Happy Valentine's Day from Francesca and Jesus

Loren Javier and Asian - Asian American Figures

Anyone here recall Loren Javier? Mr. Javier collected Asian Pacific dolls and action figures. His websites are no longer at their original address - lorenjavier.com - but you can read some of his information via the Internet Wayback Machine

Asian Fashion Dolls

Asian Pacific Index

All of the web pages related to Mr. Javier's site are NOT available, but there are enough to warrant a visit via the Wayback Machine.

Husky Guys Having Fun

They only fit Ken's clothes with MUCH stretching - except for those boxer shorts, whew! Here are 4 of my huskier guys at play.










Who's who though? Well, there's Toy Biz Gandalf with the long gray beard, Ideal's Eric (Tuesday Taylor's boyfriend) in an orange modified unitard, Jakks Pacific Jericho in molded on black briefs, and Playmates Star Trek Original Sulu. Are they wrestling, dancing, or cavorting?

Sharp and Susie, Part II

Here's a closer photo of Sonokong's Leather Mania Sharp and R&D's Ibiza Heat Susie. Sharp's larger eyes and paler face initially made me think that her head was larger than it actually is. I thank fellow collector, Niel for the tip that that was not the case. The dolls both have heads approximately 1 1/16 inches wide.

13 Famous Black DAFs

Who is who?

Standing: Scottie Pippin (Mattel), Diana Ross (Mattel), Brandy (Mattel), President Barack Obama (Dragon in Dream Inc.), Beyonce (Mattel), Melanie Brown aka Scary Spice (Galoob) and Diana Ross (Mego).

Sitting: Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu (Hasbro), Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian (Hasbro), Snoop Dogg (Vital Toys), Freema Agyeman as Martha Jones (Character Options Ltd.), Julius W. Harris as "Tee Hee" (Sideshow Collectibles), Kiely Williams as Aquanetta Walker (Play Along Ltd., Division of Jakks Pacific), and Raven-Symoné as Galleria Garibaldi (Play Along Ltd., Division of Jakks Pacific).

Notice there are 14 figures, but I cite 13 famous people? Diana Ross is there twice - once by Mattel and once by Mego. Anyone think one company did better than the other? I love the Mattel doll, but I really love the complexion and the jawline of the Mego Diana. There is a second Raven-Symoné, but I wasn't able to find her in time for this photo.

Sharp and Susie, Part I

Here's a photo of Sonokong's Leather Mania Sharp and R&D's Tokyo Trendy Susie. As I mentioned previously, I love Sharp's curly hair - even if it is a little sparse at the back - her over-sized but sleepy eyes, and that she seems to wear "white pancake" (thick liquid) foundation that contrasts with her pinkish complexion. She's the only Asian fashion doll that I have whose face contrasts vividly with her complexion. (Whoa, I need to check among my Momokos. Note to self.)

This Susie is the Tokyo Trendy Susie from The Premiere Collection. I bought her from R&D. Tokyo Trendy is from the February 2004 release Premiere Collection - 300 of the Tokyo Trendy Susie dolls were issued. This Susie is one of my favorites with her "candy apple red" hair and lovely green eyes.

There are similarities in Sharp's and Susie's bodies, but their faces contrast. Sharp seems more anime-influenced. Her head is larger (but not annoyingly so). Susie has a more realistic look and more natural head proportion. Both dolls wear "leather," but Sharp's suit is conservative while Susie's black buckled dress reflects the video game assignment she was hired to promote. If you click on the link for Tokyo Trendy Susie on the R&D Susie page, you can see additional photos of her.

I will submit a fuller review of Susie and possibly Sharp in future posts.

So in Style Sisters Chandra and Zahara at Target

I saw the So in Style Sisters Chandra and Zahara at Target, Plymouth Meeting, today. Trying to think if she looks different enough from Alvin Ailey Barbie. And if she does, get her in the Rocawear or the Sisters garb? Considering ....