The 'Too Much' Girl

'As a major star of the late silent era, Zita Louise (as she was then called) was the epitome of the Jazz Age glamour. Known as the "Too Much Girl", Zita forged a reputation
as a party girl and was a favourite of the Hollywood gossip columns. Counts and Princes seemed always to be proposing to her in front of a fountain while the cameras were rolling. Everyone and anyone just wanted to be with Zita Charles! With her vampish look, sassy style and elegant vintage inspired gowns'.

This is the first 'Zita Charles' doll and she had her introduction in October 2008. Unfortunately for me, she was an FAO Schwarz Exclusive and at well over $250, plus shipping, out of
my reach.

There are various other incarnations of Zita -
I did toy with the idea of 'Wrap Party' as I liked
her outfit, but the only Zita that a truly wanted was 'Azalea Ice' - I just adore the streak in her hair - so I could not take the plunge and accept second best, as it were.

Needless to say I was delighted when trawling through the doll board I saw a post offering a NRFB 'Azalea Ice' for sale for $120! I emailed straight away and although the seller would not ship outside the US, they were happy to send the package to my darling shipping buddy in LA (thank you Andrew!)

Miss Zita Louise Charles arrived and as soon as I opened the box, I knew I had done the right thing in holding out for 'Azalea Ice' ... she is the BEST Zita, no contest! Her gown is really pretty and the chiffon drapes really nicely - the shoes are great too - I thought the jewellery was a bit lacklustre but nothing I cannot rectify! Here is the 'official' blurb:

Azalea Ice is the very first Zita Charles doll and is offered exclusively through FAO's online catalogue division. Zita wears a luscious one-shouldered gown with detailing at the bust that echoes the gown's incredible colorful train. Zita comes complete with matching gloves, shoes and jewelry so she is totally prepared to take on tonight's party, wherever it may be.

'Azalea Ice' Zita by Integrity models the 'Azalea Ice' gown, gloves and heels, Jewellery is a mixture of Franklin Mint and Tonner.

Gene Genie

Gene has ‘risen from the ashes’ of Ashton Drake and Integrity and emerged Phoenix-like in resin form. The new reincarnation is courtesy of JamieShow, in collaboration with Mel Odom of course, and has been about for a while now, probably a couple of years?

I got a resin Gene via ebay as a nude with no outfit and wig. I wasn’t too bothered about the wig as it was just a long, dark brunette side-part – nothing special and not particularly vintage looking. The outfit looked cute and I bought this separately, again via ebay but alas, in reality it was no great shakes and a bit cheap looking. If anything it made me realise just how fabulous the Ashton Drake bathing suits from the ‘Simply Gene’ dolls are …. great quality and attention to detail.

But back to the doll herself. I did not like the faces on the first two resin Genes (Phoenix and J’Adore) and I did not feel that I needed to add a ‘different’ Gene to my Monolithic stable. I did change my mind though when I saw ‘White Orchid’ as I thought she had a nicer face and when one came up on ebay I jumped. The body is lovely; beautiful translucent resin, good quality finishing and super-poseable. Also, the stand is second to none – the level is adjustable via a tiny clamp-like screw and it is has a good, solid saddle so you can get your doll posing safely (take note Superdoll!). So, what’s not to like I hear you say? Well to be brutally frank it's her face – I just can’t get on with the resin Gene’s face-up. To me it just looks wishy-washy, insipid, mediocre, weak and lacking in some way. It is not horrible, or badly painted, it is just NOT Gene!

Since ‘White Orchid’ all the other Monolithic characters have been released by JamieShow and they are all really very nicely done … I’d give each and every one of them a place in my Gene cabinet, particularly Ivy Jordan and Marsha Hunt (who, strangely was my least favourite Integrity character) but I just can’t fall in love with the JamieShow Gene! Another thing I am not keen on is wig-cap concept … the longer haired wigs can look ok but any ‘up do’ styles look a bit odd to me like they don’t belong.

‘White Orchid’ will be heading off to ebay and I think I’ll be sticking with my Integrity girls for now whose faces are all fabulous, flirty, fun and far from mediocre!

‘Back Row L-R 'Love Madra', 'Color Deal' Violet Waters, 'Silhouette of the 40s' Gene, 'Azalea Ice' Zita Charles, 'Special Scene' Gene, 'Calendar Shot' Gene, 'Glammed-up' Ivy Jordan all modelling  the Ashton Drake 'Simply Gene' bathing suits, except 'Calender Shot' Gene who is in her own swimsuit. All dolls by Integrity, hatboxes by Ashton Drake.