The next doll was another W Club Exclusive previewed in 2017 but arriving in 2018. Being a member of the W Club in 2017 was a great thing for collectors. There were multiple giftsets that year. Each giftset seemed better than the one previous to it.
This is the second time Erin Salston has appeared in my countdown and the appearances are consecutive. Last year 24k Erin Salston showed up as #2 of 2017. Here is the blog entry #2 of 2017 - 24k Erin Salstonand here is my original review of this doll Original Review of 24k Erin Salston.
Integrity Toys (IT) decided to reuse this screening on the 2017 giftset Metamorphosis Erin Ralston. How many collectors see Kendall Jenner here?
This giftset came with an incredible chiffon gown with blue floral pattern. The second look definitely pays homage to Kendall Jenner's denim short ensemble from the Cannes Red Carpet. (The blouse with train that Kendall wore was black). Here is a closeup in the box:
Another extraordinary giftset and W Club Exclusive.
The doll is so beautiful with this screening, skin tone, and hairstyle. #6 of 2018 is Metamorphosis Erin Salston.
The next doll was not a W Club Exclusive! She was actually available through retail sales and was the first to sell out at all dealers almost immediately. I have not reviewed this doll in my blog yet, so I will do a quick once over. Dasha D'Amboise is not one of the "Core Dolls" in the Integrity Toys mainline; however, she had such favorable responses during the past couple releases that she's beginning to show up more often. She has only been in my Top 10 list once before (Diva Dasha in 2016 was #5 Diva Dasha #5 of 2016.)
Here is Daydream Dasha D'Amboise in box. (The little dog I consider a "stuffed animal" that she sleeps with.)
And a closeup.
These Boudoir dolls are more basic, but Dasha's lingerie is gorgeous.
She is a beautiful redhead!
I thought the lingerie would look great paired with the skirt from the 2006 Sound Advice giftset! Now, all I need is a jacket.
I liked it so much I decided to pair it with the long skirt from the same giftset.
Daydream Dasha D'Amboise may be number 20 in my collection for last year, but she's Best of 2018 #7.
There is a reason why collectors join the W Club. You probably have been keeping up. Faces of Adele was a W Club Exclusive giftset in 2017. Fetish Fatale Veronique was a W Club Exclusive through lottery in 2018. The next doll was also a W Club Exclusive.
Recently, The W Club has been holding a design competition for collectors. W Club members vote and the doll selected is produced. In 2017, the winner was Vasilen Milkov. I can actually say that this was the design for which I voted!
This doll was deboxed the fastest of any doll that has ever arrived at my home. There was nothing I didn't love about the original design. My blog review of Passion Week Elyse Jolie can accessed from this link Blog Review of Passion Week Elyse Jolie.
Passion Week Elyse looks good in everything! For her Best of 2018 - #8 photo, she decided to go vintage Hollywood and wear the "On Set" ensemble from the 2015 Cinematic Convention.
Even though I was a little disappointed that I wasn't able to acquire any of the Elyse Jason Wu Exclusive Dolls, I am happy that I have this version. #8 of 2018 - Passion Week Elyse Jolie.
I really love it when IT gives us a mini-boudoir capsule. They did this in 2015 with dolls using the older FR handspeak bodies and I was able to acquire all the lingerie ensembles and most of the dolls. I was so excited when they announced a similar line in 2018. Two of the five dolls from the collection were available through a W Club lottery.
I was very fortunate to win the opportunity to purchase Fetish Fatale Veronique Perrin in April. She was immediately released from her box and showcased in a blog post Blog Review of Fetish Fatale Veronique Perrin.
This doll has been commonly compared to Bettie Page. Integrity Toys (IT) used the amazing Haute Societe screening. It is so dramatic with deep red matte lips and black hair.
She's been enjoying her time in my collection and I love redressing her. #9 of 2018 is Fetish Fatale Veronique Perrin.
There have been a lot of delays with Integrity Toys (IT) production recently. It seems that many dolls announced in one year aren't shipped to consumers until the subsequent year. I only include dolls in my countdowns that I have in hand. In my years of collecting, I've come to realize that a lot can change between promo photos and actual production.
The first "doll" on my countdown was a W Club Exclusive from 2017 but was received in mid 2018. It was an extraordinary giftset highlighting the changes in the Adele Makeda character and included each of her three molds versions. Here is the link to my initial review Faces of Adele Blog Review.
The giftset included a lot of great items for collectors, and a W Club member could order the additional bodies to go with the torsos. I got so much enjoyment and play with this giftset! The giftset alone is enough reason to be included in the Top 10 of 2018. The dress and thigh high boots have been worn by just about every FR2/NuFace2 doll residing here. The gown is good quality, but I'm not fond of the cut. The lingerie is pretty is awesome. The whole concept was "outside the box" and very appreciated by collectors.
Mold 1.0 had flocked hair for the very first time. She has donned many different wigs around here. She is the only version of mold 1.0 here and I enjoy redressing her.
Mold 2.0 looks like Beyonce every time she is produced with golden hair. How can you resist such a face?
Mold 3.0 was produced with a NuFace2 body and I think it suits her to be a "younger" version of Adele.
The dolls have incredible faces and each is worthy of sharing the spotlight. #10 of 2018 is Faces of Adele Giftset.
Although I tease that "I Do NOT Collect Poppy Parker", I am actually one of the original collectors from back in 2009. Summer Magic was my very first Poppy and she still resides in my collection. It's hard to believe but she is the closest thing to a "mini-me" that has ever been produced in doll form (circa my 30's which was a very long time ago).
I've owned many of the earlier versions of Poppy, including the elusive Bergdorf Goodman.
Somehow this Integrity Toys (IT) line is like a revolving door around here. I had originally hoped Poppy would be a good companion for Misaki, but they just don't work well together for me. It seems I have extremely specific taste when it comes to our girl Poppy.
Of course there are some staples from the earlier years: I Love How You Love Me, She's Not There, Hot Dots, To The Fair, and Irresistible in India. And there's the occasional girl that steals my heart and requires a frankendolly body like Angel In Blue.
But it wasn't until 2016 that David Butry made Poppy Parker a more prominent fixture in my collection. The Poppy Parker versions that year were AMAZING. Poppy Parker was actually my #1 of 2016 - here is the post #1 of 2016 - Poppy Parker Most of these dolls still reside in my collection. It was official in 2016 that "I AM a Poppy Parker Collector".
Even though I collect Poppy, I rarely buy one on secondary market. Almost all of my Poppy girls have either been purchased at retail, or close to convention prices. This year, I found myself turning to secondary market to acquire some special dolls.
I actually sold 18 versions of Poppy that had been languishing in their boxes and finally secured Agent Lotta Danger, a personal favorite. She is amazing redressed but is the most I've ever spent on a Poppy - $225.
In 2017, I found myself preferring the IT Fairytale Convention Poppy versions to the mainline releases. Excluding Through the Woods and Believe in Me, Welcome to Misty Hollows is the only 2017 Poppy in my collection. She was also in my countdown last year Best of 2017- Number 7 - Welcome to Misty Hollows Poppy Parker
I'm not sure about other collectors, but 2017's W Club Exclusive Golden Holiday arriving in April 2018 was a downer for me. Why offer a holiday doll and send it out in April? She left almost immediately upon arrival. Nonetheless, she is a lovely version of Poppy.
The W Club Registration Poppy, Soda Pop Saturday, was also a miss for me. Although she is a really cute doll, she looked too generic to me. Photo by Integrity Toys.
In 2018, we saw dolls arrive from The Swinging London Collection (Wave II) that was also announced in 2017. Photos by Integrity Toys.
I initially passed on all of these, but I realized I made a mistake with one of them. (And have been sorely tempted by a second, Friday Night Frug.) Unfortunately, I had to pay secondary market for Hold that Tiger. No regrets! She is one of the most photographed dolls from my collection this year and was the subject of my 2018 Christmas Card!. Here is the link to my review Hold That Tiger Poppy Parker Review
The W Club Registration Poppy, Soda Pop Saturday, was also a miss for me. Although she is a really cute doll, she looked too generic for my tastes. Photo by Integrity Toys.
It turned out that Poppy was a very busy girl in 2018! Somehow that little vixen made her way to the Italian Doll Convention in May! (LE 250 in blonde and an additional 250 in PINK hair!) Both these versions, referred to as Ciao! Poppy, have been very sought after and demand more than I am willing to pay on secondary market. (Being a teacher, this was announced at the end of the school year for me and I was just too exhausted to hunt them down!) Photos by Integrity Toys.
Poppy made her way back to the U.S. just in time to appear at the IFDC in one of the most popular collections ever produced Psyche A Dollic. Photos by Integrity Toys.
Although I won the lottery right to purchase Free Spirit, I couldn't bond with her and sent her to live with another collector. My favorite from the collection was Summer of Love, but, once again, I refuse to pay her ridiculous secondary market prices; however, I was able to acquire Time of the Season with an e-bay 15% off coupon at a price I could handle.
She is another favorite in my collection and has received a lot of redress. I reviewed her at Time of the Season Poppy Review
It seemed Ms. Poppy Parker was really on a roll! The Mainline collection in 2018 was called City Sweetheart. Photos by Integrity Toys.
I actually passed on all these dolls. There were some nice versions of Poppy in this collection, but I was spoiled by the Limited Release versions and was expecting some lovely dolls from the 2018 IT Luxe Life Convention. Although Co-ed Cutie was a collector's favorite, it seems Peach Parfait is a sleeper hit!
Well, the Luxe Life Convention rolled around and Poppy Parker delivered in a major way. (While attendees and collectors were complaining about the "lack of luxe", I could almost hear David Butry saying under his breath, "Just you wait, I'll show you luxe!" And "luxe" he showed us!)
The Luxe Life Poppies had metallic boots, metallic gloves, coats, sunglasses, amazing jewelry. They even had little pieces of metallic luggage! One version of Poppy even turned up hidden in the Style Lab The Industry packaging! If a collector purchased the entire Style Lab (that's 10 dolls and 10 ensembles), they would find enough pieces to put together a Poppy Parker in cream skin tone, complete with ensemble! Photo by Integrity Toys.
This version has been called Miss Behave Poppy and sells on the secondary market at $500 and up! (I think she should be called "Brilliant Marketing Concept Poppy Parker"). Obviously, Miss Behave does not reside here! I can't afford her.
I did manage to get three of the remaining four versions though. The one that continues to elude me is the Poppy Luncheon centerpiece, Snow Stopper Poppy. She will be mine one day! Photo by Integrity Toys.
I was able to get both Luxe Life Convention Poppies at very decent prices! The first was Chiller Thriller. I'm not sure why this doll isn't more popular. I really like her hair/face up combination. That silver suitcase is awesome!
The other Convention Poppy was Gold Snap. She is beginning to gain momentum on e-bay. I love the ensemble. I have been pining for 2016's Model Living, and I think this one is similar but has better hair and screening.
The last Convention Poppy was the gift doll at the Poppy luncheon named Lemon Frost. I am completely confused by why this doll isn't sky rocketing. I think she is amazing. She's the darkest skin tone produced in Poppy Parker to date.
So ... who's your favorite? There are 23 Poppies that were received in 2018 (and a two-doll giftset announced that won't get to collectors until 2019). I believe this year's collections actually rival that of 2016 (and may even be better!). If Poppy Parker was the focus of my collecting, I would've had some serious fiscal problems! One could easily come up with a Top 10 list just with Poppy Parker! Unfortunately, I don't own the best ones - Miss Behave, Ciao! Pink Hair, Summer of Love, or Peace of My Heart.
It was a truly difficult decision choosing my favorite. Hold That Tiger has gotten the most redress and camera time of all the dolls arriving here in 2018. The accessories, hair, and screening on Gold Snap quickly moved her to the top of the pack! But the doll that combines these two together was the one who has stolen my heart!
Based on the Poppy Parkers actually residing here, my favorite and #19 of 2018 in my collection would be Lemon Frost Poppy Parker.
Look at those adorable shoes! Had she come with a yellow purse or piece of luggage, she would've been total perfection!
This doll is amazing redressed! Here she is dressed up for "The Best of 2018 - Poppy Parker" Photo.
And since it is December 31, Lemon Frost would like to wish all of my followers and readers of this blog a New Year filled with good health and blessings beyond measure! Happy New Year 2019!
I have been a tremendous fan of the Victoire Roux line since its introduction in 2011. I LOVE the vintage clothing styles. I love the body and how it can wear Vintage Barbie and the oldest Integrity Toys (IT) ensembles, even the pants. Here is Avenue George V wearing the Mattel Christian Dior Walking Suit.
And here is Faubourg St. Honore wearing Vintage Barbie Saturday Matinee.
St. Tropez is wearing the IT Lustrous Silhouette gown from 2005. The length still works!
I actually own eleven versions of Victoire Roux and have the newest on pre-order. She is due to arrive in early 2019. I was very excited that she was returning after a four year hiatus.
NOTE: From this point on, I only include photos of dolls that either joined my collection in 2018 or were actually shipped to consumers in 2018.
Convention attendees were able to purchase a version this year, Divine Evening. (Photo property of Integrity Toys)
There have been so many beautiful dolls this year, Divine Evening was not a "must have" for me.
While Victoire was "getting work done", IT introduced a supporting line called East 59th Street in 2017 which gave us two additional characters to the Victoire line, Constance Madssen and Evelyn Weaverton. I purchased one of each that year and was very pleased with my choices. I reviewed this line; here is the link East 59th Street 2017
In 2018, I played "catch up" and purchased Wicked Glamour Constance Madssen from the 2017 Fairytale Convention.
I just couldn't live without that gorgeous purple cocktail dress and she was selling very reasonably on secondary market (and still is if you can catch one!). Additionally, I needed her to go with Midnight Glimmer Evelyn Weaverton which W Club members were allowed to purchase following the 2017 Fairytale Convention. She didn't arrive until 2018.
In 2018, The Cocktails Collection was released and introduced us to a male character named Laird Drake wearing Cocktails for Men. (Photo by Integrity Toys)
Another female character was introduced later in the year named Aurelia Gray, the first black character in the Victoire Roux/East 59th Street line. She will not be shipped until 2019. The other dolls from the The Cocktail Collection that I did not purchase were Mai Tai Sizzle Constance Madssen. (Photo by Integrity Toys). She also came a cute yellow shorts/jacket combination.
And Turquoise Sparkler Evelyn Weaverton.
For some reason, I think of Evelyn Weaverton and Constance Madssen as twinsies. They always show up in pairs in my collection! The two I ordered from this collection were The Americano Evelyn Weaverton.
And Tangier Tangerine Constance Madssen.
The only reason I purchased these two dolls were I took a chance on an eBay seller that was selling them for $80 each, NRFB. I thought it was gimmick, but they arrived in perfect condition. Great deal on some beautiful dolls!
... So who is the Best Victoire Roux/East 59th Street of 2018? I have been completely smitten with Tangier Tangerine Constance Madssen. Here she redressed with a change in her hair.
And representing Doll #18 of 2018 wearing Mattel's Fabulous Forties ensemble.
Definitely a Best of 2018 doll. Tangier Tangerine is gorgeous!
