centerpiece

Special Edition, Collector's United, 2003

Anniversary Gala, 2004

I'm a lucky owner of this amazing outfit

Red Hot

Tonner Doll Company Convention 2004

Grand Tour. 2004

One of a Kind

Tonner Doll Company Convention; Auctioned for Children Affected by AIDS Foundation

Femme en Noir, 2004

Cherished Friends Exclusive

Toscano, 2005

Ski Retreat, 2005

Wild Spice, 2006

High Style Grand Finale, 2006

Reverie Publishing Exclusive Edition

First Tyler doll with applied eyelashes

Winter Fantasy Centerpiece, 2006

Boston Winter Fantasy Extravaganza

Casino Jade, 2007

Autumn Gold, 2007

Wigged doll

Versailles & Versailles Courtier

Paris Fashion Doll Festival, 2007

Au milieu de l’hiver, 2008

Special Tyler exclusive for Kathy Moreau’s Boutique Museum in Paris, France

Mademoiselle à la Mode, 2008

Paris Fashion Doll Festival

Ultra-Basic Goth, 2008

Tonner Doll Nightmares Halloween Convention

Shown wearing the table favor set

A Perfect Ten, 2009

Tonner Direct Exclusive, 10th anniversary

Tyler's wedding to Matt O'Neil, Sydney and Marley are bridesmaids

Tonner Doll Collector's Convention - On Film 2009

Signature Statement, 2011

Fire Opal, 2011

A Whole Nu Mood, 2012

IDEX Event Website Exclusive

There were only basic Tyler dolls in 2012

Classic Elegance, 2013

All photos (except the first one) courtesy of Tonner Doll

It seems the fashion world is still firmly in thrall of the doll world. French Vogue has done a whole editorial called "Panoplies", with models photographed like NRFB Barbie dolls in their boxes, each with a distinct look, the appropriately styled box and a wealth of accessories inside. The whole thing is magical, from the photography of Giampaolo Sgura and the impeccable styling by Claire Dhelens & Celia Azoulay, The sets are designed by Vincent Olivieri and made by Office Neochrome. Hair by Laurent Phillipon and make up by Lloyd Simmons. Models Magdalena Frackowiak and Elisabeth Erm are wearing looks by Dior, Chanel, Saint Laurent Paris, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, and Valentino. And it is all a very unique and clever way to make the ubiquitous Christmas issue gift editorial so much more interesting. Need I add that I want all of these as fashion doll gift sets? Please? 

The dolls presented here were not part of the Gloss convention collection. They were IT Direct items, available for purchase to all attendees of the Integrity Toys 2014 event. They are enough to make up a separate ensemble themselves, although they are varied enough to avoid being part of the same collection, both in style and in size.

The only big gal of the convention, Hanne is part of the FR16 team - and the most produced sculpt of them all - this is her fifth incarnation, if you take into account her Platinum version and the three Obsidian versions (each with different hair colour and style but same outfit). She's tanned and wearing a slinky sequinned night blue outfit that rocks. 

There was a fourth Poppy available in the sales room (if you count one in the collection and two at the luncheon). Again a 70s styled doll, she sure looks like a wild thing - and probably wins the fluffiest outfit award. 

A mini-giftset was featuring Victoire Roux as she plays a jewel thief in her latest film. Two outfits included and a lovely red headed Victoire. 

Don't let the name fool you. This is the Ayumi 1.0 sculpt on a Poppy Parker body. She's part of the ITBE line along with the following two dolls. Although it is one of my favourite sculpts, I do not like her colouring or dress.

This is the Amelie sculpt from the Misaki line, on a Poppy Parker body and part of the ITBE line. I guess this was an effort to do something including something from a line that's almost extinct. The following doll has the same sculpt.

They could have made this a brunette or a redhead just to make her a bit more different than the previous one - they're almost twins! Unless that was the idea behind it.

Last, but not least, we have the watch workshop doll - he has the Chip sculpt and a style that veers toward a latin lover - Mediterranean go-go boy look. Or George Michael in his Wham days.