Hollywood Dolls

I guess it all began with Barbie. After all, she's been the most popular doll in anyone's history (or just perhaps in mine). Mattel has come up with an interesting line of collectibles -- from its celebrity line to its Silkstone series. Among those that have captured my interest are the creations of Robert Best, a young genius in doll fashion. In my opinion, his is one of the most elegant choices of color and material for Barbie. Here, we see his "In The Pink" gown. It is a voluminous evening ensemble that comes with purse, stockings, shawl and a multi-layered "very" soft tulle gown in the palest of pinks. It is embellished with Swarovski crystals in clear and pink that gives it a very rich and luxurious look. The doll is Mattel's Alexandra Posen which I have retouched to soften its snobbish features. I was able to get this doll nude in ebay from a seller named "ecamarab" (one of the kindest and most professional sellers I've encountered). I was attracted to the Posen doll but was not able to get it earlier as it came in a set with its partner Zac Posen and now is very expensive (if you google him up his doll version kinda captures his look but not faithful to his features really). Luckily it was being sold in ebay separately (nude doll only). The Alexandra Posen doll was supposed to look like his sister. When I researched what she really looked like, the doll didn't look the least like her. Nevertheless, this doll has the "model muse" body mold which follows the frame and pose of today's Supermodels. She doesn't have the "hand on hip" but straight arms, elegantly stretched with hands and fingers which add to its sophistication. I like the mold of this body as it has less of the usual Barbie frame we all know. She is rooted with  rich red hair and a pout that is reminiscent of those models in high-end fashion. Notice too the cheekbones which are very un-Barbie like.  

What I like about this doll too is that its original features (retouched lips and eyes -- argh very hard on a small doll) which was soft. I am not much of a follower of heavily made up dolls. Femininity is always best with beautiful soft make-up. 

I hope you enjoy the portraits. It's just one of the few dolls of Mattel I've kept. = ) 

             "Don't look back" dress (Tonner 2009 GWTW line) 

"Travelling with Mother to Savannah" (Tonner 2009 GWTW  line) 

My personal portrait of Tonner "Waiting for Pa" doll (repainted)

Na ordem estão os filmes mais indicados ao

Oscar 2009 - Top Seis:
In the order there are the most nominated films for

the 81st Annual Academy Awards - Top Six:

Em primeiro lugar - Top 1
Com 13 indicações:

O curioso caso de Benjamin Button
(The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)

1- Melhor Filme
2- Melhor Ator (Brad Pitt)
3- Melhor Atriz Coadjuvante (Taraji P. Henson)
4- Melhor Diretor (David Fincher)
5- Melhor Roteiro Adaptado
6- Melhor Fotografia
7- Melhor Edição
8- Melhor Direção de Arte
9- Melhor Figurino
10- Melhor Maquiagem
11- Melhor Trilha-Sonora
12- Melhor Som
13- Melhores Efeitos Especiais

Em segundo lugar - Top 2
Com 10 indicações:

Quem quer ser um milionário?
(Slumdog Millionaire)

1- Melhor Filme
2- Melhor Diretor (Danny Boyle)
3- Melhor Roteiro Adaptado
4- Melhor Fotografia
5- Melhor Edição
6- Melhor Trilha-Sonora
7- Melhor Música 1
8- Melhor Música 2
9- Melhor Som
10- Melhor Edição de Som

Em terceiro lugar empatados - Top 3
Com 8 indicações:

Batman – O cavaleiro das trevas
(The Dark Knight)

1- Melhor Ator Coadjuvante (Heath Ledger)
2- Melhor Fotografia
3- Melhor Edição
4- Melhor Direção de Arte
5- Melhor Maquiagem
6- Melhor Som
7- Melhor Edição de Som
8- Melhores Efeitos Especiais

Milk - A voz da liberdade

1- Melhor Filme
2- Melhor Ator (Sean Penn)
3- Melhor Ator Coadjuvante (Josh Brolin)
4- Melhor Diretor (Gus Van Sant)
5- Melhor Roteiro Original
6- Melhor Edição
7- Melhor Figurino
8- Melhor Trilha-Sonora

Em quarto lugar - Top 4
Com 6 indicações:

Wall.E

1- Melhor Roteiro Original
2- Melhor Animação
3- Melhor Trilha-Sonora
4- Melhor Música
5- Melhor Som
6- Melhor Edição de Som

Em quinto lugar empatados - Top 5
Com 5 indicações:

Frost/Nixon

1- Melhor Filme
2- Melhor Ator (Frank Langella)
3- Melhor Diretor (Ron Howard)
4- Melhor Roteiro Adaptado
5- Melhor Edição

O Leitor
(The reader)

1- Melhor Filme
2- Melhor Diretor (Stephen Daldry)
3- Melhor Atriz (Kate Winslet)
4- Melhor Roteiro Adaptado
5- Melhor Fotografia

Doubt

1- Melhor Atriz (Meryl Streep)
2- Melhor Ator Coadjuvante (Philip Seymour Hoffman)
3- Melhor Atriz Coadjuvante (Amy Adams)
4- Melhor Atriz Coadjuvante (Viola Davis)
5- Melhor Roteiro Adaptado

Em sexto lugar empatados - Top 6
Com 3 indicações:

A troca
(Changeling)

1- Melhor Atriz (Angelina Jolie)
2- Melhor Fotografia
3- Melhor Direção de Arte

Foi apenas um Sonho

(Revolutionary road)

1- Melhor Ator Coadjuvante (Michael Shannon)

2- Melhor Direção de Arte

3- Melhor Figurino

After shooting Venus in her original outfit (her undies that is), I picked some Gene clothes for her to wear (all of them from the Ashton Drake years), for her first fashion photo shoot. She was a very eclectic lady, picking stuff that would make justice to her versatility and glamour. She fits into Gene clothes with a little extra effort in the hips, as she is a bit wide for them, but most of the stretchier staff she can get into. Not all outfits will button though, especially jackets.

First one, Unforgettable. The mermaid style gown makes her look gorgeous, although it was a bitch getting the stretch petticoat up the top skirt because of the tight fit. You can see her here with the full outfit minus the lace scarf. The wig is from Integrity's Avantguard Lush doll. It is not a perfect fit but with a little effort one can get it to look great. The colours of the gown and jewellery match her make up perfectly.

Next up was Black Ribbon, which is a copy of a Marlene Dietrich outfit. The jacket was impossible to button up but everything fits, even the gloves. Careful if you put this outfit on a doll, it stains. The hat was difficult to pin on the wig but I finally did it. Wig by Monique.

Gene had an outfit called Little Black Dress. The idea was having a simple basic A-line black dress (40's style) and change looks by simply changing the accessories included. First try, the lace cuff and bib, with the matching hat - a mix of Morticia Adams and Amish style into one. The hat was again difficult to pin on the Lush wig. The different positioning of the hat makes for some very interesting photography.

Second set for the LBD: the Chanel approach. Multiple chains piled at neck and waist, with a matching hair band complete with white flower and black tulle. She looks like Madonna wearing Chanel.

The third set was the most surprising: the plaid hat and bustle match Venus's eccentric style and brought out her supermodel self in a way I had not anticipated - especially without any wig.

There was a fourth option (with a small forest green gilet) but the result were disappointing. So on we were to a gorgeous evening dress, Derby Eve. The fit is not perfect, especially at the hips, but the result is fantastic (the flowers in the Lush wig are from the ensemble):

A suit was something I wanted to see Venus in very much - so she tried Perfect Gift: a green shantung suit with burgundy rose accents and matching tasselled bag. The short Monique wig was a perfect fit for this style, making the whole thing look much more modern. Shoes here are from Tonner's Vintage Shoes accessory pack from the GWTW collection.

The peplum style jacket fits her perfectly, enhancing her silhouette. If only she could stand better on her stand.

Looking for something more couture like, I put a Tonner outfit on her: Anniversary Gala from the 2004 Tyler Wentworth collection. The short embroidered jacket, trimmed with fur, combined with the brocade full skirt makes Venus look like a million bucks. I put the jacket onto her back side front to make it look like a bolero. You can see the results below (wig by Monique):

After all the outfit changes, Venus suddenly decided to relax. So what better way than to "slip into something more comfortable"? Gene's "The Kiss" , with its marabou trimmed satin peignoir lined with shimmering silver lame and a matching gown looked perfect, the light pink matching Venus's make up to a T. And she posed even without any wig, looking gorgeous.

Monique wig

Wig from the Lush Avantguard doll.

Academia das Artes e Ciências Cinematográficas divulgou na manhã de quinta-feira do dia 22 de janeiro, os indicados ao Oscar 2009.