Best of 2023 - Number 9

I had to go back and look over my "Best of " lists for the past 12 years to confirm this, but a doll from The Industry has never appeared in my Top 10.  That is until 2023.

I  really like the character Tulabelle True.  I like the backstory that she is Poppy Parker's granddaughter living in modern times.  I like the fact that instead of being a model she is an influencer and maintains a strong and respected presence in social media.   I like the clothing of The Industry, the characters, and especially Tulabelle True mold 2.0.  I think it helps matters that both Poppy Parker and The Industry are designed by Integrity Toys favorite David Buttry.  

I actually own every version of Tulabelle True mold 2.0.  Even though she did not make the countdown, Yeti for You is one of my favorite dolls from 2019 (no fault of the doll, 2019 was just a fabulous year for beautiful dolls).  I added glasses to Yeti for You in my photos and fell totally in love with her.  Here is one of my earlier photos.

You cannot imagine how excited I was to find a pair glasses included with Trending Tulabelle True.  David Buttry and I share an aesthetic when it comes to this mold.  It also doesn't hurt that this doll is just so gosh-darned photogenic!

Even though Trending Tulabelle True was announced in 2022, she wasn't received by collectors until early 2023.  She was Number 18 of my 2023 Collecting Cycle.  The minute I opened the box, I fell in love.  Best of 2023 Number 9 is Trending Tulabelle True.

#20 and #21 of 2019 - Sneaky, Sneaky IT

I pride myself in trying to focus my collecting over the last few years.  I only have one line of "tall" dolls in my collection now, Ellowyne Wilde.  I managed to adopt out all of my Tonner Sydney's/Tylers/etc, Genes, and 16" Integrity Toys (IT) girls.  I no longer have any Madame Alexander, Pullip, Tiny Kitty, or Vogue Ginny Dolls.   

In addition, I have found homes for almost all of my DG's and Color Infusion dolls.  That leaves:

Vintage and Modern Playline Barbie
FR/FR2
NuFace
Victoire/East 59th St
Misaki
Poppy Parker 
Monogram (Retired line)

One of the best things about limiting the focus of my collection is that most of these can share wardrobes across lines to some extent.

In 2016, when IT introduced a new line, "The Industry", I refused to get onboard.  Wasn't going to happen.  No way.  Not for me.  I felt secure in my resolve.

Even when the Style Lab at the 2017 IT Convention "Fashion Fairytale" was announced with The Industry as the characters, I resisted.  Some attendees sold the fashions separately from the dolls.  I was able to grab up several of the fashions because it was advertised that the fashions could fit other IT lines.

Here is an example with Dark Romance Giselle wearing "Your Move" (even the boots fit!).

Cute, right?  There's nothing wrong with picking up some ensembles and accessories for the dolls that already live here.  

Here's where IT got a little sneaky.  They also included two Poppy Parker dolls in the Style Lab, using the same "The Industry" body.   There are a lot of Poppy Parker collectors who prefer their Poppy girls with straight ankles.  Some collectors even rebody their Poppy Parkers to get rid of that ankle joint body.  In 2017, IT introduced the Poppy Parker 1.5 body with no ankle joint, so collectors already had a similar body in their collections.  This was a segue for Poppy Parker collectors to combine dolls in the two lines.

Since I really liked the "Your Move" ensemble much more than I expected, I decided I wanted a couple more Style Lab ensembles.  Some collectors who sell Style Lab items combine a doll and a fashion into one auction.  That's how I got my first "The Industry" doll.  Unfortunately, it was the Tulabelle True doll with the FR Black skin tone.  It is only fitting that the theme was "Alice in Wonderland" because I fell down the rabbit hole.

Here she is wearing the NuFace Be Daring Imogen suit.  I actually adore this doll and have redressed her often.  She was my first "The Industry" doll.   I also wound up with four ensembles from the Fashion Fairytale Convention Style Lab.

I continued to resist The Industry mainline dolls.  I only had one The Industry doll, and I didn't "need" another.   Then IT did the unspeakable.  At the 2018 Luxe Life Convention, they introduced EIGHT new "The Industry" characters with EIGHT ensembles and two accessory packs at the Style Lab.  Not to mention they included a "build-a-doll" Poppy Parker using a cream skin tone for the first time!   

I was able to acquire seven of the ensembles at really good prices.  Unfortunately, this time, some of the shoes/boots only fit "The Industry" foot.  (But the good news is that the legs from The Industry can the changed out with the legs on NuFace2 and FR2 bodies!)   I added Hollis Hughes and "Pull Yourself Together" Poppy Parker to my collection.

I really like these trendy ensembles with their unique footwear and accessories.  They can often be picked up on secondary market for less that $75.   

The trouble started when I decided to look at previously released dressed dolls for their ensembles. Since collectors are strapped for cash to pay for convention registrations and airfare and are saving for hotel expenses and doll purchases there, you can pick up some good deals on secondary market.

I found a NRFB "You Better Werk!" Giftset from the Supermodel Convention at a great price.

#20 of 2019!

I also found a NRFB Lady Stardust Tulabelle True.

#21 of 2019.  I guess I officially have to add "The Industry" to my list of doll lines I collect now.

Best of 2018 - The Industry - A Year in Review

I am doing my countdown a little differently this year.   Since there are so many different Integrity Toys (IT) lines that have somehow managed to suck me in, I am going to do the lines separately.  Trying to combine the lines into one countdown of 10 was just too confusing and exhausting!

The Industry is IT's newest line of dolls.  A little history ... 

The Dynamite Girls line was a staple of IT Conventions (2007-2014) and even introduced the Style Lab "Build a-Doll" concept in 2011.  You could buy a nude doll and dress it from options available only in the Style Lab.  It was a very popular concept.   In 2012, IT replaced the DG Style Lab with a new line called Color Infusion (CI).   The CI dolls were noticeably larger, especially their hands and feet.  Many collectors were hesitant to get onboard, although some purchased dolls and rebodied them (me included).  CI only served as the Style Lab line for four years (2012 - 2016).

Many collectors missed the Dynamite Girls and the Color Infusion line wasn't selling as well as expected, so IT decided to start a doll line in 2016, The Industry, with a similar size body to the final version of the DG dolls.  There were only two dolls in the original line using the same new mold, character Tulabelle.  It got a lukewarm reception.  

In 2017 IT added two new female characters to the line (Binx and Liu Liu) and included four males (Tate, Cabot, Milo, and Daley).  The 2017 Style Lab even included the Poppy Parker mold on The Industry bodies (no ankle joint!).  Saying the 2017 Style Lab was a sensation would be an understatement.  

In 2018, IT introduced three new female characters (Janay, Alysa, and Jade) and a new male character (Bellamy).   IT started moving characters from other lines into The Industry fold!

Everyone was very eager to see what the 2018 "Luxe Life" Convention would have in store for the Style Lab line.  Although there were photos, the actual dolls did not make it to the convention - apparently they were delayed in customs.  (I think this must have been horrible for convention attendees.  Many collectors opt to purchase the convention line ahead of time and have it shipped to their home following convention, using the Style Lab dolls and clothing for redress and play at the convention.  This year that didn't happen, and it ruined a lot of the creative fun of combining dolls/ensembles and sharing photos with the general public.  Not to mention there is usually a whole block of time set aside to spend browsing and shopping in the Style Lab.)

There were six nude girl dolls that could be purchased - Janay, Alysa, and Jade (molds already introduced earlier in the year) and five new characters - Gavin, Rufus, Lark, Ellery and Hollis.  Also included were two nude male dolls - Bellamy and Milo.   Each doll was paired with individual ensembles that had to purchased separately.  The whole concept was very "street smart".   

I actually purchased four of these ensembles (photos property of Integrity Toys):

1.  Cherry Bomb Fashion - So many individual items that will mix n match wonderfully.  Imagine the top with the silver pants below! or the shorts with the denim boots! (The doll is Lark Lawrence.)

2.  My favorite ensemble, Punk Rock being worn by Rufus Blue.

3.  I had to own those denim distressed boots!  This is Not Your Puppet with Janay.

4.  I really wanted the sweater from the next ensemble, but I found the dress to be quite nice.  This is Glitterati worn by Ellery Eames.

The remaining six dolls are below:

I also purchased both accessory sets.  The first is called Skirt The Issues.

The second one is Top This.

For me personally, this could've been the best part of the whole convention.  Too bad, customs wouldn't release the items.

There is currently a conspiracy theory that IT withheld the Style Lab on purpose.  Collectors could order the entire Style Lab line in advance.  This would guarantee them a special Poppy Parker, released for the first time in a cream skin tone.  It turns out this Poppy Parker, aptly named Miss Behave, was deconstructed and each body part and ensemble piece was included in a different package from the Style Lab!  You had to purchase the entire line to complete the Poppy and ensemble.

This is one of the most desirable dolls of 2018!  She is selling on secondary market for over $500.  Some collectors have mused that, had the Style Lab been present for purchase, buyers would've quickly figured out which item had the Poppy head and focused on that one item.  For me, I think the individual ensembles are pretty amazing and would've sold out regardless!

The collection sold very well.  In fact, it is now completely sold out.  There were only 400 in the edition size.  I was able to snag the top with attached train at a great price.  I decided to try and recreate the look as best as I could on my own.  This is one of my favorite dolls from last year, Poetic Beauty Lilith wearing my recreation.

Jewelry from 2016 Fabulous Fields Luchia
Gloves from 2018 Fame & Fortune Vanessa
Pants from 2012 Rock Me Baby Rayna Ahmadi
Shoes from 2016 AKA Gigi Giselle
Black hat 2010 Monogram Escapade

So, which doll from 2018 is my personal favorite?  That was an easy choice for me.  

Best The Industry doll for 2018 is Hollis Hughes.

I love the skin tone combined with this hair and face up.  My dolls were told they had to dress appropriately for their "Best of" photos this year.

Here she is wearing the Mattel Audrey Hepburn Silkstone Givenchy Sabrina gown.

Hollis Hughes looks great in so many different ensembles!  She definitely deserves the title "Best The Industry Doll of 2018" and Number 17 of 2018 in my collection!

Oh no! Not A Tulabelle!

One of my "Guidelines for Collecting" is that I not add any more lines to what I am collecting.  I have been very careful to stay away from "The Industry" line for fear of having to buy separate clothing for those dolls.

When I reviewed the Style Lab from the Integrity Toys Fairytale Convention, I wrote that my favorite doll from this line was the AA Tulabelle.  Leandro offered this doll for sell, and when I inquired about her, he said he could ship her for free inside Erin's box.  I caved ...

The good news is that The Industry body can wear a great deal of the clothing I already have here.  That is very exciting!  The better Mattel and Silkstone clothing fits, as does some of the Dynamite Girl, NuFace, and Poppy Parker clothing.

Here is AA Tulabelle wearing the Hudson Bay Barbie ensemble with the little dog!

And here is a closeup.

I REALLY LOVE this doll's faceup and hair.  This doll is gorgeous in person and she is still selling on secondary market at prices the fraction of the other Fairytale dolls.  I believe she is going to be the "sleeper hit" of this year's collection.

Girls around here tend to get casual quickly.  She looks very nice in this older FR sweater.

I can't wait for more photo opportunities with her!

Through the Eyes of a Spectator

I wasn't sure about the "Fairytale" theme of the 2017 Integrity Convention.  After all, those among us who have been collecting for any length of time have seen this one done to death - just about every doll designer has produced one version or more.

The Style Lab opened early Friday morning.  Integrity Toys (IT) opted this year to return to the old way of letting collectors in according to their place when they line up in the morning.  (In the past couple years, collectors were assigned a random "cue number" that decided when they got to enter the lab.)

The Style Lab has gone through several changes over the years.  It originally supported the "Dynamite Girls" line, moved to "Color Infusion" in 2012, and has now progressed to "The Industry". Collectors purchase nude dolls and can choose among different ensembles sold a la carte.  The theme this year was an amalgamation of the movie cult classic "Clueless" with the Lewis Carroll fairytales Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.  I can think of nothing more original than pairing these two storylines.

All photos are the property of Integrity Toys and are provided for informational purposes only.

First up, we have Alice.  This is Tulabelle True wearing "I'm Curious".

Merging the Lewis Carroll storyline with Clueless was definitely a challenge for creating the Alice character.  Although I love the modern interpretation (and the doll's face-up is gorgeous), there is really nothing here that says "Alice in Wonderland" to me; it is very dark and sinister which may support the story more than the Alice character herself.  I think the ensemble is extremely well made and I wouldn't mind having it in my collection; however, Alice is always portrayed as very innocent, wearing multiple layers of petticoats and an apron.  I guess IT was trying to be careful to stay away their earlier interpretation with 2010's IFDC Convention Companion Doll, "Curiouser and Curiouser Alice" worn by Dynamite Girl Gavin.

We also got Tulabelle True in African American skin tone wearing "Who Are You" as the caterpillar.

My favorite nude doll of the collection. but the ensemble is just way over the top.  This concept is quite fascinating.  The doll, though, remains one of the very best from the entire convention.

Next up is Binx Barone as the Queen of Hearts.  The ensemble is called "Heartache".

She is wearing what looks like a sandwich board fuzzy heart which is actually a faux fur coat.   I appreciate the broken heart bustier and wouldn't mind having this piece in my dolls' closet.  The pants are very similar to a DG pair used in the Style Lab several years ago.  Although very modern and edgy, I'm not a fan of this interpretation of The Queen of Hearts.  However, I LOVE the Tatyana "Checkmate" version from 2010.

Liu Liu Lang showed up as the Rabbit, wearing "Just A Second".

I do love the mask!!  Again, I think it is unfortunate IT has already produced a better version of this character with "Red Rabbit Misaki" from 2008.  (Liu Liu does remind me of Quicksilver Kyori Sato, who is one of my very favorite IT dolls.)

Something that was very exciting for collectors was that Poppy Parker made an appearance in the Style Lab this year.   Her first character is The White Queen wearing "Your Move".

This is obviously the character "Sher".   I always considered the 2008 Misaki Pure Evil IT's interpretation of the The White Queen (since she came with "Red Rabbit") and think the Misaki version is superior.

The second character portrayed by Poppy was one of the Tweedle Twins (not sure which is which and am not sure how I feel about them being fraternal).   She is wearing "Clueless".

I really like both the doll and the ensemble.  From the collection, this is my favorite combination.

The other Tweedle Twin seems to be an homme character, Milo Montez, wearing "Dim the Lights."

The same fabrics are used and both have the black striped accessories.  I think the twins are the best of the concepts here and I am sorely tempted to add them to my collection wearing these exact ensembles!  The designers really got this set right!

The last three characters were also male dolls.  Going left to right, we have Tate Tanaka as the Mad Hatter wearing "Completely Mad",  Cabot Clark as the Knave of Hearts wearing "Lover Boy", and Daley Daniels as the Cheshire Cat wearing "Not All There".

There were also two accessory packs.  One for the ladies called "Eat Me" and one for the gents called "Totally Bonkers."

I really appreciate the fact that designers were being mindful to stay away from "costumes".  I like the fabrics chosen and the design ideas a great deal.  It was weird combining the themes, but I guess it's like the characters from Clueless decided to put on a play of Lewis Carroll's books but read the Cliff Notes version and decided to use clothing from their closets??

As a collector, had I been attending, I wouldn't have been disappointed in the least.  The entire collection is quite cohesive and well made.  The screenings are great and there are many mix and match possibilities with clothing.  Had I been there, I would've unfortunately been pulled into collecting The Industry line.

It has been reported that The Industry clothing can be shared with the NuFace dolls to a point; however, the shoes will not fit.  Personally, I don't have any Industry dolls or clothing.  I no longer collect hommes, so that temptation no longer exists.  Although I really like both Poppy Parker versions, I passed at this time.  Fortunately, I was able to walk away from this performance financially unscathed.