The Integrity Toys (IT) character, Elyse Jolie, was introduced at one of the most epic IT Conventions in history, 2009's "Iconic". Blue Blood was the Convention Doll given to all attendees at the Gala Banquet Event on the final night of the convention. She was initially released with her first name spelled with an "i" instead of the "y" but copyright issues required a change to the spelling. As is usual, it took a little time for many collectors to warm up to this doll. It didn't hurt that Jason Wu announced that she was his favorite sculpt and muse in the doll world.
Blue Blood is the only version of Elyse Jolie released on the older body. In this photo she is borrowing Paris J'Adore Tatyana's gown and Regal Solstice Anja's jewelry. Elyse Jolie holds the esteemed honor of being the first mainline IT doll to transition over to the FR2 body, which happened at the 2010 IT Convention Dark Romance.
Since 2009, there have been 35 versions of Elyse Jolie released (18 representing exclusive Jason Wu couture - six of which were convention items), and she has made an appearance at every IT Convention except one, the 2020 Legendary Convention (as a matter of detail, 2020 is the only year that collectors didn't receive a single version of this character; she took a brief rest after collectors voiced boredom with the mold being used so often - 17 versions in the previous three years).
I have owned 21 versions of Elyse Jolie of which I have sold 7. Yes, that means there are 14 versions of this character in residence here. Three of those were received in the past eight months.
The first Elyse released after the 2020 hiatus was a 2021 W Club Registration Upgrade doll called Bijou. Collectors were excited because this was the first time Elyse was in the A-Tone skin color. The promo pictures were very promising of a doll with a sleek updo, classic face-up, and interesting gown. She was compared to the model Iman. The cost was $140. She started arriving in collectors' hands in the fall of last year, so I will apologize for just getting around to reviewing this doll. Here is a closeup photo in the box.
Here is a full length photo in the box.
Here is a photo of the accessories (photo by IT).
Bijou is a solid representation of the mold and the face is beautiful.
Surprisingly, Bijou often sells very close to original retail price which may be attributed to her edition size of 2300. She has never gotten popular with collectors; I'm not sure why. She is very elegant and redresses wonderfully.
The IT Convention "Obsession" was later than usual this past year. As Bijou had just shipped, collectors were not enthused about the official convention doll being Fall 2020 Elyse Jolie. This time Elyse showed up in Dark A-Tone skin variation. Fall 2020 was designed by Jason Wu and represents an actual original design created in miniature. Here is the promo photo from IT.
In an effort to reproduce this doll authentically, IT used curly textured hair and then tried to create marcel waves with it. This was very ambitions, but, unfortunately, the production team was unable to accomplish the desired result on most of the dolls received by collectors Some of these poor dolls had hair that actually looked "fried" and over-processed. Sadly, I've seen NRFB Fall 2020 Elyse dolls sell for the price many undressed, played-with dolls are going for.
I recently attended the Atlanta Doll Collectors Doll Show. Shout out to Ebony who posts as Jewel and Georgia Girl for all their hard work to bring a doll show back to the public post-covid19. It was so nice meeting them and getting to put faces to collector names. I think I came away with a couple new friends! While there, I was able to actually purchase Fall 2020 at a great price and see her in person before buying her. I think the version I got was actually quite good.
Here is a closeup in box.
Here are the accessories in a photo by IT. The makeup and perfume miniatures are a very nice touch!
Unfortunately, the problems start the second the collector removes the hairnet. That curly hair just refuses to lay down on her head. Little hairs stick up all over the place. Not enough time was spent on the waves as there are hairs out of place and poking up on those as well. I tried using product to tame this mess, but finally gave up and went in a different direction. Here is my interpretation of the doll with a more modern hairstyle, taking advantage of the natural curls in the hair.
Although I am satisfied with the results, I am very disappointed I was unable to make my doll look like the one in the promo. I find it difficult to believe that Jason Wu approved the production of such a doll representing his design name. Fall 2020 simply just doesn't live up to the standard other Jason Wu designer dolls have established. Number 18 for 2022 is Fall 2020 Elyse Jolie.
