Her foxy business.....

Her foxy business and personal effects

-Started as Neo Blythe with Simply Delight Scalp
-Carved faceplate with adjusted lips, philtrum, nose and eyes

-New eye-chips, sleep-eye and gaze adjustment

-Orchid Makeover: artist face-up and body-blushing, sealed

-Articulated body replacement with 3 pairs of hands

-OOAK beaded Kimono embroidered with "Kitsune" (Kanji) and 9 fox tails

-Kanzashi pin and hairclips, thematic pull-rings
-Beaded boudoir cushions

Kitsune will come with embellished cushions and several kanzashi hair pins complete with beads and tassels. I've used the oak-leaf and 4-leaf clover motif throughout her costume as well. 

Her extra sets of hands means she is quite expressive, ready to partake in mysterious fox dances.

Her long kimono sleeves are beaded, and she has several blood red inner sleeves peeking through, symbolic of her desirability. Red collars, sleeves and linings are often used in the young Maiko's formal attire to enhance their beauty and youth. Of course, Kitsune Dakiniken is actually a very old and wise fox spirit, there are 9 fox-tails embroidered on the back of her kimono. Only the oldest and wisest fox spirits appear with 9 tails. 

Interested persons may email the gallery to join the show preview at info@augusteclown.com The preview will go out a few days before the exhibition opens.

Opening Night will be on Friday 7th August, 6pm – 8pm at Auguste Clown Gallery, 52 Johnston Street Fitzroy in Melbourne, Australia. Free entry, champagne provided. The exhibition is on view from 7th August – 23rd August.

Kitsune - Design

Thought I'd share some information about how I went about designing Kitsune - my fox spirit for the 2015 Auguste Clown Gallery "Fairies and Folklore" Blythe exhibition.

I always start with my Dolly Fashion Sketchbook for a custom doll. I'm able to map out colour-scheme, collect fabric swatches, start planning out her custom eye-chips and eyelids. I write notes about which base doll would be appropriate, jot down inspirations, and if I need to source anything in particular I pop those down in the "notes" section. 

Then I sketch out how I envision the doll. 

This gives me a great place to reference back to whilst I am carving and painting the doll, or whilst working on her costume so I have it all in front of me and in my mind to remember the character and mood I want to portray.

It's always nice to see how the final doll evolves slightly from the first sketch. She grows into her own unique little character, full of personality and soul.

Thanks for Reading!

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Interested in the Dolly Fashion Sketchbook? 

You can get your own copy ~here~

Kitsune - In Progress

Some of the In Progress photo's I took of Kitsune as she was coming along...
Please enjoy her progress from carved face-shell to a cheeky fox spirit!

I chose a mischievous smile for her cherry-lips, and red stage makeup as a subtle reference to that of the Maiko, she has fox-like shading for her nose as I always enjoyed the belief if you see a girl in Japan with sharp elongated features and clever eyes, she may be a Kitsune in disguise... 

Her skin has several dusted layers of shimmering white to give her an otherworldly pale look, and a sprinkling of iridescent freckles.
Her back-plate features the Kitsune mask of the NOH Theatre, my signature and her No#

Costume

I used a traditional Kimono pattern with crushed organza in a shimmering myriad of flame orange shot through with golden threads. She has several deep blood red sleeves lining, beading down the long sleeves (the type worn by unmarried young women) and 9 fox-tails embroidered on the back - the symbol of the most powerful and old of fox spirits. Embroidered in gold is the Kanji symbol for "Kitsune". She comes with three sets of hands, in expressive poses and little fox "paws".

Her full photoshoot and story soon...

Fairies and Folklore Exhibition

http://www.augusteclown.com/doll-shows.html

The second International Blythe customiser exhibition is on soon at Auguste Clown Gallery, and Orchid's Designs is delighted to be submitting a OOAK Blythe once again!

My doll has been finished, and this was her story...

Kitsune

According to Japanese folklore, Kitsune are foxes that have the ability to turn into beautiful young women, possessing magical abilities that increase with age and wisdom. They are often mischievous, tricking men and attempting to seduce them - sometimes for mere mischief, sometimes to consume their bodies and spirits.  

Interested persons may email the gallery to join the show preview at info@augusteclown.com  The preview will go out a few days before the exhibition opens.
Opening Night will be on Friday 7th August, 6pm – 8pm at Auguste Clown Gallery, 52 Johnston Street Fitzroy in Melbourne, Australia. Free entry, champagne provided. The exhibition is on view from 7th August – 23rd August.

China - 3D printed custom Makie

After about two years I finally got my second Makie doll (3D-printed action dolls from London) 

As opposed to my usual pastel customs, I designed her to be printed in the caramel coloured nylon, with the newer "cuties" sculpt as opposed to my first "classic" sculpted Makie. I have to say, I really like working on the 3D printed material, it's probably my favourite for face-ups.

China's 3D printed preview and blank from the printers

She is wearing a stock wig with fringe, stock eyes, has had eyelashes added.

Her little jacket-dress is part of an upcoming collection, just a preview for now!

Love her stronger colours, her ferocious eyebrows, and those plump lips. 

Fifi - Petite Lapin Custom Middie Blythe

Got this sweet Middie pre-carved by Fifilatrixabel, and I knew she would be the cutest tiny albino bunny girl. She's my latest Blythe custom, but will be staying in my own collection.

She looks a little nervous, doesn't she? Can't wait to make her some fluffy bunny ears!

Heartstrung Ruse - Petite Meller

Customised my white 'Ruse' Heartstrung doll, and I found inspiration in the delicate and quirky style of French singer Petite Meller.

It reminded me to start using the social media tag #orchidmakeover on my instagram to collect together my bjd face-up and custom work.

Before

After

Further Details: