The last collection of the line up was Fashion Royalty. After last year's smashing La Femme collection, Jessy Ayala took the design reigns again and delivered a gorgeous collection, this time inspired by Bollywood. With Isha as the central character, the collection takes shapes, colours, textures and elements from Indian dress and translates them into modern clothes, mostly evening but with some daywear as well. Since La Femme was mostly daywear, it was only natural that evening attire would take centre place this time. The theme of returning characters continued with Kyori and Isha, who had been absent - Kyori for a couple of years, Isha since 2015. I love the collection as I am very fond of the Indian culture. Plus I have a special connection with India, having done two photo shoots with my dolls for Indian fashion magazines, which you can see here and here. The dolls are available through dealers except Vanessa, who will be an IT Direct lottery later in the year. Let's check out the dolls one by one.
Item # 91441
Goddess
Tatyana Alexandrova™ Doll
Fashion Royalty®:
The Sacred Lotus Collection
Approx. Ship Date: October
Suggested Retail: $155.00 US
Available Via Dealers
Edition Size: 950
Head Sculpt: Tatyana 2.0
Body Type: FR 6.0
Foot Sculpt: High-heeled
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Color: Pale Blonde
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
Included:
12.5-inch fully articulated doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;
Chiffon and net (with interwoven metallic thread detail) draped dress with lace-trimmed edges;
Rose gold chrome pumps;
Multiple "gold" bracelets with white "pearls"/peridot green "stones";
Indian-inspired chandelier earrings with white "pearls" and peridot "stones";
Small purse with metallic gold flecks and "gold" metal handle;
"Gold" ring with peridot green "stone";
Doll stand;
Certificate of authenticity.
What a gorgeous doll! This one opened the FR presentation and took my breath away. One of the best Tatyana versions ever, her screening gives a fresh look to the character (and golden fingernails!) while the outfit is simply amazing. It is probably inspired (cough) by a Spring 2013 Marchesa outfit (the original was shiny grey). The jewellery is totally indian while the bag and shoes complement the ensemble perfectly. Goddess indeed! She was preordered in the blink of an eye.
Item # 91442
Karma
Kyori Sato® Dressed Doll
Fashion Royalty®:
The Sacred Lotus Collection
Approx. Ship Date: October
Suggested Retail: $155.00 US
Available Via Dealers
Edition Size: 850
Head Sculpt: Kyori 2.0
Body Type: FR 6.0
Foot Sculpt: High-heeled
Skin Tone: Latino
Hair Color: Bronze with Golden Highlights
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
Included:
12.5" fully articulated doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;
Asymmetrically draped jacket dress with black and navy blue design woven in fabric, black satin trim detail;
Black chrome knit bodysuit sweater with asymmetric neckline;
Thigh-high black faux-leather boots with shiny faux-leather toe contrast detail;
Black slim sunglasses;
Indian-inspired chandelier earrings in "gold" with jet black "stones";
"Gold" statement ring with black "stones";
Small black "leather" tote bag with "gold" metal bar handles;
Sculpted gloved hands in black with gold stud detail;
Doll stand;
Certificate of authenticity.
Aaaaand she's back! Missing since 2016 and her eye-decal version, Kyori makes a much anticipated return in the Fashion Royalty collection, with a daring Fall/Winteer 2017 Gaultier Couture inspired outfit. The asymmetrical outfit successfuly integrates Indian and couture influences (the tuxedo lapel versus the sari drape for example) and becomes more versatile by removing the bodysuit to transition from day to evening. She has the most discreet jewellery but the thigh-high boots more than make up for it. She does remind me slightly of Vice Kyori but she is the new sculpt and the colours do look lighter than the old ones. Vice was closer to Latina, this one is closer to Indian, but of course the styling and outfit make the difference. She's coming home too!
Item # 91443
Resurgence
Natalia Fatalé® Dressed Doll
Fashion Royalty®:
The Sacred Lotus Collection
Approx. Ship Date: December
Suggested Retail: $155.00 US
Available Via Dealers
Edition Size: 950
Head Sculpt: Natalia 2.0
Body Type: FR 6.0
Foot Sculpt: High-heeled
Skin Tone: Sunkissed
Hair Color: Silver
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
Included:
12.5" fully articulated doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;
Violet satin turban;
Floor-length cape with geometric design (raspberry and black) with "jewel" closure at neckline;
Cream-colored twist bandeau top (light gold threads in fabric);
Stone gray wide-leg trousers;
Round handbag in violet faux-leather with metallic violet faux-leather trim and "gold" metal handles;
Rounded large sunglasses with dark raspberry frame;
Large Indian-inspired chandelier earrings in "gold" with fuchsia "stones" and indigo enamel;
Multiple bracelets in "gold" metal with fuchsia "stones" and cream enamel;
Statement ring in "gold" metal with fuchsia "stone" and indigo enamel;
Metallic light plum pumps with micro croc texture;
Doll stand;
Certificate of authenticity.
Resurgence indeed! What an impressive Natalia! Jessy said that Miranda Priestley from The Devil Wears Prada, was a partial inspiration for this one. I see Victoria Beckham too. The Gucci turban makes an appearance here, even though its real-life counterpart did raise lots of cultural appropriation complaints when it debuted in the Mens Fall/Winter 2018 collection. But that was mostly because it was shown on white models and because it was a copy of the Sikh turban. This one looks more african to my ignorant eyes. She's coming home!
Item # 91445
Divinity
Isha Kalpana Narayanan™ Doll
Fashion Royalty®:
The Sacred Lotus Collection
Approx. Ship Date: September
Retail: $155.00 US
Available Via Dealers
Edition Size: 850
Head Sculpt: Isha
Body Type: FR 6.0
Foot Sculpt: High-heeled
Skin Tone: Hungarian
Hair Color: Auburn Brown
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
Included:
12.5" fully articulated doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;
Off-white tulle gown with light gold sparkle threads woven in and floral embroidered organza;
Off-white belt with detailed "gold" buckle;
Long off-white satin gloves;
"Gold" and "diamond" hair jewel;
"Gold" and "diamond" statement earrings;
Multiple bangle bracelets in "gold"/"diamonds";
Large "diamond" statement ring;
Light "gold" metallic clutch with "jeweled" chain detail;
Clear/light metallic "gold" pumps;
Henna tattooed forearms and hands;
Doll stand;
Certificate of authenticity.
Important Note: The jewel on Isha's nose is not-removable. Removing the jewel will damage the doll permanently and void the warranty.
I should be happy with Isha, but I'm not. I already have Style Notes from 2015 and she is much better than this version, minus the henna tattoos. Her outfit is the biggest culprit as it is white, which in India is the colour of mourning. No Bollywood star would ever wear white if she wasn't going to a funeral. It does not even have bridal connotations, as in India brides wear mainly red. The fact that it is inspired by a Marchesa 2013 dress does not help one bit, as it is in their usual shapeless overdecorated style, not even coming close to a recognizable Indian dress style. If you take away the jewellery, her styling and henna tattoos, she could be any western girl dressing up. What a missed opportunity and how remote from the glory that Age Of Opulence Isha was. I had high expectations it seems. And yes, those are oven mitts. Ugh.
Item # 91444
Serenity
Vanessa Perrin® Mini-giftset
Fashion Royalty®:
The Sacred Lotus Collection
Approx. Ship Date: November
Suggested Retail: $175.00 US - U
Available through IT Direct Lottery
Edition Size: 950
Head Sculpt: Vanessa 3.0
Body Type: FR 6.0
Foot Sculpt: High-heeled
Skin Tone: Dark A-tone
Hair Color: Soft Ebony
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
Included:
12.5" fully articulated doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;
Pale blue over-sized, almost floor-length coat with raglan sleeves and shawl collar;
Metallic gold knit sweater with short sleeves and geometric neckline;
Medium gray slim dress pants with teal satin drape detail near waist;
Slim, short evening dress with marigold yellow satin drape, geometric sequin/gold thread design;
Black and metallic teal pumps;
Small black handbag with "gold" stud detail and "gold" metal circular handle;
Layered "gold" necklace;
Multiple bangle bracelets in "gold" metal with white "pearl" detail;
Small chandelier earrings with white "pearl" detail;
2 small rings;
Chrome "gold" pumps;
Doll stand;
Certificate of authenticity.
What a mesmerising Vanessa 3.0 doll! After Vanessa 1.0 and 2.0 sculpts getting dark as ITBE editions, here is the newest sculpt in all its chocolate glory. She looks fantastic and is dresses in two gorgeous outfits that compliment her dark complexion perfectly. It's incredible that if no one mentioned what sculpt it was, it would be anyone's guess - or not? She's a lottery, with a higher edition than these things usually get, so fingers crossed. More information about that in late autumn. Her bag is a miniature version of Chloé Nile minaudière bag. The draped sash at the waist is just like the ones used by Haider Ackermann in his Spring 2018 collection. While her "daywear" ensemble with the coat and pants does not look very Indian, the cocktail dress definitely is.
Do you like the Sacred Lotus Fashion Royalty collection? Are you preordering any of the dolls? Let me know by leaving a comment.
The dolls pictured are prototypes. Final fabrics, colors and textures may vary slightly. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2018 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.
FASHION ROYALTY, POPPY PARKER, NU. FACE, EAST 59TH, THE INDUSTRY and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc. Chesapeake City MD USA 21915. All rights reserved.
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Doll Photography by Jayme Thornton, layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing