Dolls Arrive at Doll Museum

Dolls from different countries have made their way to the doll museum at Thycaud.
The tiny tots of Kerala State Council for Child Welfare here have got a new bunch of friends now. They come from all over the world and carry the essence of ethnic cultures from far off lands. The gleaming new dolls in the renovated doll museum at the Council are sure to be a big draw with all the young ones who visit the Council main office at Thycaud here. Recently inaugurated by Social Welfare Minister P.K. Sreemathy, the museum has on display more than 2500 doll.

“We have collected dolls from different countries for this museum. There are dolls from Africa, Japan, the US and Europe. The museum has dolls from different parts of India as well. We also have contributions from the Shankar's Doll Museum in New Delhi,” said museum designer Najeem Sultan.

The dolls in the Council museum have been neatly arranged in different categories, depending upon their place of origin or theme. You can find beautifully decked up dolls under categories like ‘Brides of India', ‘Tribes of India', ‘Traditional dancers of India', ‘African Tribal Dolls' etc.
There are separate sections for soldier dolls, monk dolls and celebrity dolls which includes dolls modelled on famous personalities like the Presidents of the US and popular characters like Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy.

All these dolls have been made from different materials like porcelain, wood, cloth, glass, metal and terracotta.

You can even find dolls made of shells and conches. The museum also has a section dedicated to puppets and masks. The audio and text descriptions given with every category of dolls makes a visit to the museum both entertaining and informative.

“Apart from the dolls we have also arranged at the doll museum a section showcasing innovative and interactive toys that we developed like the talking Santa and Ulta Pulta chair. But the speciality of this renovated doll museum is that we have brought the dolls out from behind the glass cases to make it more appealing to the children,'' Mr. Sultan said.

New Micahel Jackson Line

The dolls will feature Jackson in some of his best-known poses. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Sony Pictures Releas/PA
A new range of Michael Jackson dolls aimed at fans and collectors is set to hit the UK market in time for Christmas as toy makers become the latest industry to cash in on the King of Pop's posthumous appeal.
The Character Group, listed on London's junior market Aim, today announced a collection of official Michael Jackson figurines in some of the singer's best-known poses.
"As would befit the 'King of Pop', they will be made to the highest specification and fully articulated with each figure being numbered and displayed in commemorative packaging," the company said.

The collection will be made by Playmates Toys and distributed in the UK by Character Group's subsidiary, Character Options.
Sales of Jackson's music soared after his sudden death last June and audiences later flocked to a feature film of his final rehearsals as well as to tribute shows. Just four months after his death, his afterlife earnings had already reached $90m (£56m), according to Forbes' annual list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities.

Character Group's chairman Richard King is expecting a wide audience for the new dolls.
"We are confident that the dolls will be highly sought after by fans and collectors alike, and we look forward to launching the full range in time for Christmas sales this year. These sales will be mainly reflected in our 2011 financial year," he said.

Now These Are Models!

Craftster user gorgaus, as an art installation, put on a fashion show in which the women participating wore enormous plastic sleepy-eye doll heads.
They are made from fibreglass. They are quite light, they have a stem at the back of the neck that leads down to the waist where there is a back brace so all the weight is on their hips. The wigs are heavier than the heads, especially the geisha style one. They used dancers instead of models cause they thought they might have more strength and balance.
More pictures at the link. And in the comment thread, gorgaus provides detailed technical descriptions.
Link via Matthew Caverhill

1980's

These aren’t quite the techiest dolls around, but they’re so unique that we must mention them. The Barbie Ladies of the 80s series includes the Debbie Harry Doll and the Cyndi Lauper Doll. The Debbie Harry Doll comes with a mic and is the first doll in the 80’s collection. It’s scary to think that while we were playing Barbies, these singers were just starting their career- and now they are the Barbie Dolls! Both dolls retail for $34.99 each and are available soon.

Debbie Harry took her band from the Bowery to superstardom with her tough and pretty persona, beautiful voice, and witty, ironic music. Mixing new wave, reggae, rap, and disco, she created an unforgettable landmark of pop culture.

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun”… especially Cyndi Lauper! Cyndi is one of the foremost female singer/songwriters who left her mark on pop culture, and this Cyndi Lauper Barbie Doll really displays the popular singer’s trend-setting fashion sense and spunk. She’s part of the Barbie Ladies of the ’80s collection. Have some fun of your own as you gaze admiringly at her “Time After Time”!

Jason Wu

ONE YEAR AGO this week, a white gown dotted with milky flowers elevated 27-year-old Jason Wu from up-and-coming designer to fashion star. Michelle Obama's inaugural ball gown isn't yet enshrined in the Smithsonian alongside the other first ladies' finery, but the Taipei-born, New York-based Wu has definitely become a part of fashion history.

EXPRESS: Did your life change overnight after the inauguration
WU: It was pretty dramatic. Things definitely haven't been the same since that night. For a brand that's just three years old to be internationally recognized - that often takes 20, 30 years. And for an immigrant who came here to do fashion to suddenly be a part of American history, it's an incredible experience.

EXPRESS: Even my mom knows who you are now.
WU: My name was suddenly broadcast to every house in the world that owned a television set. I was crossing the street one day soon after, and a truck driver pulled up, rolled down the window and said, "Hey, you're that guy Jason who designed the inauguration dress." I never for one second thought a truck driver would know who I am.

EXPRESS: Were your parents thrilled?
WU: My parents have always been supportive, but my extended family is very business-oriented and never quite understood what I did. So, finally, they got it.

EXPRESS: Has life gotten easier for you since the inauguration?
WU: Things have gotten much harder, because now I have a lot more work. But I love it.

EXPRESS: How would you describe your designs?
WU: My line is just three years old, so it's young for a fashion brand. But from the start, it's had a very specific aesthetic of a refined quality with an American sportwear spin.

EXPRESS: Can you give an example?
WU:In the spring collection, there's a sweatshirt and sweatpant look — but it's a midnight blue cigarette trouser and a hoodie done in a suiting fabric. We mixed a tracksuit with a lady's suit. It's my response to the way we're progressing as a society - there's a very casual way of dressing, but you can still look dressed up.

EXPRESS: Your pieces cost thousands of dollars. What justifies the price?
WU: Many times, if you look at a picture, you can't tell the difference between a $200 dress and mine, which might be $1,200. But it's the feel of the material, the weight of the buttons, the detailed trim inside the lining that only the wearer might see. These are things that make a designer garment. It's not just a higher price — I think that's a huge misconception.

EXPRESS: If you had more time, what would you like to do?
WU:I'd love to go to a proper culinary school. I love eating; I love the way food looks. I think a French macaron is just so beautiful.
Photo Courtesy Jason Wu

Paper Doll Exhibit

Edmonds Museum in Washington State has an exhibit: http://www.historicedmonds.org/

Broadway Cares

Follow this link:

http://www.broadwaycares.org/Page.aspx?pid=195

Bratz Back?

The Ninth Circuit recently stayed an injunction entered against MGA Entertainment, Inc., that would have otherwise required MGA to ensure that none of its popular Bratz dolls, the subject of a copyright dispute with toy giant, Mattel, Inc., are available on store shelves as of January 21, 2010.

New American Girl - Another One?

American Girl’s New Lanie Inspires Kids to Connect with Nature
To help encourage girls to get outdoors, American Girl introduced “Lanie,” the 2010 Girl of the Year. She is a thoughtful, energetic girl who discovers the world in her own backyard.

Madame Alexander IDEX Special

IDEX 2010Alexander Doll Company Event “Beach Blanket Party”“Groove on down with Cissy® as she hits the beachfor some fun in the Florida sun!”

Saturday, January 30th 2010 12:30pm – 2pm Rosen Shingle Creek Golf Resort & Convention Center Orlando, Florida

There will be a special presentation of our 2010 collection, a seminar, and games for all to enjoy! This year’s beach party is sure to be a blast from the past you won’t want to miss! Come one, come all! Seats are limited, so sign up today!

Cost for this event is $120. The admission fee includes our special limited edition Cissette doll, a light luncheon and raffle ticket to win the opportunity to purchase our one of a kind “Beach Blanket Party” Cissy® centerpiece! A limited edition companion doll will also be available to purchase in our booth.

To purchase tickets to this event, please click here to download the registration form.You may also contact Nancy Richards at #212-283-5900 ext.7296 or via e-mail: nancyr@alexdoll.com

Tonner to do Tron

There was an interview with Robert Tonner, who is the head of the Tonner Doll Company and he revealed the Disney licenses that will be released during the upcoming year. Along with "Alice in Wonderland" and "Prince of Persia", there will be a "Tron" series of dolls!

I am not sure if they will get to this, as they have yet to release their dolls based on "Doctor Who" and "Torchwood". Of course, I think that might be problems with the BBC.

Disney usually works out smoothly with Tonner.So in essence, that means we get a Garret Hedlund doll. It'd be nice if somehow a Murtagh custom would be floating around eBay early next year, but I can totally see dropping $140-180 on Sam Flynn when the time arrives.The 2010 line is unveiled on January 29th, so hopefully we can see some good stuff!

Sideshow Presents

Sideshow Collectibles is proud to bring you the latest from Hot Toys, the Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End 12-inch figure line! These are some of the finest 12-inch figures ever created, featuring incredible likenesses and amazingly detailed costumes. Each 12-inch POTC figure line features Hot Toys' fully articulated 12inch figure body and a generous number of accessories.
The Sao Feng - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End 12 inch Figure features:
Mantle
Armor plated Belt
Pants
Shirt
T-spike
Scabbard
Sword
Pistol
Two pairs of interchangeable hands
12-inch Figure Display Base featuring POTC3 logo

Sideshow Collectibles is proud to commemorate the symphonic Disney masterpiece 'Fantasia' with the Chernabog Maquette. Each piece is individually painted and finished to exacting standards, each with its own unique quality and detail that is the trademark of a handcrafted Sideshow Collectibles product. The villainous king of the darkness is presented here in incredible detail, complete with two switch-out heads with alternate expressions. The stunning Chernabog Maquette is a perfect addition to any collection, sure to become the centerpiece of your Disney display.

Sideshow Collectibles is proud to present the outstanding products of MINDstyle, a word leader in lifestyle and art toy collectibles. Created specially for the 2009 D23 Expo, the Chernabog ATC Figure is an outstanding addition to any display.

Ultr Modern Dollhouse

High hopes: Elaine Shaw, 44, poses next to her modern doll house, which she hopes will appeal to today's collectors and families.

Doll's delight: The chic bathroom has a modern shower, stylish bidet and large circular mirror that Elaine made by hand.

Keeping cool: The dining room and sliding doors to the balcony of Elaine Shaw's modern doll house. The balcony has mahogany drink rests and curved, fabric-covered seats.

Open plan: The living room has a towering standing lamp, swivel chairs, ultra-low slab coffee table and comfy corner sofa.

Decked out: The study of Elaine Shaw's modern doll house with a functioning miniature iMac, transparent coffee table, solid beach desks with drawers and a modern art picture.

2010 Tonner Preview

This is just a partial showing of all that Robert Tonner plans on introducing this year.

Above is Sister Dreary "Wolfbane". We will be showing the full line via newsletters when we see the new line at IDEX at the end of this month!

Above is Joan Crawford "Woman of Passion". We will be taking photos and writing up newsletters for all to see.

Above is Bette Davis "Sealing the Deal".

DeeAnna Denton "Falling For Her"

2010 Heid Plusczok Doll Line

For 2010, Heidi Plusczok has come up with a Wintery theme as well as creating some beautiful new sculpts!

We'd love to send a newsletter on this collection! Email us at heastore@aol.com today!

There are many more dolls in the collection. To see them all go to our website: www.happily.com

My favorite? You will have to write to find out: heastore@aol.com .

2010 Maggie Made Doll Line

Maggie Iacono has produced a most whimsical doll line for 2010.

Call us to preorder yours today: 215-6275790 or email heastore@aol.com

We can send you a newsletter with more onformation on these felt creations.

If you have time, just drop us a line to say that SOMEONE is reading these entries. We'd greatly appreciate it!

2010 Integrity Preview

So, what's in store for next year? Here is just a taste of what's to come in 2010...We have 3 limited edition Poppy Parker dolls that will serve as a preview for 2010 coming out early in the year. Some of you saw this sneak peek picture at convention:

These are limited edition dolls that will have special distribution (i.e., not available through all Integrity dealers). This is just a sneak peek, so information on where you can buy them, edition size and pricing will be released in the new year. Also, W Club members for 2010 will have first dibs on the remaining FR Monogram: Blue Chip doll that a few of you secured through Fashion's Night Out earlier this year. This doll, wearing a miniaturized version of one of Jason's women's collection fashions, will be available through a lottery next year.

IF you are reading this, email me at heastore@aol.com - Glenn

Dolls Magazine

See the new issue:

Dear DOLLS subscriber,
Your February 2010 of DOLLS is now available. Click here to get instant access.
This issue includes great stories on:
Maggie Made Dolls in Miniature Mode!
The Dark Side of Dolls
The Brave New BJD World Grows
Multi-Cultural Celebration
We sincerely hope you enjoy your issue of DOLLS and we look forward to hearing from you about this latest innovation for our readers.
Sincerely,
Carie FergEditorDOLLS

IDEX - The Untold Story

We're off to Orlando, Florida at the end of January. Will anyone reading this be going and perhaps join us? Go to this link for more info:

http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=713944

Actually, is there anyone out there reading this? Respond to heastore@aol.com.

New Moon

Has produced the Jacob (above) and Edward (below) dolls from the new Twilight movie: "New Moon". Too much!

Muslim World Barbie

Follow the link below for the story.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2009/12/arab-world-burka-barbie-iconic-doll-gets-an-islamic-makeover-for-50th-anniversary.html