Let me see you POUT

POUT, the world premiere exhibition of high end Fashion Dolls by Integrity Toys in Melbourne, Australia, is on show at Chadstone from Monday March 5 to Sunday April 1, located in the Luxury precinct as a highlight of the 2012 L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. Featuring a show case of 50 couture quality hand crafted high end fashion dolls, the exhibition will be presented on a built to scale fashion stage model designed with inspiration from the runways of Paris.

For those not familiar with the dolls (most of you regulars of course are!), the Fashion Royalty line was conceived and created by Fashion Designer Jason Wu in 2000 whilst he was living in Europe from where he drew much of his inspiration. Over two years in the making the Fashion Royalty collection has redefined the industry standard with their meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship which has seen them become among the most collectible dolls for fashion lovers across the globe. From ultra limited production numbers to exclusive collaborations every detail is captured in the couture quality garments that transform runway looks to collectable dolls.

This impressive exhibition of high end Fashion Dolls is on public show for the very first time in a world exclusive making this exhibition a must see for lovers of fashion, style and glamour. POUT is set to capture the imagination of everyone that loves the allure and beauty of the Fashion world and should not be missed. The show is on until the 1st of April and there is no admission cost! Also some Australian designers have made clothes exclusively for the event, which you can see in this blog. One of the people asked to create an outfit for the exhibit was Hayley Hughes, a stylist and fashion blogger (her photo with her outfit below is from her blog which has many more from the exhibit)

I managed to find lots of photographs from the display through the website of The Age, an Australian newspaper, courtesy of photographer Ken Irwin, so here they are - Alain Trembley is featured in some (setting up the exhibit).

Fashion Royalty - Agnes Von Weiss: High Gloss

Most doll manufacturers organize conventions for their loyal customers: it is a great way to create publicity about their doll lines, present new dolls and raise their sales. For the fans it is a great way to meet other collectors, exchange or trade dolls and outfits and buy new exclusive dolls. The most sought after dolls in the conventions are usually the official convention dolls and their companions: they are highly stylized and in limited quantities - or they should be.


High Gloss Agnes Von Weiss in no exception: she is, imho, one of the most exquisite Fashion Royalty dolls ever created. Designed specifically for the Dollz In Oz 2008 convention in Sydney Australia, and limited to 300 dolls worldwide, she embodies all that a fashion doll should be: bold, beautiful, exceptional, elegant, glamorous. Designed specifically to fit the event and the theme (Mardi Gras), her unique look places her at the top (or very near at least) of the best that Jason Wu has offered us.


First the gown: it seems that Wu has heard his fans: this is no classic full blown ball gown or mermaid style va-va voom dress. No sir, what we have here is a confection that can rival what Claude Montana did back in the days he designed for Lanvin Haute Couture. The white dress, designed to remind one the Sydney Opera (look at the turned up triangular edges) fits perfectly with Sydney - but where is Mardi Gras? Not that I mind, luckily it avoids any carnival reference, which can be only positive.


The fabric is white with silver pinstripes, making it shimmer in the light. The scale of the stripe is amazing, making the dress look even better up close. The craftsmanship is excellent, with the stitching and lining exquisitely executed. The fit is also great. The voluminous skirt stands great and needs little fussing over to look good. Same goes for the six panels that fall over it, accentuating the cascading hemline.


The bodice is looking great with the microsequined breast panel under the huge stand up collar. The necklace is a bit too much for this design, it would look much better without it. It is even too big for the décolletage, it never can hold its shape properly. The filigree and bead earrings are a perfect match.


The highlight is the silver "leather" corset-belt: it has a tiny non-functioning zipper at the front, framed by six studs, while at the back it ties with laces like a corset. Amazing detail and execution. Montana and Mygler would be proud!




The shoes are silver platform sandals that tie up the leg - the silver laces are slipping on the legs (and my fingers are not helping). The doll is not wearing any kind of hosiery but does have flesh coloured panties.


The face of Agnes is incredibly painted: her white porcelain looking skin is almost translucent, with barely blushed cheeks. All the focus is on the eyes: heavy eye shadow and eye-liner makes her look immensely dramatic, vampiric even - her bold dark eyebrows fitting this image perfectly. Pale shiny lips finish off the look. Her jet black hair is pulled back in a perfect chignon, making her look even more austere. I think it suits the dress perfectly and anything else would have looked too much.


A splendid doll from Fashion Royalty - I hope Jason Wu continues like this in 2008!