Herd Culling 2026 - Single Ladies of Fashion Royalty

[EDIT:  Dusk In Bloom Luchia Zadra 2.0 was moved to the second shelf to be with other iterations of this character/mold.]

Thinning one's collection is never a minor undertaking - it takes a lot of effort, thoughtful reasoning, and courage.   Since I started collecting Jamieshow/Owensu Muses, my doll collection has truly expanded beyond storage and display capabilities.  I've tried to sell dolls every year to accommodate incoming girls, but I seem to always fall short of my one-to-one ratio goal.  When I take out a doll to consider listing her for sale, I remember where and when she was purchased.  Sometimes when there is a specific memory attached to a doll, it makes it even more difficult to part with it.

I started collecting Integrity Toys (IT) dolls in 2004.   At that time there was only one IT category, Fashion Royalty. Since the W Club didn't come into existence until 2006, the only way to get Fashion Royalty dolls was through dealers, attending a convention, or purchasing on secondary market.  Fashion Royalty was a huge success as Barbie was losing its collecting base due to over production of "limited edition" dolls and there was a movement away from the fashion model body type and mature faceups.  If you didn't have a firm financial commitment with a specific IT dealer, it was almost impossible to get Fashion Royalty dolls as secondary market prices were actually quite steep and there were more collectors than dolls.

Even with all the sales I've made over the past several years, I am still looking at a collection of 175 Fashion Royalty dolls.  That's just Fashion Royalty!   Many of them are still NRFB!  I have this lofty goal of trying to have at least one representative of each Fashion Royalty mold.   At first that doesn't sound like a lot, but there have been almost 40 molds/characters in the Fashion Royalty universe alone!  

The easiest place to begin was shelving "all the single ladies".   Here they are:

First up is 2020 Iselin LE 500 - Jason Wu Fall 2018 Collection

Next we have 2022 Alyssa (mold 1.5) LE 450 - Jason Wu Spring 2020 Collection Bridal Ensemble

And the final "single" version Fashion Royalty is from 2025 - Janay (2.5) Mother of Pearl.  Although Janay has shown up four other times as a character in The Industry, this is the only time there has been a Fashion Royalty version.

So I started with only three girls on the first display shelf.   Since I was doing "single ladies", I decided to add characters/molds for which I only had one version in my collection.  Even though other versions have been produced, only one has been able to establish a permanent place in my collection.  I am going to list them in the order in which their character was introduced to collectors.

Number 4 on the shelf will be Adele Makeda mold 1.0 introduced in 2001/2002.  There were eight versions of this mold produced before it was revised in 2004.  Mold 2.0 has been so extremely popular that we have only seen two other versions of Adele Makeda 1.0 produced in the past 20+ years; both of those were were in archival releases.  I have always struggled with warming up to Adele Makeda 1.0, until the last release, 2020 Flawless Beauty LE 400 from the Legendary Convention Style Lab Collection.  She reminds me so much of supermodel Naomi Campbell.  (She is wearing the Perfectly Decadent fashion from the same convention.)

Number 5 is another doll from the core group.  Natalia Fatale was released in 2004 as the arch rival of Veronique Perrin.  There have been eight version of mold 1.0 produced, but none have come close to the premier version, 2004 Natalia Fatale (1.0) Cosmetic Takeover LE 300 from the very first IT convention.

Natalia Fatale seems to have the opposite journey of Adele Makeda.  As Adele Makeda 1.0 was replaced with an open mouth mold, collectors didn't like the open mouth of Natalia Fatale 1.0.  This led to Natalia Fatale 1.5 where designers tried to take the Natalia Fatale 1.0 mold and simply close the mouth. Mold 1.5 was introduced in 2006 and there were only four versions produced.  Number 6 is 2011 Natalia Fatale 1.5 Go West LE 300.  This doll reminds me so much of Lana Parilla who played the character Regina Mills (aka The Wicked Witch) in the television series Once Upon A time.  

The third version of Natalia Fatale (mold 2.0) has been very popular with collectors, so the previous versions seem to have faded into oblivion.  (In 2020 we did get an archival version of 1.0 as Acquired Traits though.)   Even though Adele Makeda version 2.0 is the collector favored version on the character, designers decided to try their hand at another closed mouth version in 2011.  There have been ten versions of mold 3.0 released, but it hasn't been able to develop the fan base of mold 2.0.   Only one has had any staying power in my collection.  Number 7 is  2011 Adele Makeda The Faces Of LE 1180.  (She is wearing a coatdress designed and created by a personal friend, Sal Arriaga)

There are certain IT characters that just can't seem to get a footing in my collection?  One of those is Anja Christensen which was introduced in 2010.  There have been fifteen versions of this girl released but only one has been able to find a spot in my collection.  Number 8 on Shelf 1 is 2011's Anja Christensen The Entrepreneur Equation Carol Roth.  I truly love the faceup on this girl.  She was originally produced with a Nuface body, but I changed her to FR, so she could wear business suits.  The only way to get this doll was to purchase five copies of Carol's book.  Regardless, I think she is quite lovely and deserving of a spot on my shelf. 

IT introduced a new character in 2015 that we haven't seen since the last of four versions in 2017.  Number 9 is 2015 Immaculate Finley Prince LE <250.  This doll was produced with a Monogram body and is wearing the ensemble from 2011 Quiet Storm Annik.

The next doll is a quite a new sculpt that was just introduced last year and made its way to collectors earlier this year.  Since its popular introduction, we have already received another version, but I haven't added it to my collection.  Number 10 is 2025 Anais Perrin Constellation LE 800.  This girl is much more popular with collectors than her sister.

That almost makes my shelf full!   I only have two spots left, so I decided to move ahead with single versions on display.  

The next girl is another doll that was initially part of the FR2 lineup.  She was a new character introduced in 2010 and there have been 12 versions released in the past 16 years.  For some reason I struggle with committing to this mold.  There is only one other version remaining in my collection, but it isn't on display at this time.  (It's actually in my "sell" column).  Number 12 is 2018 Dasha D'Amboise Daydream LE 515.  As much as I struggle with other versions, this Daydream is one my very favorite dolls in my entire collection.  Go figure!

The last space on this display shelf is for a character that was introduced in 2011.   There have been only nine versions of this doll released and only one has made its way to my display shelf.  This doll reminds me of my collector friend Rich who convinced me to purchase her.  He was totally right; she's quite unique and beautiful.  Number 12 is 2012 Shake It Up Korinne Dimas LE 300.

So ... my first display shelf is now full.  It represents dolls for which I only have one version on display (or there has only been one version produced).   That was the easy part.  Now I have to go through the remaining 25+ molds/characters.  Stay tuned!

     

Desperately Chasing My Own Tail ... Collection Cycle 2023 #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, and #6

 It's difficult to believe it's been almost six months since my last post - my Number 1 doll purchase for my Best of 2022 Countdown.   

Please excuse my extended absence from this blog; since my mother-in-law's illness and death just prior to Thanksgiving, we've had a lot to deal with.  I am finally taking a short breath and attending to some housekeeping.

Covid 19 just screwed up everything worldwide.  Plain and simple!   Supply chains.  Production facilities. Shipping.  Everything!

Since new doll shipments seem to come in tidal waves lately, collecting them has gotten more overwhelming and stressful.  My first shipment at the beginning of January actually contained SIX dolls added to my collection.  You read that correctly.  SIX!  At ONE time!

The W Club 25th Anniversary Edition doll was advertised in 2021, but she didn't start shipping to collectors until the end of December 2022.  Mine arrived in early January.  I was eager to see this doll because it used a favorite character mold, Vanessa Perrin 1.0.  Every time a blonde Vanessa Perrin 1.0 is produced collectors start screaming, "A revisit of Poesie Sans Couleur!"  Although there have been several produced over the years that may have given a nod to this iconic grail (especially Black Tie Ball), none have actually reached the aesthetic.   That is until now.  

Graceful Reign Vanessa Perrin is just stunning.  Here is the Integrity Toys (IT) promo photo.  

This doll comes with some nice accessories to go with that extravagant gown and cape.

As is often the case, the production doll is even better than the promo photos.  Here is a closeup of Graceful Reign in the box.

I fell in love with this face.  The hairstyle is even quite good.  In my opinion this doll can actually give Poesie Sans Couleur a run for her money!   But the proof is often in the redress, and this girl is amazing in a different ensemble.  Here she is wearing the boots from Afterglow Keeki Adaeze and the coat that came with Fierce Zuri Okoty (both of the IT Meteor line).  

Collecting Cycle 2023 Addition Number 1 - Graceful Reign Vanessa Perrin.

Also arriving at IT during this time was the last doll from the NuFantasy Coven Couture Collection designed by Mark Tinkey.  This was the only doll from that line to capture my interest.  I thought the dress was the best of the four doll collection and the character chosen is one that hasn't been able to develop a strong fan base with collectors.  I actually liked this version of the character quite a bit.  This is the production photo by IT.

And a look at the accessories.

Again, the production doll is much better than the promo photos and the dress is actually more of a cocoa color in person.  The metallic threads tend to shift the color in many photos.  In my opinion, she is one of the better versions of this neglected character mold.

Collecting Cycle 2023 Addition Number 2 - Elements of Enchantment Korinne Dimas.

All three of the 2022 W Club Upgrade dolls arrived in the same shipment.  When you join the W Club, you have the option of adding three different dolls to your membership payment, representing three popular IT lines.  These dolls are usually offered at a special new member price.  In 2022 there was a 15% price hike, so W Club members had to pay regular doll prices of previous years.  

The first 2022 W Club Upgrade doll represented their flagship line, Fashion Royalty, and was one of the most popular characters.

Here is the W Club promo photo from IT.

With the price increase, IT realized collectors would expect a little more, so that was reflected in the accessories.

Although a stunning doll in an interesting ensemble, this doll hasn't quite become as popular with collectors as previous versions.  

Collecting Cycle 2023 Addition Number 3 - Up With a Twist Agnes Von Weiss.

For many years now, IT has been mixing things up by producing caucasian character molds as dolls of color.  Many of these have become collector favorites and some have even become grails.   This had been limited to the Fashion Royalty line until last year.  The second doll offered to new W Club members as an upgrade was a very popular NuFace character.

Here is the W Club promo photo from IT.

Accessories?  Yes, please.

How do you resist this doll?  IT collectors have been begging for denim, so here it is.  This girl has gotten very mixed reactions.  Some collectors just do not like her (primarily due to her face up) but some collectors are mad for her.  I this she is gorgeous and photographs beautifully.

Collecting Cycle 2023 Addition Number 4 - Earth Angel Eden Blair.

The final upgrade doll was one that I was very "on-the-fence" about.  Sometimes a designer can do "too much" with a doll, which is an unfortunate failing for the doll.  Here is the W Club IT Promo.

Another group of accessories.

Although this style is an accurate reflection of the fashion period on which it is based, I just think it is overdone.  Unfortunately, a lot of collectors agree as it has not been as popular as many of the other versions produced over the past few years.  I'm not sure this doll will be staying in my collection; however, I don't think she is selling well on secondary market at this time.

Collecting Cylce 2023 Addition Number 5 - Ultra Violet Poppy Parker.

The IT Online Convention for 2022 was called "Stay Tuned" and was quite a let down for collectors.  The only doll offered that I was remotely interested in purchasing was a Poppy Parker reminiscent of a television show I watched as a child, That Girl.  The doll was an obvious copy of the Marlo Thomas character.  Fortunately, I was able to win the right to buy this doll through a W Club lottery.

Here is the W Club IT promo photo.

A look at the accessories.

This doll was easily the very best from the digital convention.  Her screening is gorgeous.  Such a beautiful version.

Collecting Cycle 2023 Addition Number 6 - Miss Independence Poppy Parker.

Six dolls arriving at one time at the very beginning of the year was quite overwhelming.  So, how you feel if that were ten dolls arriving at one time at the very beginning of the year?  Stay tuned for my next blog post!

Moving forward ...

It would only seem logical to move from Veronique Perrin to the doll that joined her for the launch of Fashion Royalty, Adele Makeda, but that would've made too much sense.  A second option, would be to move to another member of the Perrin family.  Again, too simple.

In 2011, Veronique's mold was changed after a short hiatus.  A couple other characters debuted during this time.  Many collectors believed these characters were "off shoots" of the redesign process for Veronique.   Conspiracy theories are always interesting, aren't they?

One of those was Korinne Dimas, which has never made an appearance in the FR2 lineup!  I believe there has only been seven versions of this doll even released.  Some collectors do not like this mold due to its strong nose.   Although I've owned a few of them, the only one with any staying power here was the original blonde version of Shake It Up, an IFDC exclusive with an edition size of only 300.   (She was recently put on a FR2 body.)

The reason I brought Korinne up is that I would like to keep at least one version of each mold in my collection.  Since Shake It Up is the only version I own, she will remain in my collection by default.  This lead me to the realization that I didn't need to keep Royal Treatment Veronique Perrin, especially since I was also keeping Stage Presence Veronique.  Three blue-eyed, platinum blondes, with red lips and smoky eyes were just too much.  It was especially obvious that Royal Treatment was leaving when I put her next to Shake It Up.

The other mold that came out during this time was Anja Christensen.  Again, this mold sadly has never transitioned into FR2 territory.   There have been at least ten versions of Anja.  I have owned several, and I have five actually living here, just recently finding a new home for Wrap-ture.

Just as I did for a Korinne/Veronique comparison, I found that one of my Anja versions, Agent 355, actually was a little similar to one of the versions of Veronique I planned to keep, Nocturnal Glow.

Although they are different enough, there is still the blue eyes, nude lips, curly long brown hair with smoky eyeshadow connection.  I actually prefer Nocturnal Glow's screening.  

I purchased In Sequins Anja for her dress.  I had a lot of trouble bonding with her hair, so I tried fixing it.  I really prefer her this way; she reminds me of a young Priscilla Presley.

But ... she also reminds me of another NuFace doll residing here, Fame by Frame Imogen.

I have only attended two conventions ever, and Fame by Frame was the convention doll at Tropicalia.  Not to mention that my table host was Veronica Hage who corrected this doll's eye for me.  She has become a good doll friend, and Fame by Frame has such a good memory attached to her.

Veronica also corrected another doll for me, Dark Side Anja, by completely redoing the eyes.  She recently transferred to a FR2 body, so she is another "no-brainer" for putting in the "Staying Here" pile.

That leaves me with two more versions of Anja.  Both of which are quite under-rated in my opinion.  The first is the Carol Roth version called The Entrepreneur Equation.

She will joining her sister, Dark Side, here.  

The last Anja in my collection is Dovima, A Woman Who Thinks. 

I'm not sure why I like this doll so much, but I do.  I keep telling myself that AFL Raven Vanessa Perrin is a much better version of a dark haired doll with a widow's peak, blue eyes, and red lips, but I'm not listening to this argument.  

That gets me through three characters.

When I started this process:
Veronique - 15 
Korinne - 1
Anja - 6

What is still here:
Veronique - 9
Korinne - 1
Anja - 3

I'm moving in a good direction!  Can't stop now!