In Search of Perfection ...

As a doll collector, you come to realize that "perfection" is truly rare in production dolls.

Like everyone else, I have purchased a production doll even though I did not like the ensemble.  I have also purchased a production doll because I love the ensemble but dislike the doll.   I am now faced with a serious dilemma.  There is a production doll for which I don't like either the doll or the ensemble, but I need the body because it is a perfect tone match for several of my favorite dolls.  I just can't justify such an extravagance, but I know I have to bite the bullit if I am to up date some of my older dolls.

Last year I purchased Vivid Encounter Adele Makeda.

This doll was a serious sleeper for collectors.  The head is a little darker than the body.  Many liked the dress, but few liked the doll.  Thanks to another collector named Russell, I found out the body is a perfect match for Gold Glam Adele, who is a favorite of mine.

On with the heating pad and voila!  The dolls switched bodies.  Here is Gold Glam with her FR2 body.

Here is Vivid Encounter on her regular FR body with handspeak.  Surprisingly, I like this Vivid Encounter much better on this body.  Her head still is a little darker than her body, but she sort of pulls this looks off!

This brings me to a very recent purchase.  From the 2014 Integrity Convention, I bought several dolls but completely ignored Nocturnal Glow Veronique.  This doll truly suffered from poor execution.  The big bow is hideous.

Although I have since seen celebrities wearing similar versions of this dress, I still am not impressed with it.

But … there is something about that face.

Some collectors who are truly visionary recognized the potential in this doll.  A couple snips to remove the thread from the hair, pull out the pins, some brushing to remove the stiffness, and something a little less formal.

What were they thinking?  This is actually an amazing doll and probably my favorite Veronique mold 2.0 produced so far.

Best of 2014 - Number 4

I can't begin to tell you how sad I was to see this doll's mold retired in 2011.   She is in my top five of all doll molds.   I have owned almost every version of her released.   You can only imagine my excitement when she was offered in a lottery of Integrity Toys Basic Edition dolls last December.

There were only 300 in her edition size and she cost $75.   I was so ecstatic that my lottery number was drawn.  Even though she was listed as a 2013 doll, she did not arrive until 2014.  She was the first doll added to my collection in 2014 and remains a favorite.  She is Gold Glam Adele Makeda.

This doll reminds me so much of Beyonce.   She has been redressed and photographed several times over the last twelve months.

The mainline Adele Makeda, Vivid Encounter, used mold 3.0.  At first, I wasn't going to order this doll, but collectors were very vocal about how much they loved the dress.  I was able to acquire one at retail, $135.  There were only 400 in her edition.

I have never warmed to mold 3.0.  I've owned every version, but most have found new homes.   Although I'm not fond of this doll's lip color, she's not a bad representation of the mold.

The third Adele Makeda released in 2014 was a gift doll at Integrity Toy's Gloss Convention Welcome Banquet.  She is Le Smoking Adele.  Again, I've not had the time to give her a proper deboxing.

I was so excited to see mold 2.0 again in 2014.   This time she has the richer skin tone of The Muse.   (Many collectors have purchased multiples of this doll to provide a donor for The Muse, so Le Smoking demands a solid price on the secondary market.)  Personally, I love the ensemble and the face!

Even with three strong offerings of Adele Makeda, it wasn't difficult to choose my favorite.

Best of 2014
Number 4
Gold Glam Adele Makeda/Beyonce

Integrity Toys - Spring Reveal 2014 - Fashion Royalty

W Club members got the special treat on Saturday, May 17, of being the first to see Integrity Toys Spring 2014 dolls.  We were not allowed to share this information until Monday, May 19, at 12:00 noon EST.  All photos are the property of Integrity Toys and used here, with permission, for informational purposes only.  I have nothing for sell.  You can contact an Integrity dealer to place your pre-orders.   If you don't have a dealer you can find one through this link:

http://www.integritytoys.com/page/dealers

I decided to give one entire blog entry to the Fashion Royalty collection since that is the focus of my collecting.   The entire collection will be available in August/September.  Each doll retails for $135.  I believe the edition sizes reflect the popularity of the dolls.  Natalia and Eugenia will be released in an edition size of 800.   Elise, Veronique, and Kyori will be 700 each.  Adele, bless her heart, will be released in only 400 dolls.  Please know that these are my personal views in what I say.  Many may disagree with me, but that is why doll collecting is so much fun!

First up we have Elusive Creature Natalia Fatale.  

Oh yeah!  We can do some talking on this one.  The skirt, although similar to Fire Within Jordan's skirt, works quite well with this outfit.  LOVE the boots and handbag.  The hat is great.  I love the neutral color palette.  Although Natalia usually wears her hair this way, it continues to be effective.  COME TO MAMA!

The second doll is On the Rise Elise Jolie.  

Although I love Elise, I already have four dark-haired Elise dolls.  The dress is lovely and a great color, but I don't see it getting much time in my collection.  I do love the shoes though!  I am trying keep within budget, so this one was a reluctant pass.

Next up is City Prowl Eugenia Frost.

Anytime I hear the name Eugenia Frost, I know I'm a goner.  At first I told myself, "I already have Diamond Society Eugenia.  They look similar."  Then I rationalized, "I'll pick the outfit up on secondary market."   I finally just gave in and signed, "Resistance is futile!"  Already confirmed on her purchase at my dealer!  That leopard blouse will get worn out by the girls residing here!  I'm a little concerned by the eye makeup, but I know the closeup photos are always more extreme than how the doll looks in person.  Outstanding presentation head-to-toe!

The fourth doll was Faded Desert Kyori Sato.

As beautiful as this doll is, I believe her looks are too similar to Love the One.  I didn't want to get readers confused by including a photo of Love the One, but you can check it out at the reference page.  I hope to pick the entire ensemble up on secondary market though.  Passing on her may be my biggest regret of the Spring reveal.   When on the fence though, I tend to lean to the cautious side.

I totally freaked out at the next doll.  Here is Full Spectrum Veronique Perrin:

This doll had me at "thatched eyebrows".   It is rare for any doll manufacturer to release a short haired doll.  It is even rarer to get that short hair style to be effective.  I can't wait to get this doll in my hot little hands.  I love the dress and had to show the photo highlighting the cut out in the back.  I adore how the lip color is a perfect match to the shoes and dress.  

I thought we were finished at five dolls - but there was a sixth!  Here is Vivid Encounter Adele Makeda.

Again, I realize the diversity of our doll collecting community.  One of my very best doll friends loves this outfit.  I, on the other hand, don't understand it in the least.  I think it would have been much better as a jumpsuit paired with a baggy safari jacket and some tan suede boots and hat.  The dolls is just too much like the Convention doll from last year.  She was my only "easy pass".  I think IT needs to retire the word "Vivid" - it always translates to a hot mess.

So here is a photo of the six dolls together to get an idea of the collection:

It is a pretty cohesive collection.   I was very impressed.  I still struggle with the FR2 body, but I have enough extra bodies around here to make any changes I believe necessary.  Some dolls, at least to me, just look better on the older version body.

The event doll - available to all W Club members only - was a big hit.  No matter what's going on, Agnes always seems to get the center of attention.  This webinair was no exception.  I give you High Visibility Agnes Von Weiss.  This doll was a mini gift set and collectors get quite a bit of bang for the buck.

This doll has a beautiful face up which deserves a bigger photo.

Her cost was the same as the rest of the FR line - $135.  What a steal!  The edition size will be based on how many members actually order this doll.  My bet is that it will be well over 1000!

If you purchased the entire collection (including Agnes), you would wind up spending $945 (not including shipping).  Collecting FR dolls has gotten expensive!

I was conservate this time around.  My collection will only be increasing by four dolls:  Elusive Creature Natalia, City Prowl Eugenia, Full Spectrum Veronique, and High Visibility Agnes.

Did anyone survive unscathed?