Renegade Dasha is in the House!
I did not win the right to purchase this lovely lady in the lottery but thanks to a fellow collector and a fabulous trade, Renegade Dasha is in the house! I really love the styling of this particular FR Squared Dasha. She is very sophisticated and sleek. Yes, the half bun half ponytail hairstyle is a bit of a mystery but it is fairly easy to work around. I really like the blond hair, pale skin and red, red lips. She seemed to me like she needed a sleek and sophisticated backdrop so I imagined her at a swanky wine bar with a lovely merlot. We live in wine country so I will use wine many times for my props.
Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi–Let’s Polka
I adore polka dots. There is just something about the pattern that makes me smile. Can you really be in a bad mood wearing polka dots? Here is another scrumptious design by James Bogue just in time for Easter.
Model: Lady of the Manor Silkstone Barbie
Dress, Coat, Hat and envelope purse: Bogue’s Vogues http://www.etsy.com/shop/boguesvogues
Shoes and gloves: Mattel
The Gang’s All Here
The Russian Silkstone gang that is. Well…not all of them. Darya will be here sometime in late summer but I just couldn’t wait to do a group shot. I received Verushka today and I was so enthused I just had to get the gang into the studio. First of all, let me just say it took a little while to warm up to Verushka. That hat! I guess I am just not the floppy sides down Elmer Fudd hat kind of girl. I was going to just take the thing off except I had heard stories that she is sparsely rooted under the hat. I decided to just tie the floppy sides up ( like any good hunting hat and much more like the Elmer Fudd we know and love) and I have to say I like it WAY better. I love the platinum blond with the black on this lady. Very dramatic and that is just what I was looking for with this line.
After seeing many amazing photos that people have taken of Ekaterina with her hat off, I decided to remove her hat and reposition it. LOVE it now. I had thought I might replace the hat with a fur Dimitha hat but for now…she will keep her original hat. Finally, I am so excited to be using these amazing Russian stacking dolls I found at a doll show recently. I was encouraged to purchase this particular set by a dear Barbie friend ( cough, cough Silkyfever, cough, cough) and I am so glad I listened to her.
Nicolai is adorable!
And last but not least….little Mila.
Behind the Scenes on the Agnes Photo Shoot
I always love it when fellow collectors and photographers share some of their behind the scenes photos. I always find it extremely helpful to see what other people do as far as styling and photographing their collection. I thought I would do the same and share what my set up looks like when I do a fashion doll shoot. Keep in mind that I live in the Pacific Northwest which means there is little to no light from November through July 
. That may help explain what most would consider ‘overkill’ when it comes to lighting.
R.E. Agnes Welcomes Spring in Gwendolyn’s Treasures
I have been a big fan of Gwendolyn’s Treasures for quite a while. I just love the fabrics she uses and the classic styling not to mention the impeccable execution. It was no surprise that when I saw this pink dress and accessories, I said “gotta have it!” With Easter coming up and Spring limping its way into our neck of the woods (wish it would hurry up already!) I wanted to pull out the pastels and go for “girly”. I recently acquired this Agnes and boy am I glad I did. I think she is one of the most beautiful variations of Agnes that Integrity has ever done. It is so easy to go for a dark and sexy shot with this lady so I wanted to go the exact opposite and try sweet and simple.
Model: Regal Estate Agnes Fashion Royalty
Dress, hat, gloves and purse: Gwendolyn’s Treasures
Shoes: Monogram Redefined Accessory set
You can contact Gwen of Gwendolyn’s Treasures at sidorak4@telus.net for more information on her amazing creations. She also sells on Doll Divas http://members.boardhost.com/DollDivas/
You can bet he’s only doing it for some doll……
One of my favorite things to do on a rainy evening during the winter is plug in a good musical. Recently, I had the pleasure of watching Guys and Dolls with Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons. It touched off some ideas and since I had a new Bogue’s Vogues to share, I had some fun. I can’t add the song to my playlist because it is not available with them but if you know the song “Guys and Dolls” from the musical Guys and Dolls, hum it in your head. It is the song that inspired this series of photos.
Model: Parisienne Pretty Silkstone Barbie
Dress , feather hat and purse : Bogue’s Vogues http://www.etsy.com/shop/boguesvogues
Fur: Dimitha
Sunglasses: Fashion Royalty
Grace Kelly Trousseau sneaks???
I was searching for more images of Grace Kelly bride Silkstone this morning and found this little tidbit…..http://www.sweetydoll.co.kr/shop/shopbrand.html?xcode=186&type=X
Click on the trousseau picture and you will get a photo of two dolls in two outfits. I am assuming this is the doll in the giftset and both outfits will be included. No confirmation from Mattel on this so I can’t say this is the actual final product but it sure looks like it could be. Wow!! I sure hope so. I would be so happy to have the wonderful white hat and coat that she was pictured in on her honeymoon. All she needs is a little poodle in her arms to make it perfect. 
The other dress is the one she wore when they first met I believe.
Grace Kelly Silkstone Bride Barbie photos revealed.
Mattel has shared the first photos of the new Grace Kelly Silkstone bride Barbie. She has a new face mold. Not the same vintage inspired face mold of the BFMC but an entirely new one. In my opinion, she is stunning. I hope that the actual production doll is just like the promo photos. Her price will be steep. Right now it appears she will retail for around $180.00 and should be out this summer. She was designed by Robert Best and if the photos are anything to go by, the detail is amazing. Can’t wait! Must start saving now.
All photos are property of Mattel, Inc.
Dasha models for Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi
I love the versatility of James Bogue’s creations. Normally I head straight for the Silkstones to find a model for his designs but the smaller bodied Fashion Royalty girls can fit into them very well also. I especially like the F.R. squared line and here we find Modern Sensibility Dasha modeling a cream silk dress and jacket with a leopard hat and muff. Let’s be honest…there was a hat involved here and I LOVE animal print accessories so the second I saw the leopard print hat…it was “game over”. James was a wonderful friend to make a matching muff for me.
Bogue’s Vogues can be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/boguesvogues
Discreet is Only Natural
I received the fabulous Fashion Royalty Monogram Discreet a little while ago and have been wanting to get this lady into the studio since then. Sometimes it just takes a while to be inspired with some dolls. This one needed the right outfit. I am a sucker for hats so ,if an outfit comes with a hat, it’s a no brainer for me. I just love the softness of the gown with the casual sweater and cute hat. Also, trying out my new graduated grey backdrop.
Model: F.R. Monogram Discreet
Outfit: F.R. squared “Only Natural”
Shoes: F.R. Monogram Discreet
Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi!
Many of you know I am a huge fan of James Bogue and his work. He has a store on Etsy where he sells his exquisite creations http://www.etsy.com/shop/boguesvogues. I completely adore the styling and workmanship that goes into his designs. His creations never fail to inspire some of my favorite photos and this recent shoot was no exception. I received an especially frothy and pinkalicious ( yes it’s a word! LOL!) dress that I could not wait to photograph. Miss High Tea and Savories Silkstone had the pleasure of modeling the dress for the shoot.
Vendredi in French means Friday and I thought it sounded better than Bogue’s Vogues Friday 
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 