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.

Item # 10237

JWU Fall 2017

Elyse Jolie™ Dressed Doll

Jason Wu Collection

Edition Size: 450

Head Sculpt: Elyse

Body Type: FR

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Passion Week Elyse Jolie by Vasilen Milkov for Integrity Toys

Back in March, the winner of the first International Integrity Toys Design Competition which took place in 2017 was announced. Now, finally, W Club introduces the doll based on the super talented Vasilen Milkov's winning entry, the fiery "Passion Week" Elyse Jolie™. That’s the doll I voted for in the competition, as it was far above the rest of the entries (please Integrity Toys, give Vasilen a line to design). Club members and public alike can order the doll, as many as they want, no limit again.

It is natural that the winning design has been slightly adjusted to become production friendly, while preserving the spirit of Vasilen's original design. To read more about Vasilen’s background and inspiration, you can read my previous post announcing him as the winner and see the original doll. The big difference is the addition of the snake bracelet that is inspired by the original snake necklace that Red Blooded Woman Kyori Sato, the inspiration behind Vasilen’s design, was wearing.

W Club members got $10,00 off the general public price ($160.00 US) and a day head start to pre-order her from yesterday and now everyone can enter the Integrity Toys e-shop and buy her. The total edition size will be based on how many pre-orders are received. The doll does not count as one of the five (5) W Club exclusives that members get. She’s an amazing doll and I’m definitely getting one. I love everything about her, even though her hairstyle is the same as Intrigue Elyse. The difference in her make up and outfit more than makes up,for it. She’d look amazing in a pixie cut. Hmmmm...

Item # 91456

Passion Week

Elyse Jolie™ Dressed Doll

The Fashion Royalty® Collection

2017 Design Competition Winner

Edition Size: TBD 

Head Sculpt: Elyse Jolie

Body Type: FR 6.0

Foot Sculpt: Traditional

Skin Tone: Cream

Hair Color: Pale Blond

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

• 12" fully articulated doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes
• Fashion (faux-leather pants with laced eyelet detail, short-sleeved knitted sweater, a "perfecto" / trench coat inspired jacket)
• Oversized purse
• Pair of painted-on "gloved hands" with opera-length faux-leather gauntlets
• Pair of alternate skin colored hands (not shown)
• Snake bracelet (brand new design!)
• Hair sticks
• Jewelry (ear cuffs inspired earrings, brooch)
• Red ankle boots
• Doll stand

Offer Type: Open pre-order.

Participation Deadline: June 1st, 2018, Noon Eastern time.
Pricing (FOR W CLUB MEMBERS ONLY): $150.00 USD + S & H.($30 NRD deposit due now, $120.00 + S & H due in Fall 2018).
Final Edition Size: To be determined, will be based on all orders received.
Shipping Timing: Approximately Fall 2018.
Availability: 2018 W Club members (NOW and $150); General Public (after 5/24 and $160).
Order Limit: No limit!

Here is the page where you can preorder her if you are not a W Club member. 

This is the ONLY time this doll will be offered for pre-order, so if you want it, do not delay. It will not be available for pre-order later.  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 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.

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

The final W Club doll for 2017: is it the best Vanessa Perrin giftset ever?

As the 2017 W Club period begun late last year, it’s only natural that the last Club doll of the year is unveiled in January 2018.  It was a phenomenal year for Club members and the last doll confirms this fact in the best possible way. An incredible Vanessa Perrin giftset, designed by talented Jessy Ayala. The doll can be preordered by W Club members until January 19th and should arrive this summer.

Item # 91423

Fame & Fortune

Vanessa Perrin™ Dressed Doll Gift Set

2017 W Club Exclusive

Edition Size:TBA

Estimated Arrival: Summer 2018

Pricing: $250.00 US +S & H (Limit of one per W Club membership)

Doll Tech Specs:

Head Sculpt: Vanessa Perrin 1.0

Body: FR 6.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled 

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Soft Ebony

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Vanessa Perrin is a 12.5-inch fully articulated fashion doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. This gift set includes three complete looks ranging from day-to-night: First, she starts her day in an Asian inspired lingerie set that includes a custom printed kimono with high-contrast details, then she sets the tone in a high-fashion two-piece ensemble composed of a sheer blouse, black pants and custom embroidered gloves. Finally, she switches to a soft, bright pink asymmetrical evening gown with delicate embroidery and beading details.

Vanessa comes complete with two pairs of shoes, a set of regular hands and a set of gloved hands, two jewelry sets, two fully functional (i.e. you can put her favorite accessories inside) monogrammed pieces of luggage, a clutch purse and sunglasses. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. This doll cannot stand alone; a doll stand is included. A W Club members-only exclusive.

what can I say? Jessy seems to be surpassing himself with each subsequent release he oversees. It’s only been a month that The Faces Of Adéle sent collectors to 7th heaven, and that came after the gorgeous Metamorphosis Erin unveiled in August. Each doll is better than the previous one, not only fashion-wise but in style and character too. Vanessa, in her original sculpt, looks amazing here, reminding me a bit of her Night Warrior incarnation, combined with the A Fashionable Life one. Which of course means perfection. Raven hair, blue eyes and fiery red lips make her one of the most beautiful Vanessa dolls ever released.

Her three outfits are equally mesmerising. The asymmetrical evening gown, with Jessy’s favourite skirt style, short in front and long in the back, the delicate embroidery and the pink colour gives equally traditional and modern Japanese vibes. The pink strappy heels finish this off in a nice way, although I would have preferred something more edgy, to offset the cuteness factor. The Asian influences are obvious throughout the giftset.

The second outfit is totally back, with a sheer blouse over pants and the most eccentric pair of gloves on an Integrity Toys Doll ever released. Her sandals, bag and jewelry finish off the ensemble perfectly. The third outfit is a Leisure one, a short kimono, printed with birds (cranes?), over lingerie.

Topping it all off are the two luggage pieces, reminding me of the early sets released by Integrity in the Voyages collections. Pity one of them is not a wheeled suitcase like the one Blue Blood Elyse had, as I already own similar pieces from the older Fashion Royalty sets. In any case, they complete what must be one the best Vanessa Perrin giftset Severine released - only True Royalty is better in my opinion.  What do you think?

 Note: Please note that the doll, clothes and accessories pictured in the photo are prototypes and as always, final production colors and textures may vary slightly.

 All text 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 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.

The final three Jem And The Holograms dolls revealed!

As part of their Dolly Days week, Integrity Toys unveiled sneak photographs of the prototypes of the final three offerings in the JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS collection, which members could pre-order last summer after seeing sketches of them. More pictures will be released when the dolls ship, including photos of the alternate outfits included with Aja and Shana. If you already pre-ordered these dolls, they are expected to arrive in approximately late-January 2018 and you will receive an payment notice then. If you did not pre-order these dolls and would like to be added to the waiting lists for any of them, please contact Integrity Toys. 

Item #14099

Glitter 'n Gold

AJA LEITH™ ON-STAGE MINI-GIFTSET

THE JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ COLLECTION

Edition Size: TBD

Estimated Delivery: Winter 2017

Retail Price: $150.00 US

Item #14100

Glitter 'n Gold

SHANA ELMSFORD™ ON-STAGE MINI-GIFTSET

THE JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ COLLECTION

Edition Size: TBD

Estimated Delivery: Winter 2017

Retail Price: $150.00 US

Item #14101

This is Farewell

JEM™ Dressed Doll

THE JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ COLLECTION

Edition Size: TBD

Estimated Delivery: Winter 2017

Retail Price: $130.00 US

The dolls pictured are prototypes. Final fabrics, colors and textures may vary slightly. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2017 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS and all related ©2017 HASBRO Inc. All Rights Reserved. License used under permission. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.

Doll Photography by Jayme Thornton and/or Alain Tremblay

Layouts, Graphics and 3D renderings by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

Tonner Doll presents its first Outlander doll for Metrdolls “A Novel Romance” luncheon

Fans of the Outlander series have been anxiously awaiting for the Tonner Doll recreations of the protagonists  Claire and Jamie dressed in their gorgeous Terry Dresbach costumes. The first doll in the series was presented as the souvenir doll in this year’s Metrodolls luncheon, appropriately named “A Novel Romance”.  

This is the Garden Encounter Claire doll. It’s from a scene in the fifth episode of the second season of the series, when Claire and Jamie attend a horse auction in Versailles with king Louis XIV of France. I am a huge fan of the series and it’s costume designer, Terry Dresbach, who keeps on producing one after another of gorgeous costumes for the series protagonists and especially Claire, portrayed by actress Caitriona Balfe. 

Terry Dresbach wrote in her blog the story of discovering the fabric:

 “What the hell was this?? What could I do with it. It was amazing, outrageous and so over the top, I wasn’t sure it could be a dress. It was an extraordinary woven fabric. But I was pretty sure I was going to buy it and figure out later what to do with it. But there was 12 yards, and we need 15.  I could pick up one of the colors and make a petticoat, but that still wasn’t quite enough. While it was spread across the table and I kept saying to Ron, “it’s incredible, right, is it too much??”, and the poor man has no way to answer, so he just agrees. A customer walks by and stops, “that is amazing fabric, have you ever seen a show called Outlander? That looks like a fabric they would use!” I said, “yes as a matter of fact, I’m the Costume Designer on Outlander.” She was somewhat flabbergasted, and then said, “Do you know the guys who runs it? He did my other favourite show, Battlestar Gallactica.” “You mean this guy?” I asked, pointing to Ron. It was too much, I thought she might faint (kidding).

I bought the fabric, obviously. I sat with it for a few weeks and finally decided that Claire would wear it. It felt like a 1940s chintz and fit into my overall scheme. Or it would be a riff on these fabrics from the mid 18th century”.

From Access Hollywood:

 "It's a great dress. I adore it. That's Caitriona's favorite gown," Dresbach said of the gorgeous costume.

"It's really spectacular. That fabric is actually woven. Those flowers are woven and that was a fabric I found at Britex Fabrics in San Francisco, my favorite store, so I always plug them. And I had no idea what I was going to do with it when I saw it because it's an outrageous, outrageous fabric. … I had that fabric before I had that idea of making Claire's costumes have a 1940s feel to them, so that then when I circled back to make this costume I knew that this fabric was perfect because it is almost -- for lack of a better description -- it almost looks like curtain fabric from the late '40s with those big flowers on it, so it was a very out-of-the-box choice, but really spectacular. I mean, she just looks amazing in this costume," Dresbach said.

Claire's outfit is given an additional pop of color with elegant gloves, which Dresbach said can be described as "a real butter yellow."

"Real butter is actually this sort of marigold color that you see a lot of in the 18th century French paintings. Every costume that I do for Claire is trying to weave in elements of both the 18th century and the 20th century so that you have a sense that she could have had that fabric, or she was standing in a dressmakers at some point going, 'I want that, and I want that, but put it together this way,' so that we end up with a kind of look that she has that's so distinctive."

First let’s talk about the doll. She does remind me of Caitriona Balfe as Claire but her jaw s a bit too pronounced, a thing that often happens with Tonner dolls. She is beautiful and has a hint of that otherworldly beauty that Balfe has. Can’t wait to see the Red Dress version.

And what about the dress? Hmmmm. Let’s start from the top. The hat colour is so wrong. The original hat is not dark brown but has a more natural sisal colouring to it. It also curves downwards and not upwards. It is also doubled with draped fabric underneath as one can see in a photograph of the outfit displayed at Saks 5th Avenue.

As much as I can see on the badly lit promo shots, the colouring and design of the dress do try to recreate the human sized costume...BUT! The pattern of the woven flowers is difficult to emulate but it’s close enough, albeit with fewer flowers than the original one, obviously for cost cutting. The pleats and draping of the skirt at the back of the doll dress leave a lot to be desired.  Not to mention the unsightly back fastening, which is also inappropriate for the period and is nowhere to be seen on the original - adult dresses of the period always fastened at the front.

Sketch by Terry Dresbach for Outlander  

The seams of the sleeves cut the flower pattern, something not happening on the original outfit, where they fall precisely between the pattern. The overall shape of the dress will probably need a lot of attention and fuss to come close to its inspiration. This does not bode well for the red dress, which has an even more expansive and draped/pleated skirt. And these are not cheap dolls mind you. It’s unfortunate that they only got the yellow “dishwashing” gloves right. 

UPDATE: Tonner Doll published proper photos of the doll on their Instagram. The skirt looks a bit better regarding the pattern density but all my other observations still stand. In one of the two photo collages, you can see the shoes peeking from beneath the skirt.

That back closure is so wrong...but they seem to have fixed the curve of the hat...

...even though it looks again wrong in the close up.