I Get a Tick Outta' You

As mentioned in the post below on 'Peep', this is the only other PFDF Sybarite that I have kept; 'Tick'.

'Tick' (LE 100) was the Event doll at the PFDF in March 2010. This was the same year that Superdoll held their 'Speak & Spell' Unconventional Convention at the Paris Doll Museum where the lucky attendees received 'Librium' (LE 50). As if that were not enough, the Paris Doll Museum also had an exclusive Sybarite 'Slipper' (LE 300) and there was a 'sister' for 'Tick'
by the name of 'Tock' (LE 100) who was sold from the PFDF Sales Room on the Sunday.

I did not like the original wig on 'Tick' ... it was a strange beehive thing and my best shot at a description would be a cross between Ronnie Spector and Marge Simpson ... so I removed it and I think she looks great with this black bob. The nicest things about her outfit are probably the silver 'powder compact' shoes (there is a a hinged powder compact in the sole of each shoe) and the flat wire headband that she had under her wig that enabled her to wear earrings (as far as I am aware 'Tick' was the only Sybarite with this feature which was called 'Earwigg').

'Tick' is modelling her default outfit (minus the wig and 'safety shield') by Superdoll. Wig by Chewin.

Peep Show

The Paris Fashion Doll Festival takes place in March each year and Superdoll have had an exclusive Sybarite since 2008 - the first was Epocholypse Rouge in 2008 and I wasn't overly keen on her so I sold her to a friend for what I paid for her.

I seem to have a 'hit or miss' thing with the PFDF Sybarites and it is more miss than hit but this girl is an absolute winner and easily my favourite PFDF Sybarite. The only other one I have is 'Tick' who is pretty underrated and looks great without her default wig and outfit.

This 'Coffee Peep' (LE 100) has a colour variation - 'Blanc Peep'  (LE 20) with a white outifit and platinum hair  - who is very sought after but I do actually prefer the darker version. There is also a 'Necro Peep' (LE 10) who has the same face-paint but with black lips and she is dressed in a black satin corset with a black 'galleon' hat and a sheer 'bat-wing' cape.

'Coffee Peep' is modelling her full default outfit - doll and outfit by Superdoll. Mirrored pedestal is a candle stand.

Puppy Love

I got this Gene in June 2009. Great price too ... $70 including shipping and NRFB. She originally retailed at $99 so that was what I'd call a deal ... you can't get an Integrity Gene/Madra etc for less than $200 now so they have more than doubled in price.

She is really, really pretty; her eyes are more of a turquoise blue than the standard Gene blue and her make-up is lovely too. She is called 'Special Scene' and was from the series of three sweater-girl dolls (with Madra and Violet). I initially liked the Madra but did not want her but when someone posted a picture of her on The Studio Commissary board, she went on my list!

'Special Scene' Gene is wearing her original outfit and shoes all by Integrity. The pink stole in the hatbox is from 'Blue Evening', the hatboxes, shoes boxes and ornament boxes (tied with pink organza ribbon) are all from the Ashton Drake Gene line. The white Maltese terrier is from ebay.

Oi Bondage Up Yours!

The beautiful 'Cosma' or 'Cosma Shiva Galaxina' if you are to use her full title, is the stunningly gorgeous DC sculpt and was an Edition size of only 30 for attendees at Superdoll's first ever uncoventional convention 'Syb-a-Festo' back in October 2006.

Her name is taken from a piece of music by Nina Hagen and she is hand-painted by Charles so each doll varies slightly. She was supposed to come with an extra 'hand with chainsaw' but a lot broke in transit and only a few are believed to have survived intact.

She photographs beautifully as you can see as her skintone is almost pearlescent and glows like real skin... she really is special and very rarely ever appears for sale. I only recall ever seeing a couple of sales.

'Cosma Shiva Galaxina' is modelling the
gold-cage corset and platform boots from 'Sanctuary', mohair wig from 'Sloane' and 'Acquired Wealth' Salon-Exclusive gold 'Slave' cuffs and collar set all by Superdoll. Gold hoop earrings by Doll-Scum.

Fish, Birds, Coins and Confetti

The 'other' big thing that I love as well as dolls is anything 1950s... the clothes, the hairstyles, the make-up, the cars, the jewellery, the handbags, the ceramics ... you get the picture!

I have a few pieces of original 1950s jewellery; none of it is valuable as such as it is only costume jewellery but some of it can comand quite a high price these days and it is becoming more and more collectable. Certain items by companies such as 'Trifari' and 'Selro Selini' are getting fairly expensive and I've certainly noticed this upwards trend since I started collecting.

I do actually wear/use all my items but one thing that I am now especially careful about is clip-on earrings as I have lost several and been left with only one! That's why I've changed the clips on the 'Corocraft' Gypsy coin earrings to pierced fittings (i've kept the clip fittings to they can easily be swapped back).

Original 1950s gold confetti/lucite clamper bracelet, gold-tone swallows sweater clip, 'Corocraft' gold coin earrings and 'Kigu' carved lucite 'goldfish' powder compact.

Thou Shalt Not Covet

This was taken in July/August 2007 when I had the full trio of 'Chelsea Girls' ready to photograph.

All three were released in July 2007 and were an Edition size of 134 each. 'Savoy' was the first doll, followed by 'Sloane' and finally 'Eaton'.

I currently have them dressed in their default outfits - with the exception of 'Sloane' who is in 'Dearhunter' as the gold pleather on her corset has mostly flaked off - I want to remedy this as best I can by painting it with gold fabric paint). Sadly the gold pleather on 'Eaton's' shoulder bag and belt has also started to flake.

Here they are busy 'coveting' each others necklace, purse and shoes, they are really born to shop!

The 'Chelsea Girls' trio, 'Eaton', 'Sloane' and 'Savoy' are each modelling their full default outfits, all by Superdoll . Black directors chair courtesy of Monolithic Studios.

Black, White and Red All Over

I took this photo four years ago and have only just got round to doing anything with it ... eeek! 

I redressed a few Monolithic ladies in black, white and red and I was pleased with the result and I haven't changed them yet but they are now all packed away until I get a suitable cabinet to display them properly – (I am missing them so much!)

These are three of my favourites ('Postcards From Cannes' Madra, 'Plum Role' Gene and 'Shadow Song' Gene). I love the hair-styles on these girls.

'Postcards From Cannes' Madra is modelling the dress and gloves from 'It's A Cinch' by Integrity, the hat and waist-sash from 'Little Black Dress' by Ashton Drake, shoes from Tonner's 'Basic Velma Kelly' and 'Chanel' brooch by Doll-Scum. 'Plum Role' Gene is modelling the 'Cherry Crisp' outfit and 'Shadow Song' shoes both by Integrity and an 'Enid Collins Pagoda' purse by Retros. 'Shadow Song' Gene is modelling the 'Lucky Stripe' outfit by Ashton Drake and heart brooch by
Doll-Scum.

Speak and Spell

'Librium' was the exclusive doll for the attendees at the Superdoll 'Speak and Spell' Convention in Paris 2010, on 11th March to be precise and she is an Edition Size of 50 only.

She is a tribute to 'Tattoo' the very first commercially available Sybarite (LE 30) and a doll from the 'Tzotzie' collection called 'Valium'. She incorporates the design used on the 'Tattoo' bodysuit on her armlets, plus the top part of her asymetric bobbed wig is the same colour as the wig on 'Tattoo'. 

Her face-paint is pure 'Valium' and she is a pretty accurate copy right down to the powder-blue eyeshadow and the beauty spot! 

I took this photo of her and since then, I don't think she has ever worn her default wig or outfit ... not that I don't like them but she just look so fabulous in almost anything you put her it.

'Librium' is wearing her default outfit of a dress, with sheer harlequin-print bodice with a red fishnet overlay and a magenta silk skirt, an African-inspired two-piece apron, silver neckpiece and silver cuff bracelet with floral design, armlets in the 'Tattoo' print, red fishnet hose, red platform-soled stiletto sandals trimmed with silver studs and fringed-studded wings (they have a compact with a powder-puff in the soles), all by Superdoll. Mirrorred pedestal and turquoise/purple sequinned cushion by Doll-scum.

Clover by Bobby Dolls

I've had this sweet girl since December 2014 – she was a present to myself – and I bought her as a friend for 'Bonnie' as she is the same size and style. Like all the dolls that Bobby produces, 'Clover' is OOAK.

What I loved most about her was the little brace that is painted on her teeth and her freckles! I'm not too sure on the scarf as I don't think it drapes very well so I want to replace that with something nicer when I find the right fabric ... still a scarf probably. She came beautifully packed too; the sequinned tulle in the background formed part of her packaging.

This is the info on her from 'Bobby Dolls'  

Made from cotton and only 12 inches tall! Clover wears a knitted olive green halter dress with a "painted on" teal green t-shirt underneath. On top
of her chestnut mohair locks she wears her lovely cream knitted baker boy hat, decorated with three roses. Around her neck she wears her raw edged cotton gingham scarf. Her tiny shoes are hand painted in black. All clothing is sewn on and is
non-removable.

Clover has the soft squishy body (she does NOT
have a wire skeleton like some of my dolls, she is
a true rag doll).

Her face has been hand painted and detailed with
big brown eyes and dainty lips. If you look close
enough you will notice Clover is flashing a beautiful
big smile and showing of her new brace!

This girl will come packaged in her box with tag to
prove her identity!

DC Does Vintage

'Librium' has to be one of the most versatile Sybarites ever ... there isn't a thing that I've put on her that I don't like her in (I do chose carefully for her though!).

She seems to make even the most basic item look achingly cool and suits every hair colour/wig too.

Librium is the DC mould, which is my favourite, so maybe that has something to do with why I like her so much and I seem to redress her more than any other Sybarite - 'Sushi' 'Sugar' and 'Sabbatha' must come a close second and third.

She's in a different outfit at the moment and is looking great (as always!) so when the light is better I need to get a new shot of her.

'Librium' is modelling the red pencil skirt from 'Seville', sheer bodysuit and polka-dot pumps from 'The Cross', capelet from 'Catnip', waist-cincher from 'Switchblade', hose from 'Sage', purse from 'Mass' and a customised 'Severe' wig all by Superdoll.

Evening Sunset

This is an Ashton Drake Gene outfit that I got in the salesroom at the Paris Fashion Doll Festival back in 2007. It was an outfit made for Violet Waters and is called 'Evening Sunset' and was destined for ebay but when I downloaded the picture I changed my mind!

It is a beautiful copper-coloured satin with a midnight blue lace overlay. The shoes are a bit average (just ribbon slides in midnight blue) and I hated the ridiculous flower arrangement on the veiled headpiece - so that got snipped off - but the dress itself is quite good quality. I think the mesh sleeves could have done with being a fraction tighter as they look a bit too wide, but all in all, the design is really pretty.

The box was the same as all the AD Gene outfit boxes but it did have a 'Violet' logo sticker on it (similar to the oval silver 'Gene' logo) and the hose were more of a tan colour rather than nude to match Ms Waters colouring.

'Color Deal' Ivy is modelling the complete 'Evening Sunset' outfit from Ashton Drake (minus the flower on the veiled hat and the tan hose).

Nitroglisten

I just love this Sybarite - Couture Savage - and I particularly loved Charles' prototype who graced the cover of Haute Doll. The actual production doll was pretty close to the prototype but obviously the factory finish could not be 100% true to a hand painted doll. I enhanced my Couture Savage to try to get as close to Charles' proto and I think apart from the blush on the cheeks and the lip-stain she looks almost there. 'Couture Savage' was the second in a series of three 'Couture' dolls which were Haute Doll Exclusives ('Couture Salon', 'Couture Savage' and 'Couture Swallow'). 'Couture Savage' was the most lavish of the three as she was actually part of a 'gift-set' which included lingerie, a gown, a mirrored dressing screen and a vanity case with a fur stole. Her dress was originally produced for 'Moon' but at the time I bought just the dress with 'Couture Savage in mind. Later, I kicked myself for not buying 'Moon' but that's another story for another day!

'Couture Savage' (LE 350) is modelling the dress, sandals, harness and hose from 'Nitroglisten' (LE 100) and the dark blonde wig from the 'Godiva' set all by Superdoll.

Glamazon

This is a rare shot of my 'IT Girl' Inque without sunglasses ... I always say that I do not like her eyes but I think they actually look nice on this picture, probably because she is wearing a wig (another thing that she rarely does). This was the first Inque and her skintone and body-blushing are beautiful - the best ever on any Inque sculpt - but I thought her eyes were out-of-scale and too big and I do struggle with blue eyeshadow too (which she had lots of in a 70s powder blue!) so I toned it down with brown pencils. This Inque sculpt has never been repeated, which is a shame really, as I don't think the three later versions of Inque are as nice (Gen III, Gen_X and Ginza).

'It Girl' Inque is modelling the lace camisole from ‘Rock_It’, gold mini skirt from ‘Thyme’, suede and fur gillet from ‘Limousine’, ‘Hessiglam’ bag and wedge sandals, ‘Sugar’ default wig, gold ‘i-beans’ sunglasses, and hose from ‘Nudelegs’ hose pack all by Superdoll. Leopard print fur rug off ebay, gold chains and bangle by Doll-scum.

All About Venus

Since Gene was launched in 1995 there have been a lot of dolls and a lot of outfits - I am glad that Integrity did not overload us like AD started to do (the quality went down and the cost went up!).

Back when I very first got into Gene I used to buy a lot of Gene outfits (think the most Gene dolls I had at the time was maybe 14) but I had lots and lots of outfits. I sold a lot that I never seemed to redress the dolls in but I still have a fair few to keep Gene and her chums happy!

This is one of the outfits that I always liked - it was originally on a dressed doll (Madra) and was one of the more expensive dolls at the time so I gave it a miss. Well my patience did pay off as I eventually got this for a steal (£20!!) from a great seller in Oz and I have to say it was WELL worth the wait ... it is fabulous! The jewellery is great too and that cape is divine.

I am so loving 'Distant Venus' too - she reminds me of the old-style Gene but looks a lot more sophisticated (sorry to all old AD Gene lovers but I think the Integrity Gene's just knock spots off the AD Genes - the facepaints are far, far nicer IMO and that is before we start on the clothing and articulation!)

'Distant Venus' Gene from Integrity (hair restyled by Doll-scum) is modelling the Ashton Drake 'All About Eve' outfit. I swapped out the original ivory gloves for the gloves from 'Gold Sensation'. Ivory satin and diamante evening bag by Doll-scum.

Oeuf Feroce

This is one of the first Sybarite pictures I took way back after the Paris Doll Festival in 2007. The gown was the Paris Exclusive (LE10) and was made to 'match' the Chalk White Exhibit that year which were 'The Flowers of Romance' Collection. In fact 'Violent' from this collection came dresssed in this gown. It is a beautiful taffeta and can be manipulated into shape. This gown rarely ever appears for sale and it is much sought-after amongst collectors. 

'Sugar' is modelling the PFDF 2007 Exclusive gown 'Oeuf Feroce' by Superdoll. Mohair wig, headpiece and organza ribbons on shoulders by Doll-scum.

Reflet D'Argent

I've had this Tonner gown for years - it is one of my favourites obviously, as it is still here! It is from their 'Theatre De La Mode' series and is called 'Reflet D'Argent'. It does have a beautiful turban with a big feather plume but none of my Monolithic girls have a suitable hairstyle to go under it, sadly.

With a few exceptions, I love the outfits in Tonner's TDLM series and would like to add a few more. I was very pleased to get 'Glammed Up' Ivy as a nude off ebay - I like brown-eyed blondes and personally, I like her with her hair restyled; the severe updo did nothing for me (or her!). I think Ivy has a great face and I can't believe she is the same mould as the 'Marsha Hunt' doll which I initially did not like much, but she has since grown on me. I still think my favourite Ivy is the 'Color Deal' one.

'Glammed Up' Ivy is modelling the Tonner TDLM 'Reflet D'Argent' gown and armlets. Diamond necklace and earrings by Franklin Mint and purse from the 'In The Pink' Silkstone Barbie.

The Prettiest Star

This is one of the first images that I took of my Sybarites that I liked... it must be about 10 years ago at least and even though the 'quality' is not very sharp, I do still like the image. The model is one of my favourite Sybarites, 'Summer' so that probably has a lot to do with it and I also like the aqua/magenta colour mix. The wig is any early attempt by myself of a 'Headskin' with the silver staple 'hairclips' inspired by a doll (Rosette) from the 'Flowers of Romance' Chalk White Collection of 2007, which sadly, were way out of my reach. I am now lucky to have a few 'Headskins' from Superdoll and needless to say, the quality and fit is far superior!

'Summer' is modelling the dress, necklace, bra and panties from 'Limousine', 'Ultra' heels and bag, rhinestone drop necklaces from 'Celery' and 'Catnip' all by Superdoll. Magenta pink fur boad by Dimitha, 'Frostfire' necklace and rhinestone cuffs by Facets, rhinestone necklace used as headband by Tonner, chaise and leopard-print fur rug from ebay, sequinned cushion and rhinestone star headband by Doll-scum. 'The Prettiest Star' title inspired by the incomparable David Bowie.