2012 Convention Toucan (Reimagination)

I couldn't resist this souvenir doll from the 2012 Tonner Convention. She's nominally part of the Reimagination line - Toucan. There are six "bird" dolls from the convention; Toucan, Parrot, Peacock, Cardinal, Raven and Flamingo. All of them stunning except for the Flamingo which uses the Cami sculpt (vomit) and looks like something Barbie would throw up. 
Anyway here is Toucan. She has the Daphne sculpt (my favourite) and is wigged on an Antoinette body. Her gown and shrug are cunningly designed to resemble a Toucan's head and beak. Reimagination indeed. 

Any quibbles? A couple - 1. Why include a saddle stand when it won't fit under the doll's tight dress? Not the first time I've encountered this. Sometimes it seems common sense is a little lacking at Tonner. 
2. This doll is from the 2012 convention held mid May. It's now end June and she is already stained from the black on the costume and shoes (through her stockings!). WTH? It always seemed to take much longer in the past for an doll to show up with stains (ie if left in a black garment year round). Is the vinyl used now more porous or cheaper or crappier? Surely there must be some way to seal it? Ok if you intend to leave the doll dressed as it, but come on, at these prices it would be good to have a doll that isn't deteriorating at such a rapid rate.

A Sensible Notion

 

I've already posted pictures of Carol Barrie in Rose of Versailles, here is the 2011 basic Carol Barrie in A Sensible Notion - another outfit from the Anne Harper line.  (Or is RoV Hollywood Glamour? It's too confusing to keep track of). 

This Carol has a softer face up than the 2010 basic; she still looks like she's sucking on a lemon though. To me she's a million times more interesting than Cami (gag) or Antoinette - she looks bad-tempered, up herself and high maintenance. Love it! So of course Tonner put her in this sweet 19th century costume, ha ha. The back story of course is that she's a (ficticious) Hollywood star of the 40s who wears Anne Harper designed gowns and costumes. Here she's waiting impatiently for her next scene in a bad American remake of Sense and Sensibility.

Some details from the costume:

Satin shoes

 

 Dress

 Shawl

Another winner from Tonner, it looks very simple but it's beautifully made and the fabrics are gorgeous. Mind you, so it should be for the original retail price of $US129.99.  

 

Werewolves of the Tonner Halloween Convention

Two dolls from the 2010 Tonner Halloween Convention - a departure from the ethereal ghosts and wraiths in drapey gowns that Tonner usually turns out. First up is "Who's For Dinner?" (ha ha) who has the Glinda (Wizard of Oz) sculpt but dramatically made up with amber eyes and blood red lips. Underneath her werewolf coat she's wearing a cheeky little fur trimmed bodysuit. The coat has a detachable hood with ears and a detachable tail. It's an open knit fabric trimmed with fur.

Then there's "Big Bad", the male werewolf - I think he's the Superman sculpt on the superhero body. He's actually pretty useless since his chest is so big he can't really move his arms around lol. Presumably she catches their prey while he stands around trying to look busy. He has a knit jersey under that coat and a detachable tail and ears as well.

Overall, they make a very nice pair of display dolls, the costumes are detailed and well made, the face ups are cool, especially the eyes, and they look good together. Well done Mr Tonner.

Girls just wanna have fun

Normally I'm not the slightest bit interested in Barbie and by association, Mattel. I never had a Barbie as a child - I had a Daisy. But I'll make an exception for Mattel's series of Ladies of the 80s. Here's my first one - Cyndi Lauper. In Barbie tradition, she looks absolutely nothing like Cyndi Lauper (the illustrations of the singer on the box make that hilariously obvious), but the costume and the stance do capture a moment of pop history. (Just as well apparently, her arms and legs don't move...)

Integrity Brides of Dracula

Dracula and his brides - Mina, the Contessa and Lucy, in fantasy Gothic dress. This is the first series of Brides - Integrity did a second series in silly shortie nighties and high boots, and the Count is actually part of that group. (I see he's also resurfaced as a very ugly model in Integrity's 2012 NuFace line).

Nice costume details on the girls, Mina especially has a great cut away coat and nifty wee top hat.

Wilhelmina Wonka

Willy Wonka, reinvented/Re-Imagined by Tonner. Wilhelmina has the Daphne sculpt (IMO Tonner's most beautiful) with brown eyes and a short flippy, brown wig. She's dressed, in a black and red ensemble complete with glittery cane and top hat, as the famous Mr Wonka. This was the first doll I purchased in 2011, after nearly a year's hiatus from doll collecting and she is simply stunning. An exclusive from the 2011 Tonner Conference and limited to 150.

Cherished Friends Rose

An addition to the Cami & Jon line, Rose was an exclusive offered by Cherished Friends (there was also a blonde version). She has the "Suzette" sculpt with raven hair and green eyes and is definitely an improvement over the boringly bland, childlike Cami.

 

The outfit she's wearing is a Cami&Jon one from the first release called "Mood". It's nice enough, without being anything special. The coat is pretty (but why not lined?) and the shoes are snappy, but would it have hurt to have included a bag?  Where does she keep her ipad?