The Revlon Doll Who Almost Came Home

There was a revolution in the doll industry during the mid 1950's and a move from baby dolls to fashion dolls inevitably became the norm. There were so many dolls entering and competing in the marketplace, including Madam Alexander's Cissy with her sculpted bust line and her permanently arched feet to accommodate high-heeled shoes. Almost every toy company had a version of the adult fashion doll, with Ideal’s Revlon doll becoming the most successful.

The Ideal Toy Company (1907-97) acquired the Revlon license to make what was marketed at the time as “the most beautiful doll ever made”. It began production of the Miss Revlon dolls in 1956 and this continued until 1959. The Miss Revlon dolls were made in various sizes, including 15, 18, 20, 23 and 26 inch models. The dolls were marked "VT" followed by the doll's size, such as "VT18" or "VT20" (the "V" stood for vinyl, though I have no idea about the "T", unless it meant tall).

Miss Revlon dolls came with a variety of costumes, many of which had beautiful accessories, such as faux pearl necklaces and rabbit fur stoles.

There was also a Little Miss Revlon that was smaller, standing approximately 10.5 inches tall, which were made between 1958 and 1960. These were made from high-quality vinyl, with strung jointing, inset blinking sleep eyes, rooted saran hair and hand-painted facial detail. The smaller beauties were limited to 500 pieces, which makes them harder to find than the taller versions.

Then many years later, Robert Tonner, the prominent fashion designer, sculptor, doll artist and also collector of these tiny dolls, was inspired by the glamorous Little Miss Revlon from the Golden Age of Fashion to produce his own Vintage Revlon dolls. Robert modified the face sculpt, as the original Little Miss Revlon’s eyes were not perfectly symmetrical and a new version which embodied well proportioned, balanced facial features was born.

The first two of three dolls, Frosted Pink and Queen of Diamonds, arrived into stock in early May, 2011 and retailed for US$124.99. The third Vintage Revlon doll arrived at the end of May. This was followed by further dolls, including a bride.

-oOo-

This post came about because Linda's recent post reminded me of the  Robert Tonner Vintage Revlon Blushing Bride that I once considered adding to my collection. I have often wished I had, but never did.

She has the Vintage Revlon head sculpt with hand painted features, the 10.5 inch body made from fine quality vinyl in the Tyler skin tone, hard plastic blue eyes and brown rooted hair.

TONNER STOCK PHOTO

Revlon's bridal outfit is comprised of a gown, veil, floral headband, bouquet, pearl earrings and shoes. Her edition was limited to 500.

TONNER STOCK PHOTO

I also considered purchasing this Pink Parfait Outfit from the 2011 Collection, for her "going away" outfit.  The pink strapless lace dress has an attached full petticoat and her accessories include a white faux fur wrap, faux pearl earrings and necklace, with pink molded plastic shoes. This too was limited to an edition of 500.

NOTE: The Ideal Toy Company was made defunct by a merger with Mattel.

Fashion Friends Have Arrived

The two little girls arrived together last week and I was impressed by how pretty they looked. However, I was a little disappointed with their jointing. Sara's legs are quite loose and seem to go everywhere except where you want them, Maya's are much better and stay in place.

Hair is very fine and flyaway on Sara and quite frizzy on Maya, so I have ordered new wigs for them both, not knowing exactly the right size, I have a two different sizes coming and several styles (luckily my local supplier was having a sale).

Their clothes had Velcro closures except for Maya's jacket, so the dolls were stripped naked and re-dressed in the clothes I'd made for them. The sneakers that came with them were not badly made, although Sara's pair were both for the right foot! It's so typical of the lack of care given by the Chinese doll manufacturers.

I had one pair of flats in my stash which fitted Sara quite well, and another pair that also was the correct size, but with a higher heel, so not quite right for Maya.

Not being completely satisfied with either pair, I went browsing and found these gorgeous leather boots in this Etsy store. The soft creamy yellow and dusty mauve-pink will go with the outfits I have already knitted and the pretty mint ones will be saved for another Fashion Friend to be purchased at a future date to complete a trio.

One can clearly see these boots are beautifully made, and really worth every penny I spent on them. However, they are shipping from Russia, which means I will be waiting for ages for them to arrive, even though the seller posted them the very next day. Maybe I'll have my third Fashion Friend by the time they arrive. :)

My little Patience received a new outfit (I made her several other coordinating pieces not shown here) . . . both her top and coat are reversible, the capris are unlined and are trimmed with matching buttons on the side at the knee.

I also received my #2 Little Darling yesterday and now both my Little Darlings have also been redressed, but more on those wee ones next time. I hope you are all staying safe indoors and enjoying some time with your dolls.

What a Shamozzle!!

This how she looked
when I opened the box

Remember this post, about my last purchase for 2020 which I finished by saying " She is a doll who will surely test my patience as she throws my dolly world into disarray!"?

Well she certainly did, or should I say The Doll Peddlar did!! I didn't get the Wilde Imagination Springtime Patience which I ordered, but received the Phyn & Aero Just Have Patience instead (the one I had decided against).

She wasn't tied in properly either, her shoes were just loose in the box and her dress was crushed.

I contacted them and they were keen to let me know although the doll was not what I ordered, it was worth another US$15 more than I paid, which I suppose was to make me feel grateful.

To be absolutely honest, I really don't mind the doll itself, but I don't like the outfit at all and her hair was so tacky. Now I'm not sure if it was added gunk or glue seepage and was surprised to find her hair was not rooted, nor a wig, but a glued on weft.

Anyway, after cutting off the flowers which were stitched to her head and removing her hair ribbon, I shampooed and conditioned her hair to see how it looked after drying naturally.

I also removed her dress and thought the slip and nickers were nice enough even though the silk of the slip was quite different in colour from the attached cotton lace. I didn't particularly like the stockings either, seeing as they had stretched so much that they extended a good inch and a half pass the tip of her toes.

Normally I love Tonner clothes, but the outfit she came in just looked cheap and nasty. Where before Tonner clothes had proper press-stud (snap) closures this had that horrible Velcro.

Had I known all this beforehand I would have made sure she had something special to wear when she arrived, but as it stands (see above left), I have made do with a dress I had on hand and funnily enough it's inspired me to give her a layered look, I just need to knit or sew her a long coatigan to go over the top and I think she'll pass. :)

I Need Patience

What or who is Patience, you ask? She’s a little girl just filled with curiosity, apparent in her eager eyes. Patience is a doll like no other . . . she’s 14” tall with attitude as big as her head (meaning her head is delightfully . . . full!) and eyes that move from side to side as she contemplates her next adventure.

The graceful and gentle Wilde Imagination, Robert Tonner sculpted Patience doll is a character that has always stood for the wholesomeness of youth.

The 2018 Phyn & Aero Just Have Patience remains very much the same, she is still a testament to wide-eyed childhood innocence and imagination. Her eyes are as before . . . huge and “flirty,” with applied eyelashes and she still featured 12 points of articulation. This doll was the very last version of a beloved Tonner classic, limited to just 225 pieces and originally priced at US$175.

I thought about purchasing her for quite some time, before I made the decision to bring home this little one instead, the deciding factor being the colour of her eyes and lips. She's my last doll purchase for 2020, but she's not expected to arrive much before Valentine's day, 2021.

Springtime Patience was produced by Wilde Imagination in 2015 as a limited edition of 300. She features the Patience head, Harry Potter body, with grey-green eyes, pale coral lips and wigged brown hair. She is articulated at the elbow, wrist, knee and ankle as well as having a rotating hip.

I also want to mention, she can share clothes and shoes with Marley Wentworth and Tonner's 12" Harry Potter dolls. 

All Patience dolls pay tribute to the sweetness of little girls. She is a doll who will surely test my patience as she throws my dolly world into disarray!

Kitty Collier's coming in 2021

Yesterday I felt the need to indulge in a little dolly shopping on eBay. I found a 2000 version of the 18" Kitty listed by a dealer (not a doll collector), so I made a ridiculous offer (mainly to compensate for the shipping costs) and much to my surprise, it was accepted. She has the KC head and body, with the most beautifully styled rooted blonde hair, pretty blue inset eyes and a stunning gown.

As you may already be aware I have two Tiny Kitty Colliers, one redhead (2004 Basic), one blonde (Evening Gala) and a beautiful brunette Tonner Sindy (Bridal Bliss) who all arrived mid 2020. So it should come as no surprise that I would also purchase this 18" version, especially being a bride. Although I would have preferred a red haired gal, it's a pleasant change.

  

"In a make-believe time and place, Kitty opens up her dress shop, which boasts the most beautiful clothing and accessories. Always the height of elegance, Kitty wears her highly detailed ensembles with great feminine flair. In 2000, Kitty Collier™ made her debut, marching onto the fashion doll scene as an unprecedented 18” full vinyl fashion doll with a vintage touch, bringing a breath of fresh air to collectors everywhere. All Kitty Collier™ dolls have rooted hair and high quality inset eyes. Since 2003, Kitty Collier™ has had bent knees, swivel waist and rotational hip joints making her ever so poseable."

As you can see from the photos, she looks like she's in excellent condition, so I am feeling pretty pleased with myself and my purchase. I probably should not have purchased any more dolls until I made more room, but who can resist a pretty doll at Christmas?

Zombie Prom

Zombie Prom Amber is a doll from the Ellowyne Wilde line. She was produced by Wilde Imagination in 2013 as a limited edition of 150 for the Wilde Halloween Convention and retailed at US$199.

This doll features the Amber Stanhope head with an Ellowyne body in a pale skin tone. She has inset hazel eyes with applied eyelashes, wigged raven hair, articulated elbows, wrists and knees.

Her outfit comprises a tiara (which is attached to the wig), a dress with a glittery black bodice, ruffled black and grey chiffon skirt, black net gauntlets and a “Prom Queen” sash. Underneath she wears tights and black glittery platform shoes.

She's not from the USA this time round, nor Australia, but from New Zealand. Her parcel shipped to day so hopefully the trip won't take too long, but knowing how impatient I become, it will still not be quick enough.

TONNER STOCK PHOTOS

Something about her beautiful face reminds me of Snow White, but hubby sees her as an Evil Queen. :) How do you see her?

Business Day

"Meet Penn, Ellowyne's new . . . um? Friend? Look out Rufus, Ellowyne's heart is about to be stolen!"

TONNER STOCK PHOTO

Penn, Business Day was produced by Wilde Imagination in 2015 as a limited edition of 500. He features the Penn head with 17" Matt body. He has dreamy inset cobalt eyes, non-removable wigged mink hair, is  articulated at the elbows, wrists, knees and ankles.

Penn arrived wearing a pale blue button down shirt beneath a smart navy and grey hounds-tooth jacket, with black pants, white socks and black shoes.

I wouldn't say he was in pristine condition as one ankle is looser than the other, but he is worth what I paid for him. Which was less than what he was originally (US$179) and without the costly shipping expense, as he was from my own city. I guess once again, I was lucky to be in the right place, at the right time.

Something about him reminds me of the puppets from the TV series "The Thunderbirds". Does anyone else see the likeness or is it just me? :)

Well although he arrived today (Sunday), I've been rather spoilt this week, aside from Tyler, I also received a further three Tonner dolls; Lizette, Parnilla (Thursday) and Ellowyne (Friday). but photos of those dolls will appear later.

I'm still on the hunt for Amber and maybe Rufus (Ellowyne Wilde) as well as Mortimer (Evangeline Ghastly), but no hurry.

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

Tyler Arrived

Yesterday! This is the second or maybe the third time Australia Post has delivered to me on a Sunday. She was a late in arriving due to the Covid restrictions in place around the world. It's taken five weeks, so you can imagine, she is a very welcome arrival.

I am so pleased I ordered her, even though she was made as a large edition, she is really gorgeous! Even hubby has taken a fancy to her. :) You will find all her details in this post, so I won't bore you by repeating it. However, here are some photos which I took this morning.

Tyler may not pose well due to lack of articulation, but she's so lovely to look at and the detail on Tonner dolls is spot on as you can see by the shoe here . . .  the base of the shoe matches perfectly with the colours in her gown and the inner sole is actually covered in the same fabric.

I hope your week is off to as good a start as mine!

Possibly Clairvoyant

I haven't had much enthusiasm for taking photos lately, actually I have had very little enthusiasm for anything other than buying dolls, dolls and more dolls. This may change when the darn things finally begin to arrive though . . . I b****y well hope so!

I did try to cheer myself up by revamping my blogs and sorting out which dolls belonged to which blog etc. But that didn't work out so well, I still felt blah.

The other thing that I have had difficulty coming to terms with is finding a decent editing program. I was really happy with the one I was using. Then my computer crashed and I lost it. At first I thought I'd simply purchase the latest update of the same one and all will be well in my world . . . except it no longer had all the things I used and liked about the old one.

So it was back to spending on dolls again and it didn't take long before I found a pretty Prudence to be friends with my Ellowyne and Lizette. She's another purchase from Jeff.

Possibly Clairvoyant was produced by Wilde Imagination in 2015 as a limited edition of 500 which retailed at US$189. She features a Prudence head on an Ellowyne body and has inset brown eyes, rooted chestnut hair with a red streak, articulated elbows, wrists and knees.

She is another MIB as shown here in Jeff's photos (left) and on the right you can see how she is close up . . . her eyes look a deeper brown in Jeff's photo.

Her outfit consists of what you see in the Robert Tonner's Wilde Imagination photos which also show how gorgeous she looks out of her box.

Well I have nothing more to add today and I'm afraid if I stay here chatting I might end up boring you all with my own crappy feelings of frustration which I know many are suffering from right now in Melbourne . . . I'm off to drown myself in a bottle of wine!

 

Shadow Figures

Parnilla has a friend on the way . . . I am feeling so lucky to have found this one MIB and for less than retail.

Shadow Figures is a doll from the Evangeline Ghastly line which was produced by Wilde Imagination in 2015. The limited edition of 350 retailed at US$219.

This doll features the Evangeline Ghastly head, with inset amber eyes, applied eyelashes and mink rooted hair with sandy blonde highlights and ruby lips.

Her body is hard plastic with articulated elbows, wrists, knees and ankles.

These are Tonner photos, but my gal is looking pretty good too! I will post photos of her when she has arrived. I am hoping to repaint the inner part of her eyeliner without removing all of the original face paint.

Dressed an airy chiffon sleeved cape featuring a collar of lace bejeweled with white faux pearls, golden cut crystal beads and sequins.

The cape is complimented by a matching chiffon bodice and flowing skirt.

Underneath the chiffon, she wears a pair of glittering gold and white sequined pants. and gleaming gold peep-toe heels.

Although I like the colour and fabrics used in her gown, I would like to  revamp her costume a little.

I am not fond of the cape as it is. The beading is far to heavy and tends to swamp her neck, and the front of the cape doesn't drape as well as I'd like it to. I'll probably remove the cape altogether, and providing I can find the right fabric, make her one that allows the rest of her costume to shine through.

Wish me luck!

P.S. Check out this repaint and you will see why I want to change her eyeliner. :)

Rainbow Evening

I caved and purchased a friend for Angelique . . . she makes an even number in this collection, so there will be one more of these dolls to come . . .  when I find the right mix. :)

Rainbow Evening Parnilla was designed by Joe Petrollese (former design director at the Tonner Doll company), sculpted by Robert Tonner and made exclusively for the 2014 Wilde Imagination Ghastly Collection. Long sold out and difficult to find, she was a limited edition of just 350 pieces.

This fetching Parnilla will arrive bearing inset blue eyes behind lush applied lashes, and a thick mane of rooted chestnut hair, which has been side swept into an up-do.

She wears a faux fur trimmed long slinky iridescent gown with bead buttoned front and dainty beaded ribbon accents on the cuffs.

Completing her ensemble is an antiqued gold and purple necklace; an enchanting hairpiece of beads, ribbon, faux flowers and tulle; coordinating tights; and a pair of shimmering black pumps. She was US$199 when released.

These are Tonner's original photos, and although the photos taken by her previous owner were nice enough, there wasn't one that showed her face in the best light. Once I have a complete set of the three Ghastly girls (Angelique, Parnilla and Evangeline herself) I will photograph them all together.

Hopefully she will arrive in good time. :)

Angelique de la Nuit

TONNER STOCK PHOTO

The initial appearance of Angelique in the Evangeline Ghastly line was in 2014 when the Tonner Doll Company produced a limited edition of 350 world wide of the beautiful Angelique De La Nuit for Wilde Imagination.

She is an 18.5 inch ball jointed doll made from vinyl and hard plastic, with inset hazel coloured eyes, curly rooted raven hair, articulated elbows, wrists, knees and ankles.

Her ensemble consists of a fur trimmed velvet wrap dress with with eye-catching applique, a feather trimmed hat, golden shoes and earrings.

Everything was still in the original bags and she had never been removed from her box. She is really drop dead gorgeous!

I have been more than fortunate this time, as she was available here in Australia and once again at a very fair price. Angelique completes my Tonner collection . . . at least for this year. I ordered her Monday evening, she was shipped Express Post and I received her today, it's so nice to finally have a doll actually arrive.

Now I need turn my attention to sewing and knitting once again, as my dolly purse is thoroughly depleted. 

Wilde Wedding Lizette Sultry & Serene Bridesmaid

This is what happens . . . when you have too much time on your hands. You . . .

1. spend too much time on eBay browsing.

2. spend too much money on dolls.

3. spend too much time waiting.

But oh what fun it is finding beautiful dolls to bring home to the fold!

TONNER STOCK PHOTO

My latest purchase was from the same person I bought Agatha from. This doll wasn't a bargain, however just like Agatha, she was very fairly priced for a doll that is selling elsewhere for way above her original retail price tag of US$169. One is currently listed for US$279, another for US$350, both are plus shipping!

She is a Wilde Wedding Lizette Sultry & Serene Bridesmaid doll, made by the Tonner doll company for Wilde Imagination. Released in 2016 as a UFDC Convention Exclusive, in a limited edition of 200. 

Lizette has non removable mink wigged hair and gorgeous inset hazel eyes. She is dressed in a gorgeous black net evening gown embroidered in dark pink / purple and gold and adorned with a sequin flower on the waist and shoulders. The same design sequin flower is also featured in Lizette's hair.

Earrings and faux black leather shoes as well as pair of glitter pantyhose complete the look.  She comes with her stand in her box and shipper.

Lizette is Ellowyne's friend and will make a perfect companion for mine when they both finally arrive. I adore her skin colour, smokey eyeshadow and her luscious lip colour. I think Lizette will also prove to be the perfect inspiration for a beautiful new gown for my Ellowyne . . . what do you think?