Dream Valley Ilya White Priestess (Purple) – Unboxing & Existential Rambling

Today’s victim is the Dream Valley Ilya in Purple, officially titled White Priestess. She’s the female version of Howard the Giraffetaur, which Dream Valley released years ago. Long limbs, elegant proportions, and a general air of "I cost money you probably shouldn’t have spent."

​The Purple Situation (aka My Camera Is Lying)

The very first thing I noticed upon opening her was the resin color. This purple is much richer than Dream Valley’s previous purple offering, specifically the one used for Mantis Freya. It’s deeper, more saturated, and honestly very pretty.

​AND the resin was noticeably cleaner this time. There were very few sanding marks or leftover residue, which was a refreshing change compared to my Aeon Butterfly guy. See, Dream Valley? You can do it. 💜

That said, my background is also purple. Which means on camera, the resin sometimes looks gray. Not because it is gray, but because the universe hates me.

I’m filming on a Google Pixel Pro, which allegedly has one of the best cameras available. Allegedly. The software constantly auto-adjusts the colors like an overbearing stage manager, shifting hues every time I move the doll. When something white enters the frame, suddenly the colors behave. Without it? Chaos.

​I even downloaded the Open Camera app thinking it would help. It did not. The software remains a little bitch.

​Full Set? In This Economy?

I did not buy the full set. I bought the naked doll, because full sets are damned expensive and I am already hemorrhaging money and physical space.

That said, she still came with the headdress and shoes, which was a pleasant surprise.

I rarely buy full sets because I always tell myself, "I can make my own outfits and paint them myself."

This is a lie I tell myself daily.

Much like art supplies, I buy things with the intention of using them. Then they sit untouched for years.

Depression is brutal. A lack of space doesn’t help either.
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Anywho. Despite all of that, I genuinely love this doll.

Why I Love Long, Skinny Things

I am very fond of long, skinny things. Probably because I am short and fat.

For example:

• Borzoi dogs? Love.
• African painted dogs? Obsessed.
• Long-limbed, elegant dolls? Inject it directly into my soul.

​Ilya fits perfectly into my love for skinny, elongated proportions. 

​I recently saw the Whale Tower dragon girl and I desperately want her, but Whale Tower dolls are so expensive. Sometimes I feel they’re overpriced, but realistically, that’s just my inner voice being cheap and broke.

Accessories Held Together by Vibes

Now let’s talk about the glue. Or rather, the absence of meaningful glue.

The adhesive used on the accessories this time is an absolute joke:

• The headdress pieces popped off with minimal force.
• The toe part of the shoes just… falls off.

​The shoes are also very loose. You will need sticky tack putty to keep them on. Alternatively, you could drill holes and use ribbon, kind of like ballet slippers, if you’re feeling crafty and emotionally stable.
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Extra Hands & The Hoarder’s Dilemma

Dream Valley included extra hands, which is always nice.

Though sometimes I question whether it’s reasonable for me to keep them instead of selling them. These dolls are mostly display pieces for me. I always say I’ll customize them, which is hilarious. stares directly at depression
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It’s not like I’m switching hands regularly. Or ever.

Shipping by Boat: The Scenic Trauma

Shipping took a long time because I used the old boat method.
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She bobbed around the sea for quite a while.

Usually when I choose cargo ship shipping, it somehow catches a flight and arrives within a few weeks. Not this time. It took one to two weeks just to be loaded onto the ship, and even longer to cross the ocean.

She survived. Barely.
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The Eyes Are Judging Me

The eyes they sent are pretty cool, but there’s a problem.

The pupils do not match.

One pupil is wider than the other and I cannot unsee it.
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I am now cursed with this knowledge.

Ilya's Head! So pretty!

Final Thoughts

Despite the glue issues, loose shoes, questionable shipping timeline, and my camera’s ongoing betrayal, I really love this doll. The purple resin is gorgeous in person, the sculpt is elegant, and Ilya perfectly scratches my itch for long, strange, graceful dolls.

Would I recommend her? Yes.
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Would I recommend sticky tack and emotional resilience? Also yes.

Watch the full video on YouTube!