Fashion Royalty - Spring Unveiling

I've never reviewed an Integrity Toys unveiling before, and, truth be known, there are other bloggers who do an extraordinary job.  To not waste your time, I am only going show one promotional picture of most dolls.  You can go to flickr page and search for more detailed photos - I'm sure they will be all over flickr today.  Please be aware that all photos are the property of Integrity Toys and are copyrighted.  These photos were sent to all W Club members and were not to be shared until 12:00 Noon, EST, on September 28.  I am a member of the W Club.

First up, we have the Dynamite Girls.  All dolls were priced at $65.  There have been rumblings about prices this year.  Prior to 2010, these dolls were priced at $40 - $45.  So their prices remained the same for four consecutive years.  The 2010 Winter Collection, "Chill Factor," raised the price to $55.  The "Plastic Inevitable Line" collection of 2011 took the price up to $60, and last year's dolls were also $65.    People often overlook the amount of change we have seen in this line and the improvements.

For the $65 price point, you get a great, articulated doll that is dressed in layers of nicely tailored clothing with quality shoes.   I think the Dynamite Girl line is a steal for the price.  I know the International Collectors LOVE this line because of the Value-Added-Tax (VAT) they have to pay for imported items.  I have many Dynamite Girls also.  Since the Integrity Team has added boys to this lineup, they sell out almost immediately and hold secondary market values higher than many of IT's mainline dolls.

So, coming off the soapbox (but keeping it close by) -  here is "London Calling".  When I saw the title, many images raced through my head - none of which materialized in the collection.  The DGs this time  represent a winter collection with beautifully layered clothing.  The production size of this line was increased this year to 800 for each doll.  NICE.  All dolls will be arriving at dealers in late March, and there are six dolls in this collection.

I will show the dolls in order of my personal preference.   First up is the only doll I pre-ordered from this line.  Not because I didn't like the line - but because another line completely tapped out my budget! This is Kyu.  Look at that parka!  I squealed when I saw it.  Collectors who have the first Kyu compared this presentation to him and some did not pre-order based on that fact.  I believe the ensemble alone was worth $65!

Since he was purchased, he gets two photos.  I wanted you to see what he looks like without the parka.

The other doll that I loved from this collection was Dayle.  I am hoping to find her through a dealer at retail later, after my budget has recuperated from this spree.  She is just funky enough to join my collection of Back to Brooklyn dolls.  I passed on the last Dayle (the one with freckles) who many collectors think favors this one.

Another Cruz was also offered and will probably sell out fast.  I didn't pre-order this one because I changed my Hot Stuff Cruz's hair, and now he looks like this one.   But, do I ever love this ensemble!

One of my favorite DG girls is TJ.  I was so hoping this girl looked like the 2011 Convention doll.  She doesn't, but I still like her very much.  She may find her way to my front door sometime this coming year.

I want the next doll specifically for her shoes.  Love these shoes!! This is Dani.  I have two other of her in my collection.  Since she looks so much like the one from the 2011 Convention, I passed.  But this gives people who missed out on the convention version (which is highly sought after) the opportunity to snap one up!

Last up is a new character to the DG line.  Her name is Holland.  When I first saw her, I thought it was Jasper.   Everyone loves a new character, but I think I will wait for the next version on this one.  She's lovely, but not a must have for me.

In summary, there is a great deal of bang for the buck here.  The layering is wonderful.  The tights are super cute.  The shoes have really come a long way.  All of these dolls would be great to display and redress.  There's a lot of mix n match possibilities.   David Buttry's team really outdid themselves on this collection.   Since the edition sizes are 800, you may want to take some time to think about your choices with the girls.  I expect the boys to sell out immediately.  "Get thee to a nunnery" - I mean, "Get thee to thy dealer".

I am going to do the Jem and the Holograms dolls next.  I do not collect this line.  It is a collaboration between Integrity Toys and Jem license holders.  The Jem cartoons started after I finished college and was defining my life - I didn't have enough free time to watch cartoons.  Had this line been a "Josie and the Pussycats" line, I'd gone ape-crazy over it!!  I even had a Josie and the Pussycats lunch box when I was little.  But enough of my little walk down memory lane.

The edition size on this collection is 1000.  I know Jem appeals to a different collecting world outside of doll collecting, so this will sell out fast - even at the 1000 production number.   All dolls are priced at $120 and are due out in early March.  Integrity Toys gave us "The Holograms" this time.  Since I am not that familiar with the show, I will leave actual critiques of this line to the experts.  The only doll that remotely interested me was  Kimber Benton - I love red hair.

We also got band mates, AJA Leith.

And Shana Elmsford.

Here is a nice group shot of all the girls.

Tulabelle is new line of dolls that are 16 inch.  She is supposed to represent Poppy Parker's grand-daughter.  Poppy's story line takes place in the 1950's - 1970's.   It is now 2013, so we have moved up two generations.  Don't ask me what happened to the daughter, Tulabelle's mother.  Maybe we'll get her in another line.

I tried collecting 16 inch dolls with Tonner and have sold them off.  I tried an IT Avante Guarde ... not for me.  I don't have room for a lot of 16" dolls, so I have a very limited number of Ellowyne girls and some of the early resin Goodreau dolls.  However, this almost changed with Tulabelle.  I didn't expect to like this line ... I didn't want to like this line.  I barely kept myself from ordering this line.  By a hair!

These girls are limited to 300 each and are due out in May.  The first two were priced at $115 and I see a lot of influence from the Lead Singles Eden and Lilith here.  (Two NuFace dolls from the 2012 line that were very popular)  These are nice dolls and the price is great.  I love Violet Femme's wedge tennis shoes - so modern!!

First is Eden, I mean J'Adore Tulabelle.

Next is Lilith, I mean Violet Femme Tulabelle.

The remaining four dolls in this line were $150 each and are AWESOME.  I'll show them in order of my preference again.  My finger was really itching, almost uncontrollably, to pre-order this doll.  She's going to get two photos.  She is "Yeti to Wear".

I love this doll, and I am not a fan of dolls with bangs.  Without the fur, I get a serious equestrian vibe from this doll.  I like equestrian couture!  I'm glad she was 16 inches and I could resist.

The next doll is "Trend Spotted" - There is a definite FR NuFantasy Gretel influence - it's obvious with the hair.  This whole concept reminds me of The Carrie Diaries - The TV show based on the teenage/young adult years of Carrie Bradshaw from Sex in the City fame.  LOVE IT!

Since I am a sucker for redheads, "Coated In Glamour" caught my attention.

The last doll was kind of "Tulabelle gets into her grandmother's closet".  Love the pieces, but didn't like the doll's hair.  I see where they were going with the vintage look, (and I would love that leopard coat in 12 inch, please), but it was my least favorite from the group.

That completes my review of the first three lines.  The fourth line unveiled will have its own review.  It's the one that got me in serious financial trouble.   I may be pulling out the plastic to pay for it.