Hello Y'all!

Hello! I started my collection in 2022, so I'm fairly new compared to others here who have been on DOA since the 2000s. I'm also trying to involve myself more in the community on DOA, as I've been more active on Discord and Reddit BJD communities in the past. However, DOA is integral to the BJD community, especially for dedicated OG collectors who are here.

I'm curious about what kind of clothes you're interested in making for your new doll? I personally enjoy elaborate and decadent pieces with medieval flair, but can I make them myself? That's the true question haha. I'm more of a costume designer than I am a sewer, but I'll get there someday.

 

My first doll was a One-Off Volks Heath SD13 that I got from Resin Rose secondhand. I'll be honest I had no idea what I wanted to do with him, he was just pretty and I needed him as his price was a steal and I love Volks dolls. He came w a fullset that in my opinion wasn't my end goal for him. It took a year until I could get him some other clothes, and he really transformed. At first he wore modern clothes, a jean jacket, some work boots, pants and a graphic tee with various necklaces. Then it's next RR and I score at swap meet cause I have a table so I am able to get some good stuff before the hall opens to the public. I get him these BEAUTIFUL somewhat victorian (might be wrong on the era, I studied medieval history lol) clothing. HE WAS SO COOLLLLLLL. Dark wig, Dark clothing. I always imagined he was in a Visual Kei band but now he ACTUALLY had the look for it. At this point, I was able to form a whole character for him just with the clothing he got. I also won a tiny doll in a raffle so I made the storyline that he was completely silent and talked through this little doll lol. She has yet to be clothed tho, I'm working on it. Present day he is wearing something that looks like a french guard's uniform with Epaulettes and all ahah. He also got a new wig thats red and it's lace front, I always score at the RR swap meet. Anyways I still sometimes miss his Dark Vkei era and I feel like that is TRULY who he is meant to be in terms of costume and character. I can send pics if you're interested once I'm home.

 

If you're close enough where you don't need to fly in and can just drive, its def worth it. It's like a 3hr drive for me, maybe more? And I feel it's worth it to go at that point. I was lucky to join the hobby around the time of Resin Rose so it's where I met a lot of cool people and was a great intro to the community for me. I'll send over some images of my doll's various stages of fashion when I can.

 

here are various photos of the stages he went through to get to his current look!
Volks Heath Various Stages of Look

 

I completely agree, he can't go back to casual clothes now! And the dark wig fits his face better too, I might change him back to it for the next RR in the coming weeks.

 

Hi and congrats on ordering your first doll

 

Most of my dolls now, I buy with an idea in mind. Either I really love their fullset and I want them to be the character they are (Baldwin IV Ringdoll) OR I have a character in mind for them. But i'm always open to exploring and experimenting with different things when I feel like switching it up. Most of my dolls live in their clothing cause its like THEIR outfit, but I really would like to change stuff up more often. Though with fullsets like Baldwin IV I won't be changing them out of their costumes.

 

Hello, I'm new too! Waiting for my big girl as well but it might be a few months. Waiting is a challenge!

 

Sometimes I can feel trapped for sure, but that's why I'm pretty specific about the full sets I purchase. I have only purchased 3 full sets: Charm doll Little Lord Eric, Ringdoll Baldwin IV 1/4 Double Head Ver., and Dollfie Dream Sister Alphinaud. These three can be explained by: Charm doll Little Lord Eric was my first doll I ever ordered (not technically my first doll but the first one i ordered) so his didn't have a bunch of thought for me, I just thought he was cute, but I ended up developing an OC that perfectly fits his doll and it worked out great. Baldwin is just...drop dead gorgeous and I never wanna take him out of his full set outfit, BUT I got his double head version so I can have a "normal" head if I wanna buy a body later on and make another doll in his scale. And for DD Alphinaud its very simple, I love Final Fantasy XIV and he is one of my fave characters from the game, so he simply has no reason to get out of his fullset, but dressing him in casual clothes or other outfits is NOT out of the question if I find something cute.

 

I think definitely ringdoll is one of those companies where I feel like i MUST get the fullset for the doll. The outfit design is immaculate and there are usually many layers! I love Ringdoll Dracula's outfit so much as well!!!

 

There's a chance she might have a re-release later on if she's popular enough! Otherwise you can get her secondhand when you are in the position to make such a purchase. I haven't owned a ringdoll yet but I'm sure it's gonna be awesome I'll update you about owning one once Baldwin arrives in 8 months or so LOL

 

I AM SO EXCITED!!! I'm gonna think about him nonstop, then im gonna forget i ordered a doll, then ill remember again when he arrives and be excited all over again LOL