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.