Integrity Toys 2015 Spring Reveal - FR2

I wanted to dedicate an entire blog entry to this collection.  After all, FR/FR2 is the focus of my collecting right now.  Members have been waiting almost a year for the debut of a new FR2 collection and they were not disappointed (at least I wasn't).  According to webinair, the designers were encouraged by Jason Wu to reach into 1960's debutante fashion for this collection.  It truly represents retro style with a modern twist.  I was thrilled!  (Again all photos are property of IT.  Shipping dates are approximations.)

The first doll is
Item #91367
Style Notes Isha/ Latino Skin Tone/ Dark Espresso Hair Color
Limited Edition 700 Dolls
Shipping August 2015
Price: $135

I cannot begin to express how much I love this doll.  The dress looks like something right out of Mad Men.  This is the first ethnic Isha we've received in years.  She was a "must buy" for me.  She is so sleek and has that easy style that will redress beautifully.  LOVE!

Next up:
Item #91371
Prestige Natalia Fatale/ Latino Skin Tone/ Walnut Hair Color
Limited Edition 700 Dolls
Shipping Date Mid July 2015
Price: $135

I really like this doll; however, she reminds me of Heat Seeker.  She is very nice, but she isn't different enough to merit selling a doll I already have.  I would love to pick up the pink purse and shoes on secondary market though!

The third doll:
Item #91373
Decorum Eugenia Perrin-Frost/Japan skin tone/ Caramel Brown Hair
Limited Edition 800 Dolls
Shipping Date Early August 2015
Price: $135

Eugenia is my girl, but I have to be careful because I own so many of this sculpt.  Unfortunately, she reminds me Bittersweet (who is still in her box) with Spring Forward's hair color.  The weight of the fabric looks like it may be a little heavy for the scale.  I may regret it, but she was a pass.

Bringing us to
Item #91372
Refinement Vanessa Perrin/FR White (Caucasian) Skintone/ Ash Blond Hair
Limited Edition 800 Dolls
Deliver Mid July 2015
Price: $145

I believe IT added $10 to the price of the dolls with coats.   Had this ensemble been any color other than black, she would've been a must have.  Unfortunately she reminds me too much of Sheer Sensuality and Love Roulette.  A collector pointed out that she looks a great deal like Cindy Crawford (I agree).   Another doll I may regret pre-ordering in the long run, but my budget won't let me purchase everything.

They keep coming …
Item #91374
Fine Print Elise Jolie/ Cream skin tone/ Red Amber Hair
Limited Edition 800 Dolls
Delivery Early August 2015
Price: $145

This is one of those instances when I am completely confused.  I usually love red hair and pale skin, but I don't care for the cream skin tone.  The face up with the hair reminds me of a Victoire doll.  The dress is a color variation on the fabric used for the W Club Agnes upgrade doll.  I LOVE the coat, purse, and brown gloved hands!!  I didn't preorder but am truly fidgeting about my decision.

Not just "another bleach blonde"
Item #91370
Fame Fable Kyori Sato/FR White (Caucasian) skin tone/ Bombshell Blonde Hair
Limited Edition 700 Dolls
Shipping Mid July 2015
Price: $135

This doll has been called the "Platinum Nightshade".  There were so many white blonde dolls released last year that collectors don't want another, BUT there wasn't a white blonde Kyori Sato.  Ginza and Quicksilver are my two most favorite Kyori dolls.  For some reason I favor her as a blonde.  I had to give this one a try.  She was pre-ordered.

Get ready to be "wowed"
Item #91369
Timeless Adele Makeda/ Dark A-Tone skin tone/ Black hair
Limited Edition 700 Dolls
Shipping Early August 2015
Price: $135

I almost started to hyperventilate.  This doll is all that and more.  She has rooted curls on top and flocked hair on the sides.  This may be my favorite version of mold 3.0 Adele ever released.  Pre-ordered and confirmed!  I cannot wait to see this doll in person and hope she looks as good as the promo.  (I may need to have the lips touched up, but that's an easy fix!)  I think she will display beautifully with After Tonight Eugenia and Midnight Star Elise from The Premiere Convention.

A little surprise
Item #91377
Perfect Reign Tatyana Alexandrova/Japan skin tone / Honey Blonde Hair
Limited Edition 700 Dolls
Shipping late August 2015
Price: $135

This doll has me completely perplexed.  She looks like a new mold.  The screening is amazing and I can't get over it - probably the best Tatyana ever.  She looks young and fresh.  For some reason she reminds me of a combo Dania Zarr/Dasha in a very good way.  I think I like this doll the best of the whole bunch, but I can find no love for the ensemble.  Hopefully I'll be able to pick her up nude at a great price.

And the Event Doll is … (drum roll please)  If you've been keeping up, I bet you can guess.
Item #91368
Royal Treatment Veronique Perrin/Cream skin tone/Pale Blonde Hair
Edition size determined by orders received
Shipping Fall 2015
Price:  $225

I'm just not sure about this one.  There has been a stir about the cost.  Most collectors aren't willing to cross the $200 purchase threshold for a single doll.   Although the doll is not a bad screening, I don't care for the clothing choices.  As many have pointed out the evening dress is a cross between Escapism and Spectacular.  The tweed coat looks dowdy.  I don't need any more black lingerie (after all Madame Jolie's was better).

I like the yellow dress and think it would look much better on a different skin tone.  I hope to pick it up at a great price but am doubtful of that happening.  There doesn't appear to be much love for this gift set.  Had she been a different skin tone, I may have been nudged.

Summary:  Nine beautiful dolls in a very cohesive collection.  Again, I believe the designers outdid themselves.   The diversity is amazing.  There are four distinct ethnic groups represented.  There are several different hair colors and styles.  Beauty marks made a return.  The jewelry, shoes, and handbags are wonderful.  I believe these dolls will display perfectly with the club Dania and Agnes that are coming.   I wish I had a money tree, but I don't.  I am fortunate to be able to pre-order what I did.

My favorites from the entire reveal in order of preference (and the only dolls I've pre-ordered):

1) Midas Touch Poppy
2) Style Notes Isha
3) Timeless Adele
4) Fame Fable Kyori
5) Spring Song Poppy

Not ordered, but am feeling remorseful:

Fine Print Elise
Out of this World Poppy

Integrity Toys Spring Reveal 2015

There are a lot of bloggers who provide almost exact copies of the press releases from Integrity Toys.  I am going to do provide more a personal review.  All images of property of Integrity Toys.

First up is a new Integrity Line licensed through Archie Comics.  It is Katy Keene.  If anyone knows much about this character, they quickly realize Katy Perry gets a lot of inspiration from her.  I created a collage of the different dolls.  (You can click on the photo to get a closer look.)

My opinions:  Lucki Red Lorelei reminds me of Out Sass Vanessa from a couple years ago.  I am very impressed with the design detail in the vest/coat (yes, it's one piece).   Lorelei uses the Jem sculpt.    I really like Gloria Grandbuilt's ensemble (there is a fur wrap that goes with it).   I may try to pick this outfit up on secondary markup.  Gloria uses the Tilda Brisby/Roxy sculpt.  I have the original Color Infusion release of Tilda which I much prefer to Gloria.  Katy uses the Rapture/Darby Kenner sculpt.  I care for neither gown.  Shimmering Dynasty is an obvious nod to Alexis Colby/Joan Collins from the series with the same name.

Just as the Katy Keene line is borrowing sculpts from Color Infusion/Jem, it is also using the same body style.  I have avoided adding this body type to my collection and feel I can't "go there" with my collecting.  If I were a Color Infusion collector, I would be all over this!

Next up is the FR 16 line.  If I were a serious collector of 16" plastic dolls, I could've been in trouble.

My opinions:  I was really impressed with Anais in this skin tone.  She reminds me a great deal of Hot Property Natalia Fatale which is a very good thing!  Elsa Lin was so popular last year as Hot Blooded that they almost duplicated her looks this year.  Since I was fortunate enough to get Hot Blooded, I am not interested in the versions this year.   Hannae Erickson as Shades of Grey reminds me too much of the Silkstone Elizabeth Taylor for a couple years ago.  Had the extra money and felt frivolous, I would've grabbed up Exuberance.  She is being referred to as the IT Sybarite.

And now to the line that got me all giddy!  Last year, I didn't collect a single Poppy Parker.  I didn't care for the spy theme.  I've had a very love/hate relationship with her.  I love the way she poses.  I hate that she is so popular.  I love her cute little face.  I hate the secondary markup prices.  I love the clothing and how it fits.  I hate the competition for acquiring her.  Being a child of the 60's, this theme, "The Model Scene", was so welcome.

First we have:
Item #PP080
Go See!
Limited Edition of 750 Dolls
Estimated Delivery First Week of June
Price: $120

Although I think this is a very cute doll, I am not a fan of the painted AND applied eyelashes.  The outfit is adorable though a little reminiscent of Wave II Dynamite Girl Jett.  She will probably redress great, but she was a pass for me.

Next up was:
Item #PP082
Spring Song
Limited Edition of 800 Dolls
Delivery Date Mid-June 2015
Price: $120

Spring Song is supposed to an imaginary ad campaign for a 1960's shampoo.  I thought that was very clever.  The beautiful patterned chiffon covers a blue skirt, so the dress is not see though.  This doll reminds me of Misaki Best in Brocade which is a doll I've tried to acquire over the years.  Love her!  She's coming to live here.

Then there is:
Item #PP083
The Camera Loves Her
Limited Edition of 800 Dolls
Price: $120

This doll has the Hungarian skin tone like Hot Dots.  Although I watched quite a bit of "I Dream of Jeannie" as a young girl and often portrayed the character in neighborhood re-enactments, there's just too much going on for me!  I love the ensemble.  She's the one for which I need to see "In Real Life"/IRL photos before committing money to purchase.

Then there's:
Item #PP087
Peace, Love and Soul
Darla Daley
Limited Edition of 500 Dolls
Delivery Date Early July 2015
Price: $120

It was nice to see the return of Darla Daley; Bus Stop is a personal favorite.  This one makes me think of Lt. Uhura from Star Trek with a touch of Soul Deep Adele thrown in.  There wasn't anything special enough to make me add her to my cart.

And a new homme character
Item #PP088
Hot Shot Nigel North
Limited Edition of 600 Dolls
Delivery Early August 2015
Price: $120

There's been a lot of speculation that this was the workshop sculpt from the Gloss Convention.  I thought I understood Alain to it was a new sculpt, but there was so information given out I could be confused.   This character is supposed to be a photographer (i.e. Nigel Barker).  I don't collect hommes, so he was an easy pass.  Love the ensemble though!

And then the doll of the convention!  (At least for me!)
Item #PP081
The Midas Touch
Limited Edition of 600 Dolls
Delivery first week of July
Price: $120

That's right, dear readers, we got us a black Poppy Parker FINALLY!  I couldn't be happier.  She was my "must have" of the entire reveal.  There have been tremors that she is too much like 2013's Irresistible in India, but I can't get enough racial variations of a doll.  LOVE … LOVE …. LOVE!

Here Comes The Bride
Item #PP085
Wedding Belle Poppy Parker
Edition Size of 900
Delivery Date Early August 2015
Price $120

This doll also has the Hungarian skin tone.  According to designers this is part of an ad campaign shot by Nigel North.  I really do like the entire concept and wonder what it would like dyed another color.   Unfortunately, I was on a budget so she was not in my preorder

The final doll available for purchase
Item # PP086
Out of This World Poppy Parker
Limited Edition of 900 Dolls
Delivery Mid July 2015
Price: $120

I was very tempted by this doll.  She is just too cool for words.  Unfortunately, I relaxed my I Love How You Love Me Poppy's hair and she reminds me of this doll.  I will wait and see how much restraint I will have when she is released!

The final doll shown was a gift set that will be an Integrity Toys Exclusive (you can't order this one from a dealer).
Item # PP084
Hippie Dippy Poppy Parker
Limited Edition of 700 Dolls
Delivery Late July 2015
Price: $130

Love this doll and it's a great price for a gift set.  (One doll with multiple looks.)  I really like that Poppy Parker and my Misaki girls are able to share clothes.  This one was no-brainer.

Nine dolls in the Poppy Parker line this year.  WOW!   There was something for everyone.  A truly remarkable collection.  Kudos to the design team on this one!

Cheap Fun Continued

With the anticipation of the new Integrity Lines being released soon, I started going through my boxes again.  I have been trying very hard to try the "one comes in/one goes out" rule of collecting.   (I'll let you know when I get successful at it!)

I was pleasantly surprised to find Urban Antoinette Adele in her box.  She was the first "tall" Integrity doll I ever purchased but had been put away and stored with the release of newer dolls.  For some reason she always reminded me of Tyra Banks, so I've held on to her.  I went through my modest stash of wigs (since I don't like wigged dolls as a rule) and found the perfect one for her.  Now, she reminds me of Jennifer Hudson!  Not sure why, but I just think that way.

I started wondering if it were possible to find success with any of the recent play line Sparkle Girlz and Barbie clothing I had purchased.   You cannot imagine how excited I was to find this dress could even fit the regular FR body!

I am using FR shoes and jewelry, but the dress looks amazing!

Again, another fun day spent with a doll I already owned and a $5 dress.  You can't beat it.  It made me start wondering why we have this mindset of "new is better" or "more expensive is more desirable".   I doubt if I could've had any more fun with a new $150 doll than I did this morning with my forgotten girl and $5 Barbie dress.