Playing Around and An Unexpected Outcome ...

I had every intention of being very selective with my purchases of secondary market dolls from the Integrity Toys (IT) Obsession Convention.   One of the dolls that I wasn't going to purchase was En Pointe Violaine Perrin.  (Photo by IT)

I had just received A Fashionable Legacy Violaine - a doll that I actually like a lot but reminds me a great deal of A Fabulous Life Rayna Ahmadi.  En Pointe also looks a lot like her sister Sweet Smell of Success Veronique Perrin - another doll that I already own and like.  Finally, one of my favorite versions of this mold is 2013's Funny Face, Let's Kiss And Make Up.  Here is a collage of the four.

Even though I was at peace about not purchasing En Pointe, I kept being seduced by the ensemble.  When someone offered it at a very reasonable price, I just couldn't resist.  

A "sleeper" for me last year was Such A Gem Dania Zarr.  I've always been fan of this character mold and was looking forward to her arrival.  Unfortunately, she looked so matronly for some reason; I referred to her as Mrs. Danvers from the 1940 movie Rebecca.  I took her out recently and tried a change of ensemble but still wasn't pleased with the result.  When En Pointe arrived, I was considering different dolls to try on this outfit.  Mrs. Danvers just happened to be out of the display cabinet already, so I thought, "What will it hurt?"

I never thought something as simple as a change of ensemble could make me appreciate a doll so much!  And was I ever surprised by the clothing choice that made me love her!  I think I have found a "forever" ensemble for Such A Gem Dania Zarr.

W Club Registration Until March 16

You have until 5 p.m. EST on March 16 to register for the 2023 W Club.  There are several perks to joining this collecting community for the upcoming year:

• You have the opportunity to purchase 3 upgrade dolls (more below)
• There will be at least five exclusive club dolls for purchase
• W Club members get "first to know" information about lines before they are announced to the public
• There are lottery opportunities for limited edition dolls that are only available to W Club members
• All W Club members will be allowed an opportunity to purchase tickets for the IT Virtual Convention this year
• You have access to a private forum where members interact to post messages and photos of their creativity; there is also a Market Thread to buy, sell, and trade dolls

The cost to join is only $50.  Each doll shown below costs $160.  When you register you choose any of the doll purchase options to add to your membership and have to pay a $30 deposit per doll.  Here is a link to the W Club announcement with detailed information for each doll:  2022 W Club Upgrade Dolls and Registration Information .

The W Club is really great about trying to provide something for the varied interests of its members.  The upgrade choices include a Poppy Parker, Fashion Royalty, and NuFace option.  

The Nuface Option is Earth Angel Eden Blair.  Here is a full length photo (photo courtesy of Integrity Toys)

I'm not really crazy about the ensemble here.  She reminds me a great deal of 2018's Free Spirit Poppy Parker.  One of the few Poppy Parkers that I just didn't like and was sold off the island.  The big selling point of this doll is all those accessories!

Eden Blair is a twin to Lilith.  One of the W Club exclusives this past year was The Nu Classics Lilith Blair.  

Since Earth Angel is the companion to that doll, the purchase of this version was an easy choice.  Into the cart she went.  

The second doll is a favored character mold for IT collectors.  She is Up With A Twist Agnes Von Weiss.  

Anyone else see 2019's Ocean Drive Agnes Von Weiss when they look at this doll?  She was a favorite doll of mine that year and still resides here.  Are they too similar?  I do like the dress Up With A Twist is wearing.  And the accessories are really great.

Unfortunately, I find it difficult to resist Agnes Von Weiss, so she went into my cart as well.

This year's club Poppy Parker is Ultra Violet.  At first I was confused by the hime hair; however, upon research, discovered that it was a style in the 1970's, so it is appropriate for Poppy Parker.  I didn't like it on 2020's Charmed Life Ayumi and I don't think I like it on Poppy any better.    

Another beautiful group of accessories though.  Those purple boots are needed in my Poppy wardrobe! 

I've learned the hard way about not purchasing Poppy Parker.  If you miss an opportunity at retail, you'll wind up paying more than double on secondary market.  Just to protect my interests and bank account, I added this one to my registration as well.

Apparently, Integrity Toys production has suffered from the global effects of Covid 19.  The design team announced that they had limited choices for production of these dolls relative to materials, screenings, hair, etc.  Scarcity of materials and man power has caused prices to climb this year.  The owner of the W Club tried to explain that the loss of the $50 coupon to members upon registration would result in W Club members getting retail dolls at special pricing.  This "perk" fell on many deaf ears.  

Mattel seems to have abandoned its collectible lines including Silkstones and Model Muses.  The upscale doll lines that use resin casting cost almost triple the amount of an IT doll.  IT continues to control a monopoly in the 1:6 plastic fashion doll community and has quite a  loyal following, so they can get by with a lot more at this time.  I'm not sure how long this will last, but I'm sure there will be a record membership in the W Club this year.  You better sign up if you don't want to be left behind.