Best of 2023 - Number 8

There are certain dolls in my collection that I return to often for redress and photography.   One of those is Shapeshifter Natalia Fatale.  She has always been in my Top 10 of all the dolls in my collection.  I've owned many other versions of Natalia Fatale mold 2.0, but most do not stick around for long.  

When Integrity Toys (IT) announced that Natalia Fatale would be part of the next round of Basic Edition dolls, I was skeptical.  Even the promo photos didn't impress me.  But ... when collectors started posting their production dolls pictures, I had to re-evaluate my position!  (After all, Malibu Sky Agnes Von Weiss and Natural High Lilith Blair are also Basic Edition dolls!)

Beach Bombshell Natalia Fatale looks good in everything.  Here she is wearing her original swimsuit, the skirt from 2009's Red Zinger Dania Zarr, and the blazer from 2012's Opium Ayumi Nakamura.  

The minute I saw her makeup pallet, I immediately thought of this Antonio Realli evening gown.  

Best of 2023 is Integrity Toys Fashion Royalty Basic Edition Bombshell Beach Natalia Fatale:

(BTW ... she is still available in the Integrity Toys store for $115 - if you are a W Club member, sign in to your account and get $16 off!  Here is the link:  Bombshell Beach Natalia Fatale - IT is closed for the holidays but you should be able to pick her after New Year's.)

Back To The Basics - Numbers 24, 25, 26, and 27 of Collection 2023 Cycle

Back in 2021, Integrity Toys tried something new for their collectors; they created a "Basics" line of open-edition dolls.  The dolls were released in production runs until they ran out; then there was another run offered.   The dolls were priced at $99 and were packaged less elaborately.  They came in swimwear or work-out clothes and had minimal accessories.   They represented the five main lines of Integrity Toys:  FR2, NuFace, Poppy Parker, Meteor, and East 59th.  This allowed collectors to add new versions of favorite characters at an affordable price.  I think it introduced Integrity dolls to more collectors, but the market wasn't big enough to entertain such seriously large edition sizes even though the dolls were actually quite extraordinary.  This "Basics" line showed up in my 2021 End Of Year Countdown at the #2 spot.  Here is the link to those dolls:  Integrity Toys 2021 Basics Line.

After saturating the market with these dolls, Integrity Toys made the smart move to retire the first Basics line and introduce a new set of dolls in 2023.  The edition size for these dolls was 5000 and all versions are still available for purchase on the website.  (If you've not been an IT collector but have been curious about these dolls, now would be a great opportunity to check them out:  Integrity Toys Web Storefront for Basics Dolls.)

The 2021 Basics versions of Agnes Von Weiss and Lilith Blair have become favorites with collectors.  Personally, I think they are fantastic versions of these characters, so it was a no-brainer when Integrity Toys opened the sales links for the 2023 Basics line.

Erin Salston was one of the original characters that introduced the Integrity Toys Nuface line in 2006.  Her mold was "refreshed" in 2012 to be "less cartoon-like" and mold 2.0 has been a collector favorite ever since.  My very favorite NuFace doll is actually 24k Erin Salston.  2023 Basics Erin Salston retailed for $110 to W Club members.  The price reflected the fact that the doll had a more elaborate ensemble.  To give collectors a choice, there is a "completer" accessory package called Bow-tique Details that goes with this doll and retailed for $65 to W Club members.

2023 IT Basics Night Out Erin Salston became Number 24 added to my collection this year.   

Natalia Fatale mold 2.0 is one of my favorite IT characters.  She isn't as popular with collectors as some of the other molds, but she is has been gaining ground over the past few years.  I was so excited when she was added to the Basics collection this year and this screening/skintone/hair color is extraordinary.  Number 25 of my Collection Cycle 2023 is Bombshell Beach Natalia Fatale.

I have a very complicated relationship with Poppy Parker.  I was on-board with the line when it debuted in 2009.  I fondly remember the early years when you could grab these girls on clearance sales!  (Yes, that is actually true.)   I owned many of the original versions, but only a couple managed to stick around in my collection as I prefer dolls with attached eyelashes.  Over the years Poppy Parker has developed a very strong fan base and has attracted a lot of scalpers on the secondary market.   It has become increasingly difficult to get Poppy Parker versions at retail price outside of the W Club.   Still, there are Poppy Parker dolls that have permanent spots in my collection.   At first I resisted the 2023 Basics Island Time Poppy Parker.  Then collector photos started showing up on the internet. I caved and added her to my collection.   Number 26 of 2023 is Island Time Poppy Parker.

Fortunately for my bank account and storage/display space I do not collect Meteor dolls, so I passed on this Basics offering of Pose Like An Egyptian Amirah Majeed.  Since I limit the males coming into my collection, Basics East 59th Street Honolulu Sunset Augustus Blake was also a pass.   I considered not purchasing the East 59th Street female doll, but I have such a weak spot for Victoire Roux mold 2.0 that I caved and added her to the cart.  Number 27 is Aloha Waikiki Victoire Roux.

As you can see from the photos of these dolls still in their boxes, there is nothing "basic" about the actual dolls included in the 2023 Integrity Toys Basics Line.  They are all very beautiful and worthy of spots in collections.  The price is just an added bonus!

Doll Collection Cycle 2022 - Numbers 7, 8, and 9

The best time to purchase this year's convention dolls was during or immediately after the Virtual Convention.  There were 1300 ticket holders which made the dolls more readily available.  Many collectors were disappointed in the designers interpretations of the theme "Obsession", so several of these dolls were being sold at close to original retail price.  This all changed when the dolls showed up post convention and collectors started photographing them.

One of the dolls that most benefitted from post production photography was Chain of Command Natalia Fatale (although she stills seems a "sleeper" from the convention).   A lot of the Integrity dealers get tickets and convention collections.  They often sell their dolls for a modest markup.   I recently saw several convention dolls listed on a dealer's website and couldn't resist the prices.   After seeing photos of Chain of Command on flickr and the W Club and realizing I did not own a FR2-FR6.0 Natalia with dark hair, I went for it.

Here is a closeup in the box.  

When I look at the fully dressed doll, I can't help but hear the judges of Project Runway saying, "This is beginning to look like a costume".  

Chain of Command Natalia Fatale comes with a lot of interesting accessories.  I'm not sure about white shoes with this ensemble though.  I would've chosen to use black shoes, but I wouldn't be considered a "fashionista" by anyone I know.  Here is Integrity's photo of the accessories.

Here is a closeup showing those beautiful eyes.

Since I'm not a big fan of this ensemble, I started looking for something more casual.  Here is a photo her wearing Main Event Adele Makeda's skirt and blouse from the 2012 Tropicalia Convention.

Number 7 of 2022 is Chain of Command Natalia Fatale.  I just have to work a little more with her hair and find her "personality".

When I purchased Chain of Command, I rationalized that I was buying these dolls without having to pay sales tax (which is required on e-bay).  This made them even even less expensive than going secondary markup prices.  And the more dolls I purchased, the less shipping per item!  Also, since I was purchasing from a dealer, I was helping a legitimate small business owner.  Or maybe, it's just been this doll drought.  It was probably a combination of all these things, because I couldn't resist purchasing two more.

Number 8 of 2022 is Vendetta Agnes Von Weiss.  It's hard to go wrong with the purchase of Agnes Von Weiss.  Her mold is one of the most popular for Integrity Toys.  Her secondary market prices always climb.  Here is a photo by Integrity Toys.

Here is a closeup of the actual doll in the box.

My final purchase from this dealer is Number 9 of 2022, Belle Mariee Poppy Parker.  I tried to talk myself out of this doll several times but finally caved.  The Integrity Toys promo photo.

And a closeup of the actual production doll in the box.

Even though I've not released Vendetta or Belle Mariee from their boxes yet, I wanted to make sure I posted their additions to my collection to keep myself honest.  I think all three are lovely dolls in their own right.  The biggest surprise for me was Belle Mariee Poppy Parker; she's actually quite extraordinary!

  

Best of 2019 - #7

As I continue to prepare my blog entries for my "Best of 2019", I realize that I should share my reasoning for which dolls I select.   Some dolls arrive at my home and they sit in their boxes.  Often there are things about the dolls that I don't love, but I'm not ready to give up on them just yet.  

But sometimes when a doll arrives, she comes right out of that box!   I can't wait to start redressing.  There is something special about the doll; it speaks to me at a place I can't resist.  Those are the dolls that usually get an immediate review, and I can't stop photographing them.   The dolls in my countdown are those dolls.  They are personal to me, so they represent my personal taste.  I know they are not for everyone, but they receive the most play time in my hobby.  

That is true of the next doll.   She was the sixth doll to be deboxed at my house.  I immediately saw a resemblance to Victoria Beckham, Posh Spice.  Here is the original blog entry Best of 2019 #7.

Although part of the 2018 Sacred Lotus Collection, she was delayed in production and wasn't received by collectors until 2019.  Best of 2019 #7 is Resurgence Natalia Fatale!

Luxuriously Gifted Natalia Fatale - #15 of 2018

Natalia Fatale is one of my very favorite molds created by Integrity Toys.  Unfortunately, she rarely gets "preferential treatment" by the designers.  Sadly, this continued to be the trend with Luxe Life.  

When I first saw Luxuriously Gifted as the attendee gift doll for the opening dinner at the Luxe Life convention, I immediately connect her with Echelon Monogram from 2012.  

Fortunately, I've been lurking the boards trying to get this ensemble for a reasonable price and always come up empty-handed.  Although this version of Natalia Fatale seemed a "throw back" to other IT dolls:  most notably from the 2011 Convention - "Air Apparent Veronique," "Forever Veronique," and "Evermore Vanessa," I wanted that ensemble badly.  I was surprised that attendees had trouble selling this doll and collectors have given her such a poor response.  It worked out well for me as I was able to purchase her NRFB shipped for a little over $100.

When she arrived, I quickly opened her expecting a doll I would probably undress and sell nude.  I didn't expect to be so smitten.

The doll comes with minimum accessories.  A pair of cute earrings, another set of hands with "acrylic nails," and a pair of shoes.

The gold stands are cute!  .. BUT that bow just had to go.  For me personally, it ruined the whole presentation.

This is quite a cute doll!  Now, let's see that amazing bodysuit. 

WOWZA!  That is one well made little bodysuit!  I love it.  It will get A LOT of playtime around here!

Since this was Natalia, I had to get out the monogrammed dressing robe from Shapeshifter.

Okay!   She is really smoking HOT in black!

How about dressing her up a little.  The long mermaid skirt is from the "Black as Night" giftset circa 2006.  The fur belonged to 2005's "A Fashionable Life" Vanessa.  

What do you think?

After I got her redressed, it finally hit which other doll(s) Luxuriously Gifted reminded me of - and they are grails.  She is combination of two dolls.  The first was a table centerpiece from the 2006 IT Convention - a platinum version of Lights, Camera, Royal Veronique (edition size 150).  This photo was taken from the Fashion Royalty Website http://woodsky.lbx.free.fr/listeFR.php stating "courtesy of Amanda".

And the second is from a doll I owned but sold her last year to someone who had bought other dolls from me. 

Her father had passed away and she needed some retail therapy and wanted Optic Clash Dania.  I didn't mind selling Optic Clash, but I've always missed her and can never afford to replace her.  

I know it's not a perfect match, but I think she'll serve the purpose.  Platinum blonde hair, hot pink lips, blue eyes, pink eyeshadow.  It definitely gave me a new perspective and appreciation of Luxuriously Gifted Natalia Fatale.

2017 Fairytale Convention Collection

The "Convention Collection" is the group of dolls attendees can purchase prior to convention.  IT announcees the list of dolls (without photos) and they can be purchased as a bundle and either picked up at the convention or shipped directly to the attendees home after the convention is over.  Even though there are merits to doing this, the collector is actually purchasing dolls sight-unseen.

In 2015, W Club members got the opportunity to direct purchase a doll from the convention collection from a sketch, Reigning Grace Eugenia.   Attendees got a discounted price, but every W Club member got the right to buy her.  It was a big hit with W Club members, and we were excited to get that opportunity again in 2017.

This year's Direct Purchase Fairytale Convention doll was based on Cruella Deville's character from 101 Dalmatians.  (Not an actual fairytale character but one from a Disney film based on a 1956 novel by Dodie Smith.)  The doll was Tatyana Alexandrova and the version was a giftset called "Fashionably Ruthless" ($175 or $200 at Convention).  The actual production doll could be picked up by the convention attendees since they paid a discounted price for her as an upgrade to their convention package.  (W Club members will be billed balances next week and the doll will be shipped directly to them).

I am so glad I had the foresight to purchase this doll.  I think she is going to be a big hit with collectors.  Fortunately, I have Bloodlines Tatyana from the 2013 IFDC Convention to go with her!

Other dolls in the Convention Collection included Veronique Perrin (mold 2.0) wearing "Sea Devil" representing Ursula from "The Little Mermaid" ($150).

I'm on the fence with this doll.  I was expecting blacks and purples or maybe shades of ocean blue.  The platinum hair was a surprise as well.  I'm just not sure about adding her to my collection.  I think the doll will redress well, but I've seen a lack of consistency with the hairstyle.  I don't think I would purchase one unless it was an actual photo of the doll and the hair was exactly the way I wanted it.  (She also makes an interesting companion doll to the table centerpiece Agnes)

You simply cannot have a Fairytale theme without The Wizard of Oz.  It just can't be done.  The designers, fortunately, looked to the musical Wicked for inspiration.  First up is Natalia Fatale (mold 2.0) as the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, wearing "Wicked Behavior" ($140).

I really want to love this doll -  the Natalia 2.0 mold is a favorite of mine, but I'm totally on the fence.  I love the dress!  The doll reminds me of 2009's Heat Seeker, but I like Heat Seeker's screening a lot better. I think this doll will redress beautifully though.

You can't have the Wicked Witch without her sister, Good Witch of the North, Glenda.  Vanessa Perrin (mold 1.0) wearing "Spell of Kindness" ($150).

Again, I'm not feeling this one even though Vanessa mold 1.0 is one of my very favorite molds.   I already have the silkstone dress that is similar and the Poppy Parker "Miss Amour" from last year.  The screening is a lot like 2007 Vanessa Perrin "In Bloom".  The doll is gorgeous, but when you've been collecting a while it seems to be getting harder and harder to add dolls with a "special quality" to your collection.

That gives us four Fashion Royalty characters in the main Convention Collection.  It was a sure bet that Poppy Parker was going to show up as Dorothy ($135).  She is wearing "Rainbow Connection" (try getting Kermit out of your head all day!)

I so long for a little dog with this!   It's super cute.  I even like the tighter curls.  This is a very cute and accurate interpretation with some mix and match possibilities.  (The purse reminds me of Vivacite Eugenia's)

The other Poppy Parker in the Convention Collection represented Rapunzel and she is wearing "Shining the Starlight" ($135).

I Love that Poppy Parker is in a different skin tone!  Love the hair (it's a long braid almost down to the floor).  Don't love the ensemble!  I wouldn't mind picking this one up nude on secondary market, but I don't think it will happen because I sense she will quickly become very popular and difficult to get.  (Some collectors have remarked that it looks like she is wearing dust ruffle.)

The NuFace line was well-represented in the Convention Collection this year.  First up is Ayumi Nakamura as Mulan wearing "Rarest of All" ($140).

This is quite an extraordinary doll.  I really like her, but I am passing since I already have an oriental  Ayumi in my collection.  The ensemble, faceup, hair, and fascinator are all amazing.   I love the eyebrows!  It was a difficult pass.

The next doll was the first to sell out in the salesroom.  Eden Blair (I'm not sure why it is Eden since Lilith is usually the dark-haired version) appears as Pocahontas wearing "Changing Winds" ($140).

The twins are always a fan favorite.  As much as I want to love this version, I'm not feeling it for some reason.  I really like the hair a great deal.  The faceup isn't bad.  The ensemble is ok (I am old enough to remember chenille bedspreads!).   The accessories are fantastic.  I think I passed because she reminds me a great deal of 2012's Fame by Frame Imogen which is a favorite of mine and already living here.

Each doll in the Convention Collection had an edition size of 600.   As lovely as they were, I didn't dip my toe in the secondary market pool for any of them.  I feel comfortable waiting to see if the prices come down or if there are any left for W Club lotteries.

In addition to the Convention Collection, there are "salesroom" dolls offered to collectors with purchase tickets randomly put in their convention packets.  This year there were three.

The first was a tremendous surprise.  This is the first time the IT Nippon line has been made available at a convention.  (It is only the second time Nippon has been sold domestically - the first being a Haute Doll Magazine exclusive in 2006 "Metallic Moment".)   This was a giftset of Miaki and Amelie called "Drawn to You".  It had an edition size of 500 and retailed for $175.

They represent Mickey and Minnie Mouse!  What a wonderful giftset.  Amelie's hair even has two buns to look like mouse ears (had the buns been larger and more exaggerated, I may have taken the plunge on this one)!  I have been a fan of Misaki since the very beginning and own many of them.  As cute as they are, they were, with regrets, a pass for me.  My dolly budget is very tight lately.

Poppy Parker made another appearance in the salesroom.   This time she is Tinkerbell wearing "Believe in Me" ($135).

As cute as this one is, the dress reminded me of Lash Out's from a couple years ago.

The final advertised doll in the salesroom was Erin Salston as Rumpelstiltskin wearing "24K" ($140).

Holy Brothers Grimm Batman ... stop the Batmobile ... I cannot put into words how I feel about this doll.  She is amazing and was the second doll to sell out in the salesroom.  I have to give a shout out to Leandro Romero on this one.  I was able to get one from him at a very reasonable and fair price.  Thank you!  You have no idea how happy you made this old schoolmarm.

In addition to the advertised dolls there were five color infusion dolls were sold in the salesroom that had never been previously.  Three of them were male and two were female.  IT did not release photos of them.

Love the direction IT went with this theme.  There is a little something for everyone.  I think all of the dolls will redress beautifully.  Faces and hair look better than they have in many years.  It looks like quality control is back!  Great job IT!

Bad Surprises … Good Surprises

A lot of collectors have reported that the Integrity Toys (IT) Convention doll, Inner Spark Natalia Fatale, was produced with the wrong skin tone body.  Her head color doesn't match her body color.  The body is much lighter tan and actually works with many tan dolls including Colette, Paparazzi Bait/Soul Deep Adele, etc.  This got me very excited because I've been waiting for a body donor for Force of Nature Agnes Von Weiss.

I didn't want to pay $140 + shipping for a body donor, so I started watching for good deals on e-bay and the boards as I have several tan dolls I would like to upgrade.  I thought it would be smart to purchase some extra Latino bodies when IT made them available at the end of 2015 and ordered three.  I figured if they were light, I could use them instead of purchasing multiple Inner Spark dolls, and if they weren't, I could rebody the heads from Inner Spark Natalia and sell them secondary market.  Win/Win?

I recently purchased an Inner Spark for $110 shipped (good deal, right) and waited patiently for my bodies to arrive.  They came last week.

Here is a photo of Inner Spark Natalia in her box.

And a closeup.

Do you notice anything odd?  That's right!  Her body is not the light tan color I expected.  Did someone switch it?  That's not possible because she is still thread-sewn into the liner with tape over the thread, direct-from-factory.  So, apparently IT produced some Inner Spark Natalia dolls on the correct skin tone body and some not.  Frustrating!

Here are the accessories.  The jewelry and shoes are awesome (I wish there had been a nicer bracelet though):

She is an attractive doll in her own right.  Here she is fully dressed out of the box.  Although the fabric of the dress is a little stiff and out of scale, it looks great on and photographs quite well.

And another closeup.   What can I say, I am sucker for a good widow's peak.

So, I didn't need one of the replacement bodies for Inner Spark Natalia after all.  She may even be staying for while.

When I took out the replacement bodies I purchased, I realized they were not even the same color as Inner Spark Natalia.  So, I took my last three Natalia dolls out and realized they were two different colors, and neither skin tone was similar to the replacement body.  Apparently there is no consistent Latino color skin tone.

Prestige and Inner Spark are the same, whereas Elusive Creature is more tan.  The replacement body (sitting down) is more reddish than either.

I contacted some doll friends and they were having the same problem with these replacement bodies.  They didn't seem to match anything in our collections.  I started pulling out all of my latino skin tone dolls.  You cannot imagine my surprise (and excitement) when I found that the new bodies were very close to the original Natalia Fatale skin tone!  Here is one of my very favorite dolls, Cosmetic Takeover, with the upgrade!

So, these new, more reddish, bodies will probably work with all Natalia Fatale dolls pre-2007.  That may include Seashore Rebel, Behind Velvet Ropes, Queen of the Hive, Capricious, Black as Night, and Femme Du Monde.  (As I no longer own any of these dolls, I cannot confirm this.  However, I know my Cosmetic Takeover was on a Capricious body before the transfer.)  One bad surprise, one very good surprise!