A W Club exclusive or a 2019 convention leftover?

A few days ago, WClub members received an email offering them the chance to participate in a lottery for a surprise doll: a Jason Wu Elyse. It is a recreation of a Fall 2017 Jason Wu outfit, which you can see further below. The small edition and the designer outfit definitely makes the doll wanted by collectors. There are some issues though, on which I will further elaborate.

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Item # 10237

JWU Fall 2017

Elyse Jolie™ Dressed Doll

Jason Wu Collection

Edition Size: 450

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Head Sculpt: Elyse

Body Type: FR

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

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Included:

  • 12" fully articulated figure with rooted hair;

  • Intricately designed miniature Jason Wu gown inspired by a real-life design first shown in his Fall 2017 collection, featuring delicately applied, multi-colored, Swarovski crystals;

  • "Patent leather" high-heel mules;

  • Intricately detailed "gold" earrings;

  • Alternate paid of hands;

  • Doll stand;

  • Certificate of authenticity.

Final fabrics, colors and textures may vary slightly. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only.

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Offer Type: Right-to-buy lottery.

Participation Deadline: Nov 7th, 2019, Noon Eastern time.

Pricing (FOR W CLUB MEMBERS ONLY): $225.00 + S&H each.

Final Edition Size: 450 dolls.

Shipping Timing: In-stock, should ship shortly after winners have paid.

Availability: 2019 W Club members only.

Right-to-buy Participation Limit: Max. one (1) lottery ticket per 2019 membership only.

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In a year where production issues have plagued the company and the release of all their main doll collections, which forced the company to focus on delivering most of their product at the convention, a surprise doll offering and of such high caliber, means probably that the doll was destined for the convention. The edition number surely is that of a regular souvenir doll or a centerpiece. A wild guess (and all this is guessing only), is that she was designed and made as the souvenir doll for 2019 convention, but as the brouhaha with the added participants unfolded, they realised that they could not make more of the same to satisfy demand, so they switched to the Spring 2017 Elyse (a 700 edition). Similarly, she could have been the centerpiece to match the souvenir doll (Spring and Fall 2017 dolls), instead of the offered Vanessa one (a 550 edition). Again, this is only speculation.

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What bothers me about this doll a lot is the quality of the dress recreation. No matter the Swarovski crystals or the beautifully rendered doll, the dress looks a mess. Stiff, with crude embellishments, it looks nothing like the dress it is supposed to be. And if it was so hard to recreate the original in doll form, like so many others have been done exquisitely in the past, just pick another one. For the asking price alone, this should have been resolved before manufacturing it.

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All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2019 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. FASHION ROYALTY 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 Jayme Thornton. Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

Integrity Toys 2019 Convention Day 3 - Jason Wu Gala and convention doll

The last evening of the Live From The Fashion Week convention was dedicated to the Jason Wu Gala. Guests entered the ballroom and saw the evening's centerpiece doll, Ethereal Beauty Vanessa Perrin, adorning the tables. Jason Wu himself was attending, as the convention doll would be designed by him. The winners of the convention design competition were also announced:

Diorama Design Competition:

People's Choice: Lani Billitti

Judge's Choice: Kelly Rinaldi

Doll Design Challenge:

People's Choice: Sinuhe Guzman

Judge's Choice: Osvaldo Vasquez (aka "Ovaz")

The winners of the OOAK dolls designed by the IT team just for the raffle room were picked and the host city of next year's convention was unveiled: the 2020 event will be held at Dallas, Texas, celebrating 25 years of Integrity Toys.

Special guest Jason Wu joined the hosts on stage to unveil the convention doll, the Elyse Jolie doll which he designed himself.

Note: All dolls pictured in these photos are prototypes; final colors and textures may vary slightly.

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Item # 91471

Ethereal Beauty

Vanessa Perrin™ Centerpiece

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention:

Live From Fashion Week

Edition Size: 550 dolls

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Head Sculpt: Vanessa 1.0

Body Type: FR

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Platinum Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

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The original Vanessa sculpt makes an appearance as a centerpiece, wearing the same dress as Le Flor Natalia, in another colour. Dear IT designers, it kind of defeats the purpose of having the one of a kind doll’s wearing the same clothes as other dolls, no? The doll is beautiful, even though the orange tones in her make up are a bit off putting. She’s like a mix of Night Warrior and In Bloom Vanessas.

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Item # 10239

Spring 2017

Elyse Jolie™ Convention Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention:

Live From Fashion Week

Jason Wu Collection

Edition Size: 700 dolls

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Head Sculpt: Elyse

Body Type: FR

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: Hungarian 

Hair Color: Brown

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

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I’m not in awe of this year’s convention doll. I can pick at least ten Jason Wu gowns that look better than this in miniature size. The original effect of appliqué flowers does not translate well in this scale. Her make up is impressive but limits her redress options. The hairstyle is simply boring. You can see the original outfit from the Spring 2017 Jason Wu Collection runway further below.

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Photo: Yannis Vlamos/Indigital.tv for Vogue Runway

Photo: Yannis Vlamos/Indigital.tv for Vogue Runway

All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2019 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. FASHION ROYALTY, POPPY PARKER, NU. FACE, EAST 59TH, THE INDUSTRY, THE MONARCHS HOMME 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.

Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

Integrity Toys 2019 Convention: Live From Fashion Week - Day 1

The 2019 Integrity Toys Live From Fashion Week convention opened officially this week in Baltimore and once again, this blog will be bringing you all the new dolls and outfits, as products become available at the convention throughout the weekend. This year's theme is all about fashion, and with the exception of the Poppy Parker Style Lab (which celebrates the 10th anniversary of Poppy Parker), every exclusive doll offered at the event, whether in the convention collection, salesroom, centerpieces or giveaways, is inspired by either Spring, Resort, Summer, Fall or Winter fashion weeks as follows:

Poppy Parker is Fashion Week Spring/Summer 1967

Fashion Royalty is Fashion Spring/Summer 2020

Monarchs is Fashion Week Resort 2020

East 59th is Fashion Week Fall/Winter 1956

The Industry is Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2020

NU. Face is Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2020

Dolls from the Fashion Royalty® Collection and the NU. Face™ Collection were designed by Jessy Ayala, the East 59th® Collection by Chris Stoeckel, The Monarchs Homme by Vaughn Sawyers and the Poppy Parker™ Collection by David Buttry.

The convention registration started on Wednesday for the attendees who arrived early and they all received "Fresh Perspective" Baroness Agnes Von Weiss in their welcome bag. The bag had Powder Puff Poppy Parker printed on it, celebrating Poppy’s 10th anniversary.

Note: All dolls pictured in these photos are prototypes; final colors and textures may vary slightly.

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Item # 91467 

Fresh Perspective

Baroness Agnes Von Weiss™

Welcome Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention:

Live From Fashion Week

Edition Size: 700

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Head Sculpt: Agnes Von Weiss

Body Type: FR

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: Hungarian 

Hair Color: Caramel Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

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I’m not crazy about this version of the Baroness. She’s beautiful but I find her make up too pronounced and candy coloured to like (it looks more prominent in real life photos). Her outfit and accessories remind me of Going Public Eugenia. And, as you will see below, most of the dolls in this convention so far, remind me of older releases. I don’t know if it is due to the production problems that troubled Integrity Toys this year or simple lack of inspiration, but I’m a bit underwhelmed by what I’m seeing in the first convention day, with a couple of notable exceptions.

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The Integrity Toys Souvenir Shop and The Style Lab opened for business on Thursday. Let’s see the offerings that can be found in the Souvenir Shop - that is, the Convention collection and the shop exclusives.

Convention Collection:

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Item # 91468

English Rose

Eugenia Perrin-Frost™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Convention Collection

Edition Size: 700

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Head Sculpt: Eugenia Perrin-Frost

Body Type: FR

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Raven

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

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Cute but it’s like Vivacité with another skintone. The total would look completely washed out, save for the raven hair and brightly coloured shoes. The blouse looks beautiful but the skirt does not do it justice. Where is Ferré when you need him!

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Item # 91469

Spring Romance

Adèle Makéda™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Convention Collection

Edition Size: 700

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Head Sculpt: Adèle 1.0

Body Type: FR

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: Dark A-Tone

Hair Color: Raven (Flocked)

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

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She look a lot like her sister from the Faces of Adéle giftset. From the waist up she gives me Adut Akech vibes in Valentino. The pants are not to my liking, they needed a more fluid fabric to work properly. Love the bag and hat, her accessories in general are superb.

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Item # 82121

London Show

Nadja Rhymes™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Convention Collection

Edition Size: 700

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Head Sculpt: Nadja 2.0

Body Type: NU. Face

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Pale Honey Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

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She’s fantastic! People have been clamouring for ages for a light coloured version of the Afroamerican Integrity Toys sculpts and the result is breathtaking. Her outfit is gorgeous too, reminding me of the OOAK Bow Down Nadja from the 2017 convention.

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Item # PP153

Young Romantic

Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Convention Collection

Edition Size: 700

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Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy Parker

Foot Sculpt: High Heel and Articulated Ankle (Comes With Both)

Skin Tone: Hungarian

Hair Color: Warm Dark Brown

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

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I’m not against romantically styled dolls, but they have to be styled in a certain way. This is not it. Very renaissance looking, a little modern Juliet, looking for her Romeo. The extra flat feet and sandals only accentuate the effect.

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Item # PP154

Kimono Go Go

Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Convention Collection

Edition Size: 700

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Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy Parker

Foot Sculpt: Articulated Ankle

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Platinum

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

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What a beautiful face! The only thing bothering me are the orangey brows. Her hairstyle and earrings are straight from the fashion magazines of the sixties. Her kimono though is not up to par. The huge obi distorts her silhouette in an ungainly way.

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Item # 73012

Winter Shimmer

Lady Aurelia Grey™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Convention Collection

Edition Size: 400

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Head Sculpt: Lady Aurelia Grey

Body Type: E59

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: Light Honey

Hair Color: Raven

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

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The last doll of the convention collection is a new Aurelia. Blue seems to be a favourite colour for her. She looks regal and I love her jewellery. Not enough to want her for my collection though. The hairstyle is a bit off for her era though, it was popular in the next decade. Not many accessories but killer gloves.

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The convention salesroom had a few more dolls available for collectors, with a new sculpt and character of - gasp! - older age debuting in the Industry line.

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NEW CHARACTER!

Item # 88060

That's All

Plum Powers™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Salesroom Exclusive

Edition Size: 400

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Head Sculpt: Plum Powers

Body Type: The Industry

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: Cream

Hair Color: Platinum/Silver Mix

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

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She’s so obviously inspired by Iris Apfel but she also has a bit of the legendary fashion editor of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, Carrie Donovan, who had trademark huge glasses too. Want her! And her croc imitation Kelly style bag is to die for.

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Item # 88061

Devil Made Me Do It

Tulabelle True™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Salesroom Exclusive

Edition Size: 400

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Head Sculpt: Tulabelle True 2.0

Body Type: The Industry

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Warm Dark Brown

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

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We can see the new Tulabelle sculpt better now, I still cannot warm up to her. She looks so smug I want to punch her, LOL! Not sure about the asymmetrical jacket. I’d like it better if the asymmetry was also at her collar.

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Item # 21012

Art Of Manliness

Darius Reid™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Salesroom Exclusive

Edition Size: 500

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Head Sculpt: Darius 2.0

Body Type: The Monarchs Homme

Foot Sculpt: The Monarchs Homme

Skin Tone: Nubian

Hair Color: None

Eyelashes: None

Quickswitch: No

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One of the oldest and most loved characters makes his appearance again! Darius has a new sculpt, not a gorgeous as the previous one though. He look more like Tyson Beckford now. The hot pink suit is lovely. He has nice accessories too, plus a hat and an earring. And yes, the ugly sneaker trend has hit the Monarchs too. Must add that titling your male doll The Art Of Manliness in 2019 and the era of #MeToo and LGTB+ rights is a bit weird.

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All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2019 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. FASHION ROYALTY, POPPY PARKER, NU. FACE, EAST 59TH, THE INDUSTRY, THE MONARCHS HOMME 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. Photography by Jaime Thornton Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

A new Poppy Parker unveiled on David Buttry’s birthday! Gardens Of Versailles exclusive convention 2019 doll

This year is the tenth anniversary of Poppy Parker and all releases of her in 2019 are, by default, considered just that bit more special. So what better date than the birthday of Poppy’s designer, the über-talented David Buttry, to unveil the "Gardens Of Versailles" Poppy Parker™ Convention upgrade doll. What this means for W Club members is that, whether they are able to attend the FW19 convention or not, they get exclusive access to a chance to pre-order and obtain this convention exclusive upgrade doll. There is no set edition size, as the final production quantity will be determined by the total amount of pre-orders received by the deadline.

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Item # PP155

Gardens of Versailles

Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll

2019 Convention Exclusive Upgrade

Non-attending members-Only Price: $150.00 + s & h

Approximate Delivery Date: October 2019

Edition Size: TBD

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Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy Parker

Foot Sculpt: High Heeled

Skin Tone: Sunkissed

Hair Color: Black

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

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Included:

  • 12" fully articulated doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;

  • Full length custom floral printed taffeta gown with halter neckline and black satin sash;

  • Black satin clutch;

  • 2 pairs of earrings; large “golden” hoops and floral burst drop earrings with faux pink "stone" details;

  • Two "golden" bangle bracelets, 1 "multi-stone" cuff bracelet;

  • A large pink "stone" ring;

  • Black satin ankle strap heels;

  • Alternate pair of hands with long nails;

  • Stand;

  • Certificate of authenticity;

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On the 28th of November 1973, a fashion show unlike any other before or after it, was held at the Palace of Versailles near Paris, supporting a charity for the palace restoration. Five French couturiers (Yves Saint-Laurent, Givenchy, Dior, Ungaro and Cardin) and five American fashion designers (Oscar De La Renta, Anne Klein, Bill Blass, Halston and Steven Burrows) were showing together for the very first time. A who is who of celebrities were attending. The event has a historical place in both French and American fashion, as it greatly influenced both industries for the next decade. There is an excellent book about it, The Battle of Versailles: the night American fashion stumbled into the spotlight and made history, by Pulitzer Prize winner, author and journalist Robin Givhan, plus two documentaries, Versailles ‘73: American Runway Revolution by Deborah Riley Draper, plus Battle at Versailles, by Fritz Mitchell. You can read more about it in this interview of Robin Givhan here and an excerpt here. Also, Ava DuVernay is slated to co-write and direct a film for HBO based on the aforementioned book.

Stephen Burrows dresses

Stephen Burrows dresses

Why all this history lesson? Because this is the story frame of this particular Poppy doll, according to the story details Integrity Toys released. She’s supposedly the most famous model walking the runway at this event. It’s early seventies, so she’s at the end of her career. The dress does not look like the ones you can see if you google photos of the event. Most of the outfits shown were either monochromatic (lots of beige for the opening and black for the finale), with Stephen Burrows rainbow coloured dresses in jersey standing out.

Stephen Burrows dresses

Stephen Burrows dresses

The silhouette and print of the dress are very true to the seventies, looking like something either De La Renta or Bill Blass would design. But there was none like that in the show. The story accompanying the doll mentions a Bartholomew Barrows as the designer Poppy is wearing, clearly referencing Stephen Burrows. The real Burrows mostly did colour blocking designs, using a lot of jersey cut asymmetrically or in geometric shapes, using a lot of “lettuce” curly edged hems. People complaining her dress looks too mature should remember that in 1973 Poppy is mature herself, not a fresh faced ingénue.

From the March 2015 issue of W magazine, article about Robin Givhan’s book.

From the March 2015 issue of W magazine, article about Robin Givhan’s book.

Oscar De La Renta early seventies print dress

Oscar De La Renta early seventies print dress

Bill Blass early seventies dresses

Bill Blass early seventies dresses

Halston dress from Spring 1974

Halston dress from Spring 1974

Anjelica Huston with David Bailey in Corsica, 1973

Anjelica Huston with David Bailey in Corsica, 1973

My major objection with the dress is the sash. Big, flowing dresses in the early seventies had either a thin belt shaping their waist, in leather or fabric, or a draped narrow basque-like design, with dangling ends on the side, made of the same fabric as the dress. The wide black sash is more emblematic of the eighties. The deep V neckline to the waist is very typical of the era.

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The doll is beautiful, with her Sunkissed skin tone (first time for Poppy) and curly hair in a style clearly reminiscent of the famous seventies model Pat Cleveland.

Pat Cleveland by Irvin Penn, Vogue US, March 1971

Pat Cleveland by Irvin Penn, Vogue US, March 1971

The accessories are nice, although I think only one of the bracelets is original. The straps on the shoes will be hell to fasten. Love that she has two pairs of earrings to choose from.

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The price tag is higher than usual for a non-giftset Poppy, but remember that this is the slightly higher price Integrity Toys charges on convention dolls for non attendees. I’m definitely getting her, how about you?

The dress has pockets!

The dress has pockets!

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Final doll will be unveiled closer to convention time. Final fabrics, colors and textures to be announced. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2019 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. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. Doll Photography by Jayme Thornton. Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

Yahoo! Style and Mattel celebrate New York Fashion Week with a Barbie photo shoot

So Yahoo! has a style magazine. I did not know - who did? Well, obviously Mattel (or more accurately their BarbieStyle instagram account), as they collaborated with them to produce a Barbie photo shoot to celebrate New York Fashion Week. Using the new Barbie bodies (curvy, petite and tall) along with the classic one, the photographer shoots six looks from designers Rick Owens, Balmain, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Jeremy Scott, and Sonia Rykiel and their Spring 2016 collections. Check them out below along with the original outfits from the runways. 


Original Barbie wears a look from Rick Owens’s spring 2016 collection


Yannis Vlamos / Indigitalimages.com for Vogue Runway


Original Barbie dresses in Balmain Spring-Summer 2016


Photo: Monica Feudi / Indigitalimages.com for Vogue Runway


Curvy Barbie wears a look from Marc Jacobs’s Spring 2016 collection - using curvy Barbie here references Beth Ditto's appearance on the Jacobs runway show


Photo: Gianni Pucci / Indigitalimages.com for Vogue Runway


Tall Barbie wears a look from Sonia Rykiel’s spring 2016 collection


Photo: Kim Weston Arnold /Indigitalimages.com for Vogue Runway


Petite Barbie wears a look from Jeremy Scott’s spring 2016 collection


Photo: Yannis Vlamos / Indigitalimages.com for Vogue Runway


Original Barbie wears a look from Stella McCartney’s spring 2016 collection


Photo: Kim WestonArnold / Indigitalimages.com for Vogue Runway

Doll photos courtesy of Mattel/BarbieStyle/Yahoo Style