Back To The Basics - Numbers 24, 25, 26, and 27 of Collection 2023 Cycle

Back in 2021, Integrity Toys tried something new for their collectors; they created a "Basics" line of open-edition dolls.  The dolls were released in production runs until they ran out; then there was another run offered.   The dolls were priced at $99 and were packaged less elaborately.  They came in swimwear or work-out clothes and had minimal accessories.   They represented the five main lines of Integrity Toys:  FR2, NuFace, Poppy Parker, Meteor, and East 59th.  This allowed collectors to add new versions of favorite characters at an affordable price.  I think it introduced Integrity dolls to more collectors, but the market wasn't big enough to entertain such seriously large edition sizes even though the dolls were actually quite extraordinary.  This "Basics" line showed up in my 2021 End Of Year Countdown at the #2 spot.  Here is the link to those dolls:  Integrity Toys 2021 Basics Line.

After saturating the market with these dolls, Integrity Toys made the smart move to retire the first Basics line and introduce a new set of dolls in 2023.  The edition size for these dolls was 5000 and all versions are still available for purchase on the website.  (If you've not been an IT collector but have been curious about these dolls, now would be a great opportunity to check them out:  Integrity Toys Web Storefront for Basics Dolls.)

The 2021 Basics versions of Agnes Von Weiss and Lilith Blair have become favorites with collectors.  Personally, I think they are fantastic versions of these characters, so it was a no-brainer when Integrity Toys opened the sales links for the 2023 Basics line.

Erin Salston was one of the original characters that introduced the Integrity Toys Nuface line in 2006.  Her mold was "refreshed" in 2012 to be "less cartoon-like" and mold 2.0 has been a collector favorite ever since.  My very favorite NuFace doll is actually 24k Erin Salston.  2023 Basics Erin Salston retailed for $110 to W Club members.  The price reflected the fact that the doll had a more elaborate ensemble.  To give collectors a choice, there is a "completer" accessory package called Bow-tique Details that goes with this doll and retailed for $65 to W Club members.

2023 IT Basics Night Out Erin Salston became Number 24 added to my collection this year.   

Natalia Fatale mold 2.0 is one of my favorite IT characters.  She isn't as popular with collectors as some of the other molds, but she is has been gaining ground over the past few years.  I was so excited when she was added to the Basics collection this year and this screening/skintone/hair color is extraordinary.  Number 25 of my Collection Cycle 2023 is Bombshell Beach Natalia Fatale.

I have a very complicated relationship with Poppy Parker.  I was on-board with the line when it debuted in 2009.  I fondly remember the early years when you could grab these girls on clearance sales!  (Yes, that is actually true.)   I owned many of the original versions, but only a couple managed to stick around in my collection as I prefer dolls with attached eyelashes.  Over the years Poppy Parker has developed a very strong fan base and has attracted a lot of scalpers on the secondary market.   It has become increasingly difficult to get Poppy Parker versions at retail price outside of the W Club.   Still, there are Poppy Parker dolls that have permanent spots in my collection.   At first I resisted the 2023 Basics Island Time Poppy Parker.  Then collector photos started showing up on the internet. I caved and added her to my collection.   Number 26 of 2023 is Island Time Poppy Parker.

Fortunately for my bank account and storage/display space I do not collect Meteor dolls, so I passed on this Basics offering of Pose Like An Egyptian Amirah Majeed.  Since I limit the males coming into my collection, Basics East 59th Street Honolulu Sunset Augustus Blake was also a pass.   I considered not purchasing the East 59th Street female doll, but I have such a weak spot for Victoire Roux mold 2.0 that I caved and added her to the cart.  Number 27 is Aloha Waikiki Victoire Roux.

As you can see from the photos of these dolls still in their boxes, there is nothing "basic" about the actual dolls included in the 2023 Integrity Toys Basics Line.  They are all very beautiful and worthy of spots in collections.  The price is just an added bonus!

The Ocean Tide ...

NOTE:  Before I get started, I want to send my deepest concerns for the safety of all those who are reading my blog.  I hope this blog can help provide a diversion to the panic and anxiety surrounding the current pandemic crisis.  Stay safe and always choose kindness.

I finally came up with an appropriate metaphor for managing my collection; it's like trying to manage the ocean tides! 

I have really put my mind to selling off dolls that need new homes.  If you've noticed the left sidebar, 17 dolls have left here this year!  That's more than twice what I sold the entire year of 2019.   And it's just March!  The tide is out.

I was feeling full of myself when I had to check my e-mails and find that the W Club had just sent me notices that some of my preorders were ready for payment and shipping.   That really popped my balloon of euphoria!  The tide came back in ...

First up is Your Motivation Erin Salston.  Here is a promo photo from Integrity Toys (IT).  

And the accessories (photo again from IT).

Here is a production photo of the doll that arrived this week.

Full length in box.

I pre-ordered this doll as a consolation for not getting Heiress Erin Salston from the 2017 Heirloom Collection.  It's funny how things turn out.  I was on a doll board and another collector was selling a nude Heiress at a great price.  I jumped on it.  So Heiress Erin Salston (Number 6 of 2020) finally joined my collection right before these girls arrived.

That means Your Motivation Erin would be Number 9 of 2020.  That is if she stays.  I'm not sure I like her as much as Heiress and they are rather similar.

Arriving with Your Motivation was Like No Other Nadja Rhymes.  A photo from IT:

The accessories (also a photo from IT):

The doll that arrived.

And a full length shot.

Like No Other Nadja Rhymes shows up as #8 of 2020.  I'm actually eager to get this one out!

When shipments arrive at Integrity Toys warehouses, they ship as much as they can together.  Not only did I have to come up with payments for Erin and Nadja, the Friend or Foe Poppy Parker/Ginger Gilroy giftset was billed at the same time!

A nice IT photo of these girls.

And IT's photo of the accessories.

Here is a real life photo of the giftset that arrived.

The Poppy Parker is not getting a lot of collector support right now.

All of the interest is going to her counterpart in the giftset, Ginger Gilroy; every fan of Poppy has been eagerly awaiting this frenemy!  

Collectors are loving her.  I think she reminds me of that doll called Mizi.  

If they stay, they will Friend or Foe Poppy Parker #11 of 2020, and Friend or Foe Ginger Gilroy #10 of 2020.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Unfortunately I could not bond with either doll in this giftset.  I am looking forward to the Ginger character with a different screening.  The giftset was sold NRFB, so they are not included as #10 and #11 of my Collection Additions for 2020.

And here I thought my ratio of dolls leaving to coming in was 2:1.  Hopefully I can find homes for some dolls before IT's next shipment arrives!

Best of 2018 - #6 Metamorphosis Erin Salston

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. 

NuFace Models

It has been over a year since NuFace admirers have received a new collection.   With no NuFace dolls on the horizon, I decided to get out my girls and take some photos.  There are other versions of these molds available, but my blog is devoted to only those that are in my collection.

NuFace was introduced in 2006 with two models - Erin Salston and Nadja Rhymes.   Unfortunately, I only have one version of each of these girls in my collection.  They both come from 2007.  The first is Urban Outfitting Nadja:

And the second is Making A Scene Erin.  This doll has never been redressed.  I love her in stock.

Erin received a makeover in 2012 with a W Club Exclusive called High End Envy (right).  She also showed up at the 2012 Convention as Lady in Red (left).  I really like what they did to this mold.

Introduced in 2007 was Colette Duranger.  She came in a gift set with Erin called Painted Black.  I instantly fell in love with this hazel-eyed doll.  She was my entry in Pink Parlor's Next Top Doll Model.  I named her KiKi.  She has been re-bodied and will always hold a special place in my collection.  She is on the far left (and reminds me of Shakira).  The Colette in the middle is from 2010 and is called Perk.  Collectors often remark that she looks Native American.  The doll on the right is All White Now and was a 2012 Convention Exclusive.

Two other characters released in 2007 were Ayumi Nakamura - I only have the 2008 version of this mold London By Night:

And Giselle Diefendorf as Costume Drama (top left).  Giselle is a very popular mold.   Masterpiece Theater (top right) showed up at the 2008 Convention.  She is my favorite strawberry blonde.  She was the actual Convention Doll for 2010 as Dark Romance (bottom left).   The final Giselle in my collection is from 2012 and is Glam Addict (bottom right).  I have owned other Giselles, but, in an attempt to manage my collection, they have gone to other homes.  These four would be difficult to let go.

In 2008, Integrity Toys wowed us with our first set of twins - two dolls that share the same mold but have separate characters.   Some collectors feel like they have to keep "sets" in their collection of Lilith and Eden.  Somehow I wound up with three Lilith (2010 Great Pretender top left, 2011 Rocking Ever After top right, and 2013 Hard Metal bottom left) and only one Eden (2012 Sweet Nothings Gretel).   Because Great Pretender looks more like Eden, I don't obsess too much over it.

In 2009, another new character, Dominque Makeda, was introduced.  She moved on to become part of the FR2 line.  The 2009 Evening Glow was the only NuFace version ever produced.  Although Vaughn used her mold for his pale caucasian workshop doll that is fondly referred to as Lady Gaga.  

Three new characters were released in 2011.  I do not own any version of Annik.  Her secondary market price prevents me from adding her to my collection.  I hope we see a good version this year.  I am fortunate to own all three versions of Rayna.  At the Fashion Royalty Convention we got High Toned (far left) who looks fantastic with her hair taken down.  She showed up at the IFDC as Go Home Dorothy (middle), and again at the 2012 IFDC as Rock Me Baby (far right).  I have placed Rock Me Baby on a FR2 body.  For some reason, Rock Me Baby looks more mature than the other NuFace dolls in my collection.

The last character of 2011 was Imogen.  I own Mission Control which was a 2011 Convention doll (left) and the 2012 Convention doll Fame by Frame (right) which is one of my very favorite dolls.

There are some very beautiful NuFace molds.  I always thought of them as the "models" for the Integrity story lines.  The Fashion Royalty dolls were the executives and the "professional working women" while these girls were the ones in front of the cameras.  I am eager to see what Integrity gives us this year!