Best of 2024 - Number 5 - Redefined Luxury Kyori Sato

The next doll in my countdown was one of the last to be reviewed in my blog (See: Redefined Luxury Kyori Sato ).   As I mentioned earlier, one of the key factors in selecting dolls for my countdown is "playability".   Few things in doll collecting have more playability than a great giftset, and Redefined Luxury was a FANTASTIC giftset!

Each piece of this wardrobe is meticulously crafted with a keen eye for detail.   Personally, I believe this is the best produced Integrity Toys (IT) product in years.   It also doesn't hurt that IT resurrected one of my personal favorite molds, Kyori Sato 1.0, and gave it a refreshed look.   Although this giftset was based on Ginza Kyori Sato from 2004, it is elevated and actually exceeds the original.

There is so much to love about each part of this giftset and it's been great fun trying the ensembles on other dolls.  To illustrate my point, here is one of my favorite Jamieshow/Owensu Muses, Enchanted Lilly, wearing the evening gown.

Best of 2024 - Number 5 is Redefined Luxury Kyori Sato.

Collecting Cycle 2024 - Number 26 - Integrity Toys Fashion Royalty Redefined Luxury Kyori Sato (Mold 1.0)

I am actually a big fan of Kyori Sato (mold 1.0) and even prefer her to the refreshed version (only two mold 2.0 have had any staying power in my collection:  Karma and Prosperous Complexity).   

When the W Club announced Redefined Luxury Kyori, I was ecstatic.  Redefined Luxury is the most expensive single Integrity Toys (IT) giftset ever offered.  The cost was $299 + taxes and shipping.   This giftset harkened back to the days of A Fashionable Life, Ginza, Poesie, Shapeshifter, and A Brighter Side.   The accessories were amazing.  (Photo by IT)

Look at all the jewelry pieces!   The necklace case and ring box are especially nice items to display in your diorama!   

When my doll arrived, I was so excited; however, that feeling lasted only moments upon analyzing her production head.  Here is the closeup of my Redefined Luxury Kyori Sato in box.  

Her hairline seems to be a combination of a straight line and a widow's peak.  It's like the individual rooting the hair changed their mind midway through.   It's not horrible, but it is definitely crooked.  Then there is the problem that the eyes are not in symmetry.   There is a lot more white under the right eye than the left.  Then there is the stray eye brow over the right eye.

Since receiving this doll, I have learned an important lesson:  If you have doubts about your doll, do not ask for confirmation on social media!   The IT cheerleaders come out in full force and shame you about bringing up the issues!  I was told I expected too much and that my doll is pretty much perfect.  I contacted Patient Care, and they offered to exchange the heads.  In the end, I decided it just wasn't worth the hassle.  

With this giftset, you get a set of nicely constructed lingerie, an oversized houndstooth coat that has exceptional detailing, an evening gown, and a business suit that is over-the-top.  I really love the details included in each piece of clothing.  Nothing was spared here!   This giftset truly is IT at its best.  Here is Kyori wearing that sensational coat (the back of the coat is actually laced up like shoes).  

Number 26 of 2024 is Redefined Luxury Kyori Sato.

Organization - Cabinet 1 Shelf 1

I have received comments from followers that they would like to see my collection and cabinets.  Unfortunately, I don't think anyone would be very impressed because I had been keeping my dolls, nude, in two bookcases. 

My dear sweet husband gave me a couple detolf cabinets for Valentine's Day.   He reasoned that the cabinets would help me organize my collection and get it under control.  Bless his heart!

So, I decided to start at the beginning.  

I pulled all of my older dolls out first.  It turns out I have 10 dolls from 2004 - 2005 that have been rebodied to taller bodies.   When possible, I decided to dress the dolls in their original ensembles.  (When a doll can no longer wear their original ensemble, I put them in an ensemble pre-2006.)

They all fit nicely on one shelf!  So Cabinet #1, Shelf #1 is finished:

Back row includes ...

Sheer Goddess Veronique Perrin (2004) in her original ensemble

Born To Gamble Kyori Sato (2005) in her original ensemble

Diamond Dusted Veronique Perrin (2004) in her original ensemble

Second Row includes ...

Age of Opulence Isha Kalpana Narayanan (2005) in her original ensemble

Glam Slam Kyori Sato (2004) - She is wearing Purple Factor (2003)

Poesie Sans Couleur Vanessa Perrin (2005) in her original sheath

Perfect Skin Adele Makeda (2004) - She is wearing Perfectly Suited (2002)

Front row includes ...

Ginza Blonde Kyori Sato (2005) in her original gown

A Fashionable Life Raven Vanessa Perrin (2005) in her original bustier and skirt

A Fashionable Life Platinum Vanessa Perrin (2005) - She is wearing Silver Society (2002)

Cabinet 1 - Shelf 1

Back Row:      

Sheer Goddess Veronique Perrin (2004) Wearing Sheer Goddess (2004)

Born To Gamble Kyori Sato (2005) Wearing Born To Gamble (2005)

Diamond Dusted Veronique Perrin (2004) Wearing Diamond Dusted (2004)

Middle Row:   

Age of Opulence Isha Narayanan Kalpana (2005) Wearing Age of Opulence (2005) 

                   

Glam Slam Kyori Sato (2004) Wearing Purple Factor  (2003)

Poesie Sans Couleur Vanessa Perrin (2005) Wearing Poesie Sans Couleur (2005)

Perfect Skin Adele Makeda (2004) Wearing Perfectly Suited (2002)

Front Row:    

Ginza Blonde Kyori Sato (2005) Wearing Ginza Gown (2005)

A Fashionable Life Raven Vanessa Perrin (2005) Wearing AFL (2005)

A Fashionable Life Platinum Vanessa Perrin (2005) Wearing Silver Society (2002)

Veronique Perrin: 2

Kyori Sato: 3

Adele Makeda: 1

Isha Kalpana Naryanan: 1

Vanessa Perrin: 3

Introduction #2 - Nimue

I remember the day in 2007 this doll went on sale at FAO Schwartz.  It was total madness.  I actually called the NYC store multiple times to purchase her.   My perseverance paid off.

The gift set includes three separate outfits.  There is the evening gown, taupe colored sheath with coat, lingerie with lounging robe that has marabou trim, purse, sunglasses, jewelry, and three pair of shoes.  This was the very first time Kyori was produced in Japan skin tone.  (It was three years before the effort was duplicated.)

The presentation was beautiful and I love blonde haired Kyori girls (my very favorite Fashion Royalty doll of all time is Blonde Ginza).

[Includes edit to reflect a reader's comment:   From the very beginning this doll reminded me of a character from the King Arthur myths.  I love the Merlin mini-series and A Brighter Side has always reminded me of Miranda Richardson portraying the "Lady of the Lake".   The Lady of the Lake has been given different names by different authors, including the name Nimue (pronounced Nim-uh-e).  In the Merlin mini-series, the writer's gave Nimue a separate character portrayed by Isabella Rosselini.   I'm sorry my earlier blog entry was not specific enough.  I combined the mini-series character with the Nimue name from written myth.  ]

This is easily the best gown ever produced by Integrity Toys!

The gift set was so beautiful, I wanted to leave it untouched as long as possible.   It took eight years to finally debox this doll, and the reason I did was that the head had started to yellow slightly.  ACK!

This doll's eyes always reminded me of someone who was drowsy.  I decided she was joining some sisters on a trip to Veronica Hage's spa.  I decided on green eyes that were centered.  I also wanted to get rid of those pesky dark lines in the lips.   So, here is my Lady of the Lake.

When Nimue isn't minding the lake, she travels among us disguised as a beautiful business lady.

Miss Kyori Sato

One of my favorite doll molds from Integrity Toys used to be Kyori Sato.   She was introduced in 2004, just about when I first started collecting Fashion Royalty dolls.  I remember the excitement in the the collecting community because IT was adding an Asian character to their lineup.

I own all three versions from that year.  Urban Geisha (middle) is now a more slim NuFace girl while  Red Blooded Woman (right) and Glam Slam (left) are on taller bodies of their own.  Red Blooded Woman's ensemble is one of the most exquisite produced by IT.   The robe for Urban Geisha has such extraordinary embroidery.  Glam Slam has stood the test of time and is still considered one of the better face ups.

Kyori Sato moved right in and made herself at home in 2005.   Although four of the five releases made their way to my home, only two still reside here.    I never purchased Something Hot from the IT Convention (Center), and Skin Is In (Left) and Fierce Subject (Right) have made their way to other collectors' homes.  (NOTE:  Photos are the property of Integrity Toys.)

As Born To Gamble was a tribute to the character Karen Walker on the television series Will & Grace, the purchase of this IFDC doll was a no brainer for me.  Even the bottle of booze sports a label "Karen Walker".   I love this doll.  She is one of the few that can hold its own with the AFL Vanessa twins.  In addition to the bottle of Karen Walker and a glass, the ensemble included black gloves, a cigarette holder, and deck of miniature cards.

Also in 2005, was the most expensive FR doll I had ever purchased (up to that time!).   I remember how reluctant I was to shell out $250, which included overseas shipping.  Personally, I believe this doll continues to be one of the top 10 FR dolls ever produced.  It came in a little suitcase with three ensembles and lingerie.  She is Ginza Blonde.

Fashion Royalty moved to taller bodies in 2006.   There have been many versions of her, but I have only kept three in my collection.  I can't explain it, but I still believe the best versions were the earlier ones.

In 2007, Kyori was graced with the honor of receiving the Atelier treatment.  (There have only been three dolls to packaged in these large folding boxes:  2005 Poesie Sans Coleur Vanessa Perrin, 2006 True Royalty Vanessa Perrin, and 2007 A Brighter Side Kyori Sato).  The gown from A Brighter Side is still my favorite ever produced by IT (photo property of IT).   I have never taken my doll out of her box.  She is going to need to visit the spa for a little work on her eyes.

I remember when this doll arrived.  I keep about 90% of my dolls in their boxes for several days (even weeks, months, or years) before taking them out.  I try to bond with them and make sure they are going to stay.  This girl was released within minutes of arriving.  She is Quick Silver Kyori.

There were only two dolls from the 2011 IT Jet Set Convention that I wanted.  One of them was No Reservation Kyori Sato.  No Reservation was the last Kyori Sato mold 1.0 produced (excluding a 2014 ITBE Limited Edition Morning Dove produced using a tan skin tone).  I believe she is one of the most under-rated FR dolls.

And a closeup.  Such elegance!

In 2012, Kyori Sato's mold was "refreshed".  Although I own every version of mold 2.0, I think most of them favor quite a bit.  Here are 2014 Faded Desert, 2012 And Another Thing, and 2013 Love the One.  (Left to right)

I recently added Nightshade from the 2014 Gloss Convention.  I got her for less than retail.  Most collectors prefer Evening Siren Ayumi from this collection - the other dark haired Asian doll with her hair pulled to the side.  Others believe Nightshade favors Faded Desert too much.   Here is a photo of Nightshade in her box.

I believe Nightshade may be my favorite doll produced using this mold.

Summer Vacation Day 38

This blog post should be about Vanessa Perrin 3.0, but I don't have one removed from the box.  I haven't bonded with this mold yet.   There were two produced in 2012 on the regular FR body and then Vanessa 3.0 moved on to the FR2 body in 2013.  I have high hopes for the W Club Upgrade doll, Fashion Explorer Vanessa Perrin, which hasn't been released yet.  (Photo property of Integrity Toys)

I guess it was only a matter of time for Kyori Sato to get "refreshed" also.   It happened in 2012.  Two versions were released that year with one additional release in 2013 as a W Club Exclusive.  There are only three editions of Kyori version 2.0 on the regular FR body.  The gift set from 2012, And Another Thing Kyori Sato, has been my favorite.  It was released in an edition size of 400 and sold for $150.  It was a mini gift set, coming with an evening gown, lingerie, and business suit.

And Another Thing Kyori is wearing one of my favorite Fashion Royalty ensembles, Style Renaissance Adele Makeda.  This is another instance where I prefer the original mold to the "refreshed" version.  Although a lovely doll, I still haven't warmed up to her.   Kyori Sato version 2.0 is now part of the FR2 mainline collection of eight "core" dolls.

So if you've stayed with me this long, we can reflect back on our history once more.  There are 16 separate Fashion Royalty characters.  Out of those sixteen, the following have been refreshed:

Adele: Version 2.0 and Version 3.0
Natalia: Version 1.5 and Version 2.0
Veronique: Version 2.0
Vanessa: Version 2.0 and Version 3.0
Kyori: Version 2.0
(Elise, Agnes, and Eugenia were added to these five characters to give us the "core" eight dolls of the Fashion Royalty collection.)

With the additional eight mold refreshes, collectors now have a total of 24 separate Fashion Royalty molds that could reside in one collection!  That's with only one version of each mold and does not include Poppy, NuFace, Hommes, DG, FR2, etc.