What's Up With That? - Number 39 of 2023 Collecting Cycle

The last time Integrity Toys collectors got together for a convention was prior to Covid 19 at the 2019 NY Fashion Week Convention in Baltimore, Maryland.   I actually attended that convention and am very glad to be blessed to have the experience.   All conventions since that time have been on-line, including the 2023 7 Deadly Sins scheduled for this weekend.  

To test the waters for in-person meetings, Integrity Toys held a "Pop Up Event" this summer in Washington DC.   There was a W Club lottery for tickets for this one-day event.  There was also a mini-collection entitled "Curated".  Here is how the Pop Up Event was described in IT's own words:

"Curated", an exclusive in-person unveiling event, hosted by Integrity Toys has just ended and we are thrilled to bring you this short informational recap of the stunning works of art that were masterfully created by the Integrity Toys design team!

Attendees got to view these masterpieces in a chic gallery setting. Then, after the gallery viewing, at a nearby second location, the attendees got to shop, nibble on appetizers, and mix and mingle. To finally be back together in person was priceless!

Since there were no room sales, salesroom, classes, or style lab, I decided to sit this one out.   Like many other collectors I watched from the sidelines as information was made available.  The curated dolls were:

Representing NuFace: Mixed Media Thiago Valente.  This is the second time we've seen this sculpt.  Last year's Monsieur Thiago was very popular with collectors.  Many people who know the designer, Jessy Ayala, commented on this doll's likeness to him personally!   LOL!  It really does look a lot like Jessy.  

For Poppy Parker fans, there was Silver Cloud Poppy Parker.  According to designer David Butry, this dolls was inspired by Andy Warhol Muse Edie Sedgwick.  

It was refreshing to see a representative from the Meteor line!  This is Behind the Curtain Zuri Okoty.  I really like the ensemble a lot.  It included a skirt so you could change out the pants for something more formal.  

Fashion Royalty, representing IT's mainline, had two dolls revealed.  Classically Surreal Isha Kalpana Naryanan.

And Modern Renaissance Binna Park.  This mold was actually used for Nuface model Ayumi Nakamura 2.0 (released in only three, very sought after, versions).  

I've been asked by several collectors how I felt about this event and the dolls represented.  Since I was unable to attend the event, I don't feel it appropriate to print my personal opinions.  I know attendees were broken up into two groups to manage time; one group's experience seemed different from the other's.  Apparently there was a lot of waiting outside in the sun for one group and individuals were complaining that the venue was part of a bowling alley?  I have some doll friends who attended that had a wonderful experience, especially in that they got to visit with other collectors face-to-face for the first time in three years.   I had other friends who expressed disappointment.   Although each of these dolls are quite nice, I didn't feel compelled to own any of them NRFB.  I'm not sure how I would've felt had I paid for airfare and hotel accommodations for an event that only offered five dolls.  If you were local, it may have been worth the registration.  

I did pick up a nude Binna Park at an extremely reasonable price.  I think she redresses quite well and I am pleased with adding her to my collection..

Number 39 of my 2023 Collecting Cycle is Modern Renaissance Binna Park.

#9 of 2021 - Right Ensemble, Wrong Doll

Doll collectors can sometimes be fickle; they can also be fiercely loyal.  Somewhere between these extremes lies most of us, being hesitant to jump on board a new doll line.  (I can still remember how it took a couple years for Poppy Parker to be embraced by the community!)

Somehow that wasn't the case for Integrity Toys (IT) newest line, Meteor.  It was only introduced last year but was an immediate hit.  IT started the line with modest edition sizes of only 525.  

The Meteor line was marketed as a response to the doll collecting community's cry for more diversity in the dolls being produced.   Although I liked all five of the dolls in the initial lineup, I chose to only purchase the W Club Exclusive Afterglow Keeki Adaeze.  (Photo property of Integrity Toys)

My decision was based on the fact that IT had elected to create yet another body type to go with this line; it's similar to the FR6.0 body but has a larger breast plate.  I knew I could always use Aferglow's ensemble (especially that amazing coat) on a different doll in my collection.  And I loved those boots.

Also, like others, I wanted to wait and see real life photos of the dolls produced.  The story setting for the Meteor collection is a dance club.  The concept is quite nice and the characters all fit well together.  After dolls were shipped they started selling out quickly.  Right now, they can only be obtained on secondary market and at close to double their original prices.

When the next two dolls were revealed, I jumped in.  I'm glad I did.  I'm going to review #9 added to my collection in 2021, Coming Out Navia Phan.  Here is one of the promo shots by Integrity Toys.

Some collectors refer to this ensemble as the Covid19 Coronavirus ensemble because the pattern in the dress has a symbol that sort of looks like the picture of the virus.  I find this so funny, yet so appropriate to the last 18 months!

For some apparent reason, I can't help but see supermodel and "Lip-sync Battle" host Chrissy Teigen in this doll.  I think IT missed the mark by producing this doll in the Japan Skintone.  Here is a photo of the doll in the box.

And a closeup.

Although the ensemble fits the dance club vibe, the doll just looks too innocent and young.  I think IT must have realized this early in the production process because they didn't even use the Meteor body for this doll.  (Larger boobs would've looked ridiculous with that cute face!)  Coming Out Navia Phan was produced using the FR6.0 body.  Here is a missed opportunity because I think they should've take her down at least one more degree to the NuFace2 body.  (The ensemble looks amazing on Billion Dollar Baddie Alejandra Luna!)   

I decided this doll needed to be part of The Industry squad; maybe a personal assistant for Tulabelle.  I put her on a body from The Industry.  She is wearing a Barbie ensemble.  What do you think?  Is anyone else getting the Anne Hathaway "Devil Wears Prada" feel from this?  I think she's going to hang around in my collection for a while.  Tulabelle already has some errands for her to run.

But what about the Coming Out ensemble you ask?  

Why it was snapped up quickly by one of my girls. I Slay Nadja Rhymes didn't allow it any closet time.  She may just have found her "forever ensemble" to be displayed in.

Legendary Convention Recap - Part I (Dolls on the fringe)

First, I think it may be helpful to write a little about myself.   After all, is there any reason you should come here and read my blog?  Actually, there really isn't!  I don't have any formal training in fashion, nor do I work in either the toy or fashion industry.  Everything I write is just my personal opinions (and we all know about opinions and how everybody has one).

I have been a doll collector my whole life.  Many dolls have come and gone.  It's fair to say that the only dolls to keep my interest and remain living here are my Vintage Barbies, modern Fashionista (on Made To Move bodies), and IT dolls.  I've been collecting IT dolls since 2005.  Although I've collected many different types and brands of dolls, the bulk of my doll collection is IT dolls.    

It would be fair to say that I've owned dolls from every IT line.  Over the years, I refined my interests and now only focus on FR, NuFace, Poppy Parker, and East 59th.  I guess I've owned upward of 650 IT dolls over the past 15 years (many of which have gone on to other homes, fortunately). 

So ... let's get on with the show!  (Since these dolls still have not shipped, all photos are property of Integrity Toys/IT.  When possible, and I know the connection, I will post the inspiration photos.)

As Tina Turner would say, let's start "nice and easy".  None of these dolls were part of the "Convention Collection" that was advertised to attendees.

Fans of the "East 59th Street" line were given one offering this year (there was only one offering at last year's convention, as well).   This year's doll is Red Hot Evelyn Weaverton and she was an IT Virtual Salesroom Exclusive.  Her edition size was only 300 (the lowest edition size doll at the convention); she cost $145.   This doll is an original design by Chris Stoekel and isn't based on a previous doll offering from what I can tell.  

Chris has been at the helm of this doll line since its conception with Victoire Roux, and he knows what his collectors like and want.  A nice W Club member was able to help me get this doll for retail, so she will be shipped directly to me from IT.  Although I have another Evelyn with a dark haired updo, this ensemble is just the bomb!  I do collect East 59th Street, so purchasing this doll at retail was a no-brainer.  I think there is A LOT of doll for the buck in this one.

When you pay for the convention package, you usually get 4 dolls included:  Welcome Doll, Gala Dinner Giveaway, Poppy Parker Luncheon Giveaway, and the Convention Doll.  This makes each doll's cost about $145.  It's very fitting that Janay was the Welcome Doll.  Although IT is celebrating its 25th Anniversary, FR wasn't around during the first 5+ years.  IT started out selling play line dolls in departments stores such as K-Mart.  One of their flagship play line dolls was Janay.  She has shown up on rare occasion over the past several years and finally settled into a role with "The Industry" line.  Meet Carry On Janay.

Although I have a few dolls from this line, it would be fair to say that I'm not a big fan of the sculpts used.  I like Tulabelle (both versions), but I've never warmed to the other dolls.  Carry On is a super cute version with a nice ensemble.  With an edition size of 600, coming from a less popular line, I am assuming she will be easy to acquire reasonably priced later.

Again, just like last year's convention, there were two offerings in "The Industry" line.  The second offering was an IT Direct doll that could be purchased in the Virtual Salesroom.  David Buttry, Poppy Parker's designer, made a smart decision to bring back a popular Dynamite Girl as a new character.  Here is She's That Witch Sooki.  She cost $145 and was produced in an edition size of 500.   

I'm sure this made a lot of fans of the retired "Dynamite Girl" line ecstatic.  She's That Witch is a cute, punk girl reminiscent of earlier versions: I think her inspiration came from 2008's Spooky Sooki.

Although a nice doll, I don't feel the pressing need to add her to my collection at this time.   It was important to watch my money this year since I didn't manage to get a convention ticket, even though I logged in and got through the checkout process in under three minutes.  (This is still a bone of contention for me - as someone who has collected IT products for 15 years, I couldn't score a single ticket, but there are scalpers on e-bay selling multiple dolls because they were able to get multiple tickets.  That's just not cool, IT.  NOT COOL.)

Another line that was minimally represented was the "Meteor" dolls. The "Meteor" girls premiered earlier this year to a lukewarm reception.  The main reason is that they use an amalgamation of doll parts from other lines, therefore, creating a new body.  Both dolls were IT Direct and were sold in the Virtual Salesroom.  They were $135 each and were produced in an edition size of 400 per doll.  The first is Mischievous Keeki Adaeze.

She's "alright".  After just receiving my IT Girl Magic Colette, Mademoiselle Eden, and Mademoiselle Lilith with fantasy hair colors, I didn't feel the need for this Keeki.  She was an easy pass.  (Although I love the boots, the "Meteor" line has smaller feet, so I'm afraid the boots wouldn't fit the Nuface or FR6 bodies.)

The second doll is getting quite a bit of attention from collectors.  She is Fierce Zuri Okoty.

Now, this actually is an impressive offering for the "Meteor" line.  As the Field of Dreams whispers ... "Make a beautiful version and they will come ..."  Fierce Zuri was obviously inspired by Mary J Blige.

Which only makes purchasing this doll even more tempting.  I believe her price will only climb as more collectors get her in hand.  She will probably be my biggest regret for passing.  (Had she had paler hair, I may have folded!)

Once again, like last year (is this beginning to sound like a broken record), there was only one homme offering.  He was an IT Salesroom Exclusive, cost $160, and was produced in an edition size of 400.  He was Power of Influence Declan Wake.  

Declan must be a favored character of the designers.  I believe collectors were hoping for a Pierre Devries or Francisco Leon, the first hommes produced by IT who have been absent for a very long time.  I sold my hommes and refuse to go back down that rabbit hole.  He was a pass for me.  

I call this group of dolls "The Fringe" dolls because they represent lines more specialized to collectors.  I will review Fashion Royalty, NuFace, and Poppy Parker separately.  

Sadly, Integrity Toys did not include a "Monogram" doll in their 25 year celebration which was very disappointing to me personally.  Of the six dolls here, I only purchased Evelyn and was able to get her at retail price.  I think I showed a great deal of restraint.  That Zuri keeps haunting my dreams though ... she's beginning to appear on more and more "Best of Legendary" lists.