TYLER DOLLS

  Spring 2000 Line Unveiled -- Toy Fair 2000 • NEW!
      Kathryn Darden -- March 9, 2000
 
  Millennium Girl -- Presenting Tyler Wentworth
      Kathryn Darden -- November 11, 1999

  Tyler Hits Town -- Signature Style review
      Kathryn Darden -- January 11, 2000

  Millennium Ball --
      Cheryl St. Germain -- February 28, 2000  • NEW!

  A Little Night Music --
      Cheryl St. Germain -- February 22, 2000 and Kathryn Darden -- February 24, 2000

TYLER OUTFITS

  Market Week
      Kathryn E. Darden -- February 27, 2000 • NEW!

  Fashion Design Weekly Awards & Wake Up Call
      Elaine Posanka  -- December 23, 1999

  Cashmere Noir
      Pam Albrycht -- January 11, 2000

  Gallery Soiree
      Cheryl St. Germain-- January 13, 2000  and Pam Albrycht -- February 25, 2000
 
 

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House of Wentworth Unveils Spring 2000 Line
©2000 by Kathryn E. Darden

The House of Wentworth unveiled their elegant fashion designs in New York, but if you think this unveiling took place in a chic fasion salon, guess again! These divine fashions were presented at Toy Fair and at a very posh party two days before Toy Fair. As most readers are aware, the House of Wentworth is the fictitious fashion design business run by Robert Tonner’s hit new doll, Tyler Wentworth. Tyler took the world by storm when she premiered in late December/early January, and her new line leaves nothing to be desired.

The basic doll for 2000 is Something Sleek. For swimming laps at the health club Tyler dons her sleek black maillot swimsuit trimmed in white with accessories: sunglasses, black slides, and a monogrammed towel. Dressed doll.

In 2000 Tyler gets a friend, the lovely African American Esmé. While shopping in a bookstore Tyler is struck by the natural beauty of the clerk, a pre-med student named Esmé. Tyler signs the ethnic beauty to a career with the House of Wentworth. Esmé comes wearing a simple belted red dress with black pumps and shoulder bag. Dressed doll.

For one night only attendees of a special Tyler event on February 12 were offered the opportunity to purchase the extremely limited Market Week. This is the snazzy ensemble which Tyler wears to meet with the fashion buyers on 7th Avenue: a fitted black wool jersey jacket with velvet collar and cuffs, over a black bodysuit and straight faux leopard skirt. Black tights and short black boots add dash to the tailored outfit. After the outfits were sold at the Tonner event, a few were sent to dealers who then offered the elusive ensemble for $80 or more to people who purchased the entire line. The outfit has an unfortunate amount of white thread used for snaps and seams, and one of the boots on mine broke when I tried to put it on Tyler's foot. See review below. LE 1,000. Outfit.

One of the loveliest dresses in the spring 2000 line is Champagne Bubble. Attending the Chase Modeling Agency’s annual spring cocktail party, Tyler makes a memorable entrance wearing a champagne-colored silk bubble dress with its bodice hand-beaded with gold and pearls and matching beaded bag. Gold sandals and jewelry complete the elegant look. LE 3,000. Outfit

Beverly Hills Chic - For a business meeting with a client in Beverly Hills Tylers wears a classic white linen jacket, matching white linen trouser skirt and a fitted man-tailored shirt with handbag and matching brown “leather” belt and sandals. Outfit.

Madison Avenue Afternoon - When meeting with Madison Avenue realtors to find the perfect location to house the flagship boutique of House of Wentworth, Tyler puts on a persimmon red cropped coat over a tank top of melon silk worn over burnished gold pants. Contemporary jewelry, gold sunglasses, shoes and bag finish the ensemble. Outfit.

My personal favorite is the limited dressed doll White House Dinner.  The First Lady invites Tyler to the White House to thank the young designer for designing the First Lady’s inaugural gown. Tyler is radiant in her elegant magenta silk gown with beaded black lace overlay and matching jet jewelry. This gorgeous outfit comes with a “gift” to Tyler from the First Lady. The prototype shows Tyler with a lovely brunette updo with bangs.  LE 3,000. Dressed doll.

Casual Luxury -  When Jack Frost is nipping noses in New York, Tyler throws on her luxurious double-breasted camel hair coat over her heather gray turtleneck top and winter white flannel pants. Accessories include a faux alligator belt, bag and boots. LE 3,000. Dressed doll.

Shakespeare in the Park - Tyler looks like a heavenly vision in a silver silk lamé gown with a tiered skirt of pleated organza which borrows its lines from classic Greek design. Her  matching stole, silver shoes, jewelry and bouquet of roses. LE 3,000. Outfit.

Sweet Indulgence - Relishing a stolen moment relaxing at home, Tyler wears a glamorous nightgown of pale violet silk-satin and re-embroidered lace. Her robe of pure silk chiffon with matching lace enhances the allure of this elegant night wear. Outfit.

Some other tantalizing outfits were premiered for a release in fall  2000: Opera Gala, a stunning portrait in red; Russian Renaissance, a vibrant brocade ensemble with smart beret; Premiere Pink, a demure full-length raw silk pink formal skirt and matching pink angora sweater with embroidery, limtied to 3,000 pieces and costing around $90; Weekend Retreat, sporty jeans, sweater, and a red peajacket with duffel bag; Manhattan Music Awards, a black lace and blue sating formal; Cashmere Rouge, red coat of soft cashmere with black pumps, bag and gloves.  Also new for 2000 are Tyler paper dolls, and the book, TheRobert Tonner Story.

The spring line is already a hit and the fall line is being looked to with much anticipation. The year 2000 should prove to be a good one for the House of Wentworth!

 
Millennium Girl
by Kathryn E. Darden

     As a new millennium dawns, one doll steps out of the vinyl throng to possess the spotlight and launch a new era; that doll is Robert Tonner’s Tyler.
     Robert Tonner has become a household name among doll aficionados for his award winning dolls and fashions. After graduating from the Parsons School of Design, Tonner’s career took off when he became the head designer for legendary Bill Blass (who recently announced his pending retirement) and had the opportunity to hone his skills as a fashion designer.
     In 1991, Tonner combined his fashion experience with sculpting and design talents to produce the beautiful dolls which have brought him to the forefront of the doll collecting world. “The first dolls I did were 16" porcelain dolls, jointed; they were very expensive,” Tonner told me in a recent interview. “Then I came out with a larger porcelain fashion doll for around $300.” These exotic porcelain beauties soon catapulted Tonner to the attention of discerning doll connoisseurs everywhere.
     However, porcelain divas are not all that Tonner creates. The Robert Tonner Doll Company also captures the magic of classic childhood characters such as Orphan Annie, Betsy McCall, Superman, and Lois Lane. A doll collector himself, Tonner has his fingers on the pulse of the doll collecting world and sculpts and designs dolls ranging from high fashion models, to storybook fairies, to sweet little girl dolls. Tonner even has a line popular with Madame Alexander fans, the adorable Kripplebush Kids.
     In recent years, through an affiliation with the Knickerbocker company, Tonner designed a doll straight out of a Harlequin Romance, Julia. The concept was for a series of dolls based on a fictitious romance novel family composed of three lovely sisters, each with her own unique beauty, story and wardrobe from bygone days. Each doll was to have been part of the Kingston Chronicles, a romance novel packaged with each doll. Julia was created and marketed first, and at the writing of this article, there was a hold on any future dolls from the series. “They (Knickerbocker) are going through some changes and I don’t know where we are right now,” stated Tonner. “I am still interested in developing the Julia dolls.”
     Julia was greeted warmly by Gene collectors who appreciated Julia’s similar size and lines and more lifelike facial features, and like the first Genes, Julia had straight legs. The West Coast convention picked Julia for their convention doll in 1999 and Tonner partnered with Doris Mixon, a well-known doll fashion designer in her own right, to create a beautiful limited edition doll. “I chose Julia as the convention doll because I wanted to get a doll that I knew the public would want,” stated Doris Mixon who has been designing for fashion dolls since 1995.  “I always thought that Julia would look so much better in contemporary cloths than in the romantic era style that  she is portrayed in.  I chose the colors brown and beige to complement her eyes and hair.” Doris was correct about the contemporary look; Julia was breathtakingly lovely with an upswept braided coiffure and the champagne satin fitted sheath dress with matching belt and long opera coat of crushed brown velvet Doris designed for her -- a worthy harbinger of Tyler’s elegant mien.
     After the enthusiasm collectors showed for Julia, Tonner’s own manufacturing facility reached a point where he could pursue some of his dreams further. “I decided to do what I had always wanted to do, design a medium-sized fashion doll.  I wanted a doll with bendable legs and a hard plastic body. She just turned out to be 16". I was not trying to make her compatible or the same as any other doll. We were just at the point where I felt like we could step into the fashion doll arena and do it right.”
     And do it right they did. Tonner’s dream doll is Tyler, a 16" poseable vinyl doll with long rooted hair, bendable knees and a sophisticated look (somewhat reminiscent of Julia) much more proportionate than the large head and dominate eyes of Ashton-Drake’s popular Gene doll. She comes in blonde, brunette and redhead. Available for Tyler is an extensive wardrobe as well as a dress form and patterns to make designer outfits for her.
      I first had the opportunity to view two prototype Tyler's as well as meet the charming designer himself when Robert Tonner made the circuit of doll shows this years, bringing Tyler to a doll show in Nashville last spring. Tonner brought actual samples of the exquisitely detailed outfits as well as two doll prototypes: Party of the Season and a brunette Tyler. Needless to say, after seeing the resin prototypes up close and personal, I ordered my dolls immediately!  I was not the only one enthused.  “Before I went to the show I was beginning to think that I couldn't afford all of the outfits, but after I saw them in person, I knew I had to have them all!” exclaims Elaine Posanka who made the two-hour drive from Tullahoma to see the dolls. “I thought the fashions were stunning and was most excited to touch the beautiful fabrics on the costumes and learn they were the actual outfits, not prototypes.”
     “I think Tyler is a character doll that’s just starting to take off,” Tonner said. “I see friends, clothes, accessories. She is user friendly; that’s why I came out with patterns and a dress form for Tyler, and an extensive wardrobe for those of you who don’t sew. You are supposed to take her out of the box and play with her.”
     As soon as photos of Tyler were posted on the Internet, the limited edition dolls and outfits began to sell out  before the doll ever appeared on shelves!  Party of the Season Limited was a limited edition 2,500 with a suggested retail price of $169.99, and Millennium Ball, a limited edition of 3,000 with a retail value of $124.99. The Tonner Company sold out of both LE’s almost immediately, months before the dolls were due to ship.
     While Tyler comes with her own story, following in the footsteps of Gene and Julia, Tyler is a modern sophisticate and her story is one that is relevant to today’s collectors. Designer, heiress, businesswoman, Tyler’s active and versatile lifestyle presents many opportunities for fabulous outfits.
     The pictures presented of the first offerings of her extensive wardrobe prompted the outfits to sell rapidly in preorders, much like the limited edition dolls. The original wardrobe consisted of: Signature Style, a white cotton shirt and belted black wool skirt. Black sheer stockings, black pumps, and a single strand of pearls finish off the look. Party of the Season presents a fitted strapless gown of sage green and gray striped silk shot with gold and topped with a French lace overlay with a removable shrug of the same French lace. Finishing touches include a pin that matches her rhinestone necklace and earrings along with  gold evening shoes. Cashmere Noir finds Tyler dressed in a long fitted and flared black cashmere coat with shawl collar and deep cuffs. Black boots and jewelry complete the outfit. Collection Premiere is a chic suit of velvet laminate with a sleeveless silk and metal shell in tones of pale taupe and cream. Nude stockings, suede pumps, a gold structured handbag and a gold bib necklace of crystals and beads complete the ensemble. Gallery Soiree is a vivid red silk shantung cocktail dress with a beaded boa, sandals, a beaded necklace, and a matching silk clutch. Fragrance Launch is Tyler’s black-and-white houndstooth suit featuring a fitted double-breasted suit jacket with velvet portrait collar and matching cuffs, over a tailored skirt. A black tam, dark stockings, black pumps and a bottle of Wentworth #1 Perfume compete this set. Wake Up Call finds Tyler relaxing in a silk charmeuse robe over her two-piece tailored matching pajamas with a cup of coffee, a bagel, and an issue of Fashion Design Weekly. Fashion Design Weekly Awards is Tyler’s beaded floor length French lace gown with matching charmeuse stole.
     After the successful presale of these first wardrobe offerings, the Robert Tonner Company came out with two more limited edition ensembles. Urban Sport boasts comfort and style in a jersey mockneck, leggings with her taupe boots, a drawstring vest and quilted 3/4 coat, and Central Park Benefit Luncheon is an embroidered celadon silk shantung suit with rhinestone buttons, accented by a perky hat.
     Tyler captured a great deal of attention at the Gene convention in Philadelphia in October. The long-legged beauty was displayed in all her incarnations including basic Tyler, Party of the Season,  Corbett’s exclusive, and Millennium Tyler to the delight of Gene lovers from all around the world, many of whom are making room for Tyler in their Gene collections. Robert and his right-hand-gal Miss Nancy were on hand to greet convention goers and show off Tonner’s other dolls as well as Tyler.
     Another indication of the prenatal success of Tyler is the first  Tyler Convention planned for 2000. Sue Nettleingham Roberts has reportedly been planning this event for two years with the Robert Tonner Doll Company, before the doll collecting world even knew Tyler was on the drawing boards!  The show boasts a breathtaking limited edition convention Tyler as well as her new spring collection and will take place on March 31- April 1, 2000 at Double Tree Hotel, Jantzen Beach in Portland, Oregon. Pictures of the exquisite convention doll began to circulate on the web the last week of October, much to the delight of potential collectors.
     Sue Roberts, who previously has worked for both Vogue and Effenbee, said in a recent phone conversation, “I always try to have these events be for the convention goers where collectors can afford the event and have fun.” Roberts reports the first-ever Tyler convention will boast dealers, competitions, displays and a stage all in one huge ballroom for the convenience of collectors. She revealed that in addition to the beautiful convention Tyler, attendees will receive two sets of limited Tyler jewelry including a dainty year 2,000 bracelet, a Tyler paper doll, a Margaret O’Brien paper doll, the ubiquitous canvas bag sporting Tyler’s image, a special pin and other goodies she is choosing to keep a surprise. I know one of them; my lips are sealed but it sounds wonderful! One additional Tyler event is already planned for the Santa Fe Doll Art 'Albuquerque Experience'.
     If Tyler and her fabulous wardrobe live up to the elegance of the prototypes and the success of the preorders, it boggles the mind to imagine what the future holds for Robert Tonner and Tyler.
     Robert is the immediate past president of the National Institute of American Doll Artists  (NIADA) and his dolls have been featured in national and international media including People magazine, CNN, the Barbara Walters Oscar Night Special, Entertainment Tonight, and British Vogue magazine. A recent, and very special, honor was having another of his creations added to the permanent collection of the Museum of Decorative Arts at the Louvre complex in Paris. He recently won the first Best of Show collectors choice award at the Walt Disney World Teddy  Bear and Doll show for his one of a kind auction piece - "A Century of Fashion," a ten-doll (porcelain)  piece showing the fashions through the century, each doll representing one decade.
 

 

SIGNATURE STYLE  by Kathryn Darden   Towards the end of December, the reports started to come in. Tyler's outfits were the first to arrive, then the dolls. "Tyler is here!"  was the message of many emails that flew across the web. Tyler arrived to enthusiastic accolades. "She looks just like the prototype!" was the resounding first response to the doll.    There were a few problems: Fashion Design Weekly Awards arrived with a few beads  missing and loose shoulder straps according to some; Gallery Soiree caused staining;  Tyler's eyes are a little plain, her hair is a little thin, and there is a hole in her head. However, these were three negatives experienced by a few  people as opposed to an overwhelmingly positive response by the vast majority of collectors.    My personal take on Tyler?  She is a lovely, elegant doll, much more realistic than Gene but perhaps slightly less artistic. Her face is plain in comparison to both Gene and Willow's exotic mien, but that is in keeping with the more natural look of the new millennium. I still like Julia's proportions better. When you stand Tyler next to Julia, Tyler's head looks big. Now, next to Gene, obviously Tyler's head looks right in scale!  Tyler's head is also softer than the porcelain-like vinyl used for Gene's head. Tyler's hands are extremely well sculpted but a little large in comparison to Julia, Gene and Willow. Tyler's has excellent mobility and pose ability  due to her knee joints which work better than Gene's and her rotating arms.     Several people on the Internet have observed that Tyler resembles a big Barbie doll, and I do see that resemblance. Barbie doll collectors who have shied away from Gene due to her large head and "headlight" eyes will do well to give Tyler a careful examination as all her proportions are in keeping with a larger Barbie sporting a Mackie face. However, Tyler is definitely a Tonner doll and has his trademark elegance.  I received the Fashion Design Weekly Awards dress with my two dolls, and mine arrived with no missing beads and fit in the shoulders perfectly. I think the dress is understated and stunning. I am also pleased with the signature outfit -- what nice workmanship!  The craftsmanship of Tyler's modern wardrobe is excellent and in keeping with the quality put forward by Ashton-Drake for Gene.   Now the creative folks at Tonner are putting out Tyler's new line, to be premiered at Toy Fair with a live fashion show featuring real models on the runway wearing Tyler togs. An early sketch has made the rounds on the Internet featuring two likely dresses. If the new line lives up to what Tonner presented with his first line, fashion doll collectors are due for another good year in 2000.

 

MILLENNIUM BALL

Cheryl St. Germain .

The dress material is a some type of metallicy-fabric in a shade of what I call silvery/blue. Very pretty and it fits great.  I really like the shoes.  They're an open back with silvery-threads across the toes (yeah, no ribbon ties!)

Her makeup is subtle with a pretty shade of rose for her lips...a little rosier color than ALNM.  The hairstle is very sophisticated and I like it a lot.  Her hair seems to be very full and lush.

My only question about this doll is with the jewelry.  Her earrings are rhinestones but her necklace and bracelet are crystals.  Think I just might have to order some type of rhinestone choker for her.  The crystal necklace was very difficult to get on! She also comes with two champagne glasses and a bottle of champagne.

I have her and ALNM standing side by side.  It's a toss-up which one I like better.

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

Cheryl St. Germain

I received A Little Night Music from Corbett's BUT... there was staining on the doll!!!!!!!  I am soooooo disappointed!  Does anyone know if the Oxy-10 will work on the limbs as well as the torso? She has stains on her left forefinger, around both wrists and the tops of the arms.  As far as the body stocking protecting from staining...it was a failure.  There is a line on the front of both legs where the bottom of the skirt hits her shins.  Guess it's a good thing I got the LARGE size Oxy-10!!!

Don't understand this one...the male portions of the BLACK snaps were sewn on with black thread.  The female portion was sewn on with beige thread! Go figure...I will be changing that. I liked her hair but will have to give it a trim as it is uneven.

Kathryn Darden

When A Little Night Music arrived, I had already heard the disappointing news that the dress did not have much beading. However, as I opened Tyler's box I was struck with how pretty the coloring of the doll was with her blond hair. Having already received a brunette and a red head, I was pleased to finally add a blond to my collection. My first impression of the doll was her lovely face. Then I noticed that her hairline at the forehead was set slightly lower and her hair was thicker than Signature Tyler, two vast improvements.

As I slipped the doll out of her box I was struck by the black glitter spots glued onto her dress; it looked pretty but more of Barbie quality and less what I expected from Robert Tonner. The shape of the dress is elegant, the lining is nice, but I agree with Cheryl that the beige thread on half the snaps is a tacky touch that needs to be changed. I did not remove the dress as I am sure from all reports my Tyler is stained. I don't even want to see it. The beaded belt is a nice touch, but the beads around her neck were skimpy looking. I did not like her earrings, but I loved her dainty shoes. Is she worth $189? That is a hard call. The dress does not live up to that price, but a limited edition of 1,000 does make her desirable. I love her coloration, and as she is my only blond, I will keep her.
 

Tyler Outfits
 

MARKET WEEK  by Kathryn Darden  One of the highlights of Toy Fair Week was the Tonner Fashion Show at Parson's School of Design, located in the garment district of New York City. Robert Tonner's alma mater played host to several hundred Tyler fans as fashion models donned Tyler's fashionable duds. Those in attendance for the evening's festivities were permitted to purchase a special limited Tyler ensemble, Market Week, a trendy little number comprised of a black body suit, a leopard print mini skirt and a black jacket, along with black hose and black "suede" boots.  I waited until today  to put my outfit on Tyler, and I am sharing my first impressions as I remove the outfit from the box and put it on Tyler. The body suit is not anything to brag about IMHO. As was noted with A Little Night Music, the male snaps were sewn on with black thread while the female snaps were sewn on with WHITE thread. In addition, the seams are finished with white thread. The collar is faced with beige fabric, but the rest of the black top remains black so there is the possibility (likelihood?) of staining. The fit is good, but there are odd little white threads poking out here and there at the crotch and seams. Once the leopard skirt is put on over the top, the loose threads don't show, but the white seam stitching and the white threads used on the snaps are visible behind her ponytail until you put the jacket on.  The jacket features velvet collar and cuffs, plus four gold-tone buttons and an attached belt with a gold-tone buckle. The "bag trick" is needed to get her hands through the sleeves easily. Unlike the top, the jacket is sewn entirely with black thread -- a big improvement over the top-- and the sleeves are lined with white, but the rest of the jacket is lined in black.  The skirt is lined with black mesh, the hose are black -- in fact, there is a great deal of black touching Tyler's vinyl with this outfit. I do like leopard print, however, and the black and leopard look good together. The boots are very difficult to put on but fit extremely well once forced on. Well, the second boot just tore as I was putting it on -- the sole tore away from the upper.  Other than the white threads and torn boot, the other flaw with the outfit is that Tyler's knee joints are evident even under the black hose. This will not bother some, but it takes away from the overall look.  This is a cute outfit with tons of potential that just didn't quite live up to its full possibilities.

 GALLERY SOIREE

Cheryl St. Germaine
I got Gallery Soiree from Hobbs Dolls in GA and I LOVE what I see!  For some reason I was under the impression
that this outfit was more toward the burnt orange color so imagine my surprise when it came and I saw that it was a BEAUTIFUL shade of what I call Christmas red.  GORGEOUS!!!!  Also the shrug is made of Alencon lace with the wonderful spiky stuff at the neck and cuffs (have no idea what it's real name is!)  The dress is lined in an offwhite material.

The earrings look to be some cheapies so will be looking for some jewlery makers to get busy (oh, Suzy, hint, hint, hint!!!).  I like the purse which is just a small clutch with some beading on the flap and the shoes are slip-on backless ribbons across the toes.  I like them too. Also included is her portfolio.  It's the Tyler catalog in miniature - very well done!

PAM ALBRYCHT
Gallery Soiree's shrug is TERRIBLY hard to get on. I would never have succeeded without the list's advice to put plastic over her hands. The gown was also sewed up too high in the hips and rear area. I couldn't get the dress on without clipping some of the threads. The shoes are adorable and I love the matching purse and little red bead dangle earrings.

I put the shrug into a vinegar water soak for over an hour and nothing bled from the fabric. I then put it into fairly hot water and still nothing bled from the fabric. I am letting it dry naturally now and it looks fine.

CASHMERE NOIR
by Pam Albrycht

I love Cashmere Noir. The fabric is the loveliest, softest, smoothest, perfect weight fabric for a doll coat and is completely lined. The black boots are in glove soft leather or leather looking type material and look great with the coat. This outfit is definitely worth the money. You also receive dark glasses, a black scarf and jewelry.
 

FASHION DESIGN WEEKLY AWARDS and WAKE UP CALL
by Elaine Posanka

I got two outfits from Simply Lovely today.  No doll; Tyler and the rest of her clothes will arrive next year.

Bottom Line:  Somewhat disappointed, and definately don't understand why Tyler's clothes cost more than Gene's. (I'm going to do a lot of comparing to Gene here, so if any of you belong to the "Tyler is a separate doll and don't compare her to Gene" camp--stop reading!)

First, let me dispel the myth that Gene won't be able to wear Tyler's clothes. My Genes are wearing Fashion Design Weekly Awards and Wake up Call as I type.

Box:  shipping carton is white cardboard, and not as heavy as Gene's. Inside box is hinged so it opens like a book--that'll get bent and torn quickly, and I see the front plastic window coming unglued someday.  The inside box is 11"x15" it strikes me as HUGE. Worst thing about the box (besides it's potential to get mangled)? The outfits are sewn in! I hate that so much--I think it's a reaction to the fact that Mattel practically bonds Barbie into her box.  It also means that my  outfits may not have the same 2ndary market value as those of NRFB freaks.

There are cute cardboard portfolios in the boxes, which I thought would contain a certificate of authenticity and/or story card, but really just contain a miniture version of the catalogue (re: this is an advertisment more than anything).  There is no story card or COA at all--in fact, there is nothing to distinguish the outfits from a knock-off. There is a small TW tag inside the dress, (nothing in the PJs), but it does not carry the name of the outfit or the number.  For a numbered edition, I thought there would be a number SOMEWHERE, but there isn't. The pantyhose are on cardboard legs--I like that.

Materials and workmanship are beautiful.  I'm a little worried about how the bust of the FDWA dress will fit--it's kinda droopy on Gene, but my straps definately do stay up.  Perhaps Tyler is more well endowed than Gene?  The only thing I don't like about the actual outfits are the snaps, I was hoping for daintier fastenings.  Also, there are a couple loose beads in my FDWA box, and that worries me.

The jewelry and little accessories are very nice, but the best thing by far are the shoes!  The bases are heavier resin than Gene's, and they stay on Gene's feet very nicely--without anything tying them on!

So again, I love the outfits, but as collectables there are a few details that concern me considering my investment, and really only the shoes are better than Gene's.  I hope that clothing for both dolls comes down in price.  Both are of  high quality, but I won't be able to buy much if the trend for $40+ clothing continues.
 

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