The New  Year saw the announcement of the Nominees in the 2013 DollObservers.com Fashion Doll Awards. Members of the DollObservers.com community have been submitting their nominations since November last year and now it is the turn of the wider fashion doll loving world to vote for the ultimate winners.

Each of the 48 nominations, over the 10 categories, represents the very best that the fashion doll industry has to offer the adult collector.

What makes these nominations unique is that they are hand chosen by the dedicated members of this online community, with the eventual winners then voted for by the general fashion doll loving public. In this way these awards really do represent the true taste of the discerning fashion doll buyer.

The winners will be announced via this website on 17th February 2013. Check out the event page for more details.

Here are the Nominations in full:

CATEGORY 1 – Best Fashion Doll in 12″ Scale

• Allure FR Monogram by Integrity Toys
• Barbie The Blonds by Mattel
• Elizabeth Taylor Barbie Violet Eyes by Mattel
• Poppy Parker The Happening by Integrity Toys
• Victoire Roux Champs-Elysées by Integrity Toys

CATEGORY 2 - Best Fashion Doll in 16″ Scale

• Flying Dragon Ling Lan by JAMIEshow
• FR16 Sheen Siren Elsa by Integrity Toys
• Maraschino by Superdoll Collectables
• Party Girl Precarious by Tonner Doll Company
• Poppy Parker Fashion Teen Shop Around by Integrity Toys

CATEGORY 3 - Best Male Fashion Doll (any scale)

• Baby It’s You Chip Farnsworth III by Integrity Toys
• Dating Fun Ken by Mattel
• Hansel Nu Fantasy by Integrity Toys
• Rio Pacheco by Integrity Toys
• Summer Basics Alejandro by JAMIEshow

CATEGORY 4 - Best Celebrity Likeness in a Fashion Doll (any scale)

• Elizabeth Taylor Barbie Violet Eyes by Mattel
• Marilyn Monroe by Tonner Doll Company
• Hunger Games Katniss Doll by Mattel
• Isn’t It Romantic Poppy Parker as Sabrina by Integrity Toys
• William and Catherine Royal Wedding Giftset by Mattel

CATEGORY 5 - Best Costume 12″ Scale (fashion only release)

• Barbie Basics Look No.1 Collection 003 by Mattel
• Blue by Huckleberry Jackson Couture
• Petal Perfect by Dressmaker Details Couture
• Tea Party Barbie Fashion by Mattel

CATEGORY 6 - Best Costume 16″ Scale (fashion only release)

• Allure for Antoinette by Tonner Doll Company
• DeeAnna’s New Look by Tonner Doll Company
• Hot Night Marilyn Monroe by Tonner Doll Company
• Snow Panther by Superdoll Collectables

CATEGORY 7 - Best Fashion Doll Accessory/Playset/Furniture Item (any scale)

• Barbie Vanity Target Exclusive by Mattel
• Barbie The Look Wardrobe by Mattel
• Desk & Chair Set for 12″ Dolls by Horsman Ltd
• Holiday 2012 Chaise by JAMIEshow
• Room Divider for 12″ Dolls by Horsman Ltd

CATEGORY 8 - Best Fashion Doll Designer/Manufacturer

• Bill Greening at Mattel
• Charles Fegen & Desmond Lingard at Superdoll Collectables
• David Buttry at Integrity Toys
• Robert Best at Mattel
• Robert Tonner at Tonner Doll Company

CATEGORY 9 - Best Online Fashion Doll Retailer

• Angelic Dreamz (angelicdreamz.com)
• Barbie Collector (barbiecollector.com)
• Doll Attic (dollattic.com)
• Marl & B (marlbe.com)
• Superdoll Collectables (superfrock.com)

CATEGORY 10 - The 2013 Fashion Doll Innovations Award – Maker of Most Authentic Fashion Doll Accessories

• Barbie Collector by Mattel
• Integrity Toys
• JAMIEshow
• Tonner Doll Company
• Superdoll Collectables

VOTE NOW!

For pictures of all the nominees check out our Awards Movie below:

Today, Sunday 19th February 2012, at 6pm GMT the winners of the first ‘Annual DollObservers.com Fashion Doll Awards’ or ‘DOFDAs’ were announced. Eager fashion doll lovers and community members were treated to live announcements via online chat and tweets (#DOFDAs). Each nominee was chosen by the DollObservers members and winners were selected by public vote.

Winners in several categories included superdoll_collectables and Integrity Toys as well as award nods for Mattel and Tonner Doll. One of the winners, George Gonzalez from Angelic Dreamz, was even online to ‘accept’ his Award for ‘Best Online Retailer of the Year’. George later stated that, as well as his win, he was “honoured” to have also been nominated in a total of 6 categories, including ’Best 16″ Fashion Doll’ and ‘Best Fashion Doll Designer’.

The Awards also mark the second Anniversary of DollObservers.com which came into being on 20th February 2010. We have come a long way since then, thanks to a dedicated community of members.

Here is the full list of Award Nominees & Winners:

1. Best 12″ Scale Fashion Doll

Barbie Basics ‘Model No. 14 – Collection 002.5‘ (Mattel)
Fashion Royalty ‘Modern Comeback‘ Véronique Perrin (Integrity Toys) WINNER
NU.FACE ‘Quiet Storm‘ Annik (Integrity Toys)
‘tokidoki‘ Barbie Doll (Mattel)
VINTAGE REVLON ‘Blushing Bride‘ (Tonner Doll)

2. Best 16″ Scale Fashion Doll

Related articles

• Why should I join DollObservers.com? (dollobserver.com)
• The DollObservers.com Awards go to the Public Vote (dollobserver.com)

DollObservers.com, the social networking site for fashion doll lovers, is delighted to announce the launch of its first annual Fashion Doll Awards. The winners will be announced on 19th February 2012. The awards will coincide and mark the second anniversary of the site’s inception.

The Awards will focus solely on the fashion doll world and there will be 10 categories in all. Each category will capture the best of the last year’s fashion doll industry, including dolls, fashions, designers and retailers.

The round of nominations is now complete and we are have the immense pleasure in announcing the finalists. Voting is now open to the public and the winners will be announced on 19th February 2012. Cast your vote here.

Here are the nominations in full with links to pics/info of the nominees:

1. Best 12″ Scale Fashion Doll

Barbie Basics ‘Model No. 14 – Collection 002.5‘ (Mattel)
Fashion Royalty ‘Modern Comeback‘ Véronique Perrin (Integrity Toys)
NU.FACE ‘Quiet Storm‘ Annik (Integrity Toys)
‘tokidoki‘ Babie Doll (Mattel)
VINTAGE REVLON ‘Blushing Bride‘ (Tonner Doll)

2. Best 16″ Scale Fashion Doll

Related articles

• Why should I join DollObservers.com? (dollobserver.com)
• Say hello to JAMIEshow St. Tropez Angelica (dollobserver.com)
• Barbie & Stardoll Join forces! (dollobserver.com)

Tonner Dolls launched a brand new website which is sure to whet fans appetites prior to the upcoming revamp of the main Tonnerdolls.com website. And what a bundle of fun it is too, even whilst still in beta!

The crux of the site is good old fashioned voting for your favourite Tonner Doll photo out of the two presented to you on the screen, hense the nature of the ‘duel’! However don’t worry if you can’t decide, you do have the ability to call off the fight and declare a ‘draw’. The best thing about this site is the fact that all the doll photos are submitted by Tonner Doll fans and lovers themselves.

So be sure to check it out dollduels.com

In yet more Tonner news; it was announced yesterday that the very latest 2010 Fall/Holiday collection had gone live on the Tonner Doll site.

Scarecrow is a chick ...oh my!

Quite a mixed bunch at first glance with variations on several ongoing themes such as shrunken a Harry Potter and female variations of the Wizard of Oz trio of male characters. Interesting to some I’m sure but not really floating my boat. Some of the

Some progress on the proper fashion doll front though, if a little meagre. But nice to see some action in the Tyler camp with be-wigged basic dolls and a denim theme boutique collection. Oh and a few Antoinette gals too.

Just a few hours to take advantage of this brilliant Tonner offer:

NEW TONNER EXCLUSIVES!

Ultra BasicTM Matt O’NeillTM AND
Russell Williams Are Back In Stock And Have A Whole New Look!

Order Now And They Ship For FREE!
Enter Promo Code MATT at Checkout.

Customers Outside Of The Continental US Use Promo Code MATT10 for a $9.95 Shipping Credit.

Offer Expires Sunday, August 8th at Midnight EST.

Do I look like a real gal?

I’ve had a severe case of writers block these last few weeks and in order to stir the creative juices decided to make a plea via Twitter for some inspirational suggestions. One very helpful Twitter-er, Mothdoll, suggested writing about the dolly things I’d like to see but aren’t yet true. Well that really got me thinking and therefore here are my very own “Top 10 Fashion Doll Wants”!

1. I love an articulated doll. In fact I adore the realistic poses they can achieve as opposed to the “zombie” look of less articulated dolls (Miss B take a bow!). However, and it pains me to admit, I do have a wee bit of an issue with ugly joints. There we go I’ve said it, no matter how I try I just can’t get past UGLY joints! They can mar photos and they make me point blank refuse to put a doll in shorts! So please doll inventor people come up with a way of making articulation look more real, just like those beautiful faces you so wonderfully create.

2. Can someone please stop Robert Tonner jumping on every single franchise bandwagon and start concentrating on designing fashion dolls? You know those very things that made him what he is and made us all adore him for his great talent! I mean ballerina Wizard of Oz dolls? Whatever next!

3. What I’d also love to see is far more accessories for the 16” brigade. By that I mean things like furniture, diorama items, backdrops and anything that can make their environments that bit more realistic. As a child I always loved playsets and I’d love to see “official” environments for my dolls to be displayed and photographed in.

4. Less harmful packaging please! Why should it take an hour to debox a doll and drag half a headful of hair out of their head in the process!

5. Please no more dead baby dolls creeping into fashion doll shows/sales rooms. It’s like oil and water and just ain’t right I’m afraid!

6. I’d love to see more realistic short hairstyles because how many women do you know that have hair down to their beltline?

7. Sort out the prices. I mean I may be an adult collector but does that mean I have to pay prices that would make a millionaire wince? I love my dolls but I do have to eat! Although that said I can go without if Superfock have a particularly wonderful trifle on offer…

8. As a UK resident I would love to see some actual real life doll shops rather than just relying on the Internet and evilbay.

9. And as a UK resident why of why are US shipping rates so darned expensive!

10. Finally please can it be law that celebrity likenesses be actual likenesses rather than bizarre recycled moulds!

So there is my top 10. Does anyone agree or disagree or have any other suggestions? Please comment and let me know.

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The Tonner Doll Company today announced it is moving its corporate headquarters to 301 Wall Street, corner of John Street, in uptown Kingston after 10 years at its leased location at 459 Hurley Avenue in Hurley.
Robert Tonner, CEO of the Tonner Doll Company, purchased the building earlier this month. “For years, I’ve been looking for a special building that has architectural integrity and also has the space requirements we need,” Tonner said. “I’m thrilled that we found one in uptown Kingston.”

Built in 1887, 301 Wall Street most recently was the home of Chase Bank and has been vacant for just about one year. Tonner hopes to complete the move by May 1, once renovations are complete. “The roof needs some work and we are refurbishing the second and third floors,” Tonner explained. “The second floor will be restored to what it was back in the 1940′s,” he added.

The new home of Tonner Doll will house the design, production, sales, marketing, finance and administrative staff; a total of 17 employees. “Part of my whole belief is that change, while painful at times, is good,” Tonner admitted. “I think this space will give us a new creative energy.”

Opening in 1991, the internationally renowned Tonner Doll Company has been a staple in Ulster County for nearly two decades. The Tonner Doll Company designs and manufactures collectible fashion dolls, child character dolls and licensed character figures such as HARRY POTTER and WONDER WOMAN.

In 2007, Tonner purchased 12/14 Hurley Avenue in Kingston and made extensive renovations before opening the Tonner Company Store there in December, 2007, which will remain at its current location. The renovation received two local awards; one from the Chamber of Commerce of Ulster County, and another from the Friends of Historic Kingston.

Tonner plans to lease out the street level of 301 Wall Street. Rental information would be through Harris Safier, Broker Westwood Metes & Bounds Realty Ltd. at 914-388-3351. Safier represented Tonner in the purchase of the building from J.P. Morgan Chase.

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Some of those who took part in the fashion show

The main event on the Saturday of Paris Fashion Doll Festival weekend is the banquet luncheon and the silent auction that precedes it. However the day was getting off to a rather shaky start what with all festivities of the previous night at ‘Disco 3000’ and we were running, or rather shuffling, somewhat late. We needn’t have worried, of course, as according to custom the Luncheon was running even later! After a quick reconnoitre of the auction dolls on display outside the main hall (which were lovely but luckily nothing I wanted to put a sum down for) it was time to find our table.

The table centrepiece dolls comprised of the formerly mentioned Astronaut Barbie repro and silver clad Tonner Friday Fosters. The other eight guests at our table were perfectly fine and the chatter was suitably doll related. The food, however, was far from fine, especially for us vegans, despite a promising salad starter. When our main courses eventually came it was simply a plate of vegetables and overcooked ones at that! The rest of our table seemed similarly displeased with the duck, which largely went half eaten. One of the table gifts was a Superfrock fan, which came in very handy as the room became increasingly tropical!

The events were entertaining enough with a slide show celebrating 10 years of Silkstone Barbie. During the slide show each table had to identify the original vintage Barbie inspiration doll or outfit behind the Silkstones in order to win prizes. Who knew that such a simple premise would lead to lead to dollgate! As so many tables had top scores there was a draw to choose

Paris exclusive Ellowynne Wilde

an overall winner and the prizes were suitably distributed. However it turned out that Kathy, the event organizer, had read out the winning score and not the table number, quelle horreur! The excruciating process of reclaiming the prizes and redrawing a new winning table then took place. Although one of the Barbie hatboxes prizes didn’t make it’s way back. Oops!

We were then treated to the fashion show, which was great fun, especially with the very cute children who took part. It was great to see all the effort people had put into making the matching outfits to their favourite dolls. Eventually it was time to distribute the other festival exclusoe dolls, Ellowyne Wilde and Antoinette, to those who had reserved them. The centerpiece dolls were eventually raffled off to lucky winners on each table and it was time to disperse and reconvene later that evening for the Superdoll museum opening.

ToCK on display in the salesroom. Photo courtesy of a wonderful Flickr friend

The last day of the festival was the show and sale and delegates from the festival had early entry in order to bag those bargains. The sales room was huge and quite daunting at first glance. The infiltration of newborn dolls into a Fashion Doll event was somewhat surprising and one attendee was even heard to say, “let me look at a real doll instead of dead babies” whilst gazing upon a Sybarite! The Sybarite in question was the exquisite ToCK, the spiritual sister of TiCK the Superdoll event exclusive from Disco 3000. She was a limited edition of 100 and most were sold at the event with the remainder on sale at the Superfrock site for a very short time a few days later. Unfortunately I was unable to get my hands on her on both occasions!

Oh well there is always next year as I can see that this Paris lark will become an annual pilgrimage for this particular doll observer…

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Peep was the exclusive Sybarite at the 2009 Festival

The Paris Doll Expo site has been updated with an itinerary of the weekend’s events. Needless to say I am getting most excited at the prospect of the Superfrock “Disco 3000″ event on the Friday evening. Especially to see what the exclusive doll will be, given that the theme of the festival is “Haute Couture of the Future”. Charles and Desmond are bound to have a field day with it!

There will be 3 other exclusive makers dolls available, Mattel‘s Barbie, Robert Tonner’s Antoinette and Wilde Imagination’s Ellowyne Wilde. Again it will be interesting to see what other designers will come up with.

An added bonus is the recently announced exhibition at the Paris Doll Museum entitled “Nouvelles Icônes – Des Poupées Pandores aux Sybarites” which runs from 14 March to 19 September 2010. There will also be yet another exclusive doll available through the museum named “Slipper” and she will be unveiled at the exhibition opening. Find more information about the exhibition here.