by landwhale » Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:44 pm
I guess it would be good to know
1) What size you are looking for?
2) What level of poseability do you expect?
3) And how much are you willing to pay?
1) While most 26-27cm BJDs are child like there are some companies that make fashion doll BJDs. Look into the Soom Mini Gem , Planetdoll Mini, Dollmore 12 inch range. Limwha also makes a fashion doll sized BJD though she is quite a bit pricier. I'm not quite sure about the jointing systems on these but that goes to the next question.
2) If you don't bend the joint at odd angles that the joint is not made for, you won't get the gap. That's all there is too it. The reference you showed was of a doll clearly not built to take on that pose in a normal way. She probably does not have the twisting thigh joint for the suwarrico pose which forces you to unhinge the knee for that pose. I will warn you that the RS/BBB dolls also do not come with those joints so they will not be able to do that pose either without modification or awkwardness. As far as I can tell all the fashion doll sized BJDs are single jointed.
3) Price range will affect things a lot. The doll I recommend for you is a Fairyland Chicline. She is a bit smaller than an MSD at 40cm but bigger than the dolls you already own. Her body line is beautiful and she poses incredibly well. Price wise though she will set you back more than a RS/BBB doll which I also recommend. I would keep in mind that as a starting doll you should do your own research and figure out what you really want. I've noticed on the second hand market that RS/BBB dolls are generally not as easy to resell. (Only because they are fairly cheap and readily available so they only ever resell at less than the normal price.) On the other hand I own three RS dolls and I love them. I am modding them though so that the body poses more to my liking. The bodyline on the MSD range is nice and slim and the headsculpts are unique and easily recognizeable as RS.
As for iplehouse, I don't personally own one so I can't say. I do love the way they look though and theodoric has been touting them in all his/her posts. Er....Not everyone can afford them but I'm sure you get the bang for your buck if you can afford it.
Obitsu 27cm Meryl, Lilly, Rhea, Stacey, Llywen, Lara, Aili
BJD Peyton (Non-official sculpt Happy D.I.M.), Un-named FL Chicline Lishe
RS/BBB Li(Ziili), Wu(Ba'ul), Yao. DikaDoll Rena(Lael)
CH Bisou Pepe (Charlie), CH Junior Ren (Allen), Obitsu 60cm Gretel (Cerise)
http://invie-alamode.blogspot.com/