Costume Drama

Item# 91180A

“Costume Drama” Giselle is one of two dolls that were offered exclusively to the 2007 W Club as their "Second Club Doll Offering". Club Member Price: $139.99 [in addition to the initial cost of joining the W Club]

Limited Edition: 750 dolls.

Photos and review may not be used without permission.

DollyDaily.com

Giselle Diefendorf is a brand new character premiering in the 2007 W Club with a new headmold that bears a familial resemblance to her half-sister (Agnes Von Weiss). While Giselle is "part of the regular Fashion Royalty line," this doll does have the smaller busted body as seen in the Model Behavior line.

Her ensemble: Ice blue evening gown with train, black velvet jacket, sheer beige panties, black pump shoes, blue rhinestone "flower" earrings, and matching blue rhinestone necklace. The gown is made of a taffeta fabric with a black & white ribbon trim. It is fully-lined in an identical shade of blue, and closes in the back with a zipper and hook fastener. While it gives the illusion of being a two-piece bustier/skirt ensemble, it is a one-piece garment. There are inset pockets on both hips and pleating details on the front. The front hem of the gown is short enough to show ankles. The jacket has no closure, but was "tacked" shut with thread for packaging purposes. It too, is well-constructed and fully-lined in an ice-blue satin that matches the color of the gown. **Be sure to use baggies over the dolls' hands when inserting through the jacket sleeves as the satin fabric is easily snagged by doll fingers and could tear -- otherwise the jacket slipped on quite easily.

ONE FLAW: in the harsh light of day, I can see a distinct flaw in the fabric of the gown, in the back above the bustle. One side of the fabric has a thin, darker blue line along the weave...which could be the result of dyeing. Who knows...but luckily, it's in an inconspicuous place.

Overall, these are very complicated/detailed pieces that live up to the Fashion Royalty garment standard!

The accessories are somewhat lacking [in my opinion] considering the $140 price tag. Where's the purse? Stockings? Bracelet? Extra outfit/lingerie [as this was priced like a giftset]. I was also disappointed in the quality of the earrings and necklace [which looked like they were borrowed from Mattel]. The earrings lie flat against her face, so they're not very visible from the front; while the necklace easily snags on the jacket due to the rough edges of the rhinestones. The "florette" is also on the large size and kind of tacky [IMO]. The clasp was loose, so the necklace kept falling off during positioning of the doll for photos...but that can be fixed with small tweezers for long-term display. The black closed-toe pumps [with red soles] are indeed very similar to FAO Eugenia's, and have the "squishy" heel that collapses under any weight so they don't help with posing. A square acrylic doll stand is also included; mine was not loose in the box, but firmly secured in the box.

Her gown is nicely constructed, although the lining tugs in certain places. The bustle is a nice effect, especially with the jacket on.

Scorecard:

Doll A++ ...................[Drop Dead Stunning Doll - but would have preferred a regular body-type. over the MB body]

Outfit B+ .................[Well, it does resemble a prom dress]

Accessories C- ..........[skimpy....no purse, no stockings, plain pumps, etc.]

Stand A+ .................[for staying attached to the box liner and not hitting doll in head!]

Story Card F .............[NO Story!! - neither printed on card or Online]

Cost/Value D- .............[Way overpriced, not enough bang for the buck! Should have been $99.99 like the MB Mini-Giftsets were in May.]

This is one amazing looking doll - and photos DO NOT do her justice. I'm so anxious to hear how she's related to Agnes - and why's she and Colette are both wearing the same gown!

IF you have the opportunity to add this stunning doll to your collection, do not pass it up. I think that she took the 2007 W Club members by surprise, as her prototype photo was "iffy"...and the hairstyle looked like a stiff helmet. I'm sure there were many members who regret not ordering her.