Pidgin Doll Spring 2019 collection is unveiled!

The Pidgin dolls are created by the extremely talented and wonderful Joshua David McKenney, an artist, sculptor, doll-maker extraordinaire and fashion illustrator. He just released the Spring 2019 collection of Pidgin Doll and here they are in all their glory. (Availability according to the Pidgin website at time of posting). The dolls are 16, all one of a kind and are ball-jointed 1:4 scale, made in resin. You can find their exact measurements in their website. That’s where you can buy them as well. The ones left available of course!

Pidgin Doll "Hestia" - available 

One-of-a-kind “powder pink” resin. Full set includes:

• Inset brown eyes

• Baby pink synthetic mohair wig

• Gold and pink “Maxi” gown

• Jewelry as shown

• High heeled feet only

• Silver “Power Flower” stiletto shoes

$1,200 USD + shipping.

Pidgin Doll "Elinda" - sold

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “light mocha” resin. Full set includes:

• Inset green eyes

• Silver blond synthetic mohair wig

• Peach tulle “Maxi” gown

• Jewelry as shown

• High heeled feet + flat feet included

• White stiletto shoes

Pidgin Doll "Nyx" - available 

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “Obsidian” resin. Full set includes:

• Inset green eyes

• Black synthetic mohair wig

• Pink and gold “Maxi” gown

• Jewelry as shown

• High heeled feet + Flat feet included

• White stiletto shoes

$1,200 USD + shipping.

Pidgin Doll "Andromeda" - available 

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “milk white” resin. Full set includes:

• Inset heterochromatic eyes (one brown eye + one green eye)

• Silver blond synthetic mohair wig

• Peach tulle “Maxi” gown

• Jewelry as shown

• High heeled feet + flat feet included

• White stiletto shoes

$1,200 USD + shipping.

Pidgin Doll "Blanche" - available 

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “milk white” resin. Full Set includes:

• Inset brown eyes

• Pale lavender synthetic mohair wig

• Pink brocade “Maxi” gown

• Pearlized “snow crown”

• High heeled feet + flat feet included

• White stiletto shoes

$1,100 USD + shipping.

Pidgin Doll "Bernadette" - available 

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “milk white” resin. Full set includes:

• Inset amber eyes

• Double “stacked” red synthetic mohair wig.

• Green brocade “Maxi” gown

• High heeled feet + flat feet included

• White stiletto shoes

$1,100 USD + shipping.

Pidgin Doll "Vivienne" - available 

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “cocoa” resin. Full set includes:

• Inset amber eyes

• Black synthetic mohair wig

• Pink brocade “Maxi” gown

• Jewelry as shown

• High heeled feet + flat feet included

• White stiletto shoes

$1,100 USD + shipping.

Pidgin Doll "Chloe" - sold

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “milk white” resin. Full Set includes:

• Inset blue eyes with brown flecks

• Baby pink synthetic mohair wig

• Pink brocade “Maxi” gown

• Jewelry as shown

• High heeled feet + flat feet included

• White stiletto shoes

Pidgin Doll "Colette" - available 

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “light mocha” resin. Full set includes:

• Inset green eyes

• Blond synthetic mohair wig

• Pink & gold “Bow Mini” dress

• Baby pink faux fur jacket

• White kitten heel shoes

$950USD + shipping (Full Set)

$710 USD + shipping (Doll + Faceup)

Pidgin Doll "Samantha" - sold

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “milk white” resin. Full set includes:

• Inset blue eyes

• Black synthetic mohair wig with micro bangs

• Pink & gold “Bow Mini” dress

• Jewelry as shown

• High heeled feet + flat feet included

• White “Power Flower” stiletto shoes

Pidgin Doll "Marianne" - sold

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “light mocha” resin. Full set includes:

• Inset blue eyes with brown flecks

• Long black synthetic mohair wig

• Pink & gold “Bow Mini” dress

• Black faux fur jacket

• High heeled feet + flat feet included

• White stiletto shoes

Pidgin Doll "Ginger" - available 

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “Cocoa” resin. Full set includes:

• Inset green eyes

• Handmade indigo blue saran wig

• Pink & gold “Bow Mini” dress

• Baby pink faux fur jacket

• Baby pink stockings

• Silver ballet flats

$970USD + shipping (Full Set)

$710 USD + shipping (Doll + Faceup)

Pidgin Doll "Veronique" - sold

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “Light Mocha” resin. Full Set includes:

• Inset blue eyes

• Black synthetic mohair wig

• Holographic “Bubble” dress

• Jewelry as shown (includes pierced ears)

• White ankle socks

• White kitten heel shoes

Pidgin Doll "Amber" - available 

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “Milk White” resin. Full set includes:

• Inset brown eyes

• Black synthetic mohair wig

• Pink and black circle glasses

• Holographic “Bubble” dress

• Baby pink faux fur jacket

• Baby pink stockings

• High heeled feet + flat feet included

• White stiletto shoes

$950USD + shipping (Full Set)

$710 USD + shipping (Doll + Faceup)

Pidgin Doll "Mixi" - sold

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “Light Mocha” resin. Full set includes:

• Inset blue eyes

• Black synthetic mohair wig

• Hot pink heart glasses

• Holographic bubble” dress

• Black faux fur coat

• Black fishnet stockings

• Black kitten heel shoes

Pidgin Doll "Jasmine" - available 

One-of-a-kind Pidgin Doll cast in “Light Mocha” resin. Full Set includes:

• Inset brown eyes

• “Wheat blonde” synthetic mohair wig

• Holographic “Bubble” dress

• Blue stockings

• High heeled feet + flat feet included

• White “Power Flower” stiletto shoes

$950USD + shipping (Full Set)

$710 USD + shipping (Doll + Faceup)

All photography courtesy of Pidgin Doll and Joshua David McKenney 

Hand me the Envelope please - the latest Sybarite is sold out!

This Valentine’s Superdoll London doll is the beautiful Envelope, a brilliant take on a geisha, in her white kimono, towering hair and intricate details. She’s already sold out I’m afraid, but you can enjoy her in the photos from Superdoll below, as well as the site description.​

​ENVELOPE DD-0156

Anyone here for the opening of Envelope?

VENUS strolled through a sea of paper cranes singing to herself: "its a nice day for a white wedding....".
Her gorgeous oriental styled hair is just a hairs breadth short of a statuesque ikebana. Platinum, but in hair terms its almost white, white. Above the shoulders blunt bob, pulled up into a top bun and side bunches; with long paper like sideburns and a blunt slightly curved fringe..
Her gold and teal eyes are rimmed in salmon, rose and soot and her lips of pomelo glossed and glossed again.
Other than her utter delight at the origami cranes, she is delighted by her dragon and peonies brocade 2 part kimono. A whole lot contemporary and a whole lot traditional... just a vision of genius from her favourite designers.
Tucked into her obi, are velvelette laser cut starfish held in place by her gold and purple obi. Her choice of jewellery is a 'silver' bug adorning her obi and finished with a white corded obijime. Ceremoniously she wears a red silk tasselled waist sash.
upon her feet she wears Sock style 2 tooth Geta.
She looked up and smiled at the jucstaposing cranes which reminded her or her organza backpack which indeed is her kimono overcoat.
Venus smiled over her Japanese paper umbrella as the world went by and though....
Happy Birthday to ME!

Clone: 1000 Venus d'Royce
Skintone: COSMETIQUE
Of course she comes with the following standard accessories:
-manic_cure hands (see booklet for hand change instructions)
-booklet
-stand
Production shown .

OUT OF STOCK

Price: £289.95 (Excluding VAT at 20%)

The end of an era: Tonner Doll company shuts down

I was expecting to begin the new year with happier news, but unfortunately that is not the case. Robert Tonner announced in an email that Tonner Doll shut down with the end of 2018. Of course it was to be expected, after the restructuring of his business and his focus on Phyn & Aero, which left Tonner Doll only with licensed product, which was obviously not as commercial as it should. Licensing has the fees sucking out most of the profits, and if a company deals only with such a sector, it needs to have mass production and a wide array of product to be sust, something Tonner Doll had not. I’ll always cherish the Tonner dolls I own, and hopefully will acquire some more in the future. From now own, doll collectors will follow his endeavours with his other company, Phyn & Aero. Below is his letter. 

 My Dear Friends,

I was lucky enough to start Tonner Doll at a point when it seemed that everyone was collecting, making, buying or selling dolls.  At the same time, the Far East was willing and eager to produce whatever we wanted at a price that couldn’t be beat.    High demand and inexpensive, quality production led to the golden age of collectible dolls and great success for Tonner Doll.

It’s often said that the only thing you can count on is change; I whole heartedly agree with that statement.  I could go on and on about the changes in the collectible doll industry, but in short, the business model that I used to build Tonner Doll is no longer viable or sustainable.  Therefore, Tonner Doll Company (including the Tonner Doll web site, doll hospital, phones and emails) was closed as of December 31, 2018.

However……

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.”
― Jenna Evans Welch, Love & Gelato

I’m very excited that Phyn & Areo will continue with a brand-new business model, one that addresses some of the changes mentioned above and we will be exploring new ways of doing business.  Through Phyn and Aero, I’ll be working directly with our favorite retailers to create unique and exclusive dolls (look for the first Ellowyne out this Spring).  I will continue to design for and attend events throughout the year (Dollology, Shaker Doll Club, Doll Circle and UFDC to name a few).  At Phyn and Aero I will also continue to develop new product; we’ll be doing small batch, design driven products.  Rayne, a new character with unique (and I mean unique) accessories will debut around Toy Fair.  In addition, I am working on design projects with other companies (I just did a huge amount of work for FAO; that was both a challenge and a delight).  I think it’s going to be a very busy, very exciting 2019!

Over these past 28 years I have had to honor to meet, work with and befriend some of the most wonderful people there are—doll collectors, doll lovers and doll retailers.  I want you to know how deeply I’ve appreciated our journey together—and here’s to a bright, exciting, shiny, new future!
Warmest,

Robert

P.S.  Starting today, please visit our website at  www.phynandaero.com or call us at 845-802-5552.  You can also reach us through info@phynandaero.com

All photos courtesy of Tonner Doll.  

December to remember - a special invitation by Tonner Doll

Tonner Doll sent out today an invitation for a sale event at Best Western Plus in Kingston, NY, something they have done before. This time though they are clearing house, so they will be selling lots of prototype dolls. Full information in their text, below:

Dear Friends!

We're inviting YOU to an "Event" quite unlike anything we've ever hosted before!

Here's a bit of what's to come...
On Thursday, November 15, 2018, in just three days...we will send out an email with registration information (and a link) for signing up for this "Once in a Lifetime Opportunity."  Regonline is our hosting site for you to "sign" up as we've done for all our events in the past.  PLEASE NOTE, and READ CAREFULLY HERE, the registration will begin at 12 Noon Eastern time on Thursday, November 15, 2018th.  Once registration is complete (125 people maximum) we will conduct a lottery and assign entrance numbers to everyone.  Once you arrive and check in begins you'll receive your name badge and entry number and line up accordingly.  Ooooh, and the excitement begins!
For what you ask...

As you can see from the "snippets" below through images, we've collected quite an array of items over the years to rival even the most compulsive saver.  BUT we're turning over a new leaf and YOU get an opportunity to "peek into the Bat Cave" and take your pick from...
Never produced samples, assortments of dolls, and bodies, line products, pre-production samples, patterns, wigs, and outfits
Can you say TONS of fabric, swatch bags, trims, flowers, bits, bobs, beads, baubles and more
How about LIFE SIZE Robert Tonner Fashion Line Clothing (with a private tent for trying on)
Costumes from Conventions even, and perhaps holiday decorations
Doll furniture, props, foamboard/posters of your favorite characters, stands, bags, and books 
Puppies, kittens??  Okay, perhaps not...
Other ephemera YOU would never guess we have
When, Where? - The Event will be December 9, 2018, from 10am-2pm at the Best Western Plus in Kingston, New York. (Come on, you've been here before, join us won't you) Entrance is $25.00 AND includes a continental breakfast starting at 9am.  We will be allowing people into the room in groups of 25 for a defined period of time.

WE hope to see you there!

Team Tonner

Italian Doll Convention 2018 day III: the bazaar

Sunday was the final day of the Italian Doll Convention 2018. The main event is the bazaar, in two hotel ball rooms: one was filled with people selling all kinds of dolls, mostly Barbies but also lots of Integrity Toys, BJDs, etc. The second was dedicated to doll artists: creative people with their own designed dolls or dresses or both. Walking around the rooms was overwhelming- so many dolls! As my budget was practically non existent, I had decided that I would be just looking the commercial dolls for sale, checking prices, but also admire the creativity of the doll artists present. Meeting again all the wonderful friends was of course the icing on the cake: Ada, Simon, Ibrahim, Marl, Mario, Gianni, Sebastiano, Francesco, Aniello, Dan, David, Fito, Rogier, Patrizio, Lionel, Luca, Kazuko, Christelle, José, Antonio, Gloria, Giovanni, Makis, Effi and so many more... 

Of course the doll artist and their creations were the best attraction: first of all the incredibly talented Joshua David McKenney, creator of Pidgin Dolls. It was the first time I got to see them up close and finally meet Joshua. I have been following his work for years now and the doll’s are even more amazing in person. Joshua is amazing, intelligent, kind, very creative and with an aesthetic I love and admire. He will be featured in a special post here soon.

Joshua David McKenney and his Pidgin dolls 

Another incredible doll artist present, one I have also been admiring from afar, is Giancarlo Scrofani, or better known as Janka Creator. He had his amazing dolls there, with the new collection, Femina Santa debuting. A short film about them will debut in the London Fashion Doll Festival next weekend.  

Third amazing guy and friend: Andrei Teican, or better known as Andymy, with his Luna doll and his gorgeous outfits, which were selling like hot cakes. 

Below you can see some more doll artists and their creations. 

The gorgeous Free Fantasy Dolls by Nickis Fabbrocile

Sebastian Atelier creations by Sebastien Giustetto  

The Black Swan Company creations  

Fil Mi Deco doll furniture in both 1:6 and 1:4 scale.  

They are made of plexiglass- this is in 1:6 scale

And this is in 1:4 scale

DIVA - Dolls Italian Vogue Atelier, with their amazing Raffaella Carrà dolls! 

Créations Cotho by Corinne Thorner

Corinne made an awesome replica of Blake Lively’s dress from this year’s Met Gala

During the bazaar, there were two signing sessions: first was David Buttry, who happily signed the box of my IDC Ciao Poppy. 

And when he was done, Linda Kyaw took her turn signing dolls and books. I was stupid enough to forget her book back at my hotel, so I got her to sign my convention Barbie instead. 

Near the reception area you could see display cases full of comic style Barbie dolls. 

Remember my non existent budget? Well, seeing the four different RuPaul dolls for sale at 45€ made me stop in front of Giulia Britti’s sales table and think. I always wanted to get at least one, and now was the ideal time and price. She even made me a discount and Supermodel RuPaul was mine! Giulia is one half of the Lantis Kelly atelier, who did the centerpiece dolls for this year’s gala dinner.

Lots of people had travel dolls with them at the convention. The one that stood out for me, was this amazing manga/harajuku Poppy by @euphoriadolls from Spain! 

At the end of the bazaar, there was a big raffle, with many gifts from various people to be raffled off for another good cause: Cuore21 from Rimini, helping children with special needs. And with that special gesture, it was over. It was sad to say goodbye to all the amazing friends there, but we promised we’d meet again soon in another convention. Little did we know that a few weeks later, Mario would announce, via email and social media, that the dream was over and there would be no more IDC. Here is his text:

Dear Conventioneers and Collectors Friends,
            the Italian Doll Convention was born from a truly personal dream of mine: to bring an event to Italy that could give all collectors, first Italian, then European, the taste and grandeur of those American conventions which I have been happily attending since 2002.
            About 10 years ago, when the Italian realities dedicated to collecting were essentially sales and exchange markets, I had an idea: I thought I would reunite collectors for an evening of fun and glamor under the “banner” of Barbie and Fashiondolls.
            Also ten years ago, Gianni and I began to work and collaborate with Mattel Italia, at a time when everyone was preparing to celebrate Barbie’s 50th Anniversary. Thanks to the people who worked at Mattel Italia, who were dynamic and enthusiastic, to their personal friendship and trust in us and to such a positive moment for the brand, we found the momentum to lay the concrete foundations of our ambitious project. At that point, I strongly wanted to involve a group of friends, because I had  always thought that the IDC would be an event to be held among friends and built up by friends.
To my delight, many people have joined me, embracing my project, when the national environment was neither used to such events, nor to their participation cost. It was a big leap into the dark, but without giving importance to gains, fatigue and stress, we started this adventure. And in such a dream, 100 conventioneers immediately believed; then, over the years, we have been working very hard to increase this number, first to 150 then to 200, up to this 8th edition of over 300 members.
            Creating such an event involves a lot of personal energy, so many sleepless nights to plan and imagine; hours that you strip away from your job and private life; your home becomes a warehouse and your life is overwhelmed by all this for at least 2 months a year. You work 362 days to have fun for only a very few hours, because you know you'll never sleep, you'll run like crazy, you'll be exhausted by the moving of thousands of boxes; but the people's happiness and gratitude is going to repay your investments in time, money and efforts, and comfort you from the bitterness that comes from detractors and the unavoidable disappointments along the way.
            Within all this, new things are to be planned for the following year, hoping to add the right piece, to get the favor of fashiondolls manufacturers who see their brand promoted by an event that is often reviewed – and oh so enthusiastically - in national newspapers and on TV or the radio.
            At the IDC we have given many new artists the opportunity to exhibit their creations, with a salesroom event among the largest and most varied in the world (and those traveling through conventions can understand how true this is). Many of the most amazing fashiondolls artists have taken part in the IDC: Superfrock with their Sybarites, the adorable Popovy Sisters, FashiondollAgency, Pidgin Dolls, Robert Best and Linda Kyaw for Barbie and David Buttry with his Poppy Parker. Thanks to the growing number of international friends, we have been the launch pad for Italian artists like Free Fantasy Dolls, Janka Creator, Lantis Kelly, Black Swan Company, Clara Fornari with Puparium and many others who were given the chance to meet some of the greatest collectors attending the event.
            At the IDC we have imported the Fashion Show, where we really enjoyed to forget everyday’s life and seriousness by turning into some of our most beloved dolls, without expectations but with so much passion. I want to thank all those who have spent tons of energy for this “event in the event”, which has become the most goliardic and glamorous part of the convention.
            At the IDC we had the opportunity to talk about the culture of fashiondolls, hosting some DCCI's and IDculture’s in-depth meetings and organizing workshops and seminars, because collecting should not only mean to accumulate, but also to increase knowledge and share information with others.
            At the IDC we have seen the birth of friendships, love-stories and, above all, many people having fun at approaching this world and collecting with joy, then becoming overwhelmed by passion, and so creating new collectors.
            The thing I'm most proud of is that, thanks to all the donors and buyers of the Ebay raffles and auctions, we have so far collected about 130,000 Euros for important associations and truly commendable projects that have helped sick or distressed children. There are no suitable words to underline this being one of the most important aspects of IDC, the one that most emotionally involved me, because helping others, especially those who are really in need, makes any effort bearable and  fills the heart with true joy. Therefore, thanks to Cesvi Italia, Dynamo Camp, Sos Bambini, Casa Oz, Mariam Association, Fondazione Blu, LifeGate, Karibu for believing in us and in the good and transparency of all our fundraising, always realized through their Ebay accounts and their representatives. We did it with our heart, in a clean way, without ever collecting a single penny for us and always with great results, thanks to the help of many international artists (Ninimomo, Numina dolls, Nigel Chia, Cotho Creations, Matt Sutton, etc ...) and to the donations of many private collectors.
            Thanks to all sponsors, which supported the events with gadgets and gifts, and a special Thank you to Marl Davidson.
            Thanks to Mattel USA and Italy, which have given amazing exclusive and special convention dolls over the years, as many as 3 exclusive Barbie Silkstone, and gave us the opportunity to create extra special and official dolls such as Barbie Via Montenapoleone, Barbie Sweet Delizia, Barbie Friday Pillow Party and Barbie Glam Comic Super Star.
            Thanks to Integrity Toys for believing in us and allowing us to organize the first exclusive event dedicated to Poppy Parker in Europe, an unique and unforgettable privilege. 

With this long and necessary list of thanks you may have realized that - after much, often painful, thinking and considering - we have decided not to continue with the organization of the Italian Doll Convention for the next year.

            The increasing costs of the event, from the hotel to the services involved, the expected taxation, in addition to a lack of future planning, by the manufacturers of fashiondolls, of exclusive dolls for our event, often in favor of a fairer support to smaller events, make it really very difficult, if not impossible, to guarantee the same quality we have become accustomed to and to which we have accustomed our conventioneers friends. Those who know me well, also know that I do not like  second choices, compromising, and not keeping up to mine and others’ expectations. With the close collaboration of Gianni and Marinella I have always tried to create the most beautiful and varied event for fashiondolls in the world. Although the final judgement is always left to the conventioneers, it is up to us to choose the right moment to stop a wonderful, exciting and engaging experience like the one we have experienced during these years, with the certainty to have succeeded in the original intent to prove that all this was possible and that collectors are available to join, have fun, get involved from head to toe in a big event like the Italian Doll Convention.
            I cannot say enough thank you to all my helpers; I won’t be naming each of you individually so as not to forget anyone, but you have always been amazing with your support and help to such a huge event, which may look easy to the conventioneers, but is really complex for those who organize it.
A huge thank you to Marinella Brighi, for her trust and loyalty in all circumstances, for seeing beyond what she knew of me and for giving me the opportunity to make myself known better.
Thanks to Barbara and Gabriele for always being there, before and behind the scenes, with their friendship and their commitment.
Thanks to my two “shoulders”, Sebastiano and Massimo, who have been my shadow and my support, the fun while I was working and the shoulder to cry on.
Thanks to Luisa Bianchi, who totally supported us personally and for free in the communication and advertising of the event.
Thanks to those who did not understand me, who even fought me and betrayed me, because they gave me the opportunity to rise from  the  pain, learn from my mistakes and stand up stronger than before.
And a larger, even more grateful thank you  to Gianni Grossi, for following me in this enterprise that has put us to the test in our personal life, with countless discussions about the details of every decoration, every gift, every single and meticulous touch of magic that we wanted to give to this event.
But, above all, thank you all for believing in us through all these years. We’ve had tons of fun and now we are moving towards other projects with the same enthusiasm as always.
See you around in the dolly-world….
LONG LIVE THE IDC, FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS!!!

But to end in a high note: during one of my coffee breaks on Sunday at the hotel café, with the bazaar at full force, a little girl came up to me, holding a Native American Barbie doll. She saw that I had a bag with doll boxes near me (IDC Poppy and Barbie plus RuPaul).  She was no older than seven. 

- Do you like my doll?  she asked in Italian, without any hint of shyness or hesitation. I told her that I did and that it was lovely. She proceeded to tell me about the great finds she got at the bazaar, showing them one by one by taking them out of her bag. She then asked me if I had some dolls too and I replied yes. At that time her mother,  visibly anxious, appeared and told me she was sorry about her little girl bothering me. I assured her that there was no problem and that I was enjoying the conversation with her daughter. 

- Mom, he has that special convention Poppy you wanted to see. Signore, could you show the doll to my mother please? the little girl asked me. I proceeded to do so and showed them Barbie and RuPaul as well.  

- Should we call your father to come pick us up darling? asked the lady.  The girl nodded yes and the turned to me.

- My dad cannot even properly pronounce Barbie!  

Im still laughing thinking about this and I know that a warm smile and love will always be there when I think of Italian Doll Convention 2018 and all the amazing people I got to meet and spend time with there. Grazie Mario e Gianni!