Welcome to the elusive world of THE SYBARITES by SUPERFROCK LTD. the most glamorous fashion dolls on the planet! These resin, ball jointed dolls are for the adult collector who wants a true haute-couture, contemporary, fashion doll with an exquisite up to the second wardrobe and plenty of attitude. They are not intended as toys for children.

The name "SYBARITE" (SYB rhymes with "rib") means "a person devoted to luxury and pleasure" . The creators of THE SYBARITES are Charles Fegen and Desmond Lingard who began SUPERFROCK LTD. in London about ten years ago. At first the artists created beautiful one of a kind couture for Barbie, Gene and the Tonner fashion dolls, yet they longed for their own fashion doll to refelct their own aesthetics. Their dream became a reality in 2005 with the release of the first SYBARITES.

The trademark SUPERDOLL COLLECTIBLES is used by SUPERFROCK LTD. In other words: Superfrock is the parent company, Superdoll Collectibles is their doll making business, and THE SYBARITES are the product.

This Guide is meant to be a straightforward nuts-and-bolts description of the dolls.  The best way of course to learn about the SYBARITES is to have the experience of owning one. Their beautiful finishing, heavy weight and painstakingly detailed outfits make these dolls unique in the fashion doll universe, but most of all, their utterly captivating presence and beauty are a thing apart.

WHAT A SYBARITE IS LIKE:

Perhaps you may have discovered the Sybarites here on eBay or on one of the online doll collectors' forums and photo sites. The SYBARITES  have been regularly featured in HAUTE DOLL magazine, DOLLS, FDQ, Womens' Wear Daily, and on the BBC among other places.

SYBARITES are 17 inches tall, slightly taller than the other vinyl fashion dolls currently on the market. They are made of resin which is strung with elastic. The joints are engineered to rotate (17 poiints of articulation) and this, along with the elastic, gives the doll a wonderful 'live' quality when you hold her. While the dolls will not stand without some help (such as a stand, or careful posing in the right pair of shoes), they can assume many many lifelike poses, far more than the average vinyl fashion doll.

SYBARITES  are all wigged dolls. Some of the SYBARITES, usually the more basic, lingerie dolls, are designed so that their wigs may be removed. Others -- these are the fully costumed Sybarites -- have more elaborate hairstyles which are not meant to be taken down and these wigs will be very firmly glued on. It is recommended that you do not remove the wig from such a doll. SYBARITES have attached eyelashes. The eyes themselves are painted. The makeup follows the very latest runway trends and beyond.

The SYBARITE figure is gorgeous and very womanly . The hip joints are not meant to be on view and all SYBARITES originally come with hose. Like fine porcelain the resin can be breakable and some ordinary sensible care should be used when handling a SYBARITE, such as dressing her on a padded surface and preventing falls. The doll should be well wrapped and double boxed when shipping.

There are three body types: the handmade early dolls made in England (such as Tattoo, Cosma and the Chalk Whites), marked on the small of the back SDMDR © 2004/5, the original factory body in a lighter resin, made in Asia, marked SYBARITE ©2004/5, and the revised factory made dolls which debuted in 2006 marked THE SYBARITES ©2006/7 . The later dolls are slightly larger in the bust and hip, but the difference is not very great.A few Sybarites were produced in French Resin in 2008.

THE SYBARITES can be grouped by body type and also by clone which refers to the head mold used. There are slight differences from mold to mold. This year several Sybarites have new head sculpts See the individual listings below for more detail.

HOW TO GET A SYARITE

Most Sybarites are sold on the website of SUPERFROCK, LTD. as they are released. Special edition SYBARITES have been sold by HAUTE DOLL, MARL & B, JEFFREY NY and ANGELIC DREAMZ and recently, the first Sybarite 'convention doll' debuted at the PARIS FASHION DOLL FESTIVAL. These much anticipated dolls sell out very quickly to the avid collectors whose numbers are increasing daily. The edition sizes for the factory produced dolls have ranged from 350 pieces down to just twelve, (see chart below). The rarest Sybarites are the one of a kind artist dolls produced in the London studio which are highly coveted by collectors.

HOW MANY SYBARITES ARE THERE?

2005: EARLY DOLLS: (Clone 0101 and 0102)

• PROTOPTYPE, EXPERIMENTAL and EARLY DOLLS which remain in the posession of Superdoll
• TATTOO Clone 0101, LE 30, special painted finish, studio piece doll, (i.e. hand painted by the artists and assembled and dressed in the London studios)
• CHALK WHITES Clones 0101 and 0102: One of a kind dolls in a hand cast chalk-white resin. These may be Clone 0101 or 0102. They are of course studio pieces. The original Chalk Whites were made between 2005-7. They are the 'ultimate' Sybarites. One of a kind dolls are marked by a red string tied around the wrist

LATE 2005: FIRST FACTORY DOLLS a.k.a. TRANSITIONAL DOLLS (Clone 0103)

• SUREAL Haute Doll Exclusive, LE 100
• THE 400 CLUB: Sugar, Sushi (LE 75 each) Sabbatha and Skye (LE 95 each), these two were exclusive to Haute Doll Magazine

 These dolls are made of a lighter weight, more fragile resin but they are exquisitely detailed. They are more loosely strung than the later dolls and they are not felted. The wigs are not glued on. Each came with lingerie set, boots, leg warmers,wig, stand and carry bag; Sureal also came with a dress.

Also note that from this point onward each Sybarite is tagged with a small metal hangtag on the right wrist.

2006: SECOND GENERATION SYBARITES (Clone 0104)

• COUTURE SAVAGE GIFT SET Haute Doll Exclusive (doll, clothing and additional accessories) LE 350
• SANTA BABY Marl & B Exclusive LE 100, $NO BABY LE 75, COAL LE 60

 Made of a heavier resin material, these dolls are more tightly strung, and had glued on wigs. The joints are not felted.
Couture Savage was sold with a gown, lingerie, and accessories; Santa's Baby was a lingerie doll. All the dolls from Marl & B have shoes made with a special exclusive last.

Note: Another doll made in 2006 was:

• COSMA SHIVA GALAXINA Clone 0102, LE 30 She was of the first type body (handcast resin made in England) and hand painted and dressed by Superdoll in their London studio as the event doll for their "Syb-A-Fest-O" in October 2006. Her wig was mohair and lightly glued.
  

2007: REVISED SECOND GENERATION SYBARITES (Clone 0104)

Some of the 2007 SYBARITES had unique details. EATON has a separate big toe for wearing thong shoes. MOON has newly resculpted hands, feet and an inset arm band which cannot be removed. PONY was the only doll produced in 2007 with a removeable wig. The color BLADE dolls were made for store display and are very rare, as some were damaged while on display.

• CHELSEA GIRLS: Savoy, Sloane and Eaton LE 134 each Wigged, fully dressed dolls with accessories.
  
• PONY LE 134 Lingerie doll with removeable wig
  
• BLADE Jeffrey NY Exclusive Gift Set (doll and two extra outfits) LE 150, Indigo Blade LE 10 Light Blue Blade LE 2 and Cocoa Blade LE 10 All came with a gown, "Le Smoking" style suit, lingerie and accessories in a special large gift box. This is the most expensive of the LE Sybarites to date.
  
• PANTHERIA Sybeau Monde Exclusive  LE 12 Wigged, fully dressed dolls with accessories. This is the smallest LE for an individual design. This doll was not sold but given to helpers at the event.
  
• COUTURE SALON Haute Doll Exclusive LE 250  Fully dressed and accessorized doll gift set. A chair for SALON was sold separately, it is LE100
  
• LIMOUSINE Marl & B Excl. LE 150 Wigged, fully dressed doll with accessories.
• MOON LE 100 Wigged, fully dressed doll with accessories. This doll feaures a nonremovable gold arm band
  

Note: Since mid-2007 all SYBARITES have felted joints: i.e. the joints are lined with a material which provides an improved handling quality and helps with posing.

2008 SYBARITES

 SUMMER is the first produced from an exciting new clone: 777 which was taken from the original sculpt. She has the extraordinary detail of the first dolls, and is styled with an exquisite all white theme.  Two of the IT girls feature new head sculpts, called Clone 0601 and 0701, as well as a carmel and a light brown skintone. These are lingerie dolls with removable wigs.

In late 2007 Superdoll Collectibles began to make a few dolls in French Resin. These were all one of a kind studio piece, artist dolls. Following these experiments, in 2008  Superdoll released one gift set in French Resin, the PATIENCE AND YVES dolls (LE 30 each, Clones 0201 and 0301). These dolls had new facial sculpts and interchangeable hands. The use of French Resin has now been discontinued.

• TRAPEZE LE 300 Angelic Dreamz Excl. (Clone 0104) Lingerie doll sold with two wigs (Four colors in all were made - she came with one black and a second color chosen at random) a purse and a mock croc carrying bag.
• EPOCHALYPSE Paris Fashion Doll Festival Excl. LE 75, Epochalypse Noir LE 20, Epochalypse Bleu LE 6(Clone 0104) Fully dressed doll with accessories
  
• FASHION VICTIMS: Parsley, Sage and Rosemary LE 100 each (Clone 0104) Dressed dolls with accessories
  
• SUMMER LE 100 (Clone 777) Fully dressed andf wigged doll
  
• COUTURE SWALLOW LE 250 Haute Doll Magazine Exclusive; Couture Swallow Black Hair LE ? Salon Exclusive (Clone 777) Dressed doll with accessories
  
• QUEEN B Marl & B Exclusive LE 125 (Clone 777); Gold QUEEN B, Salon Exclusive LE 25 (Clone 777) Lingerie doll with "royal" accessories
• "IT Girls": RAJA STEIN LE200 Haute Doll Excl. (Clone 0501) Golden tan complexioned lingerie doll with removable wig
• "IT Girtls" : INQUE LE 200 Amgelic Dreamz Excl. (Clone 0601) Light tan complexion lingerie doll with removable wig
  
• "IT Girls": VENUS LE 200 Clone 777 Light complexioned lingerie doll with removeable wig
  

Note :  These dolls all have the newly resculpted hands and feet that debuted with MOON in 2007. The older shoes may not fit them.

2009 SYBARITES

The Syb world is currently enjoying the debut of the punk-themed collection entitled FORTUNE, one of whom, Karma, wears a mohawk with flocked "buzz cut" sides.  A new clone was introduced, named FUGU, sold exclusively by Haute Doll Magazine  As always, more surprises are planned for 2009 which, if the past is any indicatiion, are sure to delight collectors.

Superdoll is also experimenting with porcelain dolls - the 14 inch INNOQUII of which so far we have met three: ii/DD_01 (Traveller),11/DD_02 (Picnic) and ii/DD_04 (Trousseau).  Not officially SYBARITES though the faces are based on the DC d'Royce sculpt, these charming cabinet dolls are a salute to the fashion dolls of the past.  A new celebrity doll, BETH DIOTTO was created on commission for EVANS shop in England which will be introducing Beth's new plus size fashion line this summer. This doll was a very small edition of 3 and will not be produced for the public.

• PEEP LE100 Paris Fashion DOll Festival Excl.Clone 777 Dressed, wigged doll and accessories
  
• PEEP BLANCHE LE 20 Color Variation Paris Fashion Doll Festival Excl. Clone 777
  
• "Necro" PEEP LE10 specially customized exhibit dolls from the PFDF in black vers. of Peep outfit
  
• FUGU LE 100 Haute Doll Exclusive Clone 0701 Dressed, wigged doll accessories.  Asian sculpt and new very pale complexion
• FORTUNE COLLECTION LE100 Each: Avalon, Karma and Seville  Clone 777 Dressed, wigged dolls and accessories
  
• SANCTUARY LE150 Marl and B Exclusive Clone 777 Dressed, wigged doll and accessories
• FORTUNE HUNTERS: INQUE LE 150 Lingerie doll. Revised version of Inque with a dark chocolate skintone Clone 0602; IVORY LE 150 Lingerie doll, new sculpt Clone 0902; VENUS LE150 Lingerie doll Clone 777; VOLTAIRE LE 150 Lingerie doll in a new sculpt Clone 801
  

And finally, keep your eye out for some unusual sample, variant or photo model dolls which have turned up on the market. These very rare dolls were not originally meant for sale. These may include a Savoy with blonde rather than red hair, or a retouched Couture Savage used in a special display. They are highly prized by Sybarite colletors.

HOW TO KEEP A SYBARITE HAPPY

All SYBARITES demand and insist on lots of F.B.R. (Fashion Beyond Reason - the official SUPERDOLL COLLECTIBLES trademark) fashions for the very latest in extreme  avant garde Haute Couture. The SYBARITES have an especially glamorous shoe wardrobe, with cutting - edge styles enjoyed by no other doll. It was Superdoll's intention from the outset to produce a few outfits and accessories earmarked for each doll, but of course all SYBARITES can wear all FBR fashions. Some won't wear anything else! Unfortunately, we can take only a very brief look at their fashions here. You may find photos of many of them HAUTE DOLL Magazine each month.

SYBARITES must wear Syb shoes (other dolls' footwear will not fit properly). From 2008 onward the new foot sculpt has required a different shoe mold and earlier shoes may or may not fit the current SYBARITES. Superdoll wigs fit the SYBARITES much better than other wigs as their heads are a "between" size. It should be mentioned finally that INQUE has a slightly harger head than the other SYBARITES and some of the earlier wigs may not fit her.

2005:

• COLOR SHOP WIGS (set of 4)
  
• ACCESSORY PACKS: AUTOMATIC and SNO-ORCHID

2006:

• CLASSIC 8 OUTFITS 8 completely accessoried outfits with wigs, for the 400 Club dolls): Kick, Powder, Parfum. Magi, Oyster, Speed. Nylon and Tribe.
• BOOT PACKS: Tattoo and Leopard print long boots, silver short boots

2007:

• GODIVA COMPLEX wig/shoe sets - came in 5 colors
• SHOE PACKS: Mercury, Atomic - each with a purse and shoes
  
• BAN THE HUNT outfits for the CHELSEA GIRLS: Foxhole, Bloodhound and Dearhunter. Each of these came with a doll sized rifle and ammo belt
• SALON CHAIR for Couture Salon, Haute Doll Exclusive
• BEAUMONDE Sybeau Monde/A Lofty Affaire exclusive,  LE100 - for Couture Savage
• SYBEAU MONDE/LOFTY AFFAIRE exclusive SHOE PACKS sets of 5 shoes in classic(A) or pastels(B)
• NITRO GLISTEN dress with accessories, for Moon
  
• JOY! Bustier

2008:

• FASHION VICTIMS outfits: : KILL KELLY (in 2 colors, green and black), THYME, PRIDE, CELERY, CATNIP and ROCK-IT (5 outfits)
• I-BEANS Sunglasses, in 4 different colors (Gold, yellow, blue and silver). 
  
• DISCOBUM:  Mirrored chaise
• Mini Outfit Packs: NO BALLET, GO NAKED, HOT-HOT
• Wigs: VICTIMIZE, FIREHEAD, THE NATURAL, THE BUNNY, THE NAOMI, THE SEVERE,  THE ROMANTIC (The last four came with hair extensions)
• Hosepacks: Brights and Neuturals, sets of 5 hose
• MASS Dress (for Couture Swallow) with accessories
  
• Accessory Packs: ORBIT(sweater set), BZZ!(sweater, purse, shoe set) GLAMINATOR (boots) , HESIGLAM(shoe/purse pack) Probably LE 100
  
• Gowns: IGUANA BLUE and POISON for the IT GIRLS each LE 100
  
• Demi-Couture Outfits: ORB, BLAZE and ZEPHYR for the IT GIRLS Each came with a doll sized diamante studded gas mask (LE 100 each)
  
• BOXTRAP an accessory designed for helping to carry your Sybarite cartons.

2009:

• CANDYACHE, REEF and DROPGLASS Gowns for the IT GIRLS each LE 100
  
• XXX LE100 Outfit for the Paris Fashon Doll Festival
• EVEREST Silk gown in two colorways: gray or white both with a silver print  LE 100
  
• Shoe/Purse Packs: DISCO and ATTENTION (LE 100 each)
• BASIQUE Gift Set 2 pc outfit, sequinned gown, shoes boots, lingerie and hose LE 100
• KNIFE: Shoe/Purse Pack LE 100
• DISGUISE: Scarf/cats' eye glasses sets in 3 colorways
• I-BEANS: Sunglasses in four new colors for 2009
  
• JACKIE_HANGER: Clothing rack in silver (an LE50 gold version is available at the Salon in London)
• FORTUNE HUNTERS outfits: LOVE, WILL and TESTAMENT for the FORTUNE dolls, LE 100 Each
• SUPER_LEGGINGS set of three pair, came in two colorways, LE50 each set
  

Note: Superdoll also produces the occasional gown or accessory in-house. These are mostly limited edition fashions. 4 mohair wigs called HEADSKINS and a chair, the SPLINE CHAIR, were custom made for Tattoo in 2005.

BUYING A SYBARITE ON eBAY

The secondary market for the SYBARITES is very lively and you can expect plenty of competition -- especially for the latest issues and the harder to find dolls. Due to the SYBARITES' popularity, there is a great deal of scalping going on. To protect your own financial interests, as scalpers' prices are seldom regained when the doll is resold later, researching the price history of your item is a must.

You may find repainted SYBARITES for sale, but as with most repaints, the artist's selling price is rarely gotten back if the doll is resold later by the purchaser. On the other hand, mint, NRFB and perfect SYBARITES retain and exceed their original selling prices in the current market.

In the world of collectibles buy with the heart, as you should. It makes no sense to buy something just to keep it in a closet. Yet affairs of the heart are subjective matters, and keep in mind that three things count the most when determining what to pay: condition, completeness and scarcity. If you are longing for a particular SYBARITE, study the market a bit before buying. Know what you are getting, as often dolls are sold without their wigs, stands, hose and wrist tags (all SYBARITES come with these basics), or an outfit may be sold without the shoes or other bits and pieces. While the seller has an obligation to be honest it is the buyer's responsibility to ask questions about any concerns they may have before bidding.

Unless you require a mint doll, dolls with minor defects offer a good value so long as the defect does not interfere with the doll's ability to pose. Chips around the joints of the doll or broken fingers are the most often seen kinds of damage. Eyelashes may be missing (All regular issue SYBARITES have applied lashes). The resin can become stained by clothing. Stain removal attempts unfortunately may also remove the matte coating on the dolls, this should be handled by someone familliar with BJD repair and stringing. Dolls whose wigs were removed may have glue residue, scrape marks or staining on the head.

Edition sizes do not necessarily predict the desirability of a doll to collectos, though it can. Some of the most beautiful SYBARITES were larger edition sizes. For example, several DOTY Awards were given to COUTURE SAVAGE a relatively large edition piece. Bear in mind that in a world where products are mass produced in the thousands, even an edition of 350 is quite small.

SYBARITES mailed can be anywhere from 4-8 lbs. packed. A loose doll should be well wrapped in bubble wrap taped securely around her body, then boxed. A doll in its original box should be securely positioned in the box with a bit of extra packing material, such as bubble wrap, around vulnerable areas like the fingers and knee joints. Double boxing, being sure to providing some space in a shipping box for plenty of cushioning material such as plastic peanuts, and insuring the box, are highly recommended practices.

Thank you for reading my guide and hope it was helpful. Please note: I am not affiliated with any doll company. Opinions expressed herein are mine. All trademarks and copyrights are owned by SUPERDOLL COLLECTIBLES and SUPERFROCK LTD.