TYLER DOLLS

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

  Millennium Ball --
      Cheryl St. Germain -- February 28, 2000

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

TYLER OUTFITS

  St. Patrick's Day Dress
      Kathryn E. Darden -- March 22, 2000 • NEW!

  Central Park Benefit Luncheon
      Marianne Smith -- March 11, 2000

  Urban Sport
      Suzy -- March 17, 2000 • NEW!

  Market Week
      Kathryn E. Darden -- February 27, 2000

  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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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.

Marianne Smith

As you have probably been reading on other boards, MB's make up is slightly more pronounced than on the early Signature Tylers.  It's done very well and she looks more finished.  The real surprise to me, though, was that MB doesn't have as high a forehead as my redhead Signature.  By that, I mean she has more hair rooted at the front of her head, about 1/8" more. This makes quite a difference and she looks very nice.Seeing the two Tylers together, my husband, Gene, said the redhead looks like a Klingon!  Believe me, it's not that extreme; I still love the redhead.

MB's gown is lovely and has an invisible zipper opening in the back, a very nice touch.  The only thing I didn't like about the outfit is the necklace and bracelet seemed cheap to me.  I think I'm spoiled by Franklin Mint jewelry or the rhinestone jewelry done by Marcia Friend or Ron's Rhinestones.  I have MB wearing the necklace that came with FM Diana's Travolta Dress and it looks perfect with this dress.
 

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
 

ST. PATRICK'S DAY EVENING GOWN   In March 2000, Tyler collectors who attended a doll show in Nashville had the opportunity to purchase a very limited edition St. Patrick's Day gown for Tyler. Robert Tonner selected a green shantung silk to fashion this form-fitting strapless sheath gown and he embellished the bodice with delicate embroidered black shamrocks and hearts.  Dainty scalloped lace trim highlights the bodice top and waistline to frame the bodice. Tyler's vivid dress is lined to prevent staining.The gown comes with a matching reversible green and black silk shawl. "I wanted to create something special that could be sold for a relatively low price," Robert told me at the event. "I decided not to include accessories and shoes to keep the cost down. The dress can actually be worn with the shoes which come with Signature Tyler." Robert went on to point out this was a one-time offering as he never does LE's in amounts less than 500, and prefers not to do them in quantities under 1,000.  The Tyler St. Patrick's Day gown was limited to 100 pieces and sold for $40.  Although there was no TW label, the gown was packaged in the small purple & white box with signature Tyler Wentworth  logo on the lid and held by gold cord, the same packaging used for the exclusive black cashmere sweater given away at the Tyler event in New York in February. "There is no label because the outfit was manufactured in the United States instead of Asia," Robert revealed. Red headed Tyler looks like a lovely Irish lass and her Irish eyes are definitely smiling in her elegant St. Patrick's Day gown.

 
 

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.

 

URBAN SPORT

Suzy
Just received my Urban Sport today from Patsy at Miniature Magic.  I will have to admit, when I first saw the pictures, I thought that Urban Sport was one costume I could definitely live without.  The more I saw it, the more I wanted it.  I was not disappointed today.  The fawn color goes well with my brunette Signature Tyler's coloring, hair and make-up.  The pony tail hairstyle goes well with this design also.  It is very well made and fairly easy to get on.  The long
sleeved fawn bodysuit will go well with other pants and skirts.  Fits like a dream.  The pants are tight...as leggings are supposed to be...but seem to be a little short.  Mine wouldn't quite go down inside the boots...neither would they go down far enough on top of the boots.  Maybe mine were just a little short.  The boots are very nice, and are a little hard to get on.  However, once on, they are a good fit and really "make" the outfit.  The sleeveless tunic has three snaps plus a tie.  And the coat is big enough to go on over everything.  I really like the metallic fabric on the tunic and coat and like how well it goes with the fawn knit.  She really looks cute.
 
Central Park Benefit Luncheon

Marianne Smith

The outfit I received, Central Park Benefit Luncheon (CPBL), is gorgeous.  The suit is a very soft celadon green embroidered silk shantung with double breasted rhinestone buttons.  The shoe uppers are made of the same fabric as the suit.  The hat is done at least as well as the prototype, actually better, I think.  The jacket was a bit of a struggle to get on the doll.  Fingers wanted to get caught in the jacket lining and the front snaps were tight, much like many Gene
outfits.  But, after it was on the doll, she looks beautiful.  The hat helps hide my redhead Signature's "Klingon" forehead (LOL) and I think she looks great.  I think it's a definite "must have" outfit, so nice for a spring suit.
 
 

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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