Saturday, December 26, 2015

Best of 2015 - Number 3

It's hard to believe we are finally at the top 3.  I hope everyone who is following has enjoyed the entries.  The top 3 have flipped around several times as I have considered their exact positions.  The more photos I took, the more they changed.

The next doll is one that has been a favorite ever since I added her to my collection this year.  She was  reviewed earlier this year and has received many photo shoots, including the one where she was the subject of my Christmas Card on flickr this year.
She represents one of my favorite molds and was released in a very small edition size of 315.  She originally cost $99, but her secondary market price has continued to climb due to her popularity.  I was unlucky in the lottery, but with patience, found her nude on secondary market for an attractive price.  She represents what Integrity Toys can achieve when they think outside the box.

Number 3 of the Best of 2015 list is Rare Jewel Rayna.  This doll is just amazing.

Friday, December 25, 2015

Best of 2015 - Number 4

This next doll is one that is on my list more for the concept than anything else.  Originally, I had no intention of adding this doll to my collection.  She reminded me of another doll I already own and the clothing was similar to what I had in my collection for the regular FR body.

She came available to me quite by accident, and I couldn't resist.  She is so "Old Hollywood",  being modeled with Marlene Dietrich in mind.  She is Feminine Perspective Agnes Von Weiss.
This gift set reminds of the Josephine Baker FAO Exclusive "The Jazz Age".   However, this one includes the first Integrity Toys (IT)  offering of white lingerie for the FR2 body.  I really like it a lot.  (Photo property of Integrity Toys.)
IT missed the mark by not making this gift set the Convention Souvenir Doll instead of Making an Entrance Karolin Stone.  It would've been so dramatic, especially after the Welcome Package included an ensemble called "On The Set" which is inspired by another Marlene Dietrich ensemble.  (Photo property of Integrity Toys.)
The doll has gorgeous strawberry blonde hair and a lovely face up.  Agnes is often in my top 10 list, so her absence would seem an obvious oversight.  Number 4 of 2015 is Feminine Perspective Agnes Von Weiss.





Thursday, December 24, 2015

Best of 2015 - Number 5

I am not a fan of bangs (fringe) on dolls.  Usually it's too thick, too thin, or not straight.  Although there are several very popular dolls made by Integrity Toys (IT) with fringe, very few have remained in my collection.  I have owned and sold Flawless Elyse Jolie, Luxe Life Vanessa Perrin, and even Red Riding Hood Yuri because of those bangs.  (Hard to believe, huh?)

I've even steered clear of dolls simply because they were produced with bangs; sometimes to my own chagrin.  I had the opportunity to purchase Center of Attention Poppy at retail - Big Mistake!   Snow White Kumi and Red Rose Yuri actually went on sale and I passed on both of them.

So, I am very surprised to have a doll this high on my Top 10 of 2015 that has bangs.  Somehow with this doll, it seems to work.  I couldn't believe that Up All Night Lillith was a convention workshop doll.  It's unusual for a workshop doll to be dressed, come with extra hands and jewelry, and look this good in stock production!
Her skirt is made from a sheer material and is pleated like Reigning Grace Eugenia's.  Either the individual who designed the pattern or the cutters completely messed up the hem on this skirt also.  (Quality control people!  Quality control!)

I love the hair color, makeup palette, and skin tone.  This is one beautiful doll!  Had she not had the fringe, she would've given some serious competition for the top spot this year.  Even with bangs, Number 5 of 2015 is Up All Night Lillith.


Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Best of 2015 - Number 6

If you are someone who enjoys collecting NuFace dolls, this was a fantastic year for you.  (For the sake of making this as simple as possible, I am including dolls released on the Monogram body with the NuFace dolls.)

This spring there were two NuFace dolls released as part of the ITBE lineup, five mainline NuFace dolls, the three IFDC dolls were NuFace, 11 NuFace (or Monogram body) dolls were offered at the IT Convention, and 8 ITBE Christmas Grab Bag dolls were characters on the NuFace (or Monogram) body.

If you are someone who also enjoys collecting dolls of color, you were even happier as many of these dolls were produced on tan, latin, or black skin tones.  One of my favorites was a gift doll at the IT Convention.  She is Out of Sight Nadja Rhymes (mold 2.0).

Even though the ensemble is simple, the doll is incredibly dramatic.  She has cute little ankle length boots, an extra pair of hands, and long necklace.  She is in the darker A-Tone skin tone.  IT collectors have only received two other female dolls with completely flocked hair:  the holy grail The Muse Adele Makeda and the much sought after Urban Outfitting Nadja Rhymes.

This doll holds her own with both of these earlier dolls.  She photographs so well that I can't wait to receive the Nadja from the mainline release.  Until then, this version definitely merits a place in my top 10:  Number 6 of 2015 is Out of Sight Nadja Rhymes.

Best of 2015 - Number 7

For the very first time, Integrity Toys gave all W Club members the opportunity to purchase a convention doll.  It didn't matter whether you were attending or not; however, attendees got a $25 price break on the cost.

W Club members were shown a sketch of the doll with a brief description.  Even with so little information, 1325 dolls were sold!   Unfortunately, this edition size hasn't fared well for collectors who were hoping to make a quick secondary market mark-up.  She can still be picked up on e-bay for $139 which is a great price for such a beautiful doll.

When she arrived, it was obvious that Reigning Grace Eugenia Frost lived up to the movie connection of Grace Kelly.  
Unfortunately, I don't believe the hem of the dress was executed properly.  (Another quality control issue which collectors seem to be oblivious to anymore.)   The dress is a nod to the movie Rear Window.
The doll is classic Eugenia Frost, so it was a no-brainer decision to purchase a doll with such an elegant hairstyle and face up.
Out of the box, she is radiant.  Easily a top doll of 2015 and a personal favorite.  My Number 7 of 2015 - Reigning Grace Eugenia Frost.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Best of 2015 - Number 8

The next doll has already been reviewed.  Here is the link:  Timeless Adele Makeda Review

She has received quite a bit of redress time in front of the camera.  Here is a favorite photo, wearing the vest from the Beast ensemble.

I thought I would give her something to wear to a New Year Eve's party.  Here she is in Cosmetic Takeover Natalia Fatale's ensemble.    What an amazing doll.  Number 8 is Timeless Adele Makeda (mold 3.0).


Sunday, December 20, 2015

Best of 2015 - Number 9

I have to apologize because I haven't had the time to complete an official unveiling and deboxing of  this doll yet.

I happen to love dolls with very strong personalities.  I'm always looking for dolls that stand out.  Elyse Jolie is no stranger to my Top 10.  As a matter of fact, she has held the top spot for the past two years!   This year's mainline Integrity Collection was a nod to the working girls.   Personally, I really like the professional look on my dolls.  Fine Print Elyse Jolie is so different than any version of this doll released to date.

Look at the camel hair coat!!  I fell in love with that coat.  The hair is very elaborate and a gorgeous red color.  She was released in the cream skin tone and just glows!  What an exceptional doll.  Number 9 of 2015 is Fine Print Elyse Jolie.