2/13/2017

Christian Dior's "New Look" Interpreted by Tom Logan from California

On February 12, 1947 Christian Dior had his first show.

The ultimate destination for a late-afternoon drink, the bar of the Hôtel Plaza Athénée inspires Christian Dior to design what would become his first show’s statement suit. Among the ninety looks in this audacious collection, the Bar has been the most adulated and reproduced in the fashion press since 1947. In a duo of sober colors, its architectural silhouette sets itself out as the New Look emblem, perfectly combining all the features of the new Corolle and En Huit lines. The construction of its ivory silk shantung jacket, with its snug collar and rounded peplums, is entrusted to Pierre Cardin, then premier of the atelier tailleur. He cuts with an almost mathematical rigor, with a multitude of darts and cutouts. Because what Christian Dior is seeking is to “slim down the body without losing the waist.” 

But during the first fittings on the model Tania, the peplums lie flat on her narrow hips. Some padding is necessary... The young tailor then has the brilliant idea of going to the local pharmacy to buy surgical cotton wool that he folds like an accordion to create the desired volume. And it works! The black pleated wool skirt requires almost twelve meters of fabric, not counting the tulle petticoats. And to give the design even more refinement Christian Dior revives a forgotten tradition by giving it a lining of three meters of percale and taffeta. After a hundred and fifty hours of work, the Bar is born. 

Having become a House reference, this legendary suit lends itself to endless reinterpretation. In all the other Christian Dior collections, one comes across the subtle curves of its silhouette, which affirms itself as the identifier of the Dior allure. The couturier’s successors have endlessly reinterpreted it, right up to Maria Grazia Chiuri, who revisits it seventy years later with a transparent skirt and a message t-shirt in her ready-to-wear spring-summer 2017 show. 

Bar Suit reproduction by Chris Stoeckel. 
Hat by Don Philipott. 

Enjoy! 

Tom in CA





2/10/2017

Superdoll's 2017 Valentine Doll: Erosia DD_120

Just released, Superdoll's adorable Valentine, Erosia.
Here is the complete text from the offering along with all the misspelled words intact.


EROSIA DD_120

In celebration of Valentine and the Birth of Venus.

Erosia is a little bit nymph, extremely cute and rather coy!

Lets start at the top. HUGE blue satin bows hold her long double bunches of blended dark blond waist lenth hair, which bear centre part and blunt fringe. Her bright blue eyes are shaded in pink and blue! Brows of ginger berry above her eyes kohled in black, and lids of icy sky. Voluptuous lips of candy pink frosting! Her mega long black lashes give her that cupid charm.
She wears a pink silk organza bra top trimmed in ivory lace that bears roleaux detail underbust and multi strap roleux, creating an aluring peek a boo decoulte. Her waist is encased in a bandeau of ivory roleux, forming a 4 row wide cumbaband.
Her cheeky blue skirt is of multi layers of blue, aurora borealis stones on netting trimmed in ivory lace and a divinely pleasted plasticised georgette and a final layer of diamond netting. A true confection!
Further she has armlets in ivory stretch netting, ivory striped weave hose, pink tulle panties and her irresistable pale candy multi strap platform boots.

Her accessorie d'Jour is a gorgeous chromed bow with pink corded hand grip bearing diamante accent. Her arrow case of silver and halogram 'leather' with huge satin bow, heart braided multi cord chest strap, a pair of pink tulle gloves and of course half a dozen cute heart shaped arrows..... aiming straight for her Valentine. Let it be YOU!

Clone: 1000 Venus d'Royce
Skintone: COSMETIQUE

Of course she comes with the following standard accessories:
-manic_cure hands (see booklet for hand change instructions)
-booklet
-stand

PRODUCTION MAY VARY FROM PROTOTYPE SHOWN.
In stock and ready to be delivered

Price: £259.75 (Excluding VAT at 20%)






She is a lovely doll. I like her blended blonde wig and her fabulous shoes; however, I do think it's time for a new sculpt.

The extremely favorable pound to dollar exchange rate brings the US price of the doll to $323.40. Shipping adds another $55-$60. 

Find her here while she lasts:  http://www.superdollonline.co.uk/acatalog/EROSIA--DD_120-417.html#SID=45

1/29/2017

Some personal stuff.


Several of my regular readers have contacted me saying that they miss my almost daily posts to my blog. I want to share the following information with them.

In early 2016 I was handed a serious illness. The surgery, recovery and ensuing treatment took almost the entire year. Thanks to the good health care I received, I am fine now.  As some of you certainly know, one's feeling about mortality changes dramatically after an illness that could be fatal. You just never know.

During that time my collecting and attitudes changed and on top of that, we got a new puppy. My main focus was not on my blog and that attitude has continued.

I post often on my Facebook blog with announcements and random artist's photographs and I link to this blog when I make a major post here.

I realize that some of you don't read Facebook. Smart move. That's a whole other addiction.

When it comes to my own photography and my own activities at events, I continue posting here.
For example:

Kingdom Doll Liberty wearing a creation made by YumYum Couture.

Kingdom Doll Arnamentia models the cocktail length version of Eye Candy by YumYum Couture

I appreciate all of your support in the past and now. To those of you who nominated me for best blog this year, I thank you. I declined the nomination as winning in 2015 caused more trouble than I care to deal with. I'm not going away. I still answer many questions personally when I receive them.

HUGS to all of you!

1/25/2017

Superdoll Presents Davincia

DAVINCIA DD_112

The Grande Madam of Tatami.

Venus rules the miniature chashitsu created for them in the London Salon.

It's like a Harajuku Pyjama party, Venus hair is a blend of muted blondes and nudes, with symmetric double topknot, the back twisting into the nape of her neck and the front perching upon her crown.
Her eyes surrounded in shades of caramel and charcoal with lids bearing a stroke of muted vanilla, solid black liner and arched pitch-black brows. Her piercing steel grey eyes are offset with granite. Lips the colour of cameo.
A floor-length satin 'dressing gown' piped in black satin bears pockets and tie belt is worn beneath her patent black; gilt studded lace-up corselet.
She slips off her gown to reveal a flirty black lace bra top and a pair of illusion corded black lace trousers....of course.
Maybe just a small hint as to just what kind of pyjama party this tea party is going to be!
Furthermore, she wears a black satin and lace fan to accent this nude and black combo. On her feet, nude ankle socks, fiendish 2 tone platform sole sandals in gloss gold PVC with ankle straps and oodles of fab.

As winters chill sets in, naturally Venus knows best.
Let the Games begin!


Clone: 1000 Venus d'Royce
Skintone: COSMETIQUE

Of course, she comes with the following standard accessories:
-manic_cure hands (see booklet for hand change instructions)
-booklet
-stand
In stock and ready to be delivered
Price: £259.75 
(Excluding VAT at 20%)




I like this doll a lot but I'm trying to be thrifty. Hahaha. We'll see how long that lasts.
The British Pound is at it's lowest value in years. Great value for the $.

1/23/2017

Nigel Chia's Asian Sculpt Debuts

Nigel Chia has sent out an announcement about his new doll, Stella. 
Nigel's website is interesting to browse. Besides learning about his dolls and the doll fashions that he designs and sells, you can see the fashions and accessories he has designed for humans.




1/17/2017

Announcement from Superdoll Collectables


Superdoll sent out this notice today to their mailing list (without the picture.)

As this is our first notice of 2017, we would like to start off by wishing everyone a wonderful and Happy New Year.Reflecting back on they year just gone, we here at superdoll_collectables have had a busy and exciting year. Our production facilities on the orient have seen major changes and we have been working full steam to prepare for the year ahead. Our 2016 special events have raised more than an just eyebrow and our Plans for 2017 are as exciting.
We are looking very much forward to Paris Fashion Doll Festival where we will host our Friday Night Cocktail party 10 March. We are once again very inspired by the festival theme and also a return to our Resin Sybarites for this event.
http://www.dollexpo.fr/Furthermore we are thrilled to be returning to the USA this year and look forward to the wonderful event that Drama Queen Productions will be putting on for the Sybarites in New Orleans on18, 19, 20 May. Registration has now opened for this event, please check out the details at www.dramaqueenproductions.net the commemorative doll for this event will also be Resin, and also includes an optional VIP package. Very Exciting!
Our London October Event has a tentative date set, we are just awaiting confirmation on venues. We will be sure to confirm as soon as possible.
On another note, our plans for this year also include the introduction of 2 new characters to our GenX line in addition to the incomparable clone 1000. But enough about that! Lets get on to the present.....
Our AW/2016 collection "Kinky Look" has one last surprise as we wallow in the winter cold.
(we will be sure to send out a flyer separately)
DAVINCIA.GenX clone 1000.
 On Sale 25 January 2017
In closing we would also like to wish all our Asian customers a Prosperous Year of the Rooster.
Till Later
C&D and all here @ S.D.H.Q.

____


I can't wait to see what Davincia.GenX looks like!