If you were able to attend the Integrity Toys (IT) Fashion Week Convention and are a fan of the (IT) line of Poppy Parker dolls, you were definitely in Poppy Nirvana. I have "casually" collected Poppy since she first debuted in 2009.
In the past few years, the W Club has been offering a special doll that can be purchased in advance of the IT Convention by all members of the W Club. Attendees get a break in price. This year's offering was Gardens of Versailles. Attendees were given the option of paying in advance and picking the doll up in Baltimore. I figured sales tax was cheaper than shipping. Here is the photo by Integrity Toys:
She is a gorgeous doll and unlike anything currently in my collection related to Poppy Parker. I am thrilled with her! She will get her own post soon. Poppy Parker Purchase #1 and #42 of 2019.
As I explained in my last post, when collectors were put in the queue for going into the Salesroom/ Style Lab all of the dolls that could be purchased were on display. Collectors got to look at each doll and study them for about 10 minutes before they were let in to make their actual purchases.
There were two versions of Poppy Parker in the original convention lineup. They were:
Kimono Go Go (Photo property of IT)
And Young Romantic (Photo property of IT)
I really liked Young Romantic but I knew my OCD with stray hairs wouldn't let me love her. Kimono Go Go looked a lot like one of the dolls from the Style Lab (which was less expensive and you were able to choose which ensemble went with her). Additionally, they have a screening I really don't like (they have painted upper lashes AND applied eyelashes which just looks messy in photos). I decided they were both a pass for me. (Again, I was thinking in terms as a collector, not as someone who could resell the dolls on secondary market.) I really did prefer the dolls from the Style Lab that were on display.
When I got to the Style Lab, collectors were in a frenzy! I've never seen anything like it. Poppy's designer, David Buttry, had explained that his inspiration was, "What if Poppy Parker had been made into a doll?" He was obviously paying homage to Mattel and its "Twiggy" line of dolls. Not one person was complaining!
Unfortunately, there was so much external stimulus that I think I got overwhelmed and stopped thinking rationally. I got caught up in the moment and stuck everything in my bag! Then I had to stop ... take a deep breath ... and think about what I actually wanted to add to my collection.
There were six different versions of Poppy Parker. They all wore the same pink one piece swimsuit. (My ONLY complaint - which is more of a "missed opportunity idea" - was that had each swimsuit been a different color or each's dolls' swimsuit be cut differently, I think collectors would've needed all six to make a "complete set".)
I really like the packaging concept! A LOT!
You could actually see the dolls' faces through the little windows! Many collectors were looking through the stacks of boxes looking for that face they most loved! I enjoyed doing this as well, knowing that the dolls that I purchased had lovely faces and hairlines that I handpicked myself!
My personal favorite was "Cool". There have been several collectors who have compared her to "Go See". Poppy Parker Purchase #2 and #43 of 2019.
I have been unable to attain "Big Eyes" from the IT Supermodel Convention due to secondary market prices (upwards of $1000 now). "Kicky" was an immediate fan favorite for both those who do not have "Big Eyes" and many of those who do!
She is similar to "Big Eyes" but with "Kicks'" screening. It seems she is demanding the highest secondary market price. Poppy Parker Purchase #3 and #44 of 2019.
I immediately made the connection between "Far Out" and the vintage bang Francie whose hair oxidizes.
She was a must for my collection! Poppy Parker purchase #4 and #45 of 2019.
I had put "Keen" in my bag, but when I saw the "Heads Up" pack, I put her back. (Photo property of IT.)
I preferred the "Heads Up" redhead by far. Another nod to Vintage Mattel and the Color Magic Barbie. I had this in my bag, but there was a rule that you had to purchase two bodies to go with it. (Accessory pack was $50 and the two bodies were similar in price for each one.) I didn't want the bodies because I had plenty of bodies at home. I left the Heads Up pack behind and forgot "Keen" somehow in the shuffle. Sadly, had I considered the resale opportunity, I could've made some serious coin!
But I did decide I needed the Elizabeth Taylor via "National Velvet" doll called "Fab". (Photo property of IT.) Poppy Parker Purchase #5 and #46 of 2019.
Somehow I had "Groovy" in my bag, then she somehow escaped my bag? (Photo property of IT). I must've put her down in all of the confusion about which ensembles to buy and forgotten her. She is sort of the "Malibu P.J." of the group. I really hate that I missed this one! I wound up purchasing her secondary market and paid more than I wanted, but her price just keeps climbing! #47 of 2019.
Each doll only cost $55. That's right, $55 for a Poppy Parker in a swimsuit.
BUT ... in order to purchase a Poppy Parker, you had to pick an ensemble. There were six different ensembles (cost $65 each). You could only purchase ONE of each version of Poppy and ONE of each ensemble. I think this is where I started getting confused. I didn't like all the ensembles. Here are the six ensembles, shown in the order of my personal preference. (I purchased the top three and the first one on the bottom row.)
(Starting Top Left: Beauty Blossoms, Cocoa Puffs, Cherry Pop, Bottom Left: Lime Time, Sparkle Spotlight, Styled Wild). Photos property of IT. When I found out Sparkle Spotlight was actually two pieces, I liked it more. I think there was just too much to see and consider. It was quite overwhelming!
There were also six single fashions that came without shoes or jewelry that cost $25 each. I only purchased the first one.
(Starting Top Left: Swirly Girl, Color Blocks, Licorice, Bottom Left: Negative Space, Kitty Kat, Seeing Spots) Photos property of IT.
In addition, there was also an Accessory Pack which I had to have for the yellow boots and matching purse to Swirly Girl. Cost $50. (Photo property of IT.)
I chose Swirly Girl and the accessory pack because they matched the packaging. Does this look familiar. If you are a vintage Barbie collector, I bet you recognize it.
I wound up with four basic Poppy dolls, four ensembles, one separate fashion, and the Accessory Set. I guess I don't "casually" collect Poppy Parker anymore.
There was an advantage to have a later registration number this year. Since there were Poppy Parker dolls in the convention collection and the Style Lab was a 10-year Anniversary Celebration of Poppy Parker, you had to choose your purchases not knowing what dolls would be at the IT Poppy Parker luncheon on Friday! Those who shopped following the luncheon went in knowing what other Poppy dolls had been revealed.
The centerpiece doll for the Poppy Parker luncheon was a color variation of the popular Miss Amour Poppy Parker. It was called Love is Blue. My number was not drawn, and I was okay with that. I didn't feel like I had to have this doll. During the program, Carol Roth announced that the centerpiece was sold out. It wasn't until I photographed my roommate and best doll friend's doll that I felt a pang of loss.
Look at that face!
David Buttry, explained that he tried to find two "companion" dolls that he could match with different color ways. The gift Poppy Parker was a pink version of Powder Puff Poppy Parker, aptly called Pink Powder Puff Poppy Parker.
I'm sorry but this doll just proves that you CAN "have too much of a good thing". I have seen some beautiful shots of her redressed though. Poppy Parker #6 from Convention and #48 of 2019.
The next day at the W Club luncheon, it was announced the staff found enough Love Is Blue Poppy dolls that a "ticket to purchase" was randomly hidden under a saucer on the table. Another collector at my table won but said she already purchased this doll and graciously gave it to me!!!
The outside of the Poppy Parker boxes for Fashion Week shows that the color of the dots is a dark pink.
Here is a photo of the doll in the box.
A Close-Up.
Here is a full length shot out of box.
Another Close-Up.
But this is what I was anticipating.
I knew in my heart that this doll was going to be a dream to redress. Here she is wearing a dress I purchased from Squish Tish at the Bazaar ($17) and a bag from the bazaar ($5) which matches the shopping bags used by IT for the Fashion Week Convention. (I added the belt and jewelry).
What a gorgeous doll to redress! Such perfect makeup and hair! She is going to be extremely versatile and classy! #35 of 2019 and Poppy Parker Number 7 from the Convention is Love Is Blue Poppy Parker.
My "Guidelines for Collecting Dolls" have not been very useful this year. I've not had the time to focus on selling off dolls from my collection. At the beginning of the year I had a health scare. Earlier in the summer, I found out that I was moving classrooms (from a mobile to inside the building). My mother-in-law has had some very serious health issues and has required a lot of my time and care.
Even though I've been unable to sell as much as I wanted, I still was able to "fine tune" my collection this year using doll sales proceeds from 2018. I even had enough cash to attend the IT Convention "Live From Fashion Week". After all of the issues this year, I was afraid it wasn't going to be possible, but my loving husband took the week off to handle things at home and insisted I needed a vacation. What a wonderful man!
I drove from Atlanta to Raleigh to pick up my friends Reese and Sal. From there we drove on to Baltimore. Unfortunately, three collectors and their luggage doesn't allow for a lot of room to bring home extra dolls to sell, but we found the room for all of the dolls we wanted to add to our collections! I couldn't have asked for better driving buddies - such wonderful conversation!
I left home at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning. This was only my second convention, and I really wanted to go to room sales! (I missed the room sales at my first convention because we didn't leave until Thursday and my husband felt uncomfortable going into other collectors' rooms.)
We arrived just in time to register and pick up the Welcome Doll ... Fresh Perspective Agnes Von Weiss. AGNES VON WEISS!! A Welcome Doll? That's never happened before. And what a beautiful version!! (#34 of 2019)
Reese and I checked into our room, unpacked, and checked out our dolls (of course, not in that order!). Then it was off to room sales. There were specific artisans we definitely wanted to hit. (Unfortunately, Squish Tish/Yoko Dolls was only selling at the Bazaar; Randall Craig was only selling at a specific time on Thursday, but I was seventh in line and was able to snare a gorgeous dress and jewelry!)
We were able to pick up some incredible handbags! One of my favorites, Paintbox Designs, was open (almost impossible to pick just one). We got to Rebecca's suite after dinner and I found a marvelous scarf! I tried very hard to be extremely selective. It wasn't easy. Had I $1000 for this purpose only, I would've easily gone through the entire amount. There were some incredible prices on NRFB dolls!
We came home, went through our loot and took showers before bed - sweet dolly dreams all night long. The next morning we had breakfast in the hotel before going to the IT salesroom and Style Lab.
This year IT was at the top of its game. They took some great suggestions for improvement from collectors and implemented them. When you registered for the convention, you were given a cue number. The cue numbers were then assigned a colored lanyard. Collectors were lined up by their lanyard color and cue number. There was no stress! No one broke line! No one got into arguments! It was wonderful.
When your color was called, you walked into a "holding area" where all of the dolls were on display! You could look and think about your favorites. There were six dolls in the Convention Collection:
1. English Rose Eugenia Perrin Frost (FR)
2. Spring Romance Adele Makeda (FR)
3. London Show Nadja Rhymes (NuFace)
4. Winter Shimmer Lady Aurelia Grey (East 59th)
5. Young Romantic Poppy Parker (PP)
6. Kimono Go Go Poppy Parker (PP)
In addition, there were three salesroom exclusives (and you didn't need a ticket to purchase them):
1. Art of Manliness Darius Reed (Monarch)
2. That's All Plum Powers (The Industry)
3. Devil Made Me Do It Tulabelle True (The Industry)
There were also six different versions of Poppy Parker in the Style Lab, a two head hair fashion giftset, six different boxed ensembles, six different carded dresses, an accessory set, and doll bodies.
Doll overload set in - I began to hyperventilate!!
I went in with the mindset of a collector not a speculator. Rather than thinking about what I could sell to make money, I thought about what I wanted to add to my collection. I knew exactly how much I wanted to spend. I limited my purchases in the Salesroom to five. Shown in order of preference.
London Show Nadja Rhymes was a no-brainer. A pale version of Nadja - enough said. (#35 of 2019)
Adele Makeda 2.0 is a favorite mold, so I knew Spring Romance was coming home with me. (#36 of 2019)
Unfortunately, I did not purchase English Rose Eugenia Frost at the convention. She had a veil on covering her eyes in the display area and also in the salesroom. It wasn't until after seeing my roommate Reese's version in the hotel room that I was able to see what a beautiful screening she has. I wound up purchasing this doll secondary market from a dealer at small markup after returning home. (#37 of 2019)
I was totally surprised by Winter Shimmer Lady Aurelia Grey and how much I loved that dress and her face and hair! I think this is the best version of this character yet. (#38 of 2019)
I am a fan of the movie The Devil Wears Prada, so That's All Plum Powers (an older The Industry character representing Miranda Priestly). (#39 of 2019)
And Devil Made Me Do It Tulabelle True as Andi rounded out my five. (#40 of 2019)
I will do individual reviews of each doll as I get to them. I may regret not purchasing Eugenia, but I already have so many beautiful versions of her at home.
Although the two versions of Poppy Parker were lovely, I knew there would be a Poppy Parker luncheon and I had seen versions of Poppy in the Style Lab display I preferred.
... Skip ahead ...
I drove back home from Baltimore on Sunday. I had just enough time for a quick bite to eat, unpack my luggage, and get some sleep. I retuned to work on Monday morning at 7:00 a.m.
I didn't have any play time this past week, so my boxes remained unopened. Yesterday (Saturday) was a dreary, rainy day and we ran errands and I caught up on laundry, housecleaning, and grocery shopping.
I woke this morning to a beautiful day filled with dolly promises.
First, I decided to rebody The Muse Adele Makeda to a FR2 body. I ordered some Dark A-Tone bodies from the last IT body order, but I wanted a body with the hip joint. Timeless Adele (mold 3.0) went into the heating pad with The Muse.
It was time to decide how much Spring Romance from the convention fit with The Muse.
First a picture of the outside of the box. How clever. I have to praise the return to these shoebox-like containers. I much prefer them to the ones with the flaps. The box is designed with perforated circles with a colored layer behind it. A different color represented a different line! The FR color was neutral tan/peach color. CUTE IDEA!
Here is a photo in the box. I love the face. Mold 2.0 is a personal favorite.
Full length in the box. This ensemble is so gorgeous!
And look at all the accessories. (Photo from IT) I adore the hat and purse. The shoes are amazing. Look at those enamel earrings.
I decided I needed a photo of The Muse with Spring Romance. But I had to find something with pastel colors for her to wear. Does anyone realize how few pastel pieces of clothing are available for these dolls?
I decided to put the Fashionably Floral Silkstone top with the pants from Be Daring Imogen Lennox. Then I used the shoes and jewelry from the 2007 ensemble She Comes in Colors.
Different enough? Surprisingly, I actually prefer The Muse. I thought I was going to prefer Spring Romance! They would make an incredible set of twins since they aren't identical and really complement each other.
Now for the decision: 1. Keep both and have twins? 2. Sell Spring Romance Adele Makeda NRFB? 3. Keep Spring Romance's clothing and sell the doll nude?
