Having new doll releases during this world-changing time can be a way to combat dreariness and escape a bit from the relentless pace real life moves. Isn’t doll collecting an escape into our own ideal world for most collectors anyway? Having said that, the release of a new, unexpected Monarch doll was definitely quite surprising - and to me, quite unnecessary. Rest assured, I always love a well designed and made doll, especially a guy. But this is not how I would have done it. He’s a lottery exclusive for W Club members in a lower than usual price, which is quite nice. And a new character too!
Item #21005
Most Influential
Paolo Marino™ Fashion Figure
The Monarchs™ Homme Collection
Edition Size: 700
Expected Ship Date: In-stock, will ship after winners' payments are received
MSRP: $175.00 Special Members-Only Price (During Lottery Only): $150.00 + Shipping
W Club Exclusive Right-to-buy Lottery Offer
Head Sculpt: Paolo
Body Type: Monarchs 1.0
Skin Tone: Hungarian
Hair Color: Salt and Pepper
Eyelashes: No
Quickswitch: No
Included:
12.5" fully articulated fashion figure with rooted hair and flocked hair;
Bespoke slim-fitted business suit;
Tailored shirt;
Dashing satin tie;
Brilliantly engineered, multi-toned overcoat;
"Micro-suede" loafers;
Fully functional umbrella accessory;
Time piece;
Eyeglasses;
Alternate pair of "grip" hands;
Alternate pair of "gloved" hands;
Underarm fashion figure stand;
Certificate of authenticity.
Offer Type: Members-only right-to-buy lottery;
Participation Deadline: June 15th, 2020, Noon Eastern time;
Special Members-Only Price (During Lottery Only): $150.00 + S&H each;
Final Edition Size: 700;
Shipping Timing: In-stock, will ship once the lottery winners have paid;
Availability: 2020 W Club members only; Right-to-buy Participation Limit: Max. one (1) lottery ticket per 2020 membership only.
For those following the complicated storylines of the Integrity Toys dolls, Paolo Marino is the younger brother of Missima Cosmetics founder Perry Marino and is presented now as a ruthless billionaire financier ready to take over the world. Not exactly the guy to mess up with. The doll sure looks more like a hipster entrepreneur with that hair and that coat and less like a Wall Street guy. Even more, he reminds me of Eggsy, the character played in the Kingsman films by Taron Eggerton - see photo below. The sculpt could even be made to look like the actor. The sculpt is supposedly new but it looks like a tweaked Zipper.
Do I like the doll? Not with those ears! That god-awful hair style! Which will definitely, experience talking, will look much worse IRL. if I need a cobweb broom, I will get one from the supermarket, thank you very much. the suit does not help a lot, despite the narrow, tailored look. Red ties are forever ruined for me after Trump. Maybe a pinstripe fabric would have suited him better. A waistcoat would have bee so fitting. And definitely not that oversize patchwork coat, which is something Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen has been making variations of forever, and with much better results and aesthetics. Thom Browne does it too but in a more trompe-l'œil way. We have had two-toned coats before in FR Hommes and they never look that dapper to begin with. Some examples in the slideshow below (after the accessories photo), with a pinstripe look in the end that would be my favourite for this release. i would not mind the first look either, on a black gorgeous doll as shown IRL please.
Fashion photos courtesy of Alexander McQueen and Vogue Runway. Final fabrics, colours and textures may vary slightly. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. All doll photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2020 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. The MONARCHS HOMME, PAOLO MARINO and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc. 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