The Fashion Doll Chronicles: London

Showing posts with label London. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

New vinyl Sybarite Mansion - gone in 60 seconds

Today Superfrock London unveiled their second vinyl Sybarite doll, named Mansion. She was available for sixty seconds - only 100 pieces made, all sold out in a minute. More details about this beautiful doll below:

MANSION - GEN X - DD_090
After years in development we are delighted to present our ALL NEW Vinyl formula. version T-5 sample.

REBEL PRINCESS Generation_X
Clone: 1000 Venus d'Royce
*please note different monitors may show colours differently.
*production may vary individually and from prototype shown.

Icy blue duo coloured eyes, arched for attitude brows in charcoal and black with shadow of coal and muted blacks. Lids in matte opaque grey. Lips the colour of poisoned apple.

Black wig bearing side parting, in a 'voluptuous' state; drizzling over one eye and swirling into waist length big loose curls.

Wearing a tiny 'shrunken' zip up cardigan over a twist front daisy print top. Short skirt, a black and white op geo weave and black panties! 2 part hose (which are indeed a one piece), bearing garter belts in black. Adding that post punk vibe, a 'gold' multi stud belt as an accent.

White 'kill the mouse' heels and 'monster' carry-all.

Additional accessories: loads of black bracelets, monogram V bling necklace, glittering taxidermy cat ear headband

She comes with the following standards:
-manic_cure hands (see booklet for hand change instructions)
-booklet
-stand

ED:100
Please allow 40 days and 40 nights for delivery
In stock and ready to be delivered
Price: £232.62 (Excluding VAT at 20%)

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Sybarite Solitaire - the first vinyl Syb - sold out in minutes!

As we mentioned in a previous post, the first vinyl Sybarite doll, Solitaire, went on sale on the 12th of February and sold out in minutes. The edition was 75 dolls, too small, and the price was £274.00. That, along with the desirability of the doll, can explain the vanishing act. I was mistaken to think she was an edition of 1000 - that was simply the clone number. Many collectors failed to get the doll, either trying to complete the purchase or finding out they had not bought the doll as they had completed a purchase after she had sold out.

All photos courtesy of Superdoll London.

The price, $423, is a bit high for a vinyl doll - except if you think that most Tonner vinyl dolls of the same size (but much lower quality and detail overall) sell for at least $200. I could not afford her at the moment so I did not even log on to see her when she came on sale. I am wondering why the low edition - it surely would help the price if they made more dolls. Maybe with future one. It seems that the vinyl Sybarites will be as rare and sought after as their resin sisters.

The description on the website was the following:

After years in development we are delighted to present our ALL NEW Vinyl formula. version T-5 sample, the DEBUT Generation_X Clone: 1000 Venus d'Royce
Ginger and marshmallow coloured eyes, brows in rust and charcoal with shadow of deep red and muted blacks. Lids in icy translucent white. Lips the colour of blood. Blonde wig bearing hand rooted centre parting, in a 'bedhead' state with backstage Queen of Hearts playing card set.
2 piece 'shrunken' suit consists amazing miniature tailoring with concealed shoulder pads and pocket kerchief. Pocket flap detail and functioning centre front buttons. 3 button detail to jacket cuffs. Trousers have belt loops, working front slash pockets and bum welts on back.

Further accessories include 'patent' belt, 'patent' B*TCH elongated purse with gold foil interior and the cutest hugest hot pink 'fur' pompom ever!
The piece de resistance of course is her huge double baguette pillow cut ring that gleams like a solitaire rock in the midnight sky or is it the slither of velvet spot netting she has in her purse?
'Patent' strappy stiletto sandals with the highest heels ever on a Sybarite (sans platform)

Necklace and cuff set in silver 'leather' and chained bead detail.
and of course she comes with the following standard:
-manic_cure hands (see booklet for hand change instructions)
-booklet
-stand

The doll looks amazing, even though I'd prefer a more thin layer of lipstick on her lips. The body and articulation look better than the resin dolls. Considering that Desmond and Charles were researching the quality and type of vinyl for quite some time, I think it will look and feel even more fabulous in real life. And the outfit and accessories rock of course.
Below is the video with stop motion animation of Solitaire that Superdolls released. Amazing.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Breaking news: Sybarites are going vinyl!

A few hours ago, the official Superdoll Collectibles Facebook account posted a teaser photo of an upcoming doll. She is a Venus clone, edition of 1000 and - gasp! - she is made of V I N Y L. Yes you are reading correctly, she will be a vinyl doll. More details to follow when we find out too. Meanwhile, here's the photo.

Update 1st of February 2014: Superdoll published the first whole photo of the new doll on their Instagram account:

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Stephen Jones does Barbie: The Mad Hatter is in town for the holidays!

One of my two favourite hat designers in the world (the other one being Philip Treacy) is the indomitable Stephen Jones. His extravagant and outré objets d'art (it seems unfair to call them simply hats) are always sure to catch the eye and be the centre of attention when the wearer appears in an event. His new project is a collaboration with Mattel: he designed five Barbie dolls for them, with his unique vision and flamboyant style making them coveted collector's items.

The talented designer says that "Barbie is the most fabulous private client. She came into the salon for her Christmas morning hat and left with five glamorous outfits! Barbie and I have the same design vision; we love tradition, but have an eye for the future." The dolls will cost £250 each (ouch) and will be available from Selfridges London's Toy Shop on November 15, where Barbie opened a space earlier this year. "We're enamoured with the idea of truly one-of-a-kind gifts this Christmas," said Selfridges' head of accessories, children's wear and toys, Erin Moscow. "More than ever before we're aware of the demand for pieces which offer something really special. These pieces don't necessarily come with a million-pound price tag - they're not about ostentatiousness - their beauty lies in their rarity. All of the storytelling and fantasy of Stephen's work, realised with fun and witticism that's synonymous with Barbie, has gone into these beautiful dolls."

Of course the designer also commented on each doll. Above is Holly Barbie, his favourite: "This is my personal favourite, using the contrast of soft velvet and spiky holly leaves. Barbie also has her very own pet Robin to give her a Christmas peck."

On Santa Baby Barbie (pictured above): "Every Barbie needs a fabulous Christmas outfit, so I used the idea of a Santa hat to make a fantasy cocktail dress, dedicated to Mrs Santa."

And how about Snow Globe Barbie? "There is nothing more magical and glamorous than floating snowflakes encased in a snow globe."

Yes, there is a Christmas Tree Barbie too: "I ensured the drama and volume of a full pine tree by illuminating the multicolour baubles within her Christmas tree headpiece."

Luckily the last one is not named Rudolph, the red nosed Barbie doll but Toffee Ice Barbie: "Rudolph, Prancer and Vixen are some of Santa’s reindeers, so I wanted to make Barbie an outfit in which she can dance and prance on the ice rink."

If you think it is the first time Stephen Jones has done something with the iconic doll, think again. He has presented a collection of hats on Barbie mannequins in the past and this August he made the headband shown above, for a short clip titled "Punk: Not Clueless" starring himself. The headband is sold for a hefty £1000 + VAT on the Showstudio website. I bet you can make one for much less.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Barbie gets her own dedicated space at Selfridges and lots of London pizzazz

Later this week, within the new Selfridges Toy Shop opening up on its fourth floor, Barbie gets her own dedicated space. And what better occasion to ask some up-and-coming London designers to dress her up for than this? Three of the British capital's (and one of fashion's top cities) emerging talents are making the bill: Fred Butler, Nazir Mazhar and Sister By Sibling.

It is not the first time that the iconic doll is dressed by a real fashion designer but I think it's a first in promoting up and coming names instead of well established brands. It's London Babe! The dolls are 15 in total, five per designer, and will be available in Selfridges alongside other collectible Barbies.

Each designer concentrated on their strengths: Sibling’s Cozette McCreery, Sid Bryan, and Joe Bates designed quirky knit looks (below), Fred Butler did a series of sculptural ensembles (first photo), while Nazir Mazhar went for hard-edged street-wear styles (above). Check out poor Ken in a bucket hat and sweat suit.

Sister By Sibling had made a nod to Barbie 18 months ago on London Fashion week in February 2012 by having five looks presented on Barbie dolls. And of course this is not the only current designer Barbies around this time of the year, there's the Coach thing going on as well but that will be in another post. Enjoy the London chic:

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Poppy Parker: The Happening

As mentioned in my April post about the main Poppy Parker collection this year, the mood is Swinging Sixties in London. I managed to get three dolls of that collection and the first one has arrived: Poppy Parker The Happening!

She's even better than her promo photos! She is wearing a mini dress covered in silver sequins, with a round neckline (that reminds me of ancient Egypt), ending at the back in straps (look further down for photos of it), metallic fishnet stockings, and her accessories include one of the best pairs of earrings I have seen on a doll (silver concentric circles hanging with beads under a "diamond" stud), four silver bangles (that were tarnished almost instantly), a silver clutch (which is her only so-so accessory, looks and feels cheap) and a pair of silver sling-back bow shoes.

Her hair is pulled up and back in a very long ponytail, with the top puffed up in a very mid-sixties style. The hair is treated with product to make it stay put and wavy. I know some people had problems with greasy or over-treated hair but mine looks perfect. Her make up is very mod: light blue eye-shadow, black eye-liner, applied lashes and almost nude shiny lips. Her eyes are purple but do not look unnatural.

There is nothing not to love about this doll, except that awful clutch and the tarnished bangles. Almost perfect. Now I'm even more giddy anticipating the next one coming.

And how small this world really is. As I was preparing this post, a very special lady I am following on twitter, Penny Calder, posted a photograph from the special 50th anniversary issue of British Vogue, from mid October 1965. I found the whole spread, with model Donna Mitchell photographed by David Montgomery, from that issue in this gorgeous website and I think this is pretty much the inspiration for Poppy's outfit.

So below is a series of Poppy's photos specially treated for your pleasure. Hope you like her as much as I do.