2023 Collecting Cyle - Number 43 Monsieur Thiago Valente

When this doll was first introduced to W Club members, I was not adding male dolls to my collection.  Muses males weakened that resolve and I have very cautiously entered this world.  After seeing collector photos of NuFace Monsieur Thiago Valente last year, I knew I missed an opportunity for something special.  I believe he is the only male Integrity Toys doll that has an open mouth.  

Fortunately, I was in the right place at the right time and was able to add this doll to my collection for almost retail price.  I'm really glad he is here.

Number 43 of the 2023 Collecting Cycle is Monsieur Thiago Valente.

Surprises in collecting - Number 42 of 2023 Collecting Cycle

In 2022, Integrity Toys announced a collaboration with X Magia 2000 for a group of four dolls.   The first two dolls were a  NuFace Male, Carnival Gala in Venice Lukas Maverick, edition size 1500 sold IT Direct: (Photos property of Integrity Toys)

And Fashion Royalty female Summer in Taormina Vanessa Perrin, mold 3.0, also in an edition size of 1500 but sold through a W Club Lottery.  

I was fortunate to win the opportunity to purchase Vanessa at retail price.  Her price      seems to be consistently climbing on secondary market as she has become very popular with collectors.  She was Number 12 of my collection cycle 2023 as both dolls were not made available until earlier this year.

The other two dolls were Nuface.  X Magia 2000 chose molds that aren't very popular with collectors.  The fashions are very avant garde.  First up we have Grand Gala in Rome Karolin Stone.  I am a big fan of the color pink, but this doll is truly just off the pink scale.  I thought I was going to like this doll but waited until collector photos starting showing up.  For some reason, I still can't find a place for her in my collection.

When these dolls were first announced, I had a very strong aversion to the second doll, Runway in Milan Colette Duranger, mold 2.0.  She is in the Nubian skintone which is difficult to capture in photographs.  She has platinum blonde hair all the way down to her calves and blue eyes.  Very difficult combination to digest.  Here is her promo - she is like a mini giftset since she has so many clothing pieces. 

I figured I would wait and purchase the clothing pieces I wanted on secondary market.  But when collector photos started showing up on social media, I quickly realized I had judged this doll too quickly.  It's hard to believe that both these dolls are still available for purchase on the Integrity Toys website at retail price!  I decided to bite the bullet.  When she arrived, I couldn't believe the quality of the clothing pieces.  The doll is actually quite striking as well.  I love the red coat (and added the red Hazelstreet Design pants).  

Number 42 of my 2023 Collecting Cycle is X Magia 2000 Runway in Milan Colette Duranger.