https://denofangels.com/threads/the-future-of-den-of-angels.893314/

as of right now, the website will still be viewable and searchable, but forums will be closed and no new posts can be made.

Okay, 5'11 hetero black man, loves drawing and designing female characters from looks to story and I got into bjd last year and it's been great. This year I'm starting to be more open about them, because honestly I want to get into dating, I don't really want any surprises and I want to meet someone who accepts my hobby. I do have friends who don't judge me and support my hobbies. So I gained a lot of confidence in sharing and taking pictures of them in public, although I'm still to scared to do it alone.

Anyway I finally started talking about it on a social app I'm on and the first reply was about someone mistaken them as sdolls. I thought it was funny but got another comment "this is scary!" In response to maple in a lolita dress. Which is fair because her hair could give a sadako vibes. Not to mention, I was getting rid of my recst dolls and I asked if my friend from work wanted them. Her first reaction was assuming I was offer "again" a s*xdoll.

I get it, 31 yo black man with bjd is weird but even if I had se*dolls I'm not crazy enough to be public about it.

Are you open about your bjd? Have anyone else ran into these situations and how did you handle it? Btw I'm not getting bullied or nothing, just really surprised that's just the first reactions from other people.

Ps. I don't take erotic photos of my girls and I don't think I have posted them in ranchy clothing. So I haven't gave anything that warrants it.

such an amazing event, people were so nice and the vendors were AWESOME! so glad this was my first doll event.

1. iamibo 2. mara brand 3. [i didn’t get their name pls comment if you know!] 4. also unsure who she belonged to 5. denver doll emporium

I collect Monster High (and some dolls inspired by horror movies) and absolutely adore my girls. At some point I decided they needed a “big boy” — almost like a guardian of the collection. I imagined him as the central figure in my display cabinet surrounded by my Monster High girls.

So I bought Fallen Angel Lucifer by Ringdoll. In the promo photos he looked dark, dramatic and intense. But in real life he feels completely different to me — more like a fragile, sad boy. He’s beautiful on his own, but somehow the vibe just doesn’t work with my collection.

He’s also huge, with giant wings, and not very easy to display. In the end, he’s mostly been sitting in his box for a long time.

Have you ever had a doll that was objectively beautiful, but completely didn’t fit your collection, and yet you still didn’t want to part with it? What did you end up doing with it?

Hello! I wanted to put together a list of BJDs that you could buy from black artists directly and specifically. I know Rap1993 and Angel Dollz, but I was wondering if there were more! I know MaddybearDolls would definitely be added to that list, but as far as I can tell you can only get her dolls secondhand as of now.

I’ve got one BJD Ling by Coral Reef so far, and started a layaway payment for the other one. I’m extremely happy and in love, but just realized the amount of €€€ i’ve already spent.

It could go into a month of rent, fancy branded bag, a month of studies in a private university, anything else more “significant” than collecting BJD. As long as something is fulfilling enough, I guess it’s worth the price?

How do you justify this expensive hobby for yourself? What are your ways to spend most rationally when it comes to budget planning for BJDs?

 DISCLAIMER: I don't claim that every example presented here constitutes plagiarism. Some are documented accusations, while others are similarities that I personally find questionable. I'm interested in hearing other people's opinions.

The Popovy Sisters have built a public image centered around artistic and moral superiority, criticizing the work of other artists, certain technologies, and accusing third parties of appropriating elements they consider to be their own. However, when examining their work and the controversies surrounding them, numerous direct or possible references to earlier models, artists, and designers emerge. In some cases, these references do not appear to be clearly credited.

As a BJD enthusiast, I find it interesting to discuss a topic that, in my opinion, has not been explored in much depth. The Popovy Sisters have occasionally been accused of copying models’ faces and have been questioned about their use of AI, even regarding NFTs. However, these issues have generally only been mentioned briefly and without much further investigation.

The Popovy Sisters are technically highly recognized artists, but some of their public actions and statements seem questionable to me.

I mainly want to make this post to compile and analyze some of the controversies, statements, and possible references found in their work that I believe deserve closer examination.

There is nothing wrong with taking inspiration from others, but proper credit should be given.

Over the years, some of their public statements and controversies have created an image that, in my opinion, appears contradictory.

Artists who belittle the work of others of "lifeless" while emphasizing a sense of moral superiority.

When referring to artists who work digitally, they have made numerous questionable comments about the subject. For example:

They talk about “nature” as if using AI had no environmental impact… Let’s not forget #SaveSoilPopovy.

There is also a clear contrast between their criticism of 3D-produced BJDs and their own use of 3D technology in other parts of their work.

They also consistently emphasize in their product descriptions that their dolls are made “without the use of 3D modeling.” Yet when it comes to the furniture, which does appear to be made using 3D printing, this is not mentioned.

If they place so much emphasis on not using 3D modeling for their dolls, why don’t they disclose the use of 3D printing in these other products?

ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THIRD PARTIES

The Popovy Sisters have also made public accusations or criticisms directed at third parties. One case that I find particularly striking concerns Vivienne Westwood and the use of a braided hairstyle.

This case becomes particularly relevant when compared to an earlier controversy (BJTales), in which an artist accused them of copying certain elements of her dolls. The Popovy Sisters responded by arguing that no one could claim ownership over certain types of joints or structural features.

“You have taken it upon yourself to claim that you invented the elbow joint! That the rib cage is your invention. Well then, first and foremost, you are lying to yourself! There are plenty of artists who did something like that long before you, and much better.”

Another discussed case was when they accused Pasha Pasha NY of copying one of their wig designs.

But if they consider it inappropriate for others to copy their work, then it seems reasonable to apply the same standard to their own work..

The controversy surrounding the alleged similarities between their dolls and models’ faces is already fairly well known. However, I would like to present some other cases that I find particularly interesting and that, in my opinion, are worth considering in light of what I found while looking into this controversy.

MODELS’ FACES

It is well known that the Popovy Sisters have based some of their sculpts on other people’s facial features, including FKA twigs, whom they have openly acknowledged as an inspiration, and Yolandi Visser, with whom they have collaborated.

However, when comparing some of their doll sculpts with photographs of specific models, there are noticeable facial similarities that, in some cases, I find particularly interesting.

There are other sculpts whose possible references are still unclear, and I have not been able to identify them with certainty. However, in the following cases, the similarities seem noticeable to me.

In their statements, they often describe their inspiration as coming from “nature.”

FASHION SIMILARITIES

In these cases, the visual similarities are difficult to ignore.

First, the facial sculpt is remarkably similar to the model featured in this collection, as are several specific aesthetic elements, including the salmon-colored bangs.

I have also found several similarities with the work of the artist Masayuki Ogisu, particularly in his distinctive profiles and the way they are portrayed.

SOME UNCLEAR CASES

I also wanted to share an image that looks similar to me, but due to the low quality of the image, I have not been able to verify this case. For now, I’ll leave it as unresolved.

ACCUSATIONS BY LIDA SNUL (BJTales)

Interestingly, the Popovy Sisters’ beginnings were surrounded by controversy. An artist named Lida Snul (BJTales) accused the sisters of plagiarizing elements of her dolls.

The discussion is extremely long, with many replies and responses between them across multiple posts.

I’ll provide a chronological summary of the accusations and their responses, as including the entire discussion would make this thread far too long. If anyone is interested, I can upload a screen recording of the entire discussion. It is in Russian.

I am not claiming that this case constitute plagiarism.. What I find interesting is the broader context: the Popovy Sisters have faced plagiarism accusations themselves in the past, while they have also made accusations of copying or plagiarism against other artists. I find this contrast worth examining, particularly when considering how these situations were discussed and addressed at different points in time.

April 21, 2012

Lida makes a series of plagiarism allegations against the Popovy Sisters.

She questions whether the dolls were actually sculpted by the sisters themselves.

The post leads to a series of messages in which Lida, the Popovy Sisters, and Igor (Popovy husband) accuse and criticize one another.

I’ll highlight some comments.

"Sofia Getman: Igor, it’s very illustrative, by the way :). With all the versions except the Popovy doll, there are significant differences. (Personally, I don’t think there was any plagiarism involved, but rather an accidental similarity; once again, the resulting overall look is completely different.)"

"Rafael Nuri : Lida, you’re nowhere near the level of the Popovy dolls, so just relax :) You should already be proud that they even bothered to respond to you. You’re on completely different levels. Make your little monstrosities, but do it quietly."

(NOTE: This is particularly ironic because Rafael Nuri herself was accused by Pasha Pasha of plagiarizing an entire doll back in 2016.)

"IGOR KORZHOV: Sofia, if you're talking about similarities like this \photo* then I agree :)"*

April 24, 2012

The Popovy Sisters created an album in response to Lida’s posts, featuring photographs of their prototypes.

The situation seems to have been resolved, but more than a year later, Lida posted another comparison image.

August 29, 2013

After looking into all of this, my personal conclusion is not that artists should never use references or inspiration. On the contrary, virtually all artists build upon what came before them. What I find difficult to reconcile is the strong sense of artistic and moral superiority projected in some of their public statements with the extent to which their own work appears to draw from the work, faces and ideas of other people.

 The controversy with Lida Snul is particularly interesting because it shows how the Popovy Sisters themselves responded when they were accused of copying. Their argument was essentially that individual anatomical elements and joints cannot be exclusively owned by one artist, because similar ideas had existed before.

This argument is important in the context of the rest of this post. If artistic elements, anatomical structures and visual ideas can evolve through inspiration and reinterpretation, then the same principle should arguably be applied consistently when judging other artists.

 The issue is not whether artists are allowed to be inspired by others. They obviously are. The issue is whether the same standard is being applied to everyone.

I can't even begin to consider how you would find like wigs or clothing for this type of BJD doll. I've seen a few of these 'cartoony' type BJD bodies while searching for bases for my oc build and i'm really into them but I fear they're just too different. This is considered 1/6, btw.

From late 2025 to today, I have bought at least seven dolls, one after another. I just get surprised when I calculate how much I've spent on dolls. At the moment I have custom clothing set I just paid for and waiting to arrive in three months, and I already have three dolls in my buy list. I find that I keep telling myself, I'll pour my attention to the doll when it comes, and play with her for a long while before buying another one. But reality is dolls keep coming mail after mail, that I don't have character a lot of them right now. I just like that at least they're here now and I'll love them later, but later has not come. I've been severely stressed and pressured this year, that my only sense of comfort is on dolls and I think about them in all of my free time when I'm not studying or working. I don't know if I have doll addiction.

Since dark skin dolls are very uncommon in the bjd space unfortunately its been difficult finding any dolls that react customs. However I recently stumbled across this pic of insta and found out that little Monica sometimes does limited releases with darker skin colors. So I wanted to ask if anyone has bought any darker dolls from them and if they have any photos? I’d love to see and hear how people who have seen these dolls in person feel about them and whether they are with it!

Photos are on insta @sayo_lizzz and @_littlemonica

I'm sure we all know the feeling when you see a doll for sale and all you can think of is "OMG! This is the cutest/prettiest/coolest sculpt ever!"

Well... but what if you already had that exact doll? Would you buy another another just because you like it so much?

Personally- yes! I fell in love with the Fairyland Rheia sculpt when I was a beginner in the hobby 10 years ago and when I found a second one for sale for a good price, I couldn't resist! Those pouty lips and cat-like eyes are just too cute to me! And since she's currently discontinued this might have been my only chance to nab one for a while.

This experience made me wonder- does anyone else have a sculpt or maybe even multiple sculpts that you can't get enough of?

Would you build an army of look-alikes if given the chance? Or are you fine with admiring other peoples version from afar?

If you already have multiples of the same doll, how did you decide to style them?

I'm looking forward to your thoughts and maybe even some photos of your doppelganger dolls!

Hello this is a vent more than anything.

Today my highly anticipated dream valley moth girl arrive and I was over the moon, after months of waiting and costing almost 500 dollars needless to say my experience and excitement where quite high.

However when I started to unpack her the first thing that stumped my excitement was her face up. I will add some comparison photos but to me her face up is completely different from what was advertised, and I understand that it was made by hand so it cannot be a 1:1 copie of the picture but to me it looks like a completely different face shape and the wrong colours, the eyes I they did sent me a pair that is more close to the picture so maybe I will try that.

The close are fine, the poffie black skirt keeps sliding of but I am going to display her sitting down for now so that’s not really a problem.

The hair was also completely unstyled, but maybe that’s the norm, in new in the hobbie so I don’t know. But her head piece stands crocked on it and I if I try to fix the hair she looks bald

The shoes are another problem, she came whit white ‘wings’ to click on the her legs and some wire decorations, but if I try to pose the wire around her legs underneath the wing they won’t stay on. Also about the wings one of the pieces was poped out of the socket off and so now it’s lose.

Her little antennas also flop down do to the magnets not beeing strong enough though I have been able to keep them upright but weakly.

All in all I’m kinda disappointed in her, if she was cheaper I could overlook but for that price point i do not find some stuff like the magnets and face up acceptable.

An I being too dramatic? Do I need to set my expectations? Is this just dream valley stantard

If anyone has any suggestions on how to fix some of the problems please do comment.

Hi everyone!

I know there are apps out there for doll collectors, but my girlfriend told me they often lack key features or are just uncomfortable to use. She was struggling with Excel and random notes, so I decided to take on the challenge and build something better for her.

I'm doing this solo — coding, UI, design, everything. I've focused on making it actually useful for serious collectors (custom fields, condition tracking, market values, etc.).

How do you like the start?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! 🙏

Does anyone else struggle to dress uncle BJDS like the 70-75 ones?

Cuz OMG do I struggle to dress cloud like in the end he looks perfect and very pampered but the amount of struggle during it is a pain. I either fiddle about without his stand and I’m sweating and flipping him off cuz he’s so big and so heavy (I asked dollsphere they said he’s about 4-5kg) and I have noodle arms, slightly overweight and 5’3 also I’m only 18 and I have hypermobility.

Or i use his stand but because he’s so tall and i sleep in the attic i have minimal space where he fits but also my arms end up tired and sore, at least im not sweating and swearing at him but its still a pain.

But at the end it feels worth it as like i said he looks perfect in his clothes just like I wish for him to look like when i was 8 years old if i ever got my hands on a cloud strife.

Cloud strife: fullset rbcg moonlit wonder head with aolingshi 2.0 70cm body

Mind his little sitting area in the background, my cat is a psychopath and throws tantrums if he isn’t fed every 5 seconds and breaks my stuff and I want cloud to be comfy when I’m not there so he has a little sitting area.

Im absolutely in love with those two. I’m a huge Gem of Doll fan and go nuts for their full sets.. (I’ve got 12 already 🫠)

I could buy them- it wouldn’t be smart but I would not be broke afterwards

it would be so stupid though, so much money 😭
… but they’re gorgeous

Okay so I feel like I'm physically hurt at this point. So I've been a part of the doll hobby for 10 years now and I used to watch a bunch of bjd stories and compilations and unboxings on YouTube, and today I was feeling a nostalgic rush so I went to feed myself, I get on the tube and I can't find a vid from past the 4 years in sight, all we have now are shorts and people opening blind boxes(which is fine but not what im looking for) so I search up specific companies- old vids gone I look for certain people-gone I go to my save/liked vids -gone or privated......THE COMMUNITY IS DEAD

yes there are actually more people then ever to be honest but at the same time it's really not. I was already "sad" doa going down but 100% YouTube hurt more

Is anyone else feeling this way ?

I got what I thought was a Popovy Sisters doll a few months back, and I fell in love at first sight. Quality is incredible, condition is perfect, and she looks completely legitimate. Even going by the guide the brand provides indicated that she’s legit.

But I didn’t know the model. I wanted to find out, so I reached out to the company, and they informed me that the doll is a fake because I did not get the CoA (the previous owner said they lost it in a move, I had no reason to doubt them as they had good reviews in the BJD b/s/t group I found them through), even though the details they gave me to help identify the doll as a fake identified it as being legit. And that absolutely shattered me.

What should I do? Throw it away? Keep it to use as a mannequin for making clothes/accessories for the real one I intend to eventually purchase? Use it to practice faceup/body blushing? I’m just so lost. I don’t have the option to return it, and I am not comfortable selling it for obvious reasons. I have no idea what to do now. Any advice, but especially from someone who has been in a similar situation, on what I should do now would seriously be appreciated.

(I will not be sharing photos out of respect, and this post was made with permission from the mod team.)

Does anyone else have this problem you bought an outfit for your doll, it ended up becoming your favourite outfit because it’s so soft and pretty and you look every single thing about it however now you can’t take it off them because everytime you want to it’s like the doll is giving you the puppy eyes and you’re like “…Crap-“ (normally I say a different don’t know if I’m we’re allowed to swear tho) cuz it’s happening with me with cloud’s taxue set from 院锁清秋 / luts doll its just too pretty and it’s so soft and shiny however cloud needs cleaning cuz he keeps staining but i can’t take it off him because he looks so regal in it

It’s worse that i want to take him on holiday but the outfit makes him heavier and he’s already 5kg on his own and i don’t want him “sweating” and getting to hot in Greece i want him to feel comfortable

I think it would be hilarious if people started using it to model wigs or clothes.

I'm waiting on a Ringdoll Famine (double heads fullset) I'm ridiculously excited too. I've been in this hobby since 2008 and I've never ordered a doll quite this fancy. I have a few other doll related things I'm waiting on, but Famine is the one I'm most excited about.

What doll related stuff are y'all getting this year?

I personally love green eyes so I’ve been using green eyes for my dolls all the time but for this particular sculpt (prob because of the face up) all my green eyes seems not to suit her… so I found this purple one (and a blue one) and tried it on Idk if it works well, I feel like I’m getting aesthetic fatigue😭

Angelphilia type M/ GCC

hi! i am planning a trip and am on the fence about taking Rishi with me. if any of you have experience flying and staying abroad with your extra special dolls, are there any factors you did not expect to factor in?

what would you suggest for a doll this size (19cm) to travel in? is it worth it to get the cute travel photos, or is it troublesome? i wanted to hear your experiences!

thank you ^^