A FEW THINGS ABOUT BOXES

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Fashion Royalty dolls usually get the perfect package any doll could dream of. The box is made of a hard material that won't get crashed easily. Dolls are attached to the box by soft ribbons that prevent your beauties from getting damaged. Everything in the package is perfectly distributed, and you won't encounter many problems in case of reselling: you'll be able to offer a product pretty close to the unopened one.

Barbie Collector should definitely pay more attention to their packaging. On one hand, we get the excellent packages for Silkstone dolls (no complains at all about them). But on the other hand, we usually get a nice-looking doll in a box that easily turns into a nightmare of a doll trying to get rid of her chocking package. Those plastic attachments should be forbidden! It's not unusal to get awfully wrinkled clothing, and even tiny holes after cutting out the threads that attach the outfits to the box. It's not hard to understand why then there are so many people out there who prefer to keep their dolls in the boxes for showcasing.

These dolls get the worst packages ever! Being as expensive as they are, it should be at least much less complicated to get them out of the box. Plastic attachments are everywhere! Seriously, it takes more than a few minutes until your doll is free. In addition, there's nothing interesting at all about the packaging: so boring. Pullip's boxes are just that... boxes. Oh, yes, don't even think of getting the doll back in the box for reselling. Well, I guess you could but...

BARBIE DOLLS I DON'T DARE TO GET OUT OF THE BOX

All pictures are property of Mattel, Inc.

Yes! There are a few dolls I don't even dare to get out of their boxes. Here's my guilty list:

TARINA TARANTINO BARBIE DOLL

Tarina Tarantino's creation is as cute as cute can get from head to toes and beyond, which means that the box is also so enchanting that it actually becomes itself a part of the whole ensemble.

Yes, deep inside of me I'd love to see the doll out of her box but... not yet.

SUGAR BARBIE DOLL

Byron Lars was probably touched by an angel when he designed the Chapeaux Collection. Absolutely everything in this collection is perfectly crafted and beautifully put together. That, of course, includes the amazing packages that recreate hat-boxes.

She'd be gorgeous out of her box, but luckily it's a perfect box for showcasing. If boxes were always like this one, I'm not sure I'd ever get any doll out of it.

REEM ACRA BRIDE BARBIE DOLL

There's a good reason why I haven't get this one out of her (huge) box yet: the dress alone would just take too much place.

I know that it'd be much better for the dress to be free but I haven't got the room  it needs at the moment, and keeping it inside its box prevents it from getting ruined eventually. Oh, but she's such an extraordinary doll!

WATER LILY BARBIE DOLL

Once again it's only a matter of space to get this lovely doll out of her box. She won't need as much as the Reem Acra one, but to exhibit the dress properly I should first make some room.

This doll was actually one of the first I got when I started collecting and I'd really love to show her the way she deserves some time soon.

ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S "THE BIRDS" BARBIE DOLL

I know that as soon as I get her out of the box I'll get rid of the birds so... Yes, the birds make her special (as loved as hated) but that dress would look amazing on one of my Fashion Royalty dolls. I'm not sure. I must keep on thinking about it.

ADÈLE MAKÉDA GRAPHIC LANGUAGE Vs. GOLDSTROKE - FASHION ROYALTY DOLL

Pictures property of Integrity Toys, Inc. 

Adèle Makéda Graphic Language was my first Fashion Royalty doll and her face remains as captivating as the first time I saw it. I remember I was pretty upset because I had no idea that her body was not fully articulated and therefore I couldn't get the pictures I really was looking for. However, what I got instead was an astonishing face sculpt that immediately became the center of some of the most beautiful close-ups I've ever got in a photo. She was the reason why I understood that Barbie will always be my past and the Integrity Toys' ladies... my future.

MATERIAL QUALITY: Ex-cel-lent. The texture of their bodies is perfect for taking pictures of.
HAIR: Amazing quality and so easy to restyle.
FACE SCULPT: She's one of THE FACES... period.
MAKE-UP: Of a perfect taste, including the fingernails.

BODY ARTICULATION: GoldStroke Adèle Makéda's got a fully articulated body that's perfect for posing and taking pictures of. Graphic Language Adèle is less articulated and more static. Fashion Royalty's fully articulated bodies are hard to beat by any other dolls out there.

CLOTHING: Excellent quality. Easy to put on and take off. The designs are not too impressive, though. It'll depends on your personal taste, but I personally think that GoldStroke's edgier.

FASHION ACCESSORIES: Great jewelry and shoes to die for.

BONUS: Great packaging as usual, a smart doll stand, and a booklet explaining the story behind the doll.  

VALUE 4 MONEY: Getting a Fashion Royalty doll is usually a synonym of excellence, and this time is no exception. Both dolls are worth what they cost, and reselling is always guaranteed.   

FINAL RATING: Graphic Language

             GoldStroke

IN OTHER WORDS: Graphic Language Adèle's face is legendary but her body's not fully articulated. GoldStroke's face may be not so impressive but her body's a delight when the time for posing comes. Anyway, they're both perfect dolls for any collector.

LIV DOLLS

Picture property of Spin Master, Inc. 

MATERIAL QUALITY: Pretty good for a playline doll.

HAIR: They all use good quality wigs that you can exchange and restyle for an endless choice of possibilities. Instead of being bold, these dolls also have got painted short cuts.

FACE SCULPT: Except for the colour of their glass eyes and the skin tones, these dolls' face sculpts are practically the same.

MAKE-UP: Not much to say about it: very suitable for the childish look and easy to combine with any outfit.

BODY ARTICULATION: A fantastically articulated body, hard to find in playline dolls and perfect for posing.

CLOTHING: Easy to put on and take off. The quality of the materials is great and the design is cool as well. You can use most of the clothing in Barbie and similar dolls, which is always great if you like to restyle your dolls. 

FASHION ACCESSORIES: Earrings, chokers, necklaces, rings, bracelets, all sorts of shoes and boots, bags, and plenty of cute things for hair styling.

BONUS: Each doll includes accessories to play with depending on the theme of the collection.

VALUE 4 MONEY: These dolls should have been a success. Investing money in getting a few of them now that they won't be produced anymore and can be found pretty cheap could be worth the try. But I must admit that I'm not completely sure whether they will ever be a precious item for collectors to treasure. Only time will tell... 

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: These dolls are amazing despite their lack of success. Maybe they should have been a collector item only for collectors since the very beginning. If only they had been produced in limited quantities...

BARBIE BASICS COLLECTION 002.5 - BARBIE DOLL

Pictures property of Mattel, Inc. 

MATERIAL QUALITY: Pretty good for the price of this line.

HAIR: They all three have got great long hair perfect for restyling again and again.

FACE SCULPT: The three sculpts are gorgeous. However, don't expect a typical Barbie face.

MAKE-UP: It'll probably work fine with most of the creations you can think of.

BODY ARTICULATION: Finally a pivotal body that should be used in the whole Basics line. Only three dolls to chose from... you can always change their heads.

CLOTHING: Very basic. Easy to put on and take off. This line is made to be played with so... get your favourite outfits ready! 

FASHION ACCESSORIES: Cool shoes, bracelets and earrings.

BONUS: Too basic for bonuses, just a plain doll stand.

VALUE 4 MONEY: The affordable price of the Basics line is perfect for collectors who are willing to restyle Barbie dolls again and again without the guilt of using a sought-after piece of collection as a playing item. However, these three pivotal dolls are getting much more expensive than their original price, for it's difficult to find pivotal Barbie dolls. If you're thinking of reselling them for a much higher price in the future, the 002.5 BASICS COLLECTION is the one to look for. 

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: Affordable and poseable. What else could you ask for?

CHRISTIAN DIOR BARBIE - BARBIE DOLL

Picture property of Mattel, Inc. 

MATERIAL QUALITY: Acceptable as usual with collectible Barbie dolls from that period: a little bit better than the playline ones but still far from reaching the quality top.
HAIR: It comes pulled back into a chignon which I like better than the style in the picture above. The hair is just as any other Superstar era Barbie doll's.
FACE SCULPT: Like any other Superstar era Barbie doll's sculpt. Love it or hate it, but that's what you get.
MAKE-UP: Once again, Superstar era...
BODY ARTICULATION: Very basic.
CLOTHING: An extraordinary creation... sewn! I'll have to find someone who can take it off for me: I can't wait to use it with one of my Fashion Royalties.
FASHION ACCESSORIES: Beautiful leaf earrings, ring and shoes... all golden!

BONUS: An elegant black doll stand with a golden Barbie logo is included as well as a little booklet about the doll's creation.
VALUE 4 MONEY: This doll is no longer an expensive item, so I guess getting her is just a matter of enjoying Dior's designs. I suppose she should be a great deal of a collectible, but she was overproduced losing part of her eventual value.

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: A sensational (and sewn) ensemble is all this doll has to offer. A doll just to be looked at.

RAQUELLE FASHIONISTAS - BARBIE DOLL

Picture property of Mattel, Inc. 

MATERIAL QUALITY: Not as good as it used to be anymore. Pure playline quality looking cheaper than it should, but still looks pretty acceptable in pictures.

HAIR: Good enough for restyling.

FACE SCULPT: Probably the most beautiful sculpt in the Fashionistas line.

MAKE-UP: Even better than some of the Basics line Barbie dolls'.

BODY ARTICULATION: A pivotal body perfect for playing with. However, the low quality of the material makes me think that it'll lose some rigidity eventually.  

CLOTHING: One of the coolest outfits in the Fashionistas line. It looks amazing on other dolls, such as Basics Barbie dolls.

FASHION ACCESSORIES: Both the shoes and the bracelet look as cool as cheap.

BONUS: A ring for young girls is included.

VALUE 4 MONEY: A cheap playline doll worth getting, but remember: she's meant to play with and not to be collected, so don't expect that quality. 

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: Playline Barbie dolls won't get any better than this one nowadays. If you're willing to get a Fashionistas doll, go for this one.

J·DOLL AVENUE MALECON - J·DOLL

Picture property of Ars Gratia Artis. 

MATERIAL QUALITY: Pretty good for a collectible doll. The hands are made of a softer material not as good as the rest of the body.

HAIR: Nice hairstyle straight from the factory. The quality of the hair is good.

FACE SCULPT: A childish look more mature than a Pullip one but much younger that one of Barbie's. I like her eyes using crystal instead of being painted. 

MAKE-UP: Soft and nice. Since these dolls are smaller than, for instance, a Fashion Royalty doll, I do think that this kind of make-up is much more suitable. I like it better than a Pullip's.

BODY ARTICULATION: A fully articulated body perfect for posing. The legs squeak from the very beginning.

CLOTHING: Great quality and design. The coat is a dream. However, the clothes are not easy to take off and put back on. 

FASHION ACCESSORIES: A lot of little details and goodies such as chains, charms, a choker, a brooch, a bag and sunglasses. I love the knee-highs, but the boots are a nightmare to take off.   

BONUS: The doll stand is cool but it's not easy to use.

VALUE 4 MONEY: The price of these dolls can vary a lot depending on what country you buy them. I found mine much cheaper in USA than in Europe. I don't know many people who collect them which makes me think that it's not a good investment.

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: The clothing is really beautiful and the quality of the doll is correct, but the smaller size makes it difficult to combine styles with those of Barbie's or Fashion Royalty's. Once you get one there's probably no need for more.

BARBIES FROM THE SUPERSTAR ERA - BARBIE DOLL

Pictures property of Mattel, Inc. 

A few months ago I got a longtime expected lot of Barbie dolls from the eighties: Peaches and Cream, Crystal, Angel Face, Dream Date, Magic Moves and Day to Night.

I was very excited to meet them all again for they are part of my childhood. However, as soon as I got them out of their boxes, I had to face two annoying issues I was not counting on: tape and rubber bands.

I knew that the boxes were not going to be in any great condition, and that was fine with me since I was already planning on getting them on a doll stand anyway. But, tape? I had forgotten about the tape!

After all these years, the tape had turned yellow and melted all over the beautiful Peaches and Cream nightgown. It was a huge disappointment to see it ruined that way. And what can I say about the rubber bands messing up the hair? They had lost all elasticity and turned into broken pieces of rubbish. I was desperate, but then...

Yes! Mattel's reproductions of Superstar, Peaches and Cream and even Rock Star dolls could be the perfect choice for my despair.

Luckily for all of us, these dolls are easily found pretty cheap. So, getting a few Superstar repros to use as models for the original outfits is the best of choices. Besides, you can always resell the reproduction fashions that come along with the dolls and get some money back.

FINAL RATING:

IN OTHER WORDS: Like getting a Barbie doll for the first time back in the eighties: fabulous to play with and perfect for restoring original dolls from that era. However, as collectible dolls, the quality cannot be compared to that of most of Integrity Toys or Tonner dolls. Get them if you are in need of feeling that way again (you know what I mean)!

VANESSA PERRIN DRESS CODE Vs. KORINNE EASY ELEGANCE - FASHION ROYALTY DOLL

Pictures property of Integrity Toys, Inc. 

I was going to review Korinne Easy Elegance a few days ago, but since I got Vanessa Perrin Dress Code yesterday and both dolls are part of the same line, I thought it'd be a good idea to compare them.
 
MATERIAL QUALITY: Ex-cel-lent.
HAIR: Great quality and easy to restyle.
FACE SCULPT: It's a matter of personal taste since both dolls are truly beautiful. I personally prefer Vanessa's sculpt. Korinne's face is a little bit shiny.
MAKE-UP: Just what they both needed. The good thing about this sort of make-up is that it'll suit practically any sort of ensemble you could style on your own.

BODY ARTICULATION: A fully articulated body that's perfect for posing and taking pictures of. I still consider Fashion Royalty's articulation hard to beat by any other doll.

CLOTHING: Excellent quality. Easy to put on and take off. The designs in this whole line are really smart but don't expect any night gowns. Again it depends on your personal taste. Korinne's got a three pieces ensemble which allows you to be more creative.

FASHION ACCESSORIES: The shoes are just great matching  the colours of the outfits. Sunglasses are included along with high-quality jewelry.

BONUS: Great packaging as usual, a smart doll stand, and a set of spare hands.  

VALUE 4 MONEY: I got them both a little bit cheaper than their actual price, but they're not too expesive anyway. Getting a Fashion Royalty doll is always a synonym of excellence, and this time is no exception. Both dolls are worth what they cost.   

FINAL RATING:

IN OTHER WORDS: If these dolls came along with spectacular ensembles, they would be both worth five stars. Perfect dolls for any collector, and much more for those in love with taking pictures of their treasures.

BARBIE BASICS MODEL N.02 Co.01 - BARBIE DOLL

Picture property of Mattel, Inc. 

MATERIAL QUALITY: Pretty good for the price of this line.

HAIR: She's got one of the best haircuts in this entire line. Her hair is soft and perfect for restyling it.

FACE SCULPT: Absolutely gorgeous. One, if not the most, of the most beautiful sculpts in the Basics line.

MAKE-UP: It's not impressive but it's OK.

BODY ARTICULATION: The original pose is suitable enough for clothing to look fine on her, but that's all you'll get. Basic head, arms and legs articulations; but forget about elbows, knees or wrists. If you can get her head on a pivotal body, just don't hesitate.

CLOTHING: Being as simple as the little black dresses in this line are, this one is probably one of the nicest. Easy to put on and take off.

FASHION ACCESSORIES: Cool shoes and a plain doll stand with no logo at all.

BONUS: Too basic for bonuses.

VALUE 4 MONEY: The affordable price of the Basics line is perfect for collectors who are willing to restyle Barbie dolls again and again without the guilt of using a sought-after piece of collection as a playing item. Don't expect the best of investments if you're thinking of reselling her for a much higher price in the future, though. 

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: If Mattel had used the pivotal body all through the Basics line, we'd be talking about an outstanding doll here. But the limitations regarding the articulation are too restrictive. However it still is one great deal if you're in need of playing with Barbie and can't stand the Fashionistas doll line.