Guest Blog by Christina, author of Shuga-shug's Weblog



Everyone, please welcome Christina to ARWS! She has a fabulous passion for Fashion Royalty and is here today to share with you a glimpse into this world of beauty, haute couture and glamour!

I would like to thank Christina for sharing one of her passions with us!

Happy Reading,
Kelli

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First, I’d like to thank Kelli for allowing me to guest blog! 

Okay folks, today I’m introducing you to a line of dolls called Fashion Royalty.  They are produced by Integrity Toys and designed by fashion designer Jason Wu.  Here is a gallery of Jason Wu’s fall 2008 womenswear collection shown in New York.
http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2008/fall/main/newyork/womenrunway/jasonwu/

Fashion Royalty is a line he created in 2001 and has since become a huge hit among the doll collecting community.  Most dolls from his collections are highly desirable collectibles with their prices rising immediately after their release.  Jason wanted his dolls to bring the excitement and glamour of the fashion world to normal, everyday people. What also adds to that excitement for the collectors is the storyline.  Jason has created a whole world for these dolls to live in. 

Fashion Royalty is set in the highly competitive world of high-end cosmetics and marketing.  The story revolves around two cosmetic firms that viciously compete against each other, as well as a third company who is currently trying to take over the European market share of the cosmetics industry.  The characters (about 20 total) include the company owners, friends, family members, movie stars, entrepreneurs, lovers and models.

The dolls stand 12” tall (same height as a Barbie), but these dolls have more articulations than standard Barbies do which allows for a greater variety of posing.  They have wonderfully airbrushed makeup and gorgeous hairstyles.  Jason releases about two collections each year as well as an exclusive gift set.  Most of the ensembles tend to follow current trends and resemble lots of fashions you currently see on the runway.  Replicas of Chanel, Dior and other designers’ gorgeous gowns show up on these dolls as well as unique ones that definitely scream Jason Wu.  La Boutique is the company behind designing the Fashion Royalty dolls miniature Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Prada, Chanel, and other designer handbags.  These Fashion Royalty gals have got to have the most current and fashionable handbags out there! It’s great fun for us, the collectors, to dress our dolls up in these fabulous ensembles and display them, photograph them or just share with each other.  The joke with all of us is how much better our doll divas dress than we do!

Each doll in the line comes with a story card that keeps you up to date on what is unfolding in the world of Fashion Royalty.  Jason also holds a yearly convention in October that furthers the story and unveils his fall collection.  This year’s convention storyline is “The Heist”, involving a beautiful Russian aristocrat, a ninja and a jewel theft.  Conventions are limited to 300 people and span 3 fun-filled days of luncheons, workshops, a costume party and gala dinner.  

I attended this year's convention, held in Pittsburgh last week, so if you’re interested in seeing the dolls or hearing more about what takes place, I updated my blog daily while I was there. Check it out at http://shugashug.wordpress.com

Here are some pictures of the dolls. Enjoy!
Christina



“Quicksilver” Kyori Sato (photography by Anthony Flores)



“High Tide” Vanessa Perrin (photography by Anthony Flores)



“Shape Shifter” Natalia Fatale (photography by Anthony Flores)



“London By Night” Ayumi Nakamura with Chanel bags by La Boutique



“Spectacular! Spectacular!” Eugenia Perrin Frost with Louis Vuitton bag by La Boutique



“Back To Black” Natalia Fatale with Hermès bag by La Boutique