Fashion Dolls 101

Doll Collecting 101: Who is Tyler? Tyler Wentworth, fashion doll, by Tonner Doll Company (slideshow) Friday, August 28th, 2009 Who is Tyler? The Tyler Wentworth Doll by Robert Tonner for the Tonner Doll Company The Tonner Doll Company presented the first Tyler Wentworth® Doll and Collection for adult collectors at Toy Fair from 1999 (see Tyler's first appearance as Tonner Doll Company issued Signature Style Tyler in 1999 - a look back ). Tyler Wentworth is a 16-inch, vinyl/hard plastic doll with rooted saran hair (and sometimes wigs), hand-detailed painted eyes and an extensive wardrobe... Keep Reading »

Tyler's first appearance as Tonner Doll Company issued Signature Style Tyler in 1999 - a look back Thursday, August 27th, 2009 Tyler Arrives on the Fashion Scene Towards the end of December 1999, reports began to circulate on the internet. "Tyler is here!" The outfits arrived first, and finally Tyler hit the fashion scene... Keep Reading »

Gene’s fifth anniversary was a banner year for Ashton-Drake's Gene doll in 2000 - a look back Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 Gene's 5th Anniversary Celebration in 2000 New dolls! New characters! New body styles! New costumes! New accessory packs! Retirements! These were the buzz words that combined to mark a memorable 5th anniversary celebration for Ashton-Drake’s Gene during the cornucopia of events that marked the millennium Toy Fair in New York City... Keep Reading »

Gene Fall 2009 Releases: "Heat Wave" Violet Waters (with slideshow) Sunday, August 23rd, 2009 "Heat Wave" Violet Waters Part 2 in the Gene Fall 2009 Release Series Gene 's friend Violet Waters is ready for an island getaway as she starts her own tropical heat wave in this torrid ensemble. From the Return to Hollywood Collection, "Heat Wave" Violet Waters wears a cropped top matching a playful sarong skirt... Keep Reading »

More Gene news for you Gene doll collectors! Gene Fall 2009 Release: 'Pearls and Pink' Ivy Jordan by Integrity Toys (with slideshow) Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 "Pearls and Pink" Ivy Jordan From the Return to Hollywood Collection comes the "Pearls and Pink" Ivy Jordan in the Gene line of dolls from Integrity Toys. "Pearls and Pink" Tailoring and Proportion Who says redheads don't look fabulous in pink? Ivy Jordan is dressed for success wearing just the right shade of pink in a soft wool flannel suit... Keep Reading »

Gene Hollywood Royalty dolls announced - new 12 inch size for Gene Marshall dolls Friday, August 21st, 2009 Stop the presses! Did I just say in my Doll Collecting 101: Who is Gene? article that Gene is a 16 1/2 inch doll? Well, history is being made as a new 12 inch Hollywood Royalty Gene is expected to arrive mid-to-late November! Keep Reading »

Doll Collecting 101: Who is Gene? Gene Marshall: fashion doll (with slideshow) Thursday, August 20th, 2009 Who is Gene Marshall? In 1995, a new doll was unveiled at Toy Fair for adult collectors. Designed to appeal to lovers of old-time Hollywood glamor, Gene Marshall was introduced by Ashton-Drake, an affiliate of the Bradford Exchange, and designer Mel Odum (see slideshow below) with three dressed dolls and nine costumes. Keep Reading »

2009 marks Barbie Doll's 50th anniversary - local doll club celebrates Barbie's 50th birthday Wednesday, August 19th, 2009 Barbie Doll Turns 50 Barbie doll turned 50 this year. The much maligned vinyl doll has been one of the most popular toys since she appeared in March 9, 1959 Barbie Through the Decades " Barbie Doll Through the Decades " will take place on Thursday night, September 3, 2009 at Shoneys Bellevue/Nashville (in the party room). Tables will be set up with displays of Barbie dolls representing each of Barbie's 5 decades courtesy of the Belle Meade Plantation Belles Doll Club. Details at Barbie doll through the decades - celebrating Barbie's 50th anniversary in Nashville . Keep Reading »

Elvis Presley: the 'King of Rock 'n Roll' and a real doll (with slideshow of Elvis dolls) Saturday, August 15th, 2009 For Elvis Presley Week - A Look at Elvis Presley Dolls Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n Roll and a global music icon, died on August 16, 1977. In honor of Elvis Presley Week, we take a look back at some of the Elvis Presley dolls which have been made through the years. Keep reading...

The Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' Barbie doll Sunday, August 9th, 2009 Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's In honor of her 80th birthday (Hepburn was born on May 4, 1929), Paramount Home Entertainment's Centennial Collection released the classic Audrey Hepburn movies Breakfast at Tiffany's on January 13, 2009. In 1998, Mattel paid tribute to Audrey Hepburn's grace and beauty by releasing the Breakfast at Tiffany's Barbie doll. Keep Reading »

Doll Collecting 101: Do repaints and re-roots affect a doll's value? Examining repainting/re-rooting Saturday, August 8th, 2009 As reported in Doll Collecting 101: How do you examine a vintage doll? Problems to look out for in vintage dolls , some dolls have flaws that reduce the value of the doll. The question then becomes, if you repaint a doll or re-root its hair, will that affect the doll's value? Keep Reading »

Doll Collecting 101: How do you examine a vintage doll? Friday, August 7th, 2009 Caveat Emptor At one a doll show I attended a few years ago, I heard announcements made about "Doll Show Etiquette" that recommended a doll not be undressed or handled without the permission of the dealer. This is a good policy to protect the dealer, but the buyer also needs the protection of seeing what he or she is getting before they pay. Before you buy that beautiful vintage doll in the display case, politely request to be allowed to examine the doll before purchasing. Some things to look for would include... Keep Reading »

Doll Collecting 101: What do doll collecting terms mean? Defining doll terms and abbreviations Thursday, August 6th, 2009 Doll collecting terms & abbreviations Serious doll hobbyist will want to familiarize themselves with doll collecting terms and abbreviations used to describe the condition of dolls and outfits. The following collecting terms indicate what condition a doll is in and have direct bearing on the price of the doll. Here is a helpful list of frequently-used doll collecting terms and abbreviations that any doll collector needs to know... Keep Reading »

Doll Collecting 101: Books and price guides Doll collecting books Doll collecting , like any hobby, requires the right tools. The first thing any serious doll hobbyist must do is arm him/herself with some books on doll collecting. Most bookstores include sections of books on collecting toys and dolls. Keep Reading » Ask me how you can doll yourself up with amazing clinical skincare products and start your way to clearer, healthier skin today! Join me on  Facebook  or email skin_and_health@yahoo.com  for more info! I would love to help you have the best skin of your life!!

Doll Collecting 101: Why collect dolls? Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 Why do people collect dolls? Why do people collect dolls? You might as well ask why people collect baseball cards or art -- the answers would be similar. According to Wikipedia, "Dolls have been around since the dawn of human civilization, and have been fashioned from a vast array of materials, ranging from stone, clay, wood, bone, cloth and paper, to porcelain, china, rubber and plastic." Keep Reading »

Barbie doll through the decades - celebrating Barbie's 50th anniversary in Nashville Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 On March 9, 1959, Mattel introduced an 11 1/2 inch doll to the world, and the Barbie craze was born. This year Barbie turned 50, and in honor of the occasion, the Belle Meade Plantation Belles Doll Club in Nashville is hosting a display of Barbie dolls from the past 5 decades.... Keep Reading »