Best of 2014 - Number 2

This doll character was so close to becoming Number 1 in my countdown.  If I didn't love my Number 1 choice so much, I could have switched the two characters easily.

2014 was definitely the year of Vanessa Perrin.   It started when she was announced as the W Club upgrade doll.  According to the release, she was a preview of the theme for the mainline.   If you are a completist, she was a must purchase.  Unfortunately, when Fashion Explorer Vanessa started arriving, it quickly became apparent that the quality control at IT was seriously suffering.  Collectors were receiving dolls with all sorts of problems with the predominant being eyelash glue globs on the iris and cornea area of the doll.  Fortunately, my girl arrived pretty much perfect.

Fashion Explorer Vanessa uses mold 3.0 which, up to 2014, has had a very lukewarm reception from collectors.

At the end of each year, individuals on Flickr often post a compilation of photos that receive the most attention from the public.  My "In The Box Closeup" of the next doll has received almost 4000 views;  The most of any photo I've ever posted on Flickr.   Earlier in 2014, collectors had the opportunity, through a W Club lottery, of purchasing Second Skin Vanessa Perrin using mold 1.0.

This version was limited to 300 dolls and cost only $75.  She was the only doll I entered the lottery to win, and I literally jumped up and down in my kitchen when my number was drawn.  This doll is very special because it is the first time Vanessa Perrin has been produced in the black skin tone.  I LOVE SECOND SKIN VANESSA!

The next time we saw Vanessa Perrin was in the production of Lisa Ramsammy's winning entry from the 2013 IT Design Competition.  Her name is Edge.  Unfortunately, I do have this doll, so I am using a photo from IT.  This doll also utilizes mold 3.0.

It was announced that Ms. Vanessa Perrin would be one of the Gloss Convention dolls.  Here is Adorned Vanessa Perrin.

I broke down and purchased this doll.  She reminds me so much of Jaclyn Smith in Charlie's Angels!  Many collectors consider her one of the very best dolls from the convention.  Here is a close up from IT.

I mentioned earlier that Second Skin Vanessa has received the most views on Flickr.   The next doll has received the most "favorites" from my posts.   To everyone's surprise, mold 1.0 Vanessa Perrin showed up at the Gloss Convention Welcome Banquet.    Sheer Sensuality Vanessa Perrin was a no-brainer purchase for me.

I do not have a mold 1.0 similar to this doll.  She was an edition size of 250 and could only be purchased by attendees whose lottery numbers were drawn.  (For some reason, this doll is completely overshadowed by other convention dolls; however, I think she is one of the very best mold 1.0 dolls ever produced.)

And just when one thinks the credit card is safe … the Gloss Convention Helper doll is released.  It is called Illustrious Vanessa Perrin.  This is mold 3.0 and was only given to helpers at the convention; only 100 were produced.  Fortunately, I was able to swap my second High Profile Eugenia Frost from the 2012 convention for this doll.  Illustrious Vanessa looks like a blonde version of Night Warrior to me,  For some reason, I could never bond with Night Warrior, but I fell in love with this blonde version.   Unfortunately, she is still in her box.

If you were counting, you realized IT produced six version of the character Vanessa Perrin in 2014.  Two were using mold 1.0 (which was retired but has always been a favorite with many collectors) and four used mold 3.0 which went from the "bastard stepchild" to the top of many lists this year.   It must be nice for IT designers to have their "I told you so" moment.  Choosing among the six was near impossible, but I have to go with the most dramatic of the six ...

Best of 2014 
Number 2
Illustrious Vanessa Perrin

Fourth Doll of 2014 - Second Skin Vanessa

I took a chance with the last W Club ITBE lottery and put one ticket for each membership on just one doll - Second Skin Vanessa.   I knew she would be impossible to get on the secondary market, and I was so happy when I won the chance to purchase her for $75.   Here she is in her box.

Second Skin uses the lamentably retired 1.0 mold.  Devoted collectors of this mold have been demanding its return, so Integrity Toys gave them their wish with a twist.  They gave her a different skin tone.  Here's the closeup.

I was worried sick about this doll's hair.  Everyone knows how OCD I am about my dolls' hair.  Fortunately, Second Skin Vanessa has great hair.

Here is a photo from behind.  I think it's almost as good as Ginza Kyori's hair.

To control this exceptional mane, I decided to keep the curls protected by tying a black ribbon to keep them secured in a ponytail.  Now, I don't have to worry too much about jewelry or clothing getting tangled and messing up the hair.  When Second Skin is not being photographed, I will keep a black hairnet over the hair to keep the curls tight.

A very odd controversy has popped up with this doll - "Is she?" or "Isn't she?"   I've seen some remarks on this that could be taken offensively, though I'm sure they were never intended that way.   I just assumed this doll was African American.   Some people insist that she remains "Caucasian Vanessa" and has just been in the tanning bed too long.  Some have called her "Brazilian" or "Indian".   Some say, "This just isn't Vanessa."

The skin tone is definitely not easy to photograph.  Depending on whether you use studio or natural lighting, the tone can look very different.

Growing up in a bi-racial family, I realize that people come in all colors with all types of facial features. I embrace Vanessa with this new skin tone and think she is exceptional.  For me, personally, she is a beautiful example of a woman of color, and I am excited to have added her to my collection.

I'm sure she will make many redress appearances on this blog, but for now, I love her just as presented. If this is "Basic Edition", I can't wait to see what is to come from Integrity Toys!  I'm probably going to be serious trouble!

Not Your "Basic" Doll

At the 2013 Convention, Integrity Toys brought back their ITBE line (Integrity Toys Basic Edition).  Attendees were given "random tickets" in their convention package for the opportunity to purchase Integrity Direct items in the store.  Two of those items were ITBE dolls - only these were not dolls from the original ITBE line.

There is a weird game IT plays with collectors in this area where they are not using the character name with ITBE dolls.  I guess ITBE dolls are so inexpensive that they can't afford a name; however, collectors are very familiar with the molds.  The one on the left is the Lilith/Eden mold and the one on the right is Anja.  (Lilith was Number 4 of my "Top 10 Dolls of 2013".)

Earlier this year, members of the W Club were given the opportunity to enter a lottery for three additional ITBE/Basic dolls.  There was Adele Mold 2.0 (retired FR bod),  Luchia/Isha (retired FR body), and Natalia Mold 1.5 (retired Monogram body).

Collectors went crazy over these dolls.  According to the W Club, there was a record number of entries in this lottery.  In an earlier post, I reviewed the Adele who was my first doll of 2014.

Last week W Club members were given a second lottery opportunity for four more ITBE/Basic dolls.  Each doll will be produced in a limited edition size of 300 and will cost $75.  I'm not sure the marketing strategy behind this collection makes sense.  On the secondary market the Lilith and Isha/Luchia often bring three to five times their original purchase price!

I really like how IT is mixing it up with these dolls.  Collectors are finally getting some amazing dolls of color.

Here is "Second Skin".  She uses the Vanessa 1.0 mold (a personal favorite of mine).   In this version, she is using the "A-Tone" skin tone.  She has Deep Brunette hair and will be on the original "big bust" FR body which is retired.

This doll was very unexpected but is a very pleasant surprise.  This will be the first time this Vanessa 1.0 changes race.  Love the "faux skin" black dress and red accessories.

Next up, we have "Morning Dove".   This is another of my favorite molds - Kyori 1.0.  Kyori has Raven hair, will be using the "FR Black" skin tone, and will come on the FR retired "big bust" body.

Although Kyori has been released in multiple skin tones in the past, I believe this is first time she uses the "FR Black".  Another lovely African American doll for collectors.  Although I really like the print of the fabric, the weight seems a little bit heavy.

"Red Strike" is one of the oldest IT molds, Janay, which was originally released as a "play line" doll.  She never looked this good in her play line version.  She is on the Monogram body, has shimmering blonde hair, and is using the Miami Skintone.

I am surprised by how much I like this doll.  I believe these dolls represent the best group of dolls "of color" collectors have had the opportunity to purchase in a very long time. I'm not sure her intended ethnicity, but she looks Puerto Rican to me.

The last doll is "Night Strike".  Apparently, this dress is easy and inexpensive to produce.  This will be the third color way of it.  Night Strike is using a Monogram mold and body.  She has gray hair.

This dolls seems to be the most popular with collectors.  She really is quite beautiful.

So, I have a couple days to make up my mind if I am going to enter any of the lotteries.  This is a very tough call.  They are all lovely and would bring something different to my collection.   Who would you choose?  I'll let you know my decision in the next post.  It helps to put them all four in one photo.

All images are the property of Integrity Toys and are used in the blog for informational purposes only.