Even in a Fantasy only one can WIN!!

FIRE GODDESS

Ina Murphey, LaPetite Fashion Promenade, and Mike Austin, Mike's Creations, both on Couture Court, submitted this entry Number Eight. Can you feel her gifts of light, inspiration and the healing rays of the sun coursing out of this beaded sumptuous gown. You can be sure she has acquired some queenly traits wearing such mahvelous jewels incuding her crown, necklace, bracelet and even her flaming coat...........and she has acquired enough votes to be declared the winner - let's all give a big round of applause to Ina and Mike - great job!!

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We also have a winner for our drawing..............and she is DAWN ANDERSON.  Contact our manager with your address and claim your prixe!!

All the designs were beautiful and got plenty of wonderful comments!   See for yourself - they are all showcased below, and the designs that will be sold should be in the shops soon.  Be sure to give them a visit!  And stay tuned to our blog for all CDS activities - we'll be back soon with a real Valentine treat!  Happy dolling....we'd love to see you at CDS anytime -  check out all the great shops - you may find just what you need for your favorite doll!!

                                                  

ENCHANTRESS IN ANY WORLD

Denise Beaudin, Deni's Doll Designs, on Main Street submitted this entry Number One.  She poses the question whether it is the dressed down version, Winter Sorceress, or the dressed up version, a lovely bride, who is casting a spell or murmuring an incantation.  What did you think??

FLURRY

Cindi Stowell, Cindi's Doll Apparel, Designer Drive, submitted this entry Number Two.  She's the fairy Godmother to all the forest fairies who can adapt for a fun, festive party The rustle of her tulle skirt won't give her away - after all, how many Godmother's wear swarovski crystals??  Did you find the Godmother  version believable enough to ask her to make-ready for you to go to the ball.



LUNA

Terry Barner, Off the Wall by terrkat, Designer Drive, submitted this entry Number Three.  She has been called Luna by the Romans, Ishtar by the Babylonians and Aega by the Greeks but a rose by any other name would still be a Moon Goddess.  Did this diva in satin and silk make you want to view a few constellations?

STARDUST

Pauline Lyngard, BW Designs, Main Street, submitted this entry Number Four.  She wants her life to be sprinkled with Stardust for ultimate glamour! Would we pale in the glow of both her jewelry and her sparkly fashion that has texture that oozes in beads, silk and a feather "wig."


 

PINK LEOPARD LILY
 
Kevin Kilmer, Click Designs by Kevin, Desigmer Drive, submitted this entry Number Five.  Layered fuschia and leopard lusciousness surrounded this Cat Woman whose designer was influenced by Alexander McQueen!  Meow, meow, purr, purr is a reaction that comes to mind when viewing this lovely.

ANDEWNNA

Lana Turk, Doll Couture by Lana, Desigmer Drive, submitted this entry Number Six.  Responsible for morning dew on the flowers when in fantasy mode; she becomes ball ready as a human during the evening.  Does she make you want to go grab an umbrella in the early hours of the morning?

TATIANA

Pat Stoughton, Petite Moonbeams, Main Street, submitted this entry Number Seven.  There is no doubt this daytime diva favors shopping - there is always a bag of shoes or 2 around.  But the question is can this faerie princess of the moon be content living in the forest when her real self cringes when she has to remove her wings.

SHARRA

Elisa Cetera, Petra Elise Fashion Doll Couture, Main Street, submitted this entry Number Nine.  Her lifestyle takes her to more fabulous events in the human world then most of us dream of.  Her regal presence will be welcome when she is transformed from Fairy Princess to Queen of the Fay.  Question is, will this diva still have time to shop for her precious silks or will she have to delegate?

Fantasy Fashion - What is It and is it for me??

To simply dismiss any fantasy from your doll's wardrobe would be like a rich woman snubbing many designs that come down the runways today.  You may not find this Gaultier number pictured to your taste...but then again, maybe you might!  Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder - so who is to say any fashion, done appealingly and with wonderous fabrics, would not appeal to you??  


To test this theory, our CDS shop owners were given their latest challenge called Fantasy Meets Couture.   They were asked to give a version of their outfit that would be suitable for a fantasy being, and another version that could be worn by the fashionista we all have come to know our dolls to  be.


No picture or any other indicator was given of who or what they should use as their inspiration.  In other words, each participant had to pull this creation out of their imagination.  For some this proven daunting; others squealed with joy at the prospect of such a fine challenge.  In the end nine entries came forth to claim the prize!!  Want to know what they are playing for?

The prizes for this challenge are provided by Angelic Dreamz Doll Shop and CDS.  The winner of this challenge will be receiving this J-Doll by JUN Planning titled RUE DE CHARONNE.  Her inventors imagined her as someone who would just know "something beautiful may be found...on the street corner in Paris."  Standing at approximately 11" she is made of vinyl and fully articulated.  And, she comes with her shoulder bag, a hat, and her doll stand.


She was selected because she's the type of doll client CDS is used to - smart, saavy, and beguiling.  We also wanted to give a nod to those who design and buy for the smaller fashion dolls.  We hope she'll result in many new designs from our winner!


AND our FTKers will get a chance, through our drawing , to win a fantasy doll  of their own - they have been notified which doll it will be on our Yahoo Group which one can join here.


But, as promised, anyone can vote for the entries in this challenge.  They can be seen and voted on all day Friday, January 7 and Saturday, January 8 until 10 p.m. CST - but they can continue to be viewed all weekend.  The winner  and our drawing winner will be announced here on our blog Sunday, January 9.    

We would honestly like to have the person who fulfilled the challenge win this and all our challenges, so for that reason we politely ask you not to vote as if this was a popularity contest.  Thank you.  To view or vote all you have to do is go over to Couture Doll Shops and click on the banner that looks like this - it is at the top of CDS Main Street:

Most of all, enjoy the show!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

And a very special thank you for all your support in 2010!

May you have good health, much wealth, and supreme happiness playing with your dolls in 2011!!


Hold on to your hats in the New Year - we'll be taking you on a Fast Road to Fashion - watch for the kick off next week with our Fantasy Meets Couture Challenge!!  All will be able to vote, but only those who sign up for our FTK list will be eligible for prizes - sign up by clicking here!!


If you are looking to take the plunge in 2011 and open your own shop we welcome anyone who already has a website, AND we are still giving our free lessons for those who have yet to build their website, just contact our Manager!  

Merry Whatever You Celebrate........

...and a Happy New Year!

I have to admit I'm far from being politically correct; I  love the winter holidays no matter what they are called!

At every age I have reached through my life some new, wonderful experience has been added to my memory cache. My travels have taken me from the cold winter blasts of Virgina where I would harvest and sell mistletoe as a teenager to the sometimes summer-like temperatures in the winter of my present, southern Texas home. But no matter where I have been, sharing holiday greetings with the people who are important to me has always been a big part of celebrating the holiday season!

Here at Couture Doll Shops we value our clients and followers. We appreciate it each and every time you shop with one of our merchants just as much as we appreciate our followers who spread the word about us, and vote or give comments when we ask for them. So, from Couture Doll Shops itself, we send out a very special Happy Holiday greeting and also wish you a Prosperous New Year!!

Also, some of our shop owners who have Holiday or Winter items available have pitched in to help us salute you as well as show you an item appropriate to the season you may. find in their shops. So, let's go -- on with the greetings!!

The white feather wig sets the tone for this Frosty Fashion!  Add the details of the lace choker, crystal accented wrap for a high fashion look, or play it down to just a pretty party dress!

Either way, your Monogram will look her festive best this holiday season!  We specialize in beautiful things for beautiful doll divas!

BW Designs

The Olive Martini Bar is proud to serve the very best in champagnes. And your name will look devine on our free personalized label on your bottle!!

Whether you are needing custom cast bottles, champagne flutes for parties, or a complete champagne tray set, we can oblige. Standard or larger scale cocktails are available for the size doll you have - and it may not be too late to commission a customized miniature or even an OOAK creation. Contact this proprietor for all your party needs today! 

The Original Olive Martini Bar

This may or may not be a different take...for you... on Winter with an outfit aptly titled Black and Gray Winters Day....it seems quite appropriate to those of us who collect and love Ms. Ellowyne and her friends!

Winter melancholy weather brings Ellowyne and friends dressing down for the Holidays. She can be found wearing her Winter black and gray that reminds her of the gloomy winter clouds and  rain,.  It is, indeed, a Winter outfit that is most appropriate for both writing poems and wrapping presents in front the fire!.

oohlalaz

Celebrate the holidays with one of these chic and festive cocktail dresses!

Black net lace with taupe embroidery is paired with silk dupioni in your choice of purple, black or green.  This is an ultra limited fashion, and is available for most 12" size fashion dolls.

Petra Elise Fashion Doll Couture

This year pull out all the stops with this  Iced Daggers Necklace/Choker!

Hand-crafted of Swarovski Crystals and Clear Glass Daggers, this Choker will stop them in their tracks!  And don't worry about losing it as it comes with a secure Hook and eye clasp. 

Top off your fashion-forward 16" Fashion Doll's new gala outfit with this very appropriate neck jewelry.

Aurora Originals

The tree has been sprayed black and the ornaments are hand made “jewels” in crystal and various tones of purple and red. (It would look great in  a “Goth” style Christmas diorama.)  The tree skirt is a rainbow of colors with a dominant emphasis on the purple tones.  The print has an emphasis on cats, but also includes sun, moon, and  stars, some parrots, and lots of colorful wrapped packages.  

The dress is purple holographic lame’ with black beaded Alencon lace trim.  It has a center back invisible style zipper and has white underlining.

LaPetite Fashion Promenade

 Red cotton print with candy canes makes up this adorable dress.  Topped off with a 100% green wool felt hooded jacket with embroided rick rack trim; available for Bitty Bethany and Riley.

This shop owner loves little girl dolls so there are several lovely offerings for them at any time, including some specifically for bjd littles! Right now there is also a charming girngerbread outfit!! But rest assured, there is always something available for your bigger dolls too.

The Butterfly's Wing 

Special Holiday Edition Sasha is the first introduction of the Character Sasha, a very special doll indeed.  Made of the same fine JAMIEshow Resin, with a fully articulated (19 points) strung body, she is the first BJD to come with ROOTED HAIR!

Sasha comes with a rooted head cap, so you can style, comb and design her hair, or you can change her rooted head cap to a smooth cap (both caps included) so she can wear any of our fabulous JAMIEshow wigs.

She comes dressed in a fabulous Red Silk dress right off the runway, with No Heel Leather Boots, Hose, and an incredible little Faberge Resin Egg purse, which opens to reveal a mirror compact with eyeshadow.

Sasha had brown lustrous hair and brown eyes and is adorned with brown and gold eyeshadow.    She is avaiable with 2 mouth options; closed or open - you'll select one when placing your special order for this doll. Doll also includes stand. Limited Edition of 50 pcs Worldwide; begins shipping 12/16/2010.

Angelic Dreamz

"Dance with me" she says.  What gentleman wouldn't want to dance with Ellowyne in this stunning new silk gown designed especially for her?  This lavish ball gown pattern features fitted princess bodice and full flowing skirt with optional gathered ruffle at the hem and a back zipper closure.

It is a design for Ellowyne by Gary Fletcher that is also available in sizes for the 22" American Model, DeeAnna Denton, and the Cami/Antoinette dolls.

A scarlet red silk dupioni was used.  Facing the bodice pieces is suggested with lightweight woven fusible interfacing.  The gathered ruffle at the hem is created using the same fabric and a ruffle foot.  Using a gathering foot creates perfect gathers.   Notions are available as well as the pattern.

Designs by Jude

Christmas Cheer Chic is a custom designed OOAK outfit for SD dolls. This outfit includes dress, bra, necklace, hat, and wings.

This is the kind of haute clothing fit for your angel!  The dress is made from red velvet, faux leather, lots of white lace, and tulle underskirt with red lace.

Cindi's Doll Apparel 

Golden has a full repaint and reroot in gold with gold sparkling threads.  She has a removable costume, shoes,  and a present for her new home!  She's available now as are her friends.

Her friends include a very Victorian girl named Burgandy who has a full reroot, a hat, and a lovely ensemble.  There's also Holly Day who is dressed so sweet - yes, this is THE place on CDS for all your Kelly needs, and there's even a Holiday section!!

Mystical Rose Designs

Wreath and other holiday jewelry sets are ready for your holiday wearing or gifting!

Necklace is a handmade chain of gold metallic, and square sequins are connected with gold plated jump rings.  The beadiing is glass, foil lined, red and green seed beads on gold plated hoops.

The earrings are beaded to match.  The clasp is an "S" hook designed for safe wearing.

Mike's Creations

A Holly Jolly Holiday is a stunning flesh colored dupioni silk tea length gown with a black sequined lace overlay and a holly leaf and berries design on the bodice.

This newest design from this shop is sure to delight any Holiday Party goer.   However, this one was made specifically for the smaller (11.5-12") doll divas.

 Click Designs by KEVIN

This red velvet is lined in a butter-soft cream fabric to create this luscious holiday gown!  A pattern from Gary
Fletcher’s 2008 holiday collection was used.

This pattern features a scrunched bodice and straps that cross and snap in the back. The skirt has 7 gores and is hemmed with a sheer, sparkly red tulle fabric just right for those holiday parties. A tiny scrollwork pattern dances around the hem! This will fit most Tyler-type dolls.

Chandra is the model and is for sale separately as a Tonner Shinyuu Repaint who has experienced a complete makeover in a smoke-free studio. Her original paint was carefully removed and new features were handpainted with artist grade acrylics. All paint was sealed with UV protective sealer.

C Green Designs

I better scurry off now - lots of eggnog drinking, shopping, and human as well as dolly doings to get done!  But please know just because everyone didn't get a chance to do a holiday or winter offering,  each and every one of the shop owners of CDS think YOU are important enough for a holiday salute.

We're blowing you a kiss and sending good holiday vibes that all you do will be special - and especially fun!  We all hope you'll visit us when you have time, and that all your dolls will be dressed wonderfully for 2011.

May you sincerely have a wonderful Holiday Season and may you be Happy and Healthy in the New Year!!

DOLLS FASHION NIGHT OUT ........Navigating Fashionably!

I hope you are enjoying/will be enjoying Dolls Fashion Night Out through the weekend - November 5 - 7! We've updated the Couture Doll Shops website so you may have to refresh your browser to see the new face.

When you get on the site there is a big red navigation bar at the top of Main Street; just click on it to go see DFNO.   Each page has a way for you to go to a shop or return to CDS.  For your convenience, here's the navigation information on the front page of DFNO:

Navigating:

Use the drop down menus at the top of the page to go to the mini presentations for each shop.   Just hover over a street, then click on a name to go to an individual shop!  Here is a  directory of the shops participating that shows both the shop owner and  the name of the shop they own.

Designer Drive:
A Mathews      Aurora Originals                   
K Jeffrey     Shooz by Kaz
A Castanes    Somethings Old, Somethings New
L Turk        Doll Couture by Lana
T Barner    Off the Wall Terrkat               
G Lock        Madame Rollniks
M Watson    Green Thread Design Studio           
K Cermak    The Butterfly's Wing
K Kilmer    Click Designs by Kevin               
M Adrian    Goldifrocks   
T Quintero    Mystical Rose Designs   

Main Street
C Casteel    Sweet Creations                   
E Cetera    Petra Elise Fashion Doll Couture
WL Kinnie    Wyckedry                   
A Nardone    Gothic Illusions
D Beaudin    Deni's Doll Designs               
D Brown    Chic Indulgence
M Friend    Facets by Marcia               
P Lyngard    BW Designs
C Green    Claudia Green Designs               
P Burney    Creative Couture
P Stoughton    Petite Moonbeams

Couture Court
GeoG - all 3 - Shops, Wigs, Dolls is Angelic Dreamz
S Graves    Rochelle Originals               
L Lyon        Angel Rose
G Chavez    Ooh La Laz
K Kilgoar    Karen's Elegant Stitches               
T Casey    Designs by Jude (featuring Fletcher Patterns)

There you will find pictures of new items; be sure to click on each photo to get a better view. And, at the bottom of each page is a link to go to that shop, as well as to CDS!!

We have a lot of new things in the established shops as well as the new shops that have just opened today!  The pictures here show just a few things you might find!

 Any questions, email the Manager.  Now on with the show - Sit back and enjoy!

DOLL FASHION NIGHT OUT!

Have you heard about Fashion Night Out??  It's a magical night in September when designers, new and established, parade their latest creations down the runway.  It is a true celebration of talent!  And it was the inspiration for Couture Doll Shops to create our own Dolls Fashion Night Out.

The challenge went out for the CDS designers to stock their shops with one to three new items.  We had a stellar response and are so happy to present our own Dolls Fashion Night Out. 

Join us on the Couture Doll Shops (http://couturedollshop.com) website Friday, November 5, and continue to look over and shop with all our merchants as our presentation will be available all weekend long.   There is a red button there to make it easy for you to get in.

I hope you'll find that special "it" item and have fun!!  Rock on dollinistas!! 

Take a stroll on Designer Drive

When the idea was presented to me to manage Couture Doll Shops I had no idea how far this venture could progress in such a short time.  Was it really just January when we started taking applications for Main Street?? Since then the response to our Doll Mall has been incredible, and I've had to  hang on to my hat, fashionistas,  because no fat ladies have been singing at our Mall!!  Instead we have progressed to the point of opening yet another STREET!  And, what better street name for a place where designing rules than DESIGNER DRIVE!!

Designer Drive, the smallest of our streets, was put together primarily to satisfy the large number of requests we've been getting from people who want a doll shop but don't have a website.  But we don't anticipate it will stay small very long!  We will begin our last website classes of the year mid-October, and then more shops will roll out.  So, if you've ever wanted to do something like this - don't procrastinate - you really will be walked through this process step by step.  And, if you have a website, we will be happy to hear from you, too. With or without a website, contact us here.

But today we are here to celebrate Designer Drive's Grand Opening!  And for this Grand Opening our promotion is the Just Japanese Challenge.  Our designers could make a garment representing any Japanese style from any time period.  Of course, this is one of my faves, so boy was I excited!  Our sponsor, George Gonzalez, teased me that he thought this round of beauties might be styled something like this
Wow, I squealed, "Send her to ME!:  Of course this is the beautiful
And we are happy to be introducing Mayumi to you; a beautiful doll from a new Exclusive collection by JAMIEshow for Angelic Dreamz.  She is a 16"Resin Ball Jointed Fashion Doll.   But Mayumi is  a little different than your other BJDs; you see she is made of a new resin that George says is the finest ever made!!  Mayumi is dressed in her couture scalloped silk dress with Hobi tie, and she sports Kabuki Make Up.  Traditional Japanese wooden shoes also complete the look perfectly  Mayumi sports a removable wig, has pierced ears, and includes her own doll stand.  Be sure to visit Angelic Dreamz on Couture Court to view the entire line of these wonderful dolls.

Okay, now on to reality!  The designers for this challenge did have some very interesting entries; but they definitely took a very different design position for their entries than George suggested!!  This was a judged challenge.  Judges for the winner follow, and, of course, our FTK group picked the People's Choice.

Judges:

Tamara Casey, Designs by Jude
I've admired the work ethic it must take for Tamara Casey to produce as much doll eye candy as she does.   From repaints to pattern making, this industrious woman does it all in the doll world, and does it very well.  You have only to peek in on her Designs by Jude  Yahoo Group to see the fun contests, camaraderie, and pattern specials going on over there.  So we are quite lucky she had a little time to dedicate to judging the winner of our Just Japanese Challenge.  She's a member of the Couture Doll Shops family as a cornerstone shop owner on Couture Court, and she is always up for promoting both this community while also serving as a sponsor for our sister site, Couture Doll Design Challenge.

Larraine Elcock, Couture Doll Shops
 To say Larraine Elcock is the consumate doll collector would be telling you something you might think you already know - but unless you have looked over her website which features her rather extensive collection, you cannot begin to fanthom how TOTALLY addicted Larraine is to everything doll!!  I first met Larraine when we were competing in the original Project Dollway at Home competition, and am so glad her interests in such competitions has led to her immensely popular Couture Doll Design Challenge.  Along with this enormous undertaking, she serves on the CDS Board. is the Tech for our website. and has a shop of her own on Main Street.  How she gets it all done is a mystery!!

George Gonzalez, Angelic Dreamz
The driving force and lead designer for Angelic Dreamz is George Gonzalez, someone we at CDS are happy to say is our good friend as well as a dealer member  Located in Canandaigua New York, in the Finger Lakes, is his stunning store that is rumored to have an awesome friendly staff (and that is the truth!).  And since we can't all travel there in person, we are quite lucky to be able to shop for all the many dolls and gifts Angelic Dreamz has to offer in the privacy of our homes online.  I don't know about you, but for me there is something wonderfully evil in being able to buy my dolls in my jammies! Be sure to visit them through their shop on Couture Court if you feel the same way!  Thanks, George, and the staff of Angelic Dreamz for taking the time to judge our entries!!

And now for all the winners.  All the winners will be revealed by following the instructions below.  They include our FTK drawing winner, the overall winner of Just Japanese, and our People's Choice for Just Japanese!. So let's go check it out - and then be sure to check out our new street - Designer Drive!! 

Instructions for viewing our promotion - Read all instruction and just do them in order. First CLICK HERE  Then when you get to the destination it takes you to, just click on read book.  The book page you go to will be very big.  Adjust the page size to your liking with the + and - buttons above the page.  Then use the right and left arrows to go through the book!  When you come to the first blank page you are done! Enjoy!!