The Art of the Vignette
Thank you so much for the response to my last post “The Fashion Doll Vignette”. I have been toying around with doing a regular segment on the blog for a while that is devoted specifically to the small sets or dioramas that I use in my photos or displays. In particular, I want to share some diorama items and furniture that I have obtained over my years of collecting. I look forward to sharing these “vignette” or “diorama” posts on a more regular basis in the future.
The word Vignette has multiple meanings. In photography, to vignette is a verb meaning to darken or lighten the corners and edges of a photo in a way to highlight a part of the photo. I use this technique on many of my photos. It helps to bring the focal point to a part in the picture that you want everyone’s eye to travel to…typically the center. Vignette used as a noun can also mean a small pleasing grouping or portrait. When I photograph things, many times I like to use a small diorama with it. Sometimes it is elaborate and sometimes it is just a small piece or two. For this set of photos, I used a number of pieces.
First and foremost, I used another Carolyn Grentz exquisitely painted OOAK bombe chest in 1/6 scale. Still in talks with her to see if she has room in her commission books for more.
The two side chairs were found on Ebay. I was able to get them marked down and even at that price, in retrospect, they were kind of pricey. If they came down to say, $65, they would be a better purchase I think. The floral arrangement was made by me and I used various artificial flowers that fit with the scale. Many of the flowers are scrapbooking elements of some kind or picks you can find in the boutonniere making section of your local craft store. The purse is slightly big for 1/6 scale but it works as say an over night bag or oversized bag for the playscale girls. It is a Kate Spade keychain/coin purse.
Model: Victoire Roux workshop doll from The Premiere Convention
Dress and coat: Bellissima Couture
Shoes: Mattel
Hat: Floral Scrapbook element
The coat of this beautiful ensemble is out of fabric that is a map of Paris. Too cute!!
Here are some more photos of that fabulous bombé chest.
The WClub Announces their First Exclusive
to members…..VICTOIRE ROUX™!
La Grande Seduction (The Great Seduction)
Victoire Roux™ Dressed Doll
2014 W Club Exclusive
Limited Edition Size: TBA
Estimated Shipping Date: Approximately Late Summer 2014
Doll Tech Specs:
Scale: 12-inch / 1:6
Head Sculpt: Victoire Roux
Body Sculpt: Integrity / Victoire Roux
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair: Deep Brunette
Quick Switch Feature: No
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
source: www.Integritytoys.com.
source: www.Integritytoys.com.
source: www.Integritytoys.com.
source: www.Integritytoys.com.
source: www.Integritytoys.com.
I am not feeling the dress. It’s different but it feels kind of clumpy on her. Also, I am a lover of updo’s…you all know this…but I am feeling a little “updo fatigue” with this one. Her face is beautiful and I love the raven hair. I am not sold on the lip color yet but I think it is workable. I really like the jewelry. Has anyone “easily” gotten that hair comb thingy to work yet? If so share how you did it. Enquiring minds would love to know. I am still going to order but I think she will be redressed fairly quickly.
WClub members have until Monday,April 14th at noon EST to order.
A Wonderful Evening
Evening in Montreal Victoire has arrived and she is a stunner! I knew I was going to love this lady by her promo shots. The actual doll does not disappoint. I shared some quick shots of this lady on my Flickr account but managed to take some better shots yesterday in the sunshine.
I adore this magnetic pin! It makes it sooo much easier to place AND no chance that it will leave a hole in delicate fabric. Smart choice Integrity!
Evening in Montreal Victoire
I have to admit, I am a bit behind on reporting Integrity Toys(IT) news for the first part of this year. A few weeks ago, The WClub announced a new IT direct lottery for the popular character Victoire Roux.
Evening in Montreal
Victoire Roux™ Dressed Doll
IT Direct Exclusive
Limited Edition of 600 Dolls
Body Type: IT/Victoire
Head Sculpt: Victoire Roux™
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Platinum
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
The Lottery was held today and I believe most all who wanted a chance to purchase her in the WClub were able to get her. It is really nice when that happens. It means IT is accurately gauging the demand of a product and providing an adequate supply. Everybody walks away happy. When I first saw this lady, I thought “ Oh man….not another black cocktail gown!.” She is ,in fact, wearing chocolate brown. That makes her more interesting. Mostly, however, I like the facial screening with the platinum updo. I was hoping to win the chance to purchase and am a happy camper with my fellow WClub members who are all celebrating our chance to purchase her. She is due to hit peoples doorsteps as early as next week. 
Buenos Aires Victoire
It would appear that most if not all who wanted to obtain this fabulous Victoire, were able to do so. I had expressed a concern that she would be hard to obtain and I am happy to be wrong. Many collectors are pointing to an almost eerie evocation of Evita Peron in Chris Stoekel’s design. After receiving her, I can totally relate. More often than not, I open a highly anticipated doll and am a bit underwhelmed. Promotional shots are designed to show off the best side of a product and it is almost certain that there are times where the promo shots oversell an item. In the case of Ms. Buenos Aires, I am happy to report that the promo shots simply did not do her justice. She is even prettier in person. I always love when that happens. Of course this is only my opinion so take that into consideration.
Here are her “window” shots. 
Model: Buenos Aires Victoire Roux
Christmas in July Take 3
The highlight in my opinion of Integrity’s mini collection releases yesterday was the Victoire Roux offering. As luck would have it…it’s another Lottery. I am not feeling super confident about this one as there are only 600 and it will be an IT Directly lottery open to all not just WClub members. That’s right folks, you don’t have to be a WClub member to enter the lottery for this. You will have from today until July 29th at Noon EDT to enter this lottery. Winners will be selected at random, notified by the W Club Liaisons and then have until August 5th, 2013 at 5:00 PM EDT to pay. You can find more information about this lottery on Integrity Toy’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Integrity-Toys/200208326656019 . The link to get one of the lottery tickets is
https://www.integritytoys.com/shop20/product.php?productid=1303
Item #76007
Buenos Aires
Victoire Roux™ Dressed Doll
2013 IT Direct Exclusive Lottery Doll
Special "Christmas in July" Event Price: US $99.00 US
Limited Edition of 600 Dolls
Estimated Delivery Date: Early August 2013
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Pale Blond
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied
I am in LOVE! From the top of her cream colored hat to the tips of this Dior “new look” inspired outfit, I am in LOVE! According to Integrity Toys, the umbrella is not functional…who cares! It’s adorable workable or not. This offering exemplifies everything that I love to collect so I am extremely hopeful that I will win the right to purchase. If not, I will be begging…oh yes, I will be begging and avidly searching the secondary market for a chance to purchase.
WClub Exclusive Victoire Roux Revealed
If you love 1950’s fashion, you will have much to be happy about in this offering. The team at Integrity is giving the WClub a green eyed, titian haired Victoire with new facial screening. She is described as having “FR Caucasian skin tone”, hand applied lashes and “Ultra-Rich Red, Fully Rooted Hair”.
Monte Carlo Victoire Roux™
2013 W Club Exclusive Dressed Doll
Limited Edition Size: TBA
Special W Club Suggested Retail Price: $125.00
Estimated Shipping Date: Approximately Fall 2013
According to the write-up from Integrity, the coat is a deep pink velvet and has the elegant moniker of "grand manteau de soirée". Hey…this lady is my kind of gal. She comes with her own cocktail! Martini’s anyone?!
Photos by Integrity Toys, Inc. (http://integritytoys.com/page/landing)
My first thought was…”I’m not totally lovin’ it” I love the hairstyle and the fact that she is a redhead. I am not sure of the facial screening yet. I think my main problem is the thin eyebrows ( totally agree with you there Hilda!). Did she over pluck them? I’m thinking…yes. However, now that I think about it, it is definitely more high fashion 1950’s ( think Dovima, enough said). Moving on from the eyebrows, I LOVE the coat, hat and little martini glass. I am not loving the massive amounts of ruffles on the dress. It looks like she might be wearing one(or possibly two…I lost count) cocktail waitress apron(s) too many. That being said, I am still ordering her. I see potential. I also see inspiration from 1950’s Dior…what’s not to like about that?!
Photo Credit: Vogue
New packaging too!
Keyyyyoooot!
Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi
Yes!! Finally another installment of Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi. I have been remiss on this for a while and it was well past time to reinstitute this favorite blog segment. James recently sent me two outfits so beautiful, I had to share. Normally, I pull out the silkies for these but felt it was Integrity Toys turn to get some love.
Models: Place Vendome Victoire Roux and Think Pink Imogen
Couture: Bogue’s Vogues ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/boguesvogues)
The Blogging Blues
We all have them. Those times when we just can’t seem to summon the energy to get things done. I find myself in this state of ennui from time to time.
That is where I feel I have been for the last week. Yesterday, however, the sun came out and I decided to do some redressing and get with the program. I grabbed my trusty point and shoot and had some fun with the sunshine. Hope you like 
Model: Victoire Roux Place Vendome
Gloves: Victoire Roux Place Vendome
Suit and hat: Bellissima Couture (http://bellissimacouturefashions.wordpress.com/)
Shoes and Jewelry: Mattel
Model ,Gloves and Jewelry: Think Pink! Imogen
Gown: Victoire Roux Place Vendome
And…behind the scenes.
Tropicalia Visits the Studio
The convention collection, convention doll and gift set doll are en route to Inside The Fashion Doll Studio but in the mean time…I did have a few dolls that came home with me and I was itching to pull out the camera and try out something the very talented photographer Deron Daniels shared with me at convention.
From left to right:
Place de Vendome Victoire
Saint Tropez Victoire
Lemon Crush Loni Lawrence
Escapism Elise Jolie FR2
Deck chair was gift given to convention attendees 
Bellissima Couture is having an Event!
Hilda is calling it “Pretty Things” and my oh my are there many pretty things on her blog. She has very limited editions of these gorgeous creations so if you are interested RUN don’t walk to her blog….
http://bellissimacouturefashions.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/pretty-things/
**Photos are property of Bellissimacouture **
Champs-Élysées Victoire Roux!
It’s that time again….time for an Integrity toys lottery involving a doll I NEED! This one is a little different however in that not just WClub members will be eligible for the lottery but anyone who wants to try for this lady will be allowed a ticket as well. She is being offered through DOLLS magazine. Her edition size is 500 and she will be $125.
** All photos are property of Integrity Toys**
Her accessories
So…if you are interested in finding out more about this lottery and how to get a ticket click on the picture bellow and it will take you to the DOLLS magazine site. There you will find a write up on Miss Victoire and the information about how to get a ticket in this lottery. You will have until August 13th at 5PM CDT to get a ticket. My ticket is already sitting in my hot little hands or rather in my hotmail inbox….Oh luck be a lady for me the week of August 13th!!
Victoire Roux–A New WClub Lottery
Integrity introduced a new character as part of their IT Direct Exclusive line at convention last year. Her name is Victoire Roux and everything about her is what I like to collect. In particular the clothing is all about the classic lines of the 1940’s and 50’s. This lovely Ms. Victoire will be offered up via lottery and based on the feedback from the boards, many are entering for the chance to buy. I don’t even think I had to think about this one….my hands were on the keys to enter this lottery before I even finished reading the email from the WClub. Ohhhh how I hope I win the chance to purchase this lovely lady. If not, I will be begging….oh yes….I will be begging.
Item #76003
Avenue George V
Victoire Roux™ Dressed Doll
IT Direct Exclusive
Suggested Retail Price: $125.00 US
Limited Edition of 285 Dolls Worldwide
**Pictures are property of Integrity Toys, Inc.**
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 