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.

Doll Collection Cycle 2022 - Number 11 Dangerous Curves Zuri Okoty

Eight of the first 10 additions to my collection of 2022 have represented dolls from the 2021 Obsession Convention.  Most were added after seeing "real life" photos of the dolls.  The strange thing about the Obsession Convention photos was that the dolls that looked best in the promos, looked least appealing in production and those that I wasn't interested in adding to my collection were the best.  I took a chance on Sovereign Adele Makeda and A Doll's Life Vanessa Perrin because those are two of my favorite molds - and I'm glad I did because they were amazing when received by collectors and prices continue to climb.   It has been strange watching how secondary markup prices have reversed with most dolls!

As someone who photographs and posts pictures of my dolls, I know there are many considerations during the production.   Lighting, camera, and software editing can make a tremendous difference in what is captured of each doll.  Personally, I try to use natural light and minimize software editing as much as possible.  I try my best to have my photos represent the doll in front of me.

For some reason, IT's promo photos have gotten off for the last few months.   I'm not sure if the photographer or the software has changed.  Regardless, many of the dolls received by collectors aren't representative of the promo photos.   One of the most obvious examples was Gorgeous Poppy Parker (shown in my last entry).

Another example is Number 11 added to my collection in 2022.  When the new Meteor dolls from the Roaring 20's Remix Collection were promoted, they were an easy pass for me.  I don't actually collect Meteor dolls, although I have a couple that I plan to re-body soon.   

One of these dolls was Dangerous Curves Zuri Okoty.   Here is her promo photo by Integrity Toys.

And IT's closeup ...

I can see where they are going with the concept, but I just don't like anything about this doll.  It tries to merge the 1920's with modern styling.  I don't like the hair.  I don't like the makeup.  I definitely do not like the ensemble.  

But then ... collectors started posting photos. Some collectors were disappointed and were stating, "This doll doesn't look like the promos."   My response was, "No, this doll does NOT look like the promos.  This doll looks REALLY GOOD!"

Here is a closeup of the actual doll in the box.  The hair actually doesn't have that burnt henna color from the promos.  It's not as frizzy either.  The bangs are actually parted into two separate "pom poms" (some collectors have been taming them with product and making them lie down like the promo).

And a full length photo.  The dress is actually much better in production and the color is quite lovely.

When I saw the first "real life" photos of this doll, I immediately saw Whitney Houston.  I was a young adult in the 1980's, so I have many fond memories of dancing to her songs and watching her videos on MTV.   Here is my interpretation of Dangerous Curves Zuri Okoty as Whitney Houston.

This doll looks so good in more casual attire.  It takes a little handwork with the hair, but it's actually quite nice when manipulated into a more modern style.  Here she is wearing one of my favorite playline dresses.  Her hair was produced pulled back into a big ponytail.  I pulled the hair down more to give it a modern look.

I'm so glad I caught on to the post production potential of this doll early.  I was able to still pick her up from an IT dealer at original retail price!   She should become more popular as more collectors receive her and post photos.  I think she is definitely a "keeper" but will need a FR2/Nuface2 body to be perfect!  Number 11 of 2022 is Dangerous Curves Zuri Okoty!