Silkstone Ekaterina Arrives

So how did Integrity's Black Wednesday go for you? Did you get everything you wanted on pre-order? With 36 dolls to choose from, there must have been something for everyone. Problem is, most everyone wanted the same thing. From what I've heard, the boy dolls disappeared faster than all the rest.

Ekaterina arrived today. She is the Barbie Fan Club first doll for 2011. I thought she was overpriced but that is the direction the Silkstone dolls have taken in the last year. I don't know if I will debox her because I wasn't overwhelmed with joy when I looked inside the box.

Silly me. I was expecting the doll to look like the promo.

I suppose if I take her out and arrange her curls, she will look good. I do love redheads. I was surprised at how much she reminds me of Je Ne Sais Quoi who is actually better looking in person that her promo (and has lots of nice jewelry and a handbag and was more than $20 less.)

Strangely enough I don't have a picture of JNSQ in her own outfit. I do have this one. She's wearing a suit that came on Brilliance Monogram doll. This was the worst piece of sewing ever. Look at the white stitching across the bustline. Ugh. I have since gone over that stitching with indelible black laundry marker.

The good thing is that I learned that Monogram clothing fits Silkies.


Every time I go to the BFC site and see the Tribute Barbie Doll I am reminded that I want her badly.

She will be mine one day!

Sometimes throwing away money on dolls like Twilight Jane and a few Lalaloopsy pieces of junk adds up and could easily buy a doll like Tribute. It's pretty difficult to delay gratification when there are so many adorable dolls just asking to come live here.

This was a waste of $5. but it was irresistible.

One more thing arrived today...a cute folder which contained my BFC membership card and a key chain with a folding picture holder. It's cute. I think it could make a good luggage tag.

Will the Real Vanessa Please Stand Up?

The movement is afoot to get Integrity Toys to stop production of the redesigned Vanessa head mold. Hopefully the designers will listen and make collectors happy.

I have decided to join with those petitioning IT. Vanessa is my favorite mold after all and although I didn't see that much difference, I'd rather no changes at all.

There have been 22 versions of Vanessa manufactured since the beginning.  There have been 15 Agnes dolls. Does that mean that Agnes will also get restyled soon? She's wildly popular among collectors as Vanessa has always been.

Restyling a product that is loved 

is not good business. 

All a doll needs is different facial screening, different hair styling and a great outfit to change her appearance.  Make light, medium and dark versions. Discontinue or reduce her production.
You don't change an icon's appearance.  Who is making these decisions?

These are all Vanessa. Most are IT's own promotional photos. Of these, five were not terribly popular but sold out fast nevertheless. All except Aerodynamic are hunted by collectors. The prices for these dolls can be extraordinarily high.

I ought to just dig up my protests against the restyling of Veronique or my comments about the restyling of Natalia. That was ridiculous. It stopped being Natalia. I am quite sure that sales have not improved as a result of these changes. Isn't that why IT is in business? Is someone with an out-of-control ego loose in the boardroom? 

When In Bloom Vanessa, the W Club doll from 2007 was shown there was a very negative reaction to her appearance and it was changed because of that. 

While most unhappy collectors are busy protesting on the W Board and other boards, I have suggested they write directly to the designers at Integrity Toys. At the last convention, Vaughn said he wanted to hear what collectors think. Is he paying attention? Is anyone?

Twilight Jane from Mattel

Every now and then I give in to my 'dark' side and buy a Pink Box item from Mattel.  I liked Jane's cloak. The price was right as I used my $20. coupon.  She doesn't look quite evil enough. I still like her.

Her cloak is sewn shut at the front seam. It will be quite easy to rip the thread open and put in hooks and eyes. What I didn't expect was sewn on gloves! Weird.

Silvery Rose Ingrid LE50 by Joe Tai

All the discussion last week about the face on the Hayworth doll looking like Joe Tai's Ingrid got me looking at Joe's dolls and thinking that I really would like to have one.  When I came across Silvery Rose Ingrid, a 12" doll, I bought it and I am very happy with my purchase.
Ingrid's box is very pretty with it's floral design. The ties are elastic. She wasn't all that easy to remove from the box but when I did get her out, she was in excellent condition with no damage from having been packaged for about two years.

 She arrives unwigged.

It's a wonderful saran wig and like all of Joe's wigs, it's a hard cap which makes it extremely easy to put on and remove. This one is an extravagant collection of dips and braids.

The necklace can be used to adorn the gown's bodice or to wear as jewelry. Ingrids hands can be removed to put on the bracelets and to make redressing easy.

The gown itself is two pieces consisting of a metallic silver bustier top and a fully sequined ball gown style skirt. It comes with a separate crinoline. A little surprise awaits under the skirt as Ingrid is wearing pink and white striped panties. Completing the fashion are black gloves, 4 bracelets, stockings, earrings and shoes.
The base of the doll stand is signed by hand and I'm guessing they were all signed. I'll have to ask the dealer.

I paid $118. plus shipping for Ingrid. I could not find a lower price for any of Joe's dolls. This doll is currently available at the Doll Peddlar although that is not where I bought mine. Doll Peddlar has several other Joe Tai dolls available including his 16" dolls Jo Kanaeva and Jo Bessonova.

Proper Use of Selective Focus

Every now and then I come across a photograph in which the shooter uses selective focus with a purpose that really works and isn't just being used to be cute.

Creatively MJ, aka Matty,  posted this image on Prego recently. The focus (and the composition) takes the viewer's eye directly to the bauble but leaves you aware of the fashion and the doll that is wearing it. I love this.

If your camera has the ability to do a closeup that allows the background to blur out (selective focus), ask yourself what your intent is. There is no right answer, of course, but if you are doing it just because you can, it can get tiring.

When I was doing wedding photography I often used a filter called a center spot. It had a clear center of about 1/3 of the total lens. The area around that was diffused. I used it most often for portraits of the bride in which I wanted her face sharp and the rest of the image to have a dreamy look.
I'm going off the topic here but I am really glad those days are over.

You can follow Matty on his blog at http://mynavyblue.blogspot.com/

IT 2011 ~ Part IV of IV ~ Poppy Parker, Color Infusion, Monogram and The Event Exclusive

As usual, the new Poppy Parkers are delightful. I'm pleased they've got the more detailed eye painting back. Darla Daley is the welcome new friend of Poppy.

It's now 1964 and so many things have changed for Poppy Parker since she arrived in New York. She is now one of the most popular teenage models in New York. She has been on the cover of five fashion and teen magazines and recently scored a new gig as the face of McCalpin's Department Store for their Juniors' department.

Another new development is the arrival of Poppy's best friend, Darla Daley. They met in a record shop and now, they are inseparable. Darla is an upcoming young singer who just made her television debut on the Ted Mullivan show. Thanks to her appearance on the show, she now has her first hit single! 

The Ted Mullivan Show? LOL I wonder if many of the collectors of this line even know to whom that refers.

 

Foto Fab $119. Perfectly Purple $119. Youthquake $90.

 

Hit Single $119. Twist 'n Shout $90.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVlr4g5-r18

Color Infusion Collection
Amelie becomes a muse for a unique, richly hued and embellished capsule collection. The mood echoes exuberant city style through a vibrant mix of color and textures with trendsetting makeup, hair, jewelry and fashion.

Cosmic Love Amelie $125.

Rebel Spirit Amelie $125.

  What is there about being pigeon-toed that is cute?

 The Monogram Collection
Someone was asleep at the wheel with this trio.  It's the same dress in three colors and the same doll in three shades. That approach works on American Girl dolls but not here. They are called Bemused, Envied and Passionate. I call them Dark, Light and Medium.

Dark, Light and Medium. $125.

The 2011 Online Event-Exclusive Doll
Night Scape Giselle Diefendorf dressed in black shorts, black sweater and a kind of deflated puffer jacket with an over-scaled zipper for $110.
This doll is available only to W Club members until Monday February 29th at Noon.

IT 2011 ~ Part III of IV ~ FR2 and Nu.Fantasy

As part of the new FR2 line, we've been presented with two dolls, Dasha as The Minimalist and Dominique as Grand Gesture. Both dolls are $175. and their estimated delivery is the third quarter of 2011. (July, August, September).

The Minimalist Dasha

Grand Gesture Dominique

 Both dolls are stunning and so very different. Dasha is classy and casual. Dominique is spectacularly gowned and accessorized. I am curious about her hair!



 Nu. Fantasy

Malicious Nu.Fantasy $125.

Pure Nu.Fantasy $125.

These two went on my pre-order list immediately. Malicious is deliciously strange and she's wearing an amazing fashion. I hope her hair turns out as cool as it looks in the promo. Pure looks just like Erin and it's been a long time since we've had a gorgeous Erin.

Integrity Toys 2011 New Dolls ~ Part II of IV ~ Dynamite Girls

Above, The Plastic Inevitable Collection. Left to right Heart of Glass Aria; Most Beautiful Boy Auden; Downtown Darling Jett; Radiant Child Remi; Rock Candy Rufus. $59.99 each.

The Dynamite team does not disappoint. The buzz about the new male dolls is alive with collector happiness especially for Auden. The price has gone up a bit but I think these dolls are still a decent value for the money.

Below, The Check Mates Collection. Left to Right Heat Wave Aria; Summer Daze Kyu; Heat Wave Aria (on shoulders); Beach Bunny Sooki. $44.99 each.

IT 2011 New Dolls ~ Part I ~ Vanessa and Fashion Royalty

Where do I begin? This was a massive amount of dolls in an impressive collection which spanned almost every current single line produced except for Avant Guard. I think I was lucky that I could not be on-line during the reveal as I was not affected by any emotional overtones or pitches. It wasn't until I began to get emails from fellow collectors who know my attachment to the Vanessa Fashion Royalty doll that I actually began to look at the new dolls on the small screen on my iPhone.  Now, almost 24 hours later, I have been digesting the dolls and I am ready to write.

Apparently the biggest storm is over the perceived change in Vanessa's sculpt. Even before I read the pages and pages of troubled and unhappy comments I had her on my pre-order list.  At first I thought, oh good, now my addiction to that sculpt is over and I don't HAVE to have every one anymore. And then as I looked at her more, I realized that it was only her hair that I didn't like. It was in the style of Shirred Not Shaken. Remember her?

Shirred Not Shaken

 I have pulled several images of recently produced Vanessa dolls for comparison in order to show that there is really very little difference in the new sculpt, if any at all.

 What has changed is the painting of the lips and the drama. That started already with the last Vanessa shown in the lower left of the composite and the shape of the jaw - see it in the lower right and the upper left. If you think her cheekbone structure is gone - it's the lighting of the photograph. It's very easy to flatten an image if you light it equally from all angles or light it too much.
Most of us have multiples of particular sculpts - all painted differently with differently colored and differently styled hair. Many collectors re-root brand new dolls; others tweak their looks slightly with paint or just by restyling the hair.  If no one had told me that this version of Vanessa was redone "in order to keep the family resemblance" (with Veronique) going, I wouldn't have known the difference. I would have thought that they chose to paint her lips without the teeth showing. She's got the same huge eyebrows, the same nose, the same everything. I don't think she looks like Vero II. I didn't think the original looked like Vanessa either.

And if I am wrong (!?%#*!?* ) then the designers are shooting themselves in the collective foot by messing with the most popular character ever since the beginning of Fashion Royalty and one has to wonder what the thought process is or if anyone is even thinking.

Last year when I was still carrying on a one-woman protest about the retiring of Veronique's sculpt, I sarcastically posted that they should just go ahead and retire Vanessa at the same time. Whoa!!! There was a small uprising from the rank and file...no, don't change Vanessa, blah, blah. It was obvious that no one wanted to see her change.

Let's look at the rest of the new Fashion Royalty line which will have applied eyelashes although not for the purposes of photography. There are 12 dressed dolls and two separate fashions.
Three female and two male  dolls are new characters! Someone has definitely been working overtime.

Quiet Storm Annik™  London Mist Imogen™  Easy Elegance Korinne™

Nothing here is exciting even if it is new. Tights, shorts, short coats. Whatever.  Each doll retails for $110.

Silent Partner Romain Perrin™ &  Fast Track Victor James™ $125. each.

Romain is very interesting and if I collected male figures, I'd definitely be interested. I would like a more mature looking male but I love what he's wearing and the look is very cool. Victor looks like Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper.  Any minute now he'll step into into a phone booth (if he can find one) whip open his trench and fly out as Superman-With-A-Tan. (SWAT) His coat looks very ill-fitting unless the guy has the most amazing pecs.

It was fun looking for this picture.

In The Trenches and True Blues Luxury Wear™ Fashion $75. each.

Cute in a little girl, Nu-Face and Dynamite Girl way. 

Pencil Me In Eugenia Perrin Frost™   Scene Stealer Isha™    Porcelain Beauty Kesenia™    High Brow Adèle Makéda®

Eugenia still retains her gorgeous face (for now)but the hairstyle is supremely unattractive. Isha doesn't look like Isha anymore. Kesenia is frightening-looking with that mouth, but I love the outfit and I ordered her. I'm on the fence about Adele. She looks like the classic beauty Adele that I love and I do like the outfit. I just can't make up my mind. I have a feeling that Korrine's jacket matches Adele's pants but I'm not buying Korinne just for the jacket. These dolls are $110. each.

Leading Man Lukas Maverick™   Dress Code Vanessa Perrin®     Breaking The Mold Véronique Perrin®

Lukas ($125.) comes in colors. Vanessa ($110.) has been discussed already. Veronique isn't Veronique ($110.) She will always be an impostor to me.

Estimated delivery of all dolls appears to be the Second Quarter of 2011. (April, May, June)

Tonner Direct is having a "Baby, It's Cold Outside Sale"

If you live somewhere that has nice weather you pay double.*

Starting Thursday February 24th through Friday February 25 at 11:59 PM EST you can save 15% and get free shipping on most every in stock item in the store. Promo Code is FRZN.
International buyers will get a $9.95 credit toward shipping. Promo Code is FRZNINT for International Sales.

There are a few exclusions.

Sadly the Twinset of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are amongst those. I think they are just adorable and I was going to stock up on them.*

 

Approximately 8 1/2" Tall $374.99 set. LE100

I had no idea that these resin characters had the Matt head sculpt. So cute.

Tonner 2010 Halloween Convention Exclusive Base LE 50

You can,  however, buy these very interesting and scary bases called A Bone to Pick which list for only $110. I wonder how many Vanessas I can get onto one of those. 

CLICK ON TONNER TO SHOP

*BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF SARCASM

More Runway Fashions Reinterpreted for Dolls

Michael Williams pointed out this resemblance earlier tonight.

Fall 2010 Runway Alexander McQueen

Mattel's Darya Barbie Doll 2011 FMC

According to the Barbie Collector site, this doll was designed by Robert Best. The 'resemblance' is unmistakable.

Mel Odom's Connection to Hayworth

In response to an email in which I asked Mel what his relationship is with Michel Hayworth he wrote:

Dear Terri,

I've known Michel over the years from telephone calls asking for technical advice regarding doll making.  I guess you could say I was an advisor/ friend.  We met once at a doll convention for 10 minutes.  When he sent me his doll I congratulated him on his accomplishment and posted a congratulations on my FaceBook page.  He said sales were slow and I suggested he send one to you for review.  That's pretty much it.  I know nothing about his business, just that I think Flavia charming.  I hope this helps.

mel

 _____________

While we're on the subject of Mel, I snatched this gorgeous portrait of him from his Facebook album. I think this is one of the best pictures of him I've ever seen. 

Mel has some wonderful images of his work on his Facebook page and you ought to have a look. Click on the picture and it will take you there.

The Lies and Fraud of Michel Couture - Hayworth

A letter I received today is reproduced here in it's entirety:
 

Dear Ms. Gold
Occasionally I stalk your blog, like most collectors I find it a great place to learn more about dolls. I was SHOCKED, STUNNED, and AMAZED to see your post regarding Flavia, Grande-Duchesse, by Michel Couture.

I met Michel at a doll show (IFDC) where he had a display several years ago. What I loved about his presentation was the combination of old Hollywood glamor and a small doll. I am not the biggest fan of all the articulation that is the craze these days. Flavia wasn't beautiful, but reminded me in may ways of the original Barbie, but it was her clothes which were seemingly nice.

What I loved, was Michel, he was so charming and wanted to offer something unique. He promised very small exclusive editions, and explained in great detail how hard it was to compete with the "mega companies" who didn't produce quality.  I knew all that to be true, having followed Doug James and Christina Bougus, I knew that being "little' was hard. He talk so passionately about his dream doll, and that afternoon I wrote a check for almost a $1000, pre-ordering his entire line, and also being promised a special considerations for being a "founding" collector.

He sent me a card on embossed stationary thanking me for my support, the pleasure it was to meet me, and promised a doll in the summer. Summer came and went, then it was the fall. It seemed just when I had had enough waiting he would offer me more. He promised to send sketches, pictures, and went so far as to ask my opinions about the doll, what would I love to see. I felt as if I was part of something amazing. He supplied me with dates that never came into fruition, and many excuses, tho all seemingly legitimate. Productions issues, quality control, anything to dely sending me the doll. Finally after a year and a half, he told me he didn't have enough capitol and offered a refund. This man wanted Flavia to be the next Mdvanni, which I should have known was asked for to much, but that was inspiring. He asked me to be a "benefactress to beauty" and that he was going to create the doll in the states in resin and make the clothes himself, in editions of 10-20. I sent him another $500. He sent me a fashion which was a relabled Dressmakers and I promptly contacted my bank and the police.

The police laughed at me and told me they did not have time for "Dolly Capers". I contacted the coordinators of IFDC with no response. I contacted the Attorney Generals office in CA, and again, nothing. I finally filed a claim in small claims court, and he did not appear, thus defaulted. He still has not paid the judgment against him, or more offered me an explanation. It is not the money that bothers me, it is the lies and fraud.

I never expected to see an actual produced doll, and it bothers me in every way that Mel Odom brought this doll to you. In many ways I feel that you have done Michel the biggest favor in writing about this doll, but reporting on dolls is what you do. The DOTY is a shock....

I wasn't sure I could put all the information on your blog or what you would do with it. If you want I can mail you copies of correspondences, and the judgment, and even the fashion.

I appreciate your blog and look forward to hearing from you.

Elyse-Jacqueline

Second email from the same person:

Hi Terri,
There is a reason that people send you dolls, because consumers value your opinion. You highlight new artist, repainters, and in general give valued opinion. I often won't buy a doll till I've read your review, and know I am not the only one. You have been very non-biased about all of this which is commendable, but for me, even to show the doll and the vehicle to which you received a free doll bothers me. In some ways you have been given stolen merchandise, from Mel Odom of all people. To me it creates a sense of validity that Michel Hayworth (not his real name) needs to be credible. I can write whatever I want, maybe some people will listen, but everyone listens to you. You offered a frank analysis of the doll, which is awesome, and some opinion about the marketing, but I think had I been you, I would have returned the doll to Mel and said that there is to much drama towards this doll maker, and I would rather abstain. Or I would have waited for contact from the maker, and published a blog about the drama and the doll.

Since you are the link to major doll people like Mel Odom, have you had follow-up with him? The way the blog reads to me is that Mel Odom is advocating a new doll and by putting the doll on the blog you are advancing the sale of that doll. Regardless of press, even bad, it is still pres. If you said, don't by "x" the market would feel it, because you have authority and with authority comes responsibility. Granted by publishing stories such as mine, you are offering another side of a story, sadly I am not sure my story is all that effective?

Publish at will. I appreciate your time.
Regards,
Elyse.

At this point I, too, am wondering about the DOTY award and how it works.
 

Photo sent to me by a collector who was at the IFDC Event where Michel promoted his doll.

Update on The Barbie Standard Edition Book

The Barbie Standard Edition book is available for $29.70 at Amazon.com.

That is a savings of $15.30 off the list price of $45.  You get free shipping on orders over $25. at Amazon.

Comments from Readers Regarding Hayworth, Michel Couture, Flavia

Apparently Michel Hayworth burned his bridges because even my honest review of Flavia has stirred up many angry memories.

Source Unknown

I started off my review by saying that I was aware of the controversy surrounding the designer. 

Why would I even review the doll and give it publicity? 

Think out of the box for a minute.

I have provided a platform for those injured by Hayworth to air their experiences;  however,

most of these people did not take advantage of the comment area to post.

I have copied some of the publicly posted comments with ID stripped from them.  
I doubt this is the publicity Hayworth expected.

-Unfortunately, I am one who has had a bad experience with Michele. I preordered the dolls at the 07? convention and also purchased a jewelry set in hand. It was missing a white rhinestone from the earrings and Mihele promised to make good on it. I asked him to simply send me a stone & I would replace it, as I make jewelry, have the tools etc. He said hewas having problems etc. & would prefer to exchange it, to please wait & bring it to the next convention. I showed up with it.... Michle did not, nor did he respond to following emails. I would love to hear from him if anyone has any influence. Teri? Mel?

-Interesting. I respect you, for being able to make such a factual analysis, but the doll looks different from the prototype that I saw at IFDC.


-Nice suit, but ridiculously overpriced. There are a LOT of fantastic folks out there who . . .
do that kind of work, too. And as a treasured OOAK, not a mass produced item.


-The fashions are nice but the OOAK and more limited fashions that are handmade by many just on this board alone are worth much more to me... My collection contains fashions by Shane, Bellissima Couture, Natalia Sheppard, LaBoutique, Petra Elise, Vince Nowell and sooo many more that I've acquired for less, are so much more rare and from what I've seen - fit so much better as well.


-I cannot see paying 150.00 or more for a mass produced fashion from ANY manufacturer - no matter how limited. The price tag is presumptuous for such a new line(and on such shakey ground) for sure.


-In my honset [sic] opinion- the fashions look nice but we get the same styling/quality from DMD for at least 60.00 less per fashion and each one of Steven Fraser's are a LE of no more than 300 per design.


-I'm not buying it literally or figuratively. After all that's happened, he's still got a long loooooooooooooooooooong way to go to prove himself.


-Thanks for posting! I find it odd he could not contact you himself, LOL


-Thanks Terri for the pix. Not loving the doll but your Kyori looks beautiful in the suit.


-One does have to wonder at the strategy being used here.......
Seems to me that they are trying to legitimize themselves by having a respected member of the boards receive a doll and review it so people will feel safe about preorders and future orders. But I think we can all see thru that. I'd be more impressed if the folks who actually preordered got their items rather than a gift to one of our more vocal members. I'm just saying......


-I'm not financially involved with this designer - BUT I think it was SHADY of him to send a FREE doll to a well-known blogger when so many people have been scammed out of big $$$ and are STILL waiting. I think it was a tacky, tacky move.


-I did read your review, and all 8 current comments after it. Your opinion was surprisingly glowing for the most part. I just think he's a scam artist to have kept people's money since 2007, that something is shady with him winning an award, and that people (like Mel) are publicly supporting him when a huge majority of the doll community knows what this "designer" is all about. I have a problem that this guy sought you out (even if it was via Mel) for FREE publicity and more ego stroking when he should concentrate on contacting his customers who are waiting for their money and/or product.


-Interesting. The dolls name is pretentious and nothing special from what I can see.
Given the history with this "doll artist" I still say buyer beware. I find it interesting that no one who ordered this doll years ago has posted that they received it. Feel free to prove me wrong though.


-I agree...very informative and thorough review! So how is Mel Odom
related in regards to Hayworth?


-Very informative and thorough review and pics. Thank You !


-Thank you for doing this review Terri...Your review is fantastic and you handled the surrounding "stuff" very well.

-Hi Terri, and hi everyone. Glad you posted this new (copied) doll on your blog. You do a beautiful job on your reviews.
Disclaimer before you read below. This is just my "humble" and "honest" opinion.
But, I must say, his new copy of a doll really pisses me off. Shame on him for using Joe's Ingrid. Before, the doll shown, as "his" new doll was a Barbie, now it looks like Ingrid. Guess he knows that Joe can't do anything to him, what a friggen shame. I compared it with my Ingrid, and it is identical, except for the screening.
I'll never forget meeting him at IFDC. Watching his presentation and listening to him talking about the "pearl" jewelry, that he has made by a "real" jeweler. I quote what he said...."I believe these are "real" pearls. He said this with what sounded like a fake accent.
Well, you guys should know me well enough to know that I know what are "real" pearls, and his were plastic. What a crock. Also - "his" new doll was a Barbie. A Bob Mackie Redhead with a new paint job. Crock again.
Shame, shame, shame......gives the doll world a bad name.
Just my humble, pissed off opinion. I guess it takes all kinds, doesn't it? 

-I met Michel in 2007 and ordered two dolls at the time which required a deposit. At the same event (IFDC), I won a raffle of a dressed doll wearing the ensemble Treffen im Tiergarten. The doll was removed right before the raffle and on the note card which was included with a bottle of Champagne and Chocolates it mentioned that once finished in production, the doll would be sent to the winner (I still have the paperwork from it as well as all correspondence).

The first year, Michel kept in contact via email. After the first year all contact ceased. When I learned that Michel would not be attending IFDC in 2009 I asked for a refund. In Sept 2009 I received an email stating that the first outfit was now ready to ship but that my items that were ordered were not yet produced and that they preferred to refund. After two weeks and no refund came, I inquired again via mail and received a reply from one of his assistants that accused me of spreading misinformation and how disappointed Michel was with me for no longer supporting him. Here it had been over two years, with one year of no communication and he is disappointed in me?! (Nice CS skills) I did of course receive my refund in full in 2010 however no prize came my way and from what I have read, the only doll being released is this one and the rest will be outfits.

-That sucks. This guy is a fraud, plain and simple >>

I find it interesting that he sends a doll to one person to review, but can't bother to fulfill orders he collected years ago.
I also don't know what all the fuss is about with the "French couture" outfits....they definitely don't hold a candle to some OOAK and IT outfits for a fraction of the cost.
Also, the doll is ridiculous. No articulation? Maybe you could get away with that a few years ago (perhaps when he started his pre-orders?), but you can buy a fully articulated FR for a fraction of the cost.
I PRAY that people are not lured into buying from this person because of any ploys of his, including sending an unsolicited doll to be reviewed. Lets not forget that over the years, "someone" has appeared on the pink parlor and other boards impersonating collectors to try to generate positive buzz for these dolls and outfits and failed every time, rather sadly in fact. Backfired every time.
He can keep his foo foo, blas� "Flatulence, Grande Duchesse of Bearnaise Sauce". I hope he doesn't get another dime of people's money.

In the doll community, bad publicity generates a buzz but doesn't necessarily produce income. Hayworth can post pictures on his own all over the place. Having a known blogger post pictures of a free doll or any doll for that matter, is not an endorsement. It is what it is.

Above all, a company should spend it's time building a good reputation. That's the bottom line.

Image source: ereleases.com