June 2008 Edition

Your Personal Shopper
by Karen Caviale

This issue goes to print just as my husband, John, and I leave for the Paris Fashion Doll Festival. This has become an annual excursion for us for a number of reasons. We both love Paris, and we have become friends with the Moreaus over the years. We enjoy supporting their well run and fun annual event and seeing their family and grandchildren. They all pitch in at the festival - from registration to set up, running audio visuals, etc. - and it is amazing how they have all changed over the years (not Kathy and Jean Claude, of course, but their children and grandchildren).

The Paris Fashion Doll Festival is also a great opportunity to chat with fashion doll collectors and Haute Doll readers from all over Europe and see what doll trends are emerging.

Last year, probably for the first time I can remember, Asian ball jointed doll collectors had a big presence at the festival. Outside the large salesroom, BJD collectors were mingling, posing and photographing their dolls just like at BJD events in the U.S. and Japan. Kathy Moreau even offered a BJD tea that was very popular - with BJD collectors and others curious about these dolls so popular with young collectors. Pullip attended this event to introduce Ai ball-jointed dolls, and Catrina was there showing us her beautiful Limhwa doll.

Of course, the Sybarites were garnering a lot of attention as Charles and Desmond exhibited the Chelsea Girls and their latest accessory packs. Earlier in the festival schedule, at another location in Paris near the Centre George Pompidou, a display of 10 Chalk White dolls was an "off schedule" event attracting a lot of buzz. The self medication and anti_articulation exhibit was real Haute Couture, fashion with social comment. The dolls from the exhibit were featured in the August 2007 issue of Haute Doll. This trend of an ever-increasing presence of Sybarites at this event shifts into high gear in 2008 with the Syb-O-Festo War and Peace on Thursday evening and a special Sybarite event, hosted by Kathy Moreau, on Friday evening. The BBC is scheduled to follow Superfrock to Paris to cover his festival event on Friday and to interview Charles and Desmond for a BBC program on Thursday morning.

Needless to say, my excitement is mounting as I get ready to pack for Paris this weekend. If you have never been to Paris, the festival is one chance for you to visit one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

We are so pleased to partner with Integrity Toys in this issue for an exclusive doll from its new Hollywood Royalty collection. Jason Wu believes that the old Hollywood glamour is not dead, and, in fact, needs to be revived in the doll world. He is happy to oblige and plans to offer a series of stars from Hollywood's Golden Age. Our shared Lana Turner exclusive wears a gorgeous day suit with "fur" stole and matching hat. Turn to page four for ordering information, or go to our Web site at www.hautedoll.com We are offering only 300 pieces of this exclusive to readers, and club members will receive a special price.

If you love Siyi Lin's paper dolls as much as we do, you will love the Gene Marshall paper dolls in this issue. Siyi has already sent in her Chelsea Girl Sybarite paper dolls for next issue, and they are phenomenal, as always. If you would be interested in a special bound edition of paper dolls, please e-mail us at mcpub@hautedoll.com and put paper doll book in the subject line. It is something that I have been contemplating and would like your input. Siyi Lin might even agree to make us some special paper dolls just for that edition.

In this issue, we are happy to share Helen Kish's new 2008 Chrysalis line with you. Lark, Wren and Raven are 14 inches tall and feature 13 points of articulation, at the neck, shoulders, elbows and wrists, hips, knees and ankles. According to Kathleen Rowell, who wrote the feature for Haute, "They are made from the second and largest injection molded plastic body and limbs in the Kish line." Of course, what you will be happy to hear is that these beautiful little girls, dressed in enchanting fashions, can stand and pose by themselves without a stand. Now, that is progress. Leave it to Helen to change and improve on an earlier concept, namely her 16-inch children, first introduced in 1996. Turn to page 60 to read all about these dolls.

For Barbie doll lovers, we have brought Joe Blitman and Barry Sturgill back to cover vintage and Silkstones in every issue. We hope you enjoy their contributions on Barbie's Fashion Shop and State College.

From Tiny Betsy to DAL from Ellowyne Wilde's latest session on the couch with Dr. Bantam and a pattern for Prudence from Gary Fletcher to Zolala's adorable baby doll dress, jacket and hat pattern for the 43cm U-Noa Quluts (will fit a 43cm Narae, too!), we hope you find this issue entertaining and fun. If that's the case, please subscribe or renew today. On a side note, for those anxious to receive their magazines, a priority mail option is available. Check it out on our Web site www.hautedolol.com

Haute Doll brings you lots of interesting people, new dolls, paper dolls, event coverage, projects, Fashion Royalty, Tonner, Barbie and many more dolls including BJD coverage in this issue.  What more could you ask for a mere $8.95 (only $5.49 if you subscribe)?