IT Spring Unveiling - Funny Face

History:   In 2011, Integrity Toys announced a collaboration with the group that owns the license for the Audrey Hepburn movies.  Because Ms. Hepburn's family owns the license to her actual "likeness", Integrity Toys could only focus on the characters in the movies and their ensembles.  A problem for Integrity, but their creative juices were turned up full force.

The first group of dolls was from Breakfast At Tiffany's.  An incredibly moody film - the song "Moon River" was composed for the character.  However, there were some amazing fashions which Integrity truly captured to great detail.  

Integrity Toys introduced a new mold for the doll.  Unfortunately, the doll actually shows the melancholy of the Holly Golightly character.   It was not well received.  All the dolls from this line used the same mold with similar hair styles and face-ups.  Many people could not justify purchasing so many dolls that resembled, just for the outfits.  There were six dolls in the collection.   Dealers still have some of these dolls in their inventory.    I only purchased People Do Fall In Love, but love the doll and ensembles.  It was a giftset, was priced at $175, and sold out quickly.  It includes some of the most beautifully tailored clothing.  This mold is now the Loni Lawrence character, Poppy's mentor who lives in the same boarding house as Poppy in New York.

Last year we got the movie Sabrina.  In response to the lukewarm reception of the new mold, Integrity Toys brought out a collector's favorite - Poppy - as the model.  Even though everyone loved this idea, and the ensembles were again "spot on", many collectors resisted the idea of purchasing multiple dolls who resembled so closely.  I originally passed on this line.  There were only four dolls in the collection, with an edition size of 450 each.  Due to Poppy's popularity, the entire collection sold out - most of which happened in pre-order.  Thanks to my dear friend Rich (does his name seem to come up often in my blog??), I was able to acquire Most Sophisticated and her wardrobe.  Gorgeous Poppy!

At the Integrity Convention this year, attendees got a sneak peak of Funny Face.  Keeping the doll size the same as the previous releases, IT announced they were going to use the original Veronique mold for the Jo Stockton character.   There was a brief slide with a couple of photos.  All of the dolls representing Jo Stockton from the film are on a Poppy Parker body.

Now, here is the Veronique 1.0 mold that was mentioned at the convention.  It is an extraordinary giftset called "Bonjour Paris" and sells for $199.  (Yes, it was pre-ordered!)  But look at what all you get.  We were told this was a custom print fabric done especially for this doll.

That aqua cape is to die for!

Then you get the casual Fishing Ensemble - LOVE the hat!!

And the dress with the balloons!  CUTE!!

What a face!  I believe she truly captures the soft warmth of Ms. Hepburn. 

I think this is a wonderful gift set.  Being a fan of the original Veronique mold, I was looking forward to this doll.  You get three completely different ensembles with shoes for each ensemble, two hats, and that aqua cape.  

I believe Integrity pays attention to its customer base.  At the convention we were told that they were using the Veronique 1.0 mold.  And they did.  But they also used other molds, so the buyer actually gets a different doll for each release!  Here is another preorder I made, "Take the Picture".  She is on a Poppy Parker body but has the Vanessa 1.0 mold!   That's right!  You read correctly. 

Look at this face ... there is going to be a power surge as heating pads start warming up across the country to transfer this head to a FR body ... 

The accessories are very nice, but limited.  I believe IT knows the popularity of Vanessa 1.0 and realizes they can charge a little more for this doll.  She is gorgeous, but collectors are rumbling about the $150 price point for what is included, especially in comparison to other giftsets in this collection.

All of this line is due in February, which doesn't give much time for budgeting.  The edition size is 400 of each doll.  I really do believe this line may suffer from its price and the fact that everything is shipped the second week of February.  However, I completely expect the line to sell out.  Unfortunately, I didn't have the funds for the other Jo Stockton doll, "On How To Be Lovely".  She has the Veronique 2.0 face mold.  These three dolls compliment each other beautifully without the repetition of the faceups.  Genius!

This giftset also had a retail price of $199.  Here is the yellow dress.  Even though it's a different size, I have enough yellow dresses already.

One of the dresses I was hoping to see was the wedding dress.  Unfortunately, it was one of the outfits I was disappointed in.  It fell short of my expectations.  It reminds me a little of other things I already have. There was a Lana Turner dress produced a few year ago by IT with a green sash.  It was called "Flight of Fancy", and when the green sash is removed, they are slightly similar.

I would love to own this pink and white evening ensemble and hope to get it on secondary market.   It was one of my favorite couture items, but I couldn't justify the cost of the giftset for this one item.  I will be trolling the boards for it!

As usual, the Veronique 2.0 faceup is gorgeous.  The whole look is a little reminiscent of Sweet Smell of Success to me, so that was a factor in my final decision to skip "On How To Be Lovely".

Now, here's when Integrity really hit this collection in the right spot!   They didn't just focus on the Audrey Hepburn character!   We also got Maggie Prescott, an Anna Wintour-type character,  loosely based on Diana Vreeland.  She is on a Victoire body (the Bride of Dracula body used for Victoire).  Her face mold is the Katy Perry mold.  She is more mature and will make a great friend for Victoire.  Another giftset at $199.  I passed on this - it's lovely but did not contain the "WOW" factor I felt with so much of the other couture offered.  This will respond to collectors who have been requesting an "older" doll for their collections. 

She comes with three fashions from the movie.

For anyone interested in a better look at the accessories:

Since IT included the Maggie Prescott storyline, one of the most memorable scenes in the movie is when Maggie is trying to develop a theme for her magazine.  She and her assistants break into an extravagant musical number called, "Think Pink".   Integrity Toys gave us one of the "assistants".   This is an Imogene face mold with a Monogram body, using Victoire's legs to keep the doll at similar height to the others in the collection.  What can I say?  They had me at "Think Pink".  Price point $150.  Ring me up Charlie.

She comes with two ensembles.  The first is the pink business suit you see Maggie's assistants wearing at the beginning.

And the second is just a design marvel.  The doll is wearing a pink evening gown that has a fur peplum

That actually turns into a cape when pulled up to the shoulders - JUST LIKE IN THE MOVIE!!!  

Here are the accessories.

I am saving the best for last.  Anyone who knows their fashion history knows who Supermodel Dovima is.  She plays a parody of herself in Funny Face and has a standout comedic role.  Now imagine Anja's face mold (everyone knows how much I love Anja!)  with a Monogram torso and Victoire legs.  We get "A Woman Who Thinks".

I think I actually started hyperventilating when I saw this doll.  I have been trolling the boards to find the Dressmaker Details "Funny Frock" outfit from a couple years ago.  It always sells for about $100+.  Now, I'm glad I never purchased it.

The other outfit is sort of odd for the collection, but it really does support the movie and the character.   I would have preferred another Audrey ensemble, but that would've mixed up the characters - but who cares?!

This giftset was also $150.  It was my favorite of the "reveal" and was my first choice and "must have" of the whole collection.

A photo of the accessories - minimal like "Take the Picture" - but the faceup truly carries the weight of this doll.

That was the complete reveal of Funny Face.   There was a thread on the W Club entitled "Who do you want to see as the online event doll?"  It was mentioned that we don't always get an "event doll", but we can always dream.  My guess was "Since they are unveiling Funny Face, how about a Funny Face giftset just for W Club Members".  That is exactly what we got!  They are going to be sold through an on-line lottery though.   I have already gotten my ticket.  I will cry if I do not win this lottery (especially after not winning a single lottery with my personal membership last year!)   If I don't get the opportunity and one of my readers gets an extra winning number, I would be forever indebted to take over your second purchase!  You can e-mail me at robyneh@windstream.net.   I really must have this giftset and cannot afford the secondary market price of it!

So, without further begging ..."Let's Just Kiss and Make Up".  Since it is Jo Stockton, we have the Poppy body again.  This time using the Vanessa 2.0 mold.  I think this faceup is actually my favorite from the group.

There are three complete, different outfits.

Love this cream ensemble!

And who can resist the flower shop outfit?!

I hate to say it, but I think Integrity really wanted to show the W Club members that you get a lot for joining the club.   This was the best giftset from the collection.  And only W Club members can enter the lottery.  The price was again $199 and payment must be made by February 4.

I never expected this.  Since Integrity has moved to the tall body, I've often missed the mature face up on a shorter frame.  I have some magnificent earlier Barbie and FR clothing that just simply doesn't work with those long legs and long arms.  Many of my silkstone ensembles don't look quite right on a 12" doll.  That is one of the reasons I got so excited about Victoire.  Putting some of my favorite faces on this shorter frame will open up a whole new avenue for redress.

Recap:  1) We got four offerings of Jo Stockton on the Poppy body - with a total of 10 outfits, including a fur coat, an aqua cape, 10 pairs of shoes, five hats, a pet, etc. etc.  2) One Maggie Prescott doll on the Victoire body with 3 outfits, and 3) Two supporting characters - if you could ever call Dovima a supporting character - on Monogram bodies with four outfits.  A total of SEVEN new face ups.

I play with my dolls and that is where I derive my joy.  I am almost breathless with anticipation ...

or that could just be that I have had a bronchial infection for four weeks and plan on blaming all of this pre-order on the heavy dose of prednisone I am on.  "I didn't know what I was doing!  I wasn't aware I was even pre-ordering!  Honest!"