Best of 2014 - Number 8

I have only attended one doll convention, the 2012 Integrity Toys Tropicalia Convention in Orlando.  It was at this convention that IT introduced their new Color Infusion line and "Build-A-Doll Workshop". This workshop is very popular with collectors.   They usually have several different male and female dolls and outfits.  Conventioneers get to choose which doll(s) they want and then choose which outfit to purchase for the doll to wear.  In 2012 there were 10 female and 4 males.

Color Infusion dolls share the Jem body style.  It is a little bigger than FR2 and has bigger feet.  I decided not to add another body type to my collection; however, some of these dolls have gorgeous face ups.   If I was going to keep any dolls, they would require a different body.  Somehow the heads didn't look right on the original FR body, and FR2 bodies are hard to come by, selling for $75+ on the secondary market.

I decided to limit myself to one doll only, Subject C.

At the 2013 Premier Convention, the Color Infusion Workshop again included 10 female and 4 male dolls.  This time the dolls had character names.  I decided that since I only kept one CI from 2012, then I would only allow myself one from 2013.   It turned out to be an easy choice; that doll was collectors' favorite, Tilda Bisby.

I was hoping there would be one stand-out doll at the 2014 Gloss Convention.  It turns out that it was very difficult to make a decision this year.  This year there were eight females and six males.   It was probably because I was so excited that we were getting NuFace characters again, but I went for a doll that has a much younger look.

Here she is looking like a college student home for the holidays.

Number 8
Best of 2014
Blue Burkhart

Best of 2014 - Number 10

I can't believe we are already at the end of 2014.   If you collect Integrity Toys, you had a bountiful 12 months!  I didn't even know where to start.  No matter your taste, there were more than enough dolls to put under that Christmas tree this year!

When considering my countdown, I decided to limit the number of times any character got included.  For the first time, I don't even know where I am going to wind up!  But, after much consideration, I found a place to start.

Number 10 - Victoire Roux

Unless noted, all photos are the property of Integrity Toys.

If you are a fan of Victoire Roux, you had a great deal to choose from in 2014.   I fell in love with Victoire with her first release at the 2011 Integrity Convention, Faubourg Saint Honore, and added all the 2012 and 2013 releases.  I have multiples of some of the earlier dolls because they represent my favorite screening.   By the end of 2013, I was beginning to believe the dolls started becoming redundant.

The first Victoire released in 2014 is a current favorite of mine, Evening in Montreal.  This doll has never been redressed in my collection.  (I did change her gloves to those originally worn by Traveler by Nature Veronique.)  She was an IT Direct purchase, was released in an edition size of 600 and cost $99.   Such a great price for such a beautiful doll.

She was my third doll of 2014 and highlighted in a blog entry on March 19.  Here is the link:  Review of Evening in Montreal Victoire  I do think this doll is quite phenomenal.  This is my closeup photo of her:

The next released Victoire was La Grande Seduction.  She was a W Club Exclusive.  Personally, I am neither a fan of this doll's ensemble or her face up.  There are many collectors who truly love her, but I had decided by this point in the line to limit my purchases.  She cost $115.

Somehow I missed the next doll completely.  She was also a W Club Exclusive.   (I think I passed on her because, at the time of her release, I was aggravated by quality problems I was having with dolls I had purchased this year.)  I actually like this doll very much and may have to break down and buy her on secondary market.  She is Pret A Partir.  She was also released in an edition size of 600 and cost $99.

The last W Club/IT Direct Victoire of 2014 was Sous Les Tropiques.  She cost $80 and was released in an edition size of 600.  She is the least favorite among collectors, being able to be picked up for $60 in the Integrity Website store.  I passed on her, believing the Victoires were becoming "too generic".

Having already presented four Victoires, collectors were finally pacified with a friend for Victoire at the 2014 Gloss Convention.  La Ville Lumiere Simonetta Bertorelli was part of the Gloss Convention Collection that conventioneers could purchase.  It seems IT may have over-estimated her popularity with a production of 600 dolls.  She, too, can be purchased online.  Her price is $135.  Although I believe she is a very good stylistic fit to Victoire, she almost resembles Victoire too much for my personal taste.

In addition to Simonetta, collectors had the opportunity to purchase Dial V for Victoire Roux at the convention store.  Even though there were only 500 in the edition, she hasn't sold out.  She is available in the online store for $110.

Just when collectors thought they had seen the last of Victoire for 2014, we get an announcement of two final releases.   One of the dolls was called À La Maison.  This doll's edition size is 500 and she cost $99.  Although collectors thought the second doll in the announcement would be the obvious hit, this Victoire became an instant success with collectors.  She is the first Victoire released with flowing locks.

Although I really like this doll, she reminds me a great deal of the 2013 Premier Convention Monogram, Interlude, which I prefer of the two.

The final Victoire of 2014 is Départ Pour L'Orient.  I knew this doll was joining my collection.  I am usually not a fan of red-haired Victoire dolls.  (They must have gotten a good deal on red hair at the factory since this is the third Victoire with red hair this year.)

This is my picture of Depart Pour L'Orient still in the box.

I love the widow's peak.  The hairstyle is reminiscent of the dolls from the 2013 Premiere Convention.  It is very intricate and lovely.  (My photo)

And I am so excited to see the return to the original eyebrow screening.  As much as I loved the first Victoire of 2014, Evening in Montreal, I think I love this one even more.  I give Depart Pour L'Orient Victoire Roux the Number 10 slot on my "Best of 2014" list.

Gloss Convention Mainline Review

Integrity Toys shared official photos of the mainline dolls from the Gloss Convention recently with W Club members.  I have to admit that I was a young adult in the 1970's and definitely remember these styles.  For me, personally, this was not a time of fashion at its best, and I am not a fan of any of these ensembles.  Everything in the 1970's was excessive.

First, we have Nocturnal Glow Veronique Perrin.  I love her hair and face-up, even though I don't like the side-glance of her eyes.  She's a nice doll that should redress well.   She reminds me of Style Counsel Veronique from 2011.  The dress is a hot mess.

Next, is Grandiose Natalia Fatale.   Another sad disco dress that should remain a distant memory - obviously Halston-inspired. This doll reminds me of earlier versions of Natalia (specifically 2008 Hot Property, and 2012 Ready to Dare and Sweet Victory), so she's not a doll I need to add to my collection.  She has a beautiful face-up though.

I find Nightshade Kyori the most interesting of this collection and love the pantsuit.  Again, I'm not a fan of those extreme side-glances, but I find it hard to resist raven haired dolls with red lips.  I think this is one of the better screenings for Kyori 2.0; however, she's just enough like this year's Faded Desert Kyori that I couldn't justify the secondary market price.

I was a little surprised to find so much similiarity between this year's convention collection and dolls already reproduced.  Eugenia Perrin is a personal favorite character of mine, but Cold Shoulder Eugenia from the convention line reminds me of City Prowl somehow.  There is a lot of interest in this doll because her eye shadow screening and lips are very similar to Fine Jewel - a holy grail for many collectors.   I bet there will be a lot of re-rooting on this doll!  I like her dress best of what represented the 1970's decade.

Adorned Vanessa Perrin used the 3.0 mold which is my least favorite of all dolls now.  Although she is popular with collectors, I did not find this doll appealing.  She looks too much like Jacklyn Smith in Charlie's Angels.

Victoire fans have been eagerly waiting for a friend, so collectors got La Ville Lumiere (The City of Lights) Simonetta Bertorelli.  Although a lovely doll, I will continue waiting until something more different is offered.  The styling is too similar to other offerings in the Victoire line that I already own.

Representing Poppy in this convention collection was Dark Moon Poppy.  Poppy is always popular, but I have decided to seriously limit the addition of Poppies to my collection.

The Integrity Direct line that was offered to attendees was quite nice this year.  There were three dolls, Oomph, Jolt, and Zing, using the Poppy body style.  They are younger looking.  The Ayumi doll is quite lovely and outselling the other two.  Collectors have been selling her as Oomph, but the IT release refers to her as Jolt.  Either way, she is my favorite of the three.  (Do I remember these horrible dresses?!)

For 16" collectors, we got Afterhours Hanne Erikson, which is the best use of this new mold so far.  I think she is gorgeous!

Poppy made another appearance.  This time as Wild Thing.  This is an outrageous ensemble and my favorite of what was offered.

The only Victoire to show up during the convention was a Direct Exclusive, Dial "V" for Victoire.  I may have to add this one to my collection.  It was like a mini-giftset and included other mix and match possibilities with knit pants and cardigan.

As is usual, there was plenty of offerings to respond to every collector's taste.  No one could be disappointed.  Although I don't care for the clothing era, every doll will redress beautifully.  It is the most cohesive offering in a long time, and I can tell the design team had fun working on it; that transferred to the dolls in spades!

This lineup would especially appeal to collectors who are newer to IT.  Having been around for over a decade now, many offerings were not unique enough to warrant secondary market spending from me.  I debox and redress my dolls, so I look for dolls that bring something interesting and new to the table.  Although I didn't find it in this line-up, IT more than made up for that in the convention collection (earlier post) which I loved and have purchased several.  From this group I like the Hanne and Victoire best.

Brown-Eyed Girls

I keep hearing the Van Morrison song today.  It's hard to get it out of your head!  

I guess the saying,"the third time's a charm", applied to my City Prowl Eugenia.  The second replacement came this week.   I was so pleasantly surprised when I opened the box from Asia.

I was very frustrated that it took several months to finally get a doll without flaws when I paid for her last spring.   It was fortunate that she was worth the wait.

I really do love this Eugenia.  I like the thinner eyebrows and neutral palette with dark liner.   I think she is actually one of the better screenings produced; she looks a little upset about something (probably that it took three heads to get a complete doll!).  I bet City Prowl will redress beautifully, but, for now, I am going to enjoy her in her original ensemble.

Also arriving last week was the first Gloss Convention doll that I purchased secondary market.  She was the table centerpiece at the Thursday night welcome dinner.  Her name is Sheer Sensuality Vanessa Perrin.

She is mold 1.0 (a personal favorite) and was limited to 350 dolls.  Attendees numbers were drawn to determine who could purchase her.

At my house, the dolls don't usually stand around in gowns.  The moment I purchased this doll, I had a specific ensemble in mind.

I so love Sheer Sensuality.   I don't have a Vanessa with this hair color or style.  Another beautiful brown-eyed girl!

Integrity Toys Gloss Convention Recap

I had made plans earlier this year to attend this convention, but life got in the way.  Since my husband and I chose to pursue retirement plans, we agreed that I could buy a couple dolls on secondary market to make up for my missing the convention.

This entry will not include the ITBE dolls, Color Infusion dolls, or the convention collection that was sold to attendees.  It will focus on those dolls actually presented to attendees because these are the only official photos released to W Club members from Integrity Toys so far.  All photos are owned by IT and are used with permission.

When attendees arrive for the convention, they get a registration bag of goodies.  In the past, the bag usually contained an ensemble as a teaser for a future doll.  This year the attendees actually got a doll.  She is an ITBE version of Erin Salston.  (There apparently isn't a name since one wasn't included in the official release; she is being referred to as "Souvenir Welcome Doll".)  The vest, hat, and jewelry were in an accessory set attendees received later.  Edition size was 500.

She has lovely brown hair, forward looking eyes, and nude lips.  She's actually a very attractive ITBE.

The first event was the Welcome Dinner on Friday Night.  Attendees were greeted by the table centerpiece, Sheer Sensuality Vanessa Perrin (mold 1.0).   We are getting down to business now.  When I saw this doll, I actually swooned.  Vanessa mold 1.0 is a favorite mold around here.  With forward glancing brown eyes and this gorgeous hair color, I knew she would be my first secondary market purchase.   There were only 350 in her edition size and table numbers were drawn to determine which attendees could purchase her.

Following dessert, attendees were shown a slide of Le Smoking Adele Makeda (mold 2.0).   The actual dolls were stuck in customs, but each attendee was given this doll with an edition size of 500 dolls.  Although I loved the promo photo, the white pantsuit, and the gold watch, I waited until I saw actual production photos.  Mold 2.0 of Adele Makeda is another favorite around here.

The next day was the convention luncheon.  This year's focus was Poppy Parker.   The centerpiece doll was called Angel in Blue.  This was definitely a nod to the disco era of the 1970's.  Her edition size was 300 and table numbers were again drawn to determine who could purchase this doll.

Attendees were rewarded with another giveaway.  This time it was Starlight Poppy Parker, edition size 500.  Since I "do not collect Poppy Parker", these probably won't be sneaking into my collection.

Friday night was set up as a costume contest "bazaar" room with shopping opportunities.  Since there was no sit-down dinner, there wasn't a table centerpiece or giveaway doll.   Attendees were given a red version of the dress, with alternative hemline, that Sheer Sensuality was wearing the previous evening.

Saturday's luncheon is exclusive to W Club members only.  There was a lot of excitement this year because attendees were eager to see the unveiling of the revised NuFace body.  The centerpiece was Sensuous Affair Giselle.  Every attendee had the opportunity to purchase her (edition size 400).

This year's luncheon ticket was more expensive than previous years, but all attendees got a doll for attending.  She was Chrome Noir Erin Salston (also 400 dolls in the edition size).

As a bonus to convention goers, all attendees were given the opportunity to purchase a third NuFace doll, Evening Siren Ayumi N with a new sculpt.   She was an IT Direct Store Exclusive with an edition size of 600.

I wanted to include a closeup of her face since she is a new sculpt.

NuFace made one additional appearance at the convention.  Tantalizing Dominique Makeda was a workshop doll.  She is in an edition of 300 dolls.

The best is always saved for the Convention Banquet on Saturday Night.  When attendees arrived they gasped to find the centerpiece, Intrigue Elise Jolie.   There were only 300 in the edition size and numbers were drawn again to determine who could purchase her.  She is wearing a miniature version of an actual Jason Wu design.

The title of "Convention Doll" was reserved for the queen bee of Fashion Royalty dolls.  All attendees received Intimate Reveal Agnes Von Weiss.  (Edition size 500)  This doll was also wearing a miniaturized version of a Jason Wu original design.  It has been noted that this doll is a fusion of Silver Zinger and Optic Verve.  She is already selling on secondary market for prices beyond any doll released in the past few years.

It's hard to judge a collection without having them in front of me.  I personally believe there was something for everyone at this convention.  There was fun, hip, sophisticated, elegant, casual.  You name it, you went home happy.   It's nice when the offerings are so diverse.

Upon reflection, I should've taken the proxy route.  (It seems like MANY collectors did that this year - it would be interesting to see how many proxies were in attendance.)

Since I don't have deep pockets, I have only purchased three dolls (so far).   Sheer Sensuality Vanessa Perrin, Intrigue Elise Jolie, and Le Smoking Adele Makeda.   I can't wait for them arrive!  Each of them brings something new and special to my collection.