We Don't Need No Stinkin' Lashes

One of my biggest problems with Integrity dolls just happens to be one of the things I like best about them.  My favorite part of doll collecting is redressing and photographing my dolls.  These photos are magnified images of what the doll actually looks like in person; many flaws invisible to the naked eye become immediately obvious in a photo.

I cannot imagine trying to place an eyelash on such a small surface and getting it perfect. Unfortunately,  it's those eyelashes that can totally ruin a doll's face in a photograph.  If the eyelash is too low, too high, or crooked, it's enough reason to return a head to Customer Care.  It's the most disappointing part of doll collecting for me, personally.

Integrity Toys didn't always apply eyelashes to their dolls.   They started experimenting with these eyelashes in 2005, using them with their Atelier and Exclusive lines.   Prior to these lines, all Integrity Toys had naked eyes!   Some of these dolls remain in my collection today (although they've been upgraded to taller, articulated bodies).  

Recently, my husband came up with a very good idea to help me narrow my focus in collecting.  He suggested I take photos of my dolls without any jewelry or clothing.  As he pointed out, "You're able to change the bodies; isn't it just the face and hair that is important to you?"  So I started taking "mug shots" of my dolls.   Even without applied eyelashes, these girls have managed to always make the cut.

The oldest dolls in my collection are from 2004.  Three are Veronique Perrin.  This is Diamond Dusted Veronique from the 2004 IFDC Convention.   She cost $125 and there were 500 in her edition.

Next up is Sheer Goddess.  I named this doll Eris.  She was my one of my favorite dolls from 2004 and got a great deal of photo time.  She cost $100 and was released in an edition size of 1000.

2004 was also the release of the Graphic Flirtation line.  I liked all of these dolls immensely and purchased all four of them.  Girl of the Moment was a My Favourite Doll Exclusive.  She cost $72 and was had an edition size of 1000.  She has the most intense ice blue eyes.

Graphic Language represents mold 2.0 of Adele Makeda.  (I don't have a version of mold 1.0 in my collection.)  She cost $60 and her edition size was 1000.

The next doll is still one of my favorite Kyori Sato (mold 1.0) dolls.  Her name is Glam Slam.  She had an edition size of 1200 and cost $60.

Vanessa Perrin (1.0) quickly became a collectors' favorite.  Unfortunately, Shock Bon Bon is the doll that helped coin the phrase "wonky eye".  Veronica Hage corrected the problem for me.  Even with the problem this doll's edition size of 1200 sold out quickly and she is still sought after by many collectors. They can't pick her up for the $60 price tag though.

The last doll in my collection from 2004 is from the very first Integrity Convention.  She is Cosmetic Takeover Natalia Fatale (mold 1.0).   This is one of my favorite dolls to this very day.  She was the convention doll and only 300 were made.  (NOTE:  Her skin tone does not match the current Latina or Tan skin tones.  I had to rebody her to a Capricious Natalia body.)

2005 ushered in another new character.  Age of Opulence Isha Kalpana Narayanan ($120/1000 edition size).  Again, it is very difficult to match this early Indian skin tone to a tall body.  My girl is using the Rare Find Isha body.

In 2006, Integrity Toys introduced a new, taller body for their dolls.  The first issue of basic dolls did not have eyelashes.  From this group, only Urban Antoinette Adele ($70/1300 edition size) still lives here.  I love this doll.

The convention collection from 2006 was also without eyelashes.  Sound Advice Veronique (now called Ondine) is my only OOAK doll by Vincent Tripani (Vin).

In addition to the regular FR line, I have two NuFace dolls that were released without eyelashes.  One is Paint In Black Colette Duranger.  She was a BIC exclusive and I remember thinking that $230 was a lot of money for a gift set (only 800 were made).  She was my contestant in the Pink Parlor Next Top Doll contest, so she will always be very special to me.

The other is another NuFace doll that I absolutely adore - Urban Outfitting Nadja Rhymes.

Excluding most of the Monogram line and some earlier NuFace dolls, only the Cult Couture group from 2007 was released without eyelashes.

There are only twelve dolls (eight different characters) without eyelashes living here:  1 Vanessa, 1 Kyori, 1 Natalia, 1 Isha, 2 Adele, and 4 Veronique, 1 Colette, and 1 Nadja.  I think they are beautiful.  They definitely don't need no stinkin' lashes!

BTW did you notice how many of these dolls show white under their irises?  When dolls started showing up with eyelashes, that white started bothering collectors.  I think the eyelashes reduced the amount of iris and exaggerated the white.  Just a thought ….

Convention Review - The View From Outside

As I've mentioned before I was unable to attend the Integrity Toys (IT) 2015 Cinematic Convention although I would've loved to go.   While collectors were flying off to Long Island, our school was giving standardized tests to children.

To kick off the convention in style, IT offered a cocktail reception to early attendees on Wednesday.  Collectors were given an opportunity to purchase an exclusive doll prior to arriving that would be waiting for them upon arrival.   There was quite a scandal about this because two different dolls were offered in an edition size of 210 each.  The problem was that one was much more desirable than the other.  Things got heated when Kumi sold out almost immediately when the link went live.

But any convention goer knows that an IT Convention has something for everyone, and there is always more than enough to go around.   Every year, the IT team comes up with workshops during the convention where attendees can purchase tickets.  Usually a doll is included with the workshop registration.  The workshop dolls this year were waiting for attendees in their registration packets upon arrival.  All three were produced in an edition size of 450.

Conventioneers who prepaid for the collection arrived to find those dolls waiting for them also. The Convention Collection this year was very diverse with 7 dolls produced in an edition size of 600 dolls each.  Here are the first three:

I had been able to pass on all convention dolls up this point.  However, I had to do some serious "rule review" with the next four dolls.   When I consider the purchase of a new doll, I have to ask myself several questions:

1. Does this doll represent a better version of a mold than what is already in my collection?
2. Do I have another doll similar?
3. Could I reproduce a similar version from what is already in my collection?

The first doll I had to resist was Star Power Vanessa Perrin.  Although I prefer the first two molds of this character, Star Power is exceptional.  The only problem is that there have been several platinum haired Vanessa Perrin dolls produced in the past year.  Although I can appreciate the "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" Marilyn Monroe ensemble, I thought I might just be able to recreate something similar.

Even though she may not be as stunning as Star Power, I guess I can satisfy that need and avoid paying $250+ on the secondary market for this doll.  

Next up, was In Rouges Erin Salton.  I really do love mold 2.0 of Erin.   As much as I was tempted by this doll, High End Envy is a personal favorite in my collection, and I have Voltage on pre-order.   Easy pass - two dolls down, two to go.

I have had a weakness for Giselle Diefendorfer ever since her original release, Costume Drama, and have owned every version of her at some point.  Although Perfectly Suited gives us a short haired, more mature version of Giselle, I definitely prefer the 2014 Convention Giselle.  I also have the mainline doll on pre-order.  Another easy pass for me.

The next doll was one with which I had a real struggle.  Agnes Von Weiss is my second favorite mold being produced by IT.  Feminine Perspective Agnes Von Weiss is an obvious homage to Old Hollywood Marlene Dietrich. The doll was produced wearing gorgeous white lingerie, a white dressing gown, and came with a tuxedo.  Unfortunately, this was very similar to the Josephine Baker gift set "The Jazz Age" which I already own.  

Who exactly is my favorite IT character?  Eugenia Frost, of course, and, for the first time ever, W Club members were given an opportunity to purchase a Convention Exclusive, even if they weren't going to the convention!  She is Reigning Grace Eugenia Frost and was shipped prior to the convention to those who had paid for her.  Personally, I believe she is one of the best dolls from the convention and am very appreciative that IT gave W Club members the opportunity to own her.  She was inspired by Grace Kelly.

In the registration packets, attendees received tickets to purchase Direct Sales dolls in the salesroom.  There were five.  These dolls are definitely causing me some trouble!

In addition to these five dolls, there were six Color Infusion female dolls with six separate ensembles representing iconic Hollywood.

And six Color Infusion male dolls with six separate ensembles also representing iconic Hollywood.

Have you lost count?  1 W Club Doll + 2 Cocktail Party Dolls + 3 Workshop Dolls + 7 Convention Collection Dolls + 5 Sales Room Dolls + 6 Color Infusion Girls + 6 Color Infusion Boys = 30 Dolls and Welcome Banquet hasn't even started yet!

30 Dolls and I only purchased two on secondary market.  Do you think you know which ones?  Which were your favorite so far?