Pretty Pictures

Tyler in "Swept Away" by Robert Tonner from his Theatre de la Mode line.

This silk gown is possibly the most sought after TDLM fashion ever produced. It's a work of art. In essence, it reminds me of some of Charles James' sculpted gowns. One main difference is that Swept Away does not have any the understructure found in many of CJ's fashions.
Below are two of my photos of doll-sized James' fashions developed by Sandra Stillwell for the Taste of Manhattan Convention.

The very beautiful Kingdom Doll, Logan:

Upcoming Events and Conventions 2015

I kept staring at this picture in an email that was sent from FDQ and then I realized that the photo of the doll in the red dress was mine. She is Milou wearing Sandra Stillwell's "Tree" gown.

Read about Milou here.

The email announced several events.

I will be atttending UFDC's 2015 convention in Kansas City in July.
Below each logo is a link an event.

MAY 22-24, 2015

Chicago, IL

Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel

Saturday, September 5th, 2015

The 66th UFDC National Convention

Kansas City, Missouri

Thursday, July 16th – Sunday, July 19th, 2015

May 29-31, 2015
Dallas, TX

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Iselin, NJ

Toast of Manhattan Wrap-Up

To pick up where I left off...I loved the Winterthur trip and the Broadway show but, seriously, I could have made those optional excursions at any time because of where I live. That decision was on me. Luncheon at the DuPont hotel is probably something I'd never have experienced. It was a nice touch that could have been enhanced by a little background info or tour of the public rooms. The dining room was magnificent.

The Metropolitan Museum's Charles James exhibit was insanely wonderful. I learned so much about the artist and his work.

I was so looking forward to was George Sarofeen's presentation. Something went wrong and it was rescheduled to the next day at a time when I couldn't be there. :-(
His talks have been highlights of prior events for me.

My table mates were the best! (Go Table 6!) Luckily I was able to use credit card miles to pay for the hotel stay which was pretty pricey for a less than nice facility. Maybe I just got a crummy room. I know some people thought the hotel was fine. 

I thought I'd come home with some amazing stuff other than what I purchased and two of the convention gifts, (Tree Ball Gown and Coney Island Cutie.) The other fashions just did not do it for me.  The optional purchases were, for the most part, droolworthy. I purchased four extra fashions and wanted several more.  I have pre-ordered three additional items. During the event, as the cost went up and up, I erased my name from a few pre-order lists.

I am very fond of Sandra. She knows how to put an event together. If you have read any of my past experiences with her conventions, you will know how much I loved them. There is an incredible amount of work and planning that goes into a convention; however, I would like to see less attention focused on the optional sales and more care given to the "gifts" attendees go home with. In my opinion, the stuff given to attendees should be at least equal to the best of the lot.

I am very happy with these Charles James inspired fashions. The first three were optional purchases. 

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More in FDQ's next issue.

A Very Brief "Toast of Manhattan" Convention Post

Returned home Monday, unpacked, did laundry...looked at dolls, dressed dolls and took a few quickie iPad and iPhone pictures. I have no time as we're about to leave town to join our family for a holiday and a reunion. When I return I'll be busy for a few days getting a piece ready for the next issue of FDQ. When that's done...I'll post my recap of the convention.

What I've posted here are some very quick iPad shots of the 6 fashion ensembles we received as part of the convention package.  Some of the accessories have been changed by me or left out entirely. I just don't have patience for putting gloves on dolls.

The last photo is my travel doll wearing a Retros sweater I got in a room sale.  She's carrying some of the little goodies we received as table favors. A doll has to shop!

Here is a link to the nearly 200 iPhone photos I have uploaded to Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.842777405740687.1073741827.148849285133506&type=1

For more information on the names of the fashions, you can check Sandra Stillwell's blog where the fashions and names are listed with photos by Jeff Lega. In addition, fashions that may still be available will be posted there along with fashions available to pre-order (just in case you don't have enough clothes for your dolls. Heh.)

Save the Date: Sandra Stillwell Presents "The Toast of Manhattan"

Sandra Stillwell has announced the date and location for her next convention. Here are some excerpts from her blog and a link to the post itself.

I've been hard at work on our 2014 convention, and I'm proud to announce that Sandra Stillwell Presents: "The Toast Of Manhattan" will take place August 7-10th at the Crowne Plaza in Edison, New Jersey! 

 

Imagine "The Toast of Manhattan" in exclusive salons and department stores on the most fashionable avenues of 1940's and 50's New York City -- in a private box at the opera, or opening night at the latest Broadway play --  dining and dancing till dawn at THE "most happening" club in town! Imagine award winning American designers and fashion icons gracing the covers and pages of New York's Vogue and Harper's Bazaar -- the height of fashion, their creations in as much demand as the latest from Paris.... Imagine....

Exciting things are being planned for "The Toast of Manhattan" -- the cornerstone of which will be our group tour of the Metropolitan Museum's "Charles James Beyond Fashion", the inaugural exhibition in the museum's newly renovated Costume Institute! The landmark exhibit, which features over 100 of the legendary couturier's most notable designs, will also include sketches, pattern pieces, fabric swatches, and partially completed works from Mr James' last studio in New York City.
Please RSVP as soon as possible if you would like to join us, as having an idea of how many to plan on for convention and the tours is a big help.

This not to be missed event will be limited to only 50 attendees. Registration will begin in Spring. Those on the RSVP list will be notified before opening registration to the public.

You won't want to miss all the fun and fabulous fashions that we have planned, so mark your calendars and make your plans to attend now!

 Sandra Stillwell Presents

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"Venus Bringing the Arts to Manhattan" by Wheeler Williams, 1940's Art Deco, 980 Madison Ave, New York,

 Jake Rajs

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The Secrets of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Pictures from Every Day's A Holiday - Kansas City - Part V

Pictures from Every Day's A Holiday - Kansas City - Part V:  Toy and Miniature Museum; Union Station; Kansas City Museum
I have about 300 photos to upload so I am going to do them in segments. I'm uploading here in small size. If you want to see enlarged images, just click on the image you want to see. 
The Toy and Miniature Museum was beyond belief. I can't begin to express to you the quality and quantity of miniatures contained therein. I could have spent two days there. At every turn in the glorious former mansion were rooms filled with the finest displays you can imagine. If you ever get the chance, you must visit.

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Yes, this is a Charles James

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WWI Museum - We did not visit. This is across from Union Station

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