Censorship on the Internet: how far can Mattel go to protect their interests?

A couple of days ago, I saw a post by a fellow doll collector on Facebook : it mentioned that a common friend and popular doll blogger, Ada - better known as Papusile Mele  had been blocked on Facebook and could not post anything for the next few days. I soon discovered that she had been blocked  by Mattel. The  reason for this was that she had posted on her Facebook page a sneak preview photo of the upcoming Mattel Star Trek dolls.

That photo, showing three upcoming dolls from the Star Trek series (Spock, Kirk and Uhura in the likeness of the original actors), had been already posted in many Facebook groups, chat rooms and even some obscure online shops (Ada posted a Linkin to a Greek one!), so blocking her for posting it was a bit extreme - and without even warning her first or asking her politely to delete it, as would have been the proper way for Mattel to follow.

Companies have the right to restrict the use of their photos, especially of they are from unreleased products or have been made known to certain groups of people under condition of confidentiality and guidelines for their publication. That would be the case, for example, with photos of dolls send to W Club members by Integrity Toys or the Barbie Collector club and their sneak pics. From what I know about this particular case, this is not a sneak photo from a club etc., but a picture probably leaked online by someone with access to it. 

So, however ridicule may sound to you, it is perfectly legitimate for Ada to post it, until Mattel asks her to pull it down. Which never happened. She got blocked for three days instead. Just like that. It sure does not look good for Mattel - it makes them look like a bully scaring people off. Which is exactly the opposite of what a company like it should be doing. Was it that hard to simply ask for the photo to be taken down? And the irony is that Ada is a genuine Barbie fan: her blog and Facebook page is a testament to that and a source of valuable information for Barbie collectors all over the world. It is ridiculous to attack people who support the doll industry like this, especially when they do better PR for their product that the company interested. 

Shame on you Mattel.

All photos are courtesy of Mattel, from previous Star Trek releases.

Integrity Toys convention 2015: Cinematic Part IV: Color Infusion Style Lab Collection

This year's Color Infusion Style Lab at the Cinematic Convention designer Vaughn Sawyers was inspired by old Hollywood and each character offered at the event represents one specific movie star of the golden era of Hollywood. The collection has a new look and new packaging designed to protect the dolls instead of the bags they used to come in. It is composed of 12 dolls and 12 separate outfits. And this year the edition size per style is 600 pieces across the board. This was decided to ensure that each convention guest would get an equal chance to own one of each of these exciting characters, as in previous years there has been a lot of grief from people who were not able to secure their preferred characters and styles (usually Declan).

Monroe Jillian wearing Outfit Golden Moment. Clearly Marilyn Monroe and a combination of two iconic outfits of hers, one gold and one silver, both designed by Travilla.

The doll outfit is actually two separates, a bodysuit and a skirt.

Up next is Jaeme Costas wearing outfit Mine All Mine. I'm guessing 30s and Adrian but the star eludes me. Anyone?

The next doll is Fan Xi wearing outfit Dark Victory. The doll is a Fan Bing Bing clone and the outfit's name is a Bette Davis film title from 1939, with costumes by Orry Kelly, but I do not remember it in the film. The outfit consists again of bodysuit and skirt.

Fabiana Diaz is shown wearing Outfit Shanghai Bound. The original film is from 1927 and the silent era. The very few images that exist on-line are not relevant to the outfit, which looks more 70s inspired.

The next doll is Adaline King wearing the outfit named Passion. This one was easy - Elisabeth Taylor inspired. It is again a two piece ensemble, bodysuit and skirt.

Taylor wore a similar outfit in 1962 to receive her David di Donatello Award for her performance as Catherine in “Suddenly, Last Summer” .

Dree Hill wearing outfit Rebel Desire is a piece of cake to identify if you are a Grease fan like me. It is the outfit Rizzo is wearing during the Summer Nights number. Mattel has done it as an exact copy for their Grease dolls but the pink jacket turned to purple here. The doll though is a dark Marilyn, gorgeous.

Here come the men, always really popular with collectors. First up is Tobias Alsford wearing the outfit Stars In Your Eyes, Tobias could be Sidney Poitier and the outfit's name is actually the title of a 1956 British musical.

Declan Wake is playing Frank Sinatra from 1947, sporting the outfit named Debonair.

Here is Frank wearing this outfit:

Next one is easy too: Elvis Presley. Miles Morgan is shown wearing the Blue Suede Shoes (what else?) outfit.

Sterling Riese in the Natural Talent outfit could be any star of the 20s or 30s Hollywood: Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Errol Flynn, you pick one.

Keiron Morel in his Tropical Sunset outfit looks like Troy Donahue with Frankie Avalon hair.

Donahue in Parrish wearing a similar jacket - in publicity shots of the era he's in a white shirt and beige pants.

Marlon Brando is represented by Callum Windsor wearing the appropriately named outfit Wild One.

Pity he does not have the hat. Here's the original.

Note: The dolls shown are prototypes and final versions may vary slightly. All doll 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.

Integrity Toys convention 2015: Cinematic Part I: Welcoming cocktail and early registration

October is the month that Integrity Toys organises their convention every year, each time drawing a larger crowd. This year was no exception. It was held in Long Beach, California and produce a large number of dolls, all inspired or influenced a bit by this year's theme, Cinematic - Hollywood films and stars. The following posts will provide details and official photos of the dolls that were available in the convention.

Let's start with Wednesday and the early-bird welcoming cocktail. This was a first in the convention - a doll was available for the early bird registered attendees at the 20th anniversary cocktail that was given to celebrate. The staff of Integrity Toys was on hand to chat with guests. The price of the welcome cocktail ticket included a complimentary drink and the choice between one of either of two ITBE dolls. Guess which doll everyone wanted (but did not get).

Item # 15049
High Frequency
Welcome Cocktail Dressed Doll A
The ITBE Collection
Limited Edition of 215 Dolls

Everyone of course wanted the Eden/Lilith sculpt but there were only 215 of them so the rest had to make do with the other doll available. I have no information about the body these dolls have but I'm guessing it is the new Nu Face one.

Item # 15051
Heart Stopper
Welcome Cocktail Dressed Doll B
The ITBE Collection
Limited Edition of 215 Dolls

This one has the Natalia 1.0 sculpt which looks amazing. I much prefer this one than doll A.

As guests picked up their registration goodies, they each received a little black box that featured a complimentary issue of Haute Doll magazine, a free gift from Azone (an FR Nippon miniature tote if I remember correctly), their badge holder and a Fashion Royalty outfit sized to fit the FR2013 body and created as a companion piece to the Agnes Von Weiss mini gift set offered in the convention collection. The doll that is wearing it in the photo is the convention collection Agnes - more about her in the next post.

Item # 91379
On Set Welcome Bag Giveaway
Fashion Cinematic: The 2015 Integrity Toys Convention Collection
Limited Edition of 600 Fashion

Lovely outfit, very 30s Hollywood (Adrian style) and with beautiful jewellery. It should have had a jewelled clutch to finish it off perfectly.

Note: The dolls and outfits are prototypes and final versions may vary slightly. 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.

Reigning Grace Eugenia: the Grace Kelly tribute from Integrity

Back in April, Integrity Toys announced that all W Club members. whether going to the convention or not, would have the chance to buy a special Cinematic convention doll. The doll was Reigning Grace, had the face of Eugenia and would wear a lovely pleated black dress, which we discovered was the one Grace Kelly was wearing in Rear Window. Now the promo photos arrived, with the doll soon to be shipping to members. I must say she has surpassed my expectations and I am surely glad to have pre-ordered her. The dress looks fantastic and very faithful to the original. The doll is gorgeous, her screening the same as Diamond Society (with different shades of course), I just wish her hairdo was more close to the classic glamour bob Grace Kelly had than this Victoire chignon. She is lacking a bit in accessories, but the film outfit does not have anything more than this either, apart from a hat. Stunning.

Item # 91385
Reigning Grace
Eugenia Perrin Frost™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
2015 Cinematic Convention Upgrade
Release Date: Approximately Early October 2015

Eugenia is a 12.5-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with fully rooted hair styled in a sophisticated chignon. Eugenia is wearing a vintage inspired pleated dress. She accessorizes her look with gloved hands, jewellery and shoes (interchangeable flesh-toned hands included as well). A doll stand is also included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

Note: As with all dolls that feature a chignon or "updo" type of hairstyle, Integrity Toys does not recommend taking the hair down, as it was designed this way. Taking down the hair will be done at the owner's risk and will automatically void the warranty.

The doll pictured is the prototype, as usual, the final production may vary slightly. 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,

Lauren Bacall doll by JAMIEshow dolls for their 5th anniversaryChicago 2015 convention

After Marlene Dietrich (who is also making a second appearance in the new JAMIEshow releases), the company picked another Hollywood legend to turn into a doll: Lauren Bacall. The doll was presented during their 5th anniversary collection and was an instant crowd favourite. There were two versions of her with the only difference being the colour of her gown: peach or lilac.

She looks a lot like the late actress but I think they could have done her eyebrows a bit more relaxed instead of having her scowl so intensely. The gown also looks like something out of her usual style - unless it is something from one of her films, it does not bring anything to mind though. I cannot wait to see her in another wig-cap with a hairstyle closer to that from her early film roles - and outfits to match.

All photos courtesy of George Gonzalez and JAMIEshow dolls.