Nu Fantasy, the Integrity Toys line that translated dolls from all their other lines into fantasy inspired dolls just made a comeback. A new collection (one doll from it to be precise) was unveiled in a W Club event presentation, for the Coven Couture NU. Fantasy collection, designed by IT designer Mark Tinkey. There will be four dolls in total to be released, with the next one presented in the next months. The event alsio informed us that the first W Club doll is just around the corner. IT has secured a licensing deal for a new line of dolls that got Alain and Carol very excited, but they did not divulge any details about that. They also talked about the delays of doll production that are doggin Integrity again this year (as well as otner companies all over the world) and the effect they are having on pricing (which manifested in the price of this doll). Seeing the priced steadily rising this year in everything from groceries to clothes to services, and the delays in materials moving around the world, it’s not hard to imagine how it can affect a company like Integrity Toys that is small in size and does not own big factories and raw material production sites like other larger corporations do (hello Mattel). So you have to accept that this year and for at least the first half of the next one, everything will be late and expensive. One more worrying thing is that they cannot travel to China to supervise production like in previous years. Fingers crossed the situation improves soon.
Let’s get back to the doll. Here's an introduction about the Coven Couture Collection's inspiration directly from Mark Tinkey:
"I was inspired by myths, fairy tales, and some of my favorite couture designers to create the dolls and fashions for the Coven Couture collection. It is a series of four dolls each meant to stand out on their own or fill out a shelf in your collection with drama and color. The images conjured when I think of dark castles, magic spells, and fabulous witchy women helped to define the look and mood of these dolls. They are decadent and darkly romantic and I hope you love them as much as I do!"
Item # 75029
Smoke and Shadow
Vanessa Perrin™ Dressed Doll
NU. Fantasy™: The Coven Couture Collection
Edition Size: 1500
Expected Ship Date: Late Fall / Early Winter 2021
Price: $199.00 + Shipping & Handling
*W Club Right-to-buy Lottery Offer*
Head Sculpt: Vanessa 3.0
Body Type: FR 6.0
Foot Sculpt: High-heeled
Skin Tone: Cream
Hair Color: Ash Blonde
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
Included:
12.5-inch articulated doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;
Black tulle and satin gown with extravagant embroidery designed by Mark Tinkey, rhinestone detail, and multi-layered skirt;
Removable tulle sleeves:
Ornate metal headpiece with separate tulle veil;
Dangle earrings with rhinestone drop;
Stud earrings for a simpler look, if desired;
3 finger rings, 2 with "stone" detail and 1 geometric "gold";
Black open lace-up platform boots with zipper in back;
Small black satin clutch with attached bracelet and skull charm with rhinestone eyes;
Pair of long manicured hands;
Extra pair of "hand on hip" hands (also perfect for spell-casting!);
Doll stand;
Certificate of authenticity.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes shown, final product may vary. Acrylic blocks in the accessory pictures are display props only and are not included with the doll. This collectible is meant for adult collectors ages 15 and up only.
Offer Type:
Members-only right-to-buy lottery;
Right-to-buy Lottery Participation Deadline:
August 2nd, 2021 at 12 PM (Noon) Eastern Time;
Pricing (Only If You Are Selected in the Right-to-buy Lottery):
$199.00 + S&H (payable in two installments of $99.50 each);
Approximate Shipping Timing:
Late Fall / Early Winter 2021;
W Club Right-to-buy Lottery Participation Limit:
Max. one (1) lottery ticket per each 2021 membership only.
Having a new doll presentation from IT is exciting, even if it is only one doll and not a whole collection, which is the thing usually featured in a live event. Mark was there to present the doll as well and I got the impression that they did this to placate collectors, who are still waiting for preorders to ship. My guess is that instead of waiting to have all four prototypes to present the collection, they decided to showcase this one in order to generate excitement sooner and fill the gap that delays have caused to new dolls arriving. The doll is a beautiful version of Vanessa 3.0, with sexy, vampy make up and lovely hair, which will be gorgeous in other Fashion Royalty clothes as well.
Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2012 Collection - photo courtesy of Alexander McQueen
Even though I love having miniature versions of real life designer fashions, especially from my favourite designers, like Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton, it irks me when it is not mentioned at all in the emalis or the presentations. This one is not even inspired by the actual dress, it is an identical copy, with only the embroidered motifs being different. That is not designing a doll, it is simply styling. It is not the first time Integrity is doing this and it will not be the last - and I will pin-point it every single time. If Integrity are afraid of legal issues, then they should stop doing it and get their talented designers to make some original fashions. That being said, the accessories are magnificent, especially the headpiece, the earrings and the bag combined with a bracelet.
W Club members only can enter the lottery. While lottery tickets are free, if your entry is picked, you will be expected to pay the first instalment ($99.00) only for each doll that you win by August 20th, 2021, and then the balance and the shipping fees will be due approximately in late Fall / early Winter 2021 once the item is in stock. Let me know in the comments what you thing about the doll and if you are entering the lottery.
All doll photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2021 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. FASHION ROYALTY, and NU. FANTASY and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc. Chesapeake City MD USA 21915. All rights reserved. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. Doll Photography by Bill Peck and Shaunessey Smith ; Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.