Integrity Toys May 2015 release part 5: the event doll

Each time Integrity Toys makes an on-line presentation, they include an event doll, available for all attendees (i.e. W Club Members) to purchase. This is a doll made in an edition that's determined from the number of the people that order the doll. It is usually an Agnes doll but, since this year Agnes was one of the upgrade W Club dolls, the only core-8 character not represented so far was Veronique. And as this year marks the 10th W Club anniversary and the 20th Integrity Toys anniversary, it seemed appropriate that this iconic character would be honoured with this special release.

Item # 91368
Royal Treatment
Véronique Perrin™ Dressed Doll Gift Set
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
2015 Online Event Exclusive
Limited Edition Size: TBA (Edition Size Based on Orders Received)
Estimated Ship Date: Approximately Fall 2015
Suggested Retail Price: $225.00 + Shipping and Handling

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Véronique 2.0
Body Type: FR 2013 
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Cream
Hair Color: Pale Blond (Pulled back into a low center parted ponytail with criss-cross detail).
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

In this event exclusive gift set, Véronique comes complete with a black lace teddy, a yellow linen look belted sheath dress with a black and white chenille coat and a black and white polka-dot dress with organza overlay and black lace contrasting bands, cinched at the waist by a narrow belt. The set is accessorized with a black bag, black strappy faux patent leather sandals, black painted glove hands, earrings and a bracelet. Véronique Perrin is a 12.5-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with fully rooted hair (the back looks like Eugenia's) and hand applied eyelashes. A doll stand is included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

If this is considered a royal treatment, I'd better remain a pleb. This is the most boring gift set since that poor Deceptively Yours Kyori back in 2010. Not only is the gown a bad reinterpretation of the Escapism Elise one, her coat is shapeless (or at least if photographs this way) and she has the minimum accessories for a big gift set. Last year's Agnes had three bracelets, sunglasses, two pairs of shoes and a hat even though she had only two outfits (if you think of the teddy as the third outfit for Veronique).So excuse me but I do not see anything special or elaborate in this gift set other than the hiked up price - it's more expensive than the Funny Face gift sets which had three outfits with more accessories plus a license fee on them. Compared to the rest of the collection, this one seems to be an afterthought, hastily brought together to be included in the event. 

Her face is gorgeous and if I find a nude one in the secondary market for cheap, I might get her as I do not have a blonde Vero. The cream skin tone (Elise is also in it this year) is the one that was used for the FR2 dolls - so it is the original skin tone of Elise and Dasha.

Please note that this doll is a prototype and the colors and fabrics may differ slightly on the final production doll. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2015 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

High Visibility Agnes Von Weiss

Last year, during the presentation for the main Integrity Toys collections, the event doll was none other then Agnes Von Weiss as a lovely gift-set. This incarnation of hers is called High Visibility and it caused a minor uproar among collectors at the time because her lips were not painted in her usual scowl but in a more straightforward line. I think it is interesting that changes like this appear from time to time on the dolls - it makes the characters more varied and nuanced. She;s a good looking doll and I really enjoyed taking her photos. The edition size of this doll is 1350, made according to the dolls ordered by event attendees.

She comes in a variety of clothing with great mix-and-match possibilities, not only between them but also with the other outfits of the Urban Safari Fashion Royalty line of 2014. These include a corset made in a thick patterned fabric. The thickness of it is a bit off and it makes the corset look huge, destroying its shape, despite the nice detailing with the criss-cross cords on the sides. The hooks for closure in the back do not help either - it would have been better using a zip. The long skirt flares from below the knee. It looks good and matches the rest of the pieces nicely in colour and fabric. The shape though would hold much better if the fabric used was stiffer. It has a zip at the back, which again makes me wonder about not using one on the corset too.

The rest of the pieces make up a day-time outfit: a cropped, sleeveless jacket made of suede, with a belt and buckle closure on the side, over a skirt made in the same fabric as the corset. Remember that Faded Desert Kyori had a skirt made in another shade of this fabric (and the criss-cross detail missing here). You can tell the fabric is too thick by the awkward waist - it does not even have a waistband - not possible with a thick fabric like this.This is a detail that makes the skirt look unfinished and cheap, despite the luxurious texture.

Lots of accessories to use as well. Two pairs of shoes (white strapped sandals and dark brown strapped pumps, both with extra lacing which I could not figure out how to tie properly (hence the sloppy look or total photoshopping of them on the photos). An extra company photo of the shoes properly tied would have helped a lot. There is also a huge tote and a brown straw hat along with sunglasses (in lilac) which are the same style used throughout the Urban Safari outfits. The hoop earrings are a colour variation of the ones Faded Desert Kyori is wearing as well, as are two of her bracelets. Excellent colour co-ordination throughout.

She has an intricate hairstyle - a middle part, with hair swept backwards in two waves, and then forms a double bun at the back. The copper shade matches her Japan skin-tone, as does her make up - coppery eye-shadows and orange-red lipstick.

As I had recently acquired some Silkstone Barbie outfits, I decided to try them on Agnes.and they do fit well, despite the height difference (the skirts just look a bit shorter). 

Here she is wearing the Boater Ensemble from the BFC Barbie Silkstone doll of the same name. She absolutely rocks it. I just added the Lady Dior inspired bag from the Fashion Royalty Fashion Spectacular accessories set. Even the tights fit (very tight though due to the length of the legs). I did not try to put on the gloves as they look like oven mittens. She is also wearing another Fashion Royalty bracelet.

Under the jacket is a lovely two-toned dress that looks fantastic on its own as well. I should have put on her a couple of Chanel-style chain necklaces or even a chain belt, they would look lovely with this. The spectator pumps fit perfectly.

The second outfit is from the Capucine Silkstone Barbie doll. Again it fits her nicely and the skirt looks a lot like her own - albeit in the stiffer fabric better suited to this shape. Here you can tell how her height makes the skirt look short. The shoes and jewellery are from On The Rise Elise Jolie from the Urban Safari line. This outfit reminds me a lot of Gianfranco Ferre's work at Dior.

All photos copyright © 2015 by Stratos Bacalis - not to be used or re-published without reference and/or permission.

Integrity Toys new collections 2014: Event Doll - High Visibility Agnes

As is usually the case in on-line presentations (or webinars as they call the method of doing them), Integrity Toys had a special event doll created for the W Club members. High Visibility Agnes Von Weiss will be made for all members who pre-order her and is not available to the public. Members have until May 21st to pre-order her.

Item # 91349
High Visibility Agnes Von Weiss™ Dressed Doll Mini Gift Set 
The Fashion Royalty® Collection 2014 
W Club Online Event Exclusive 
Suggested Retail Price: $135.00 US 
Limited Edition Size: TBA 
Estimated Ship Date: Approximately Late Summer/Early Fall 2014 

Doll Tech Specs: 
Body Type: FR 2013 
Head Sculpts: Agnes Von Weiss 
Quick Switch Feature: No 
Skin Tones: Japan 
Hair Color: Strawberry Red 
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied 

Agnes Von Weiss, the 2014 online event doll, is a fully articulated 12.5-inch vinyl fashion doll with an polished hairstyle and hand-applied eyelashes. The Baroness' look is composed of a two-piece jacquard ensemble with laced-up eyelet details and a faux-suede sleeveless biker inspired top. Agnes also sports a fashionably tall straw hat, sunglasses and an oversized purse. The outfit completely transforms by changing into a long mermaid skirt, revealing a bustier top. Two pairs of shoes, jewelry and doll stand also included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

Another Agnes as an event doll - she is after all designated as a character that is available only at events. The gift set offers a great opportunity to mix and match, and also fits with most of the other Safari collection pieces, so endless possibilities there. The price is the same as for a regular doll so it's value for money too. The doll looks good, although I had to look at the close up photo to make up my mind about getting her. The lipstick looks as if it is not following her trademark frown. It does not look bad but it is not a classic Agnes expression. Again, this is only a prototype doll. And, yes, hoop earrings again. Meh.

Please note that the photos are of a prototype doll and subject to changes and modifications. All text and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2014 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

Age of Innocence - Tonner 2013 Convention - the dolls!

The Tonner 2013 convention was held form the 16th till the 19th of May in Chicago. The title was Age Of Innocence. At first I thought that the theme would be centred around the Edith Wharton novel and/or the Martin Scorcese film of it but it seems the scope was broader - "Let’s explore times past both real and imaginary, from whimsical childlike innocence to sophisticated elegance" was the tag line from Tonner. If you want to read more about it, you can check the company blog here. Let's see the fashion dolls on offer there (there were a lot more dolls but from lines I do not consider as fashion dolls).

Gatsby themed dolls were one of the groups - it comprised of four dolls. First one up is Zelda (Fitzgerald's wife, not in the novel), a centrepiece doll. She is a limited edition of 200 dolls (sold out now), priced at  $165. She has the Cami head sculpt and the 16" Antoinette™ body with the Cameo skin tone. She has painted brown eyes and a classic red saran removable wig. She is wearing a pale yellow crinkle chiffon dress with lace bodice and rhinestone buckle decoration at the waist, accessorized with a matching hat with ribbon trim, a pale yellow crinkle chiffon scarf with ribbon, nude pantyhose and faux leather matching shoes. I think she is the best doll at the convention by far. I love the dress and the doll looks beautiful, even though I am not a fan of the Cami sculpt. If she had a more mature sculpt, I might have bought her.

The souvenir doll of the Gtasby evening was Daisy, from the novel's main female protagonist. She has again the Cami head sculpt and the 16" Antoinette™ body with the Cameo skin tone. She has painted blue eyes and a summer blonde saran removable wig.  Her mauve dress has a mauve and silver embroidered lace overlay and is finished off with a silver and mauve headband with rhinestone and feather decoration, a matching faux fur stole with a bow, a beaded necklace, nude pantyhose and faux leather matching shoes. She is a limited edition of 250 with a price of $165 (sold out). Great outfit and accessories. Lovely doll.

Jay of course is the novel's protagonist, Jay Gatsby. The doll (centrepiece) has the new Matt head sculpt and the 17" Matt O’Neill™ body with the Tyler skin tone, painted blue eyes and wheat blonde rooted saran hair. He is wearing a purple and white stripe cotton shirt under a natural linen vest and natural linen pants. He sports a tan twill hat, a mauve tie, off white socks and brown molded plastic shoes. He is a limited edition of 150 dolls and had a price of $165 (sold out). He looks more like the teen version of Gtasby than a grown adult. Maybe it is the oversize hat and huge buttons or the linen pants which look too sturdy in this scale. A softer fabric for the pants and vest and more well scaled accessories would make him look so much better. The horrid plastic molded shoes are something that Gatsby would never wear. Why not some suede ones at this price point?

Myrtle is the last Gatsby doll from the convention, a centrepiece as well. She has the Jon head sculpt and the 16" Antoinette™ body with the Honey skin tone, painted brown eyes and a golden brown saran removable wig. She is wearing a lavender crinkle chiffon dress with faux flowers trim, a lavender hat with ribbon and faux flowers trim, a matching crinkle chiffon capelet with faux flower, nude pantyhose, a faux pearl necklace and faux leather matching shoes. She is a limited edition of 150 dolls, her price is $165 and is not sold out yet. Why pick Myrtle instead of Jordan is anyone's guess - just imagine how striking a flapper beaded dress-wearing Jordan doll would have been. Missed opportunity. She looks a bit plain for that price point too.

The Carousel ball was the even with a theme closer to the Age Of Innocence novel and film, or at least the dolls look a bit closer to that era (but more Gibson Girl than late Victorian). There were four centrepiece dolls and one souvenir doll. First centrepiece is Lady Emily (above). She has the Daphne#2 head sculpt on a 16" Antoinette™ body with the Cameo skin tone, painted blue eyes and mink (darkest brown) rooted saran hair. She is wearing a white bodysuit with lace trim and faux pearl buttons under a red shantung bolero with navy blue and gold trim and a navy blue and red skirt with gold trim. She has a matching navy blue taffeta hat with red tulle and feather decoration, nude pantyhose, faux pearl earrings and navy blue taffeta shoes. She is a limited edition of 100 dolls at $199 and there are still a few left (as well as the rest of the dolls of this group) here. Impressive doll but the outfit is too loud for my taste. Something closer to the clothes worn in the Age Of Innocence film would look so much better IMHO.

Lady Catherine is the second centrepiece doll from the Carousel ball (all centrepiece dolls were placed on carousel horses, making for an impressive setting on the tables). She has the Antoinette™ head sculpt on a 16" Antoinette™ body with the Cameo skin tone, painted brown eyes and pale blonde rooted saran hair. Her outfit is a purple satin and chiffon dress with bows and a gold lace bodice overlay, with nude gauntlets, purple satin and tulle hat, nude pantyhose and purple satin shoes. Limited edition of 100 dolls. $199. She looks great but the bottom part of the dress looks like a last minute addition. It should have been fuller, with more fabric and draping, and maybe some tulle under layer to make it stand better.

Third centrepiece is Lady Ann. She has the Precarious™ head sculpt on a 16" Antoinette™ body with the Cameo skin tone, painted green eyes and black rooted saran hair. She is wearing a pink shantung dress with chiffon collar and a black lace trim, flower appliqué, and an attached blue satin belt. Her accessories include blue lycra gloves, a Pink hat with faux flowers and feather decoration, nude pantyhose and matching shoes. Limited edition of 100 at $199. If this was in subtle, era-appropriate colours I would have got it.

Final centrepiece of the Carousel Ball is Lady Agnes. She has the Duchess head sculpt on a 16" Antoinette™ body with the Cameo skin tone, painted blue eyes and  strawberry rooted saran hair. She is wearing a burgundy iridescent gold, and black poly taffeta and velveteen corset with cream lace collar and sleeves and bow accents over a burgundy iridescent and black poly taffeta and velveteen skirt with black cotton lace trim. Her accessories include a black horse hair hat with faux flowers and bow decoration, black bead stud earrings, nude pantyhose and matching burgundy iridescent shoes. She is a limited edition of 100 dolls at $199. I think this one looks much better than the rest of the centrepiece carousel dolls. There is no studio photograph of her and the one up on the company website is not flattering for the doll so I picked a photo of her from the company blog. Very tempted to buy this but the price is forbidding.

The souvenir doll is Lady Grace. She has the Cami head sculpt on a 16" Antoinette™ body with the Cameo skin tone, painted green eyes and chestnut blended with strawberry rooted saran hair. She is wearing a cream lace and chiffon dress under a matching jacket with faux pearl closure and faux flower decoration. She has a cream hat with faux flower decoration, nude pantyhose and cream satin shoes. She is a limited edition of 300 dolls at $199. Lovely colours but the outfit and sculpt are not favourites.

Another theme was 60's mod (Mad Men anyone?) and a 60's luncheon to go with it. The souvenir doll was the beautiful Sydney Chase A Go Go doll above, a limited edition of 125 dolls, not available on the company website. She has a silver dress with a lame bust connected to a micro-sequinned skirt with metal rings. Matching boots and a lovely era-appropriate hairstyle and make up finish her off to perfection.

Mod-Tyler is one of the two centrepiece dolls. She has the Tyler head sculpt on the 16" Tyler bending wrist body with the Tyler skin tone, painted blue eyes with applied eyelashes and golden brown rooted saran hair. She is wearing a blue sequinned dress with a blue glitter canvas headband, nude pantyhose with attached panties and blue glitter canvas boots. She is a limited edition of 125 dolls at $150 and is still available. No match for Sydney though.

The second centrepiece doll was Mod Ava. She has the Model-JV head sculpt on a 16" Tyler bending wrist body with the Honey skin tone, painted brown eyes with applied eyelashes and mink blended with golden brown rooted saran hair. She is wearing a purple sequined dress with bell sleeves, a purple glitter canvas headband, nude pantyhose with attached panties and purple glitter canvas boots. She is a limited edition of 75 dolls at $150 and still available. I do not like this sculpt but the outfit would be perfect if it had the same type of sequinned fabric Sydney's has.

All doll photos courtesy of Tonner Doll Company, Inc.

Integrity Toys 2nd On-line Presentation 2013: Fashion Royalty Classic and the event doll

The last of the three lines presented this time was Fashion Royalty Classic. Vaughn Sawyers said that this was a capsule collection (which for me screams that more FR are coming later in the year) harking back to the roots of Fashion Royalty. Jason Wu wanted a slightly retro vibe for the line, to make it look like the very early Veronique and Adele dolls, while still keeping it slightly modern. Even the doll screenings are referencing looks of early dolls. For me this was a strong and coherent collection, with great dolls which, while not looking remotely alike, manage to give a definite unified vibe. And yes, the retro element is evident, as are the references to older dolls. The price of the dolls is now $20 US higher than last year's collection, with seemingly nothing to justify it. Later on at the Q&A section, we found out that the tan discolouration issues (green hands on tan dolls) was addressed and solved (I submitted the question about this issue), so new dolls should be fine. Also Nadja was confirmed as making an appearance and also Misaki fans were glad to find out that that line will also be making a comeback this year.

Item #91314
Nostalgia
Dania Zarr™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Limited Edition Size: 600
Estimated Ship Date: Late June / Early July 2013

Dania Zarr is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with blond fully rooted hair that is done up in a luscious classic FR ponytail and she has hand applied eyelashes. Dania is dressed in a black pinstripe dress, accented by a hand-beaded collar and cinched at the waist by a narrow patent leather belt. To complete the look, there is a luxurious faux mink shawl, a bright red contrasting hand-bag and black heels. Doll stand is also included.

Probably the best doll of the bunch (excluding the event doll, you will see why), this version of Dania shows once more the versatility of her sculpt. The different screenings her face gets always make people wonder if her sculpt is changed. It happened last year and it happened again this time. Still the same sculpt but oh so different.

Vaughn said her make up and hair were a direct reference to the very first basic Veronique doll. I love it and I think the outfit is elegant and chic too. She could be starring in Mad Men! The embroidered collar is a great detail. Her accessories are lovely too. The bag is TDF. She has the Japan skin tone.

Item #91315
Splendid
Jordan™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Limited Edition Size: 400
Estimated Ship Date: Late June / Early July 2013

Jordan is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with thick dark berry rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. She comes in a cocktail dress wrapped in a long faux fur stole. The look is complete with an olive colored bag, matching pumps, opera length faux leather gloves and a gold jewellery set. Doll stand included.

I will probably regrett not getting this one but the price hike made me more conservative in buing this time. She is a gorgeous doll, with the same skintone she came in last year (called A-tone). Colour-wise, she reminds me of Style Renaissance Adele but in earth tones instead of smoky ones. The dress is amazing.

I love the bag and shoes (paint something a shade of green and I'm sold) but the rose necklace is tacky. The brooch and earrings are lovely. Her gloves are described as opera length but they look shorter to me. Opera length means above the elbow. She has the smallest edition of all the dolls in the collection and will definitely sell out.

Item #91316
Captivating
Anja™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Limited Edition Size: 800
Estimated Ship Date: Late June / Early July 2013

Anja is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with brunette hair and hand-applied eyelashes. She is wearing an ice-blue gown with over sized bow detail at the waist. The look is finished with an intricate crystal neck piece and earring set, long black lace gloves, a black satin pocket purse and patent leather pumps. Doll stand also included.

This version of Anja brings to mind Eugenia Spectacular Spectacular, although Vaughn said that she is a nod to Paradise Veronique. The gown is too plain for me - all that volume without anything special but the exquisite shade of blue. 

I love her hair and make up. Her necklace looks gorgeous and so do the gloves. She has the Caucasian skin tone and the largest edition of all the dolls in this collection.

Item #91317
Ambitious
Kesenia™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Limited Edition Size: 700
Estimated Ship Date: Late June / Early July 2013

Kesenia is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with stylized fully rooted jet black hair and hand-applied eyelashes. She wears a red cocktail dress cinched at the waist by a narrow matching belt and topped by a contrasting black wool fitted coat with a bow detail at the waist. A tan handbag, coordinated pumps, gold earrings and a single gold bracelet complete the look. A doll stand is also included.

Great new version of Kesenia in jet black hair (first time on her) and again the Japan skin tone. She looks great here but not that much that I would want to add her to my collection. Her outfit is interesting but nothing more.

Her make up is too orange-y for my taste. Great hair - but I think it is time that Kesenia gets a new length, she has been done in long hair for ever. I'd love to see her (and other dolls) in sharp, geometric bobs. Her accessories are nice. Great shoes.

Item #91318
Polished
Korinne™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Limited Edition Size: 700
Estimated Ship Date: Late June / Early July 2013

Korinne is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with rooted light brunette hair coiffed in a sleek low ponytail and hand-applied eyelashes. She is wearing an intricately detailed pink top and delicately embroidered ton-sur-ton black skirt. Accessories for this look include a delicate flowered cloisonné necklace with matching earrings and a patent leather handbag with matching pumps. Doll stand also included.

This is the first Corinne I really like as a doll. But the fashion has been done in different version in past dolls and I already have two full black skirts - one embroidered from Agnes Dressing The Part and one from Agnes Festive Decadence. So it's a pass.

Her make up and hair colour look great and complement her fashion. I love the necklace with the various shades of pink. And those eyes! The bag is TDF.

After the presentation of the three lines, it was time for the event doll unveiling. We all knew, from the previous event, that this one would not be a lottery but available for every one to order. It was a big surprise to see a second Dania appearing, but her look makes her so different from the other one, it is like a completely different doll. 

Item #91319
Irresistible
Dania Zarr™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
2013 W Club Online Event Doll
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Limited Edition Size: TBA
Estimated Ship Date: Mid to Late Summer 2013

Dania Zarr is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with long, gloss blond fully rooted tresses and hand-applied eyelashes.  She wears a black faux leather top with an over sized shawl collar, her looks is complete with a rose necklace, gold and stone earrings, tan spectator pumps, fishnet stockings and a matching handbag. Doll stand also included.

This is the best doll in the whole event. I love almost everything about her. Colouring, late eighties-style fashion, accessories. She is like a combination of Diamond Society and Going Public Eugenias.

She has a beautiful make up, with smoky eyes and pale mauve lips, platinum hair and tan skin tone. Vaughn said that he wanted to do something with a portrait collar and combined it with leather which came from the current Jason Wu real fashion collection. The only miss is the rose necklace, which again I think is tacky. The earrings though are great. Necklace, bag and pumps are just like Jordan's, only in different colour. And actually they look like the Daphne bag and Dovima shoes shown when entering the official Jason Wu website, minus the point d'esprit lace overlay. She's a keeper. The edition depends on how many club members order her.

So that was the second Integrity Toys on-line presentation for 2013. Three strong, solid collections, each with their own style and fans, with a variety and quality that has something for everyone. Can't wait for the next one!

Older FR doll reference links from the LBX List website. Please note that the photos are of prototype dolls and subject to changes and modifications. For adult collectors ages 15 and up. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2013 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission