Stay Tuned Day 5: the Integrity Toys 2022 online event ends with a premiere and Jason Wu

The last day of the “Stay Tuned” online event had three dolls revealed: Integrity Toys made it look like the gala dinner of a normal convention, so we saw not one but two Jason Wu dolls. And there was also one NU Face doll, but instead of Jessy Ayala (who was noticeably absent throughout the event week), it was designed by David Buttry and Mark Tinkey

Despite the three dolls, we had only one series as inspiration: Sex And The City. The story goes that Lukas produced a new TV series named "Girl In The City", and we were also treated with clips from ITFTV: Integrity Toys Fashion TV, something like EW TV red carpet coverage. Giselle was the star of the new series, channelling Sarah Jessica Parker, while Aymeline, in a double appearance wearing two different Jason Wu looks, was on the premiere red carpet to support her.

Item # 82169

Hello Lover

Giselle Diefendorf™ Dressed Doll

The 2022 Integrity Toys Event: Stay Tuned

Edition Size: TBD

Expected Ship Date: Summer 2023

W CLUB ONLY MADE-TO-ORDER

Head Sculpt: Giselle

Body Type: NF 3.0

Foot Sculpt: High-Heeled

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Golden Blond

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

MSRP: $190 + S & H

Special W Club Price*: $170 + S & H

Sales method: These dolls are guaranteed made-to-order for 2022 W Club members only- 1 per membership. Should any products remain after the final payment deadline has passed, they may be made available to the public and/or for purchasing extras at the MSRP.

($50.00 NRD deposit due now, $120.00 + S & H due in approximately Summer 2023);

*Special W Club pricing is limited to one per membership

The Story:

Watch out fashion lovers, real-life fashion designer Giselle Diefendorf is ready to add "actress" to her resume as she stars in "Girl In The City", a modern re-invention of popular romantic comedies from the early 2000s! It follows her very fashionable adventures in the city that never sleeps, as she tries to juggle her fabulous career as a top fashion critic and her complicated relationship with a fashion designer that she frequently needs to critique, oh and of course, her never-ending love affair with her lover's main fashion brand competitor- Manero! In the pilot episode simply titled "Hello Lover", you will fall in love with Giselle in the main role, just like we did!

Included:

• 12.5-inch articulated doll with rooted hair and hand applied-eyelashes;

• Black and white newsprint dress with shirring and rosette detail;

• Fascinator with veil and removable brooch;

• Black chrome earrings, ring, and bracelet with "stone" detail;

• Chrome clutch purse;

• Lace-up heels;

• Teal blue pumps with rhinestone detail;

• Shopping bag and shoe box accessories;

• Pair of regular FR hands;

• Alternate pair of long-manicured hands;

• "Stay Tuned" doll stand;

• Certificate of authenticity.

So if this was a convention, one of the Aymeline ladies would have been the convention doll, the other the centrepiece and Giselle would have been one of the W Club event dolls - probably the souvenir one. She tries to emulate the famous Dior by John Galliano newspaper print dress that Carrie was wearing in Sex And The City but the dress has quite a different structure and the shoes look more like cheap Manolo knockoffs than the real thing (MANERO for Manolo, lol - btw Tony Manero is the name of the character John Travolta plays in Saturday Night Fever and Stayin’ Alive). Since I have seen better made shoe buckles from Integrity (and weirdly enough there is an example on the very next doll), that would look more like the ones on the original Manolos, it puzzles me as to why this choice was made - maybe lack of resources in the factory? They look bad. The doll is beautiful, with the trademark SJP hair in abundance - and it is the second Giselle we get this year.

Item # 12326

Jason Wu Collection Winter 2021

Aymeline™ Dressed Doll

The 2022 Integrity Toys Event: Stay Tuned

Edition Size: TBD

Expected Ship Date: Summer 2023

W CLUB ONLY MADE-TO-ORDER

Head Sculpt: Aymeline

Body Type: FR 6.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Red

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

MSRP: $219 + S & H

Special W Club Price*: $199 + S & H

Sales method: These dolls are guaranteed made-to-order for 2022 W Club members only- 1 per membership. Should any products remain after the final payment deadline has passed, they may be made available to the public and/or for purchasing extras at the MSRP.

($50.00 NRD deposit due now, $149.00 + S & H due in approximately Summer 2023);

*Special W Club pricing is limited to one per membership

The Story:

Ready to walk the red carpet at the "Girl In The City" Pre-Premiere screening, top-model Aymeline wears a classic Jason Wu gown, sure to land her on NU.MODE Magazine's "who wore it best" list!

Included:

• 12.5-inch articulated doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;

• Jason Wu original multi-layered gown with ruching detailing at the bodice and ruffled neckline;

• Black satin high-heeled pumps with oversized buckles covered in tiny "diamonds";

• Drop pendant earring covered in "diamonds" and "stones";

• Navy blue "crystal" clutch purse;

• Pair of FR hands;

• Alternate pair of "pose" hands (not shown);

• "Stay Tuned" doll stand;

• Certificate of authenticity.

Can anyone tell me why Aymeline has the original Hangisi Manolos while Giselle was left with a knockoff? LOL, cannot wait to see the two of them in a catfight for the pumps! A beautiful Aymeline, with red hair, that reminds me a bit of Androgyny Avantguard doll. The dress is not actually in his 2021 Fall collection but looks like a cross between a gown from that collection with an OOAK gown he made for Kristin Davis for the And Just Like That premiere (fits with this occasion perfectly, right?). She’s a catch - the price is the same as her previous incarnations and she has it all.

Item # 12327

Jason Wu Collection Spring 2020

Aymeline™ Dressed Doll

The 2022 Integrity Toys Event: Stay Tuned

Edition Size: TBD

Expected Ship Date: Summer 2023

W CLUB ONLY MADE-TO-ORDER

Head Sculpt: Aymeline

Body Type: FR 6.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled foot

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Raven

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

MSRP: $219 + S & H

Special W Club Price*: $199 + S & H

Sales method: These dolls are guaranteed made-to-order for 2022 W Club members only- 1 per membership. Should any products remain after the final payment deadline has passed, they may be made available to the public and/or for purchasing extras at the MSRP.

($50.00 NRD deposit due now, $149.00 + S & H due in approximately Summer 2023

*Special W Club pricing is limited to one per membership

The Story:

Aymeline just adored the premiere episode of "Girl In The City" (well, what little she saw of it!) and now that the screening is over, like a well-choreographed ballet, she rushed to emerge in another breath-taking Jason Wu original and completely transformed her look, just in time to turn heads again for the Post-Premiere party! What could be more glamorous? Like a beautiful chameleon, her incredible transformation created a sensational fashion moment and we're all thrilled to be there for it!

Included:

• 12.5-inch articulated doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;

• Jason Wu original evening gown with multi-tiered ruffles;

• Hot pink clutch purse;

• Hot pink opera-length gloves;

• "Diamond" necklace;

• "Diamond" stud earrings;

• Hot pink lace-up high-heels;

• Pair of FR hands (not shown);

• Alternate pair of "pose" hands;

• "Stay Tuned" doll stand;

• Certificate of authenticity.

Even though the doll is named Jason Wu Collection Spring 2020, there is no such dress in that collection apart from a similar but quite different finale gown. W Club confirmed that Jason said this is the same 2012 gown worn by the first Net-A-Porter 10th anniversary exclusive doll (in chartreuse) back in 2017. I guess since they already had the pattern, they decided it looks close enough to name it 2020. The gorgeous doll reminds me a lot of the ITBE Higher doll, but (unfortunately) in a lighter skin tone. She would have looked so much better in light honey or latino. She compliments the red head perfectly, plus they will make an awesome trio with my NAP Midnight Garden blonde Aymeline.

Hello Lover

Giselle Diefendorf™

SPECIAL W CLUB PRICE $170 + SHIPPING AND HANDLING

(a non-refundable $50 deposit per doll only is due at this time to pre-order)

Jason Wu Collection Winter 2021

Aymeline™

SPECIAL W CLUB PRICE $199 + SHIPPING AND HANDLING

(a non-refundable $50 deposit per doll only is due at this time to pre-order)

Jason Wu Collection Spring 2020

Aymeline™

SPECIAL W CLUB PRICE $199 + SHIPPING AND HANDLING

(a non-refundable $50 deposit per doll only is due at this time to pre-order)

*Remember*

We also got the chance to see the packaging for the dolls that Alain designed especially for th event and it looks gorgeous. Plus there is a swag bag with the event branding, containing a miniature paper cut TV set that has all the TV cards presented for the various dolls. That will be available again for club members and, if there is anything left next year, they will become available to the general public.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes shown, final product may vary. This collectible is meant for adult collectors ages 15 and up only. 

All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2022 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. NU. FACE and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc. Chesapeake City MD USA 21915. All rights reserved.  JASON WU COLLECTION is a trademark of JWU, LLC. and is used under permission. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.

Photography by Bill and Shaunessey Peck. Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

"Stay Tuned": the online event for Integrity Toys is announced - plus a new Poppy!

In mid July, Integrity Toys announced the initial details about their special online event that will take place in p;ace of the traditional online convention structure for this year only. Currently expected to take place sometime later this Fall (exact start dates will be shared closer to the launch of the special event), Integrity Toys will be breaking news about some new dolls that will be unveiled each day, which will be available to W Club members via a variety of methods (RTB lottery, made-to-order, etc.).

So this year’s theme is “Stay Tuned”: every doll shown during the event will be inspired by different TV show genres of the ’60s and beyond. Everyone in the W Club gets the chance to participate, no registration fee is required and nothing will be immediately time sensitive. No pre-registration fee is required to participate: all 2022 W Club members will be able to attend.

Here's what attendees can expect during this event:

Daily unveilings: a short “newsflash” and/or presentation each day unveiling a new doll or dolls from the various Integrity Toys brands (exact brands to be announced, not all IT brands will be present at the event);

Dolls will available via a variety of purchase methods: the dolls offered during the event will be made available either via a right-to-buy lottery or will be made-to-order, on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the purchase method of each doll, attendees will be guaranteed access to some items, while others will be more limited and available via the right-to-buy lottery method. Exact details will be outlined in each offer email on the day of release of each new event doll;

Limit one per membership: each product offered will be limited to either one pre-order per doll per membership, or one lottery entry per doll per membership, depending on the purchase method.

Stay Tuned... more details will be sent closer to the event. I am guessing this is to streamline the doll presentations and purchases, based on previous online conventions. Truth is that they tried to give the online events the feel of the convention but it never worked out. I hope this runs more smoothly and - since many dolls will be made to order - people will be more satisfied.

To kick things off, Integrity Toys gives us the first preview doll connected to this year’s theme; Poppy Parker as she would have looked had she starred in her very own TV series simply called “We Love Poppy” (I Love Lucy is the inspiration of course), at a time when every TV set in the nation was in black and white!

Designed by Integrity Toys designer Mark Tinkey (who for years has been closely working with David Buttry), this Poppy Parker doll features a special "grey gradient” colour scheme* to simulate the way an early 1960s TV audience would have seen her in their living rooms for the very first time. Every W Club member got the chance to pre-order this doll.

 *Note: Only this first doll related to the special event will be done in grey gradient; the other dolls will have various skin tones and coloration.

Item # 77239

We Love Poppy

Poppy Parker® Mini-Gift Set

The 2022 Integrity Toys Event: Stay Tuned

Edition Size: TBD

Expected Ship Date: Late Spring / Early Summer 2023

Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: PP 1.5

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled & Articulated Ankle

Skin Tone: Pale Grey

Hair Color: Silver

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

MSRP: $195 + S & H

Special W Club Price*: $175 + S & H

Sales method: These dolls are guaranteed made-to-order for 2022 W Club members only- 1 per membership. Should any products remain after the final payment deadline has passed, they may be made available to the public and/or for purchasing extras at the MSRP.

($50.00 NRD deposit due now, $125.00 + S & H due in approximately late Spring / early Summer 2023);

*Special W Club pricing is limited to one per membership

Included:

Grey-toned, 12-inch articulated doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;

Grey-toned outfit composed of a polka dot bodysuit with detachable bow detail and matching pleated skirt with alternating panels of dark grey and polka dot fabrics;

Black Capri pants;

Black neck scarf and black belt;

Grey-toned high-heeled shoes with bow detail;

Grey-toned slingback kitten heels;

Small black patent pleather purse;

Simple button-style earrings and grey-toned bangle bracelets complete the look;

Pair of lower legs with articulated ankle feet;

Pair of lower legs with high-heeled feet;

Pair of "Poppy Parker" hands;

Alternate pair of "grip" hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

WE LOVE POPPY

POPPY PARKER® MINI-GIFT SET

SPECIAL W CLUB PRICE $175 + SHIPPING AND HANDLING

(deposit of $50.00 USD per doll to pre-order)

Purchasing this doll is a standalone bonus offer and does not include any other item from the special online event. However, there is no need to pre-order this item in order to participate in the event later this year.

The idea of the “grey” doll is not new of course. And no, I’m not talking about Monster High you people! If you remember, there was a similar version of Gene Marshall presented back in 2007, during the “Rare Deal” Gene Marshall convention, organised by Integrity Toys and Mel Odom. They had asked doll designers to make OOAK b&w doll clothes for Gene, to be auctioned off on dolls for charity during the convention - but nobody knew what the dolls looked like. The dolls turned out to be a grey-scale version of Gene (from this blog), much like Poppy looks like in this incarnation. Due to their being so rare, they are much sought after. JamieSHOW did a resin version for the 2015 convention and Gene’s 20th anniversary. Two years later they did a similar Trent for their “East Meets West" convention. It looks otherworldly but she’s beautiful and different enough to warrant getting her - if she was in normal colours, I would definitely pass. She does remind me of Lucille Ball back in the day and also has a hint of Wandavision about her! Mark Tinkey photographed her along other Poppies to show how she looks in real life.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes shown, final product may vary. "Screen test" sign and acrylic blocks in the accessory pictures are display props only and are not included with the doll. This collectible is meant for adult collectors ages 15 and up only.

All photos and information contained herein are copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2022 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. POPPY PARKER 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 Bill Peck and Shaunessey Smith. Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

Integrity Toys Obsession Convention 2021, Day 1: The W Club Event

The first day of the Obsession 2021 convention ended with the W Club Event. This, as usual, was charged in addition to the main convention package and was available to all W Club members. The price was $155.00 and included one doll (souvenir), giving you also the right to purchase the centerpiece doll of the event. We already knew that the dolls would be part of the NU Face line, so after the previous reveal, these were going to be sports themed as well. Carol Roth hosted the live presentation, along with Alain Trembley. They also had all the Integrity Toys designers participate in a Q&A session, after each one presented himself. Which pretty much followed last years event.

What was new, was a condescending tone coming from both hosts against W Club members, about not reading their emails properly (sounded like a teacher scolding you about homework) and about not being understanding enough about the problems that plague doll manufacturing. Carol even prompted designers to tell what they felt collectors should know about doll manufacturing, but in a way that was more like “tell them what obstacles we face making these highly coveted collectable dolls so that they stop complaining about receiving them late or with faults or both”. And that left a sour taste in my mouth (and from what I have been seeing and reading in various forums and social media, to many other people as well). I would never dream of telling my clients off like this, ever, no matter what problems I face making their product (and trust me, I work in a design company making high end exhibit stands for companies so I’m familiar with the situation). You want people to read your emails? Maybe you should make them more condensed and make their layout better? Maybe Break down information about a variety of stuff in smaller emails instead of one big endless text email? Maybe use diagrams and pictures to convey part of the information? Don’t tell me you are doing this for the last 25 years, most of your collectors are doing similar things for as many if not more years as well. Don’t treat your customers like pre-schoolers. W Club has grown too much lately and growing pains are never easy, but people are paying you dearly for a high quality collectable doll. Their money is what give you your daily bread and also a job you love doing. Stop complaining about how your clients treat you and look into why they treat you the way they do. You are paid to give solutions to problems, not whine about it. And if that whole shebang was not enough, there came the dolls.

Item # 82153

MVP

Rayna Ahmadi™ Dressed Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

W Club Event Event Centerpiece

Edition Size: TBD

Special Convention Price: $175.00

*Only for W Club Event Ticket Holders*

Head Sculpt: Rayna

Body Type: NF 3.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled and Flat Foot

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Copper

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

The centerpiece was presented early on in the event, as it would be the doll attendees would see decorating their tables in an in-person event. Rayna is always a popular sculpt and was missing last year from the convention. She was a centerpiece in the Fairytale convention (and a gorgeous doll). We have already gotten two Rayna dolls since last year’s event though. The doll is beautiful - I love her make up and the hairstyle is new for this line, a bit of Sailor Moon inspiration there. She did give me a very very slight vibe of the first Rayna (the IFDC Dorothy from Oz one) which I coveted for quite a long time (not that much anymore).

The outfit is a mess. The obsession for Rayna is American Football. She is probably auditioning for a quarterback? The vest/sleeveless jacket is supposed to remind us of the padded jersey the players wear but it does not even come close. It also riffs on the recent trend of oversized clothing, which might look good on a few models and celebrities (very few if any) but it does not translate wall on doll scale. Having the end seams unfinished helps to further make the look problematic. The colour combination is a bit weird but Jacquemus has been doing it recently (although I doubt Jessy had seen his latest collection before designing this, the timing does not match) and he also did an oversized sleeveless jacket.I like the bodysuit and the rugby shorts, but combining them with kitten heel slingbacks? So not sporty. Maybe she should have had a pair of bright orange combat boots with chunky soles to go with extra pair of flat feet. For this price (and being a made to order doll. unlike the rest of the centerpieces), she’s seriously lacking. Just look at last year’s magnificent Eugenia.

Item # 82154

Adrenaline Rush

Dominique Makéda™ Dressed Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

W Club Event Event Souvenir

Edition Size: 2750

*Only for W Club Event Ticket Holders*

Head Sculpt: Dominique 2.0

Body Type: NF 3.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Nubian

Hair Color: Soft Black Flocking

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

I have wanted to get a Dominique for ever, she’s a sculpt missing from my collection. And I am probably one of the few people who jumped with joy at seeing her appear as the souvenir doll of the event. She give me more super hero vibes than a sports obsessed lady (she’s supposedly a MotoCross enthusiast). If her flocked hair were platinum, she’d be a perfect Storm doll. I honestly did not understand why people complained about the flocked hair - some of the most coveted IT dolls have them: the Muse Adele, one of the Faces of Adele heads (the 1.0 sculpt),, Out Of Sight Nadja (who was a convention souvenir too), Urban Outfitting Nadja. And as for the white eye shadow (not an eyeliner, that is black), it looks good on Nubian skin (for me at least) and reminds me of Bionica Jordan,

The outfit would have been better if it had come with soft, ankle-high boots like the ones motor-cross riders are wearing, instead of the pumps. Then she would have had the extra pair of flat feet all other NU Face convention dolls have - and I bet they are not worth $20.00 (that’s the difference between her price and the other NU Face doll prices). Love the earrings, they are original and beautiful. The stirrup pant detail could have been omitted too - maybe adding a cap would have been better.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes shown, final product may vary. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only.

All text and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2021 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. NU. FACE 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 Bill Peck and Shaunessey Smith ; Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

Integrity Toys Legendary 2020 Convention day 3: The W Club Event

With the convention this year being virtual, Integrity Toys decided to open up the W Club event to all members of the club. And that is the reason most of us managed to attend the convention, even though we did not have access to the convention collection, the style lab or any other event dolls apart from this one. Still though, it was really nice and a great experience, even online. The club event was great, all the Integrity Toys designers were in the pre-recorded presentation and talked about their history with the company and the lines they design for it. Some news from the talk: the LatinX character (not Isabella Alves)will be part of the Nu Face line. Mark Tinkley is going to revisit a popular brand that “lets people’s fantasies come to life” - could it be Nu Fantasy? Chris Stoeckel said there will be new characters added to the East 59th line up. Vaughn was really vague and did not give out anything but all designers, during the Q+A section agreed that costume and fantasy dolls are very possible. The centerpiece doll left everyone with their jaw on the floor when it was revealed in the beginning of the presentation, with Jessy commenting on it later on. This doll will be a preorder for the participants, as the number of attendees of this event is way bigger than the rest of the convention, so the doll will ship in Spring 2021. Add to that the delay of the arrival of the giveaway doll (it will ship late December - early January) and we will not see the actual dolls of this event for quite a while yet.

Item # 91482

Wicked Narcissism

Eugenia Perrin-Frost™ Dressed Doll

The 2020 Integrity Toys 25th Anniversary Convention: Legendary

W Club Event Centerpiece

Limited Edition: TBD

Head Sculpt: Eugenia

Body Type: FR 6.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Cream

Hair Color: Raven

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

What an amazing doll! It’s not often that we get this much goth in Fashion Royalty and this one is done in a very elegant way, The original inspiration is Dark Narcissus Kyori Sato but the capable internet sleuths quickly discovered an Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2019 outfit that matches this one really well. Add the lace details from another Alexander McQueen outfit, this one from Fall/Winter 2018 collection and you get Eugenia’s outfit.

Item # 82132

Charmed Child

Ayumi Nakamura™ Dressed Doll

The 2020 Integrity Toys 25th Anniversary Convention: Legendary

W Club Event Souvenir

Limited Edition: 1369

Head Sculpt: Ayumi 3.0

Body Type: NF 3.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Crimson

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

This is a beautiful; Ayumi! The original inspiration is Miracle Child Ayumi, which is the first one ever released (and had the original sculpt). The dress is a bit simpler than the original and she does not have the gorgeous red bag that was with that giftset. The hat reminds me a lot of this year’s upgrade Eugenia. Her hair colour is gorgeous and fits her so much. I’m happy for our W Club doll.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes shown, final production may vary. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only.

All text and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. ©2020 All rights reserved. POPPY PARKER, METEOR, EAST 59TH, FASHION ROYALTY, NU. FACE, COLOR INFUSION, THE INDUSTRY, THE MONARCHS HOMME and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc., Chesapeake City MD USA 21915. ©2020 All rights reserved. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.

Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing

A Meteor just landed - and it surely caused quite a stir!

The new W Club year - and by extension the new year for Integrity Toys releases - begun on the Saturday 14th of March, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, not a good omen for the future. But yes, life must go on and we should keep on dreaming. Plus, with more and more people worldwide confined in their homes due to the virus, we doll aficionados turn even more to our passion for relief and enjoyment. This weekend brought the release of a new line for Integrity Toys, designed by Vaughn Sawyers. It’s name is Meteor and the story line involves the opening of a trendy nightclub by three friends. Three new characters, with new sculpts, were unveiled in a collection made up by five dolls, four available from Integrity Toys dealers and one for W Club members as an event doll. All are priced at $150.00. The dealer dolls arrive in the last week of March, while the event doll will arrive by the end of summer.

My thoughts on the line: I love the concept and that they are all from West Africa. The new sculpts are beautiful and will give us some really interesting dolls. I’m not crazy about all the outfits I’m seeing, but more about that in each doll’s comments. The vibe is certainly au courrant with the fashion trends as seen in the latest catwalks, particularly the decadent bourgeois trend evident in major fashion brands. The price is high, placing the dolls on a par with NuFace and near FR. I’d rather see a new line begin on a lower price level to lure people in, especially when it has a body that’s new to collectors. Better to start low, and when you see that there’s a healthy demand, raise prices. Also, releasing all dolls at once, and badly timed with people paying for older preorders, is not boding well for sales. It’s the same mistake they keep doing with East 59th and it seems they are simply not getting it.

As for the new body: in a video interview sent to Club members, Vaughn said he wanted the dolls to have a curvier body but had not time to develop a new one. So he created a new one by combining parts from other types of bodies. Here’s what Integrity Toys said about the new body:

We know that for many customers, compatibility between brands is extremely important. After careful consideration, Meteor ladies feature a newly assembled doll body composed of the following components:

• East 59th upper torso;

• Slightly re-engineered Color Infusion lower torso;

• Fashion Royalty/NU. Face arms and hands;

• Newly developed legs compatible with Fashion Royalty and NU. Face shoes.

With this fantastic body combo, these beautiful fashionistas will be able to easily borrow outfits and shoes from other dolls in your collection! You don't need to wait for more outfits to be released, you'll be able to dress, re-dress, pose and play as soon as you receive them!

The upper torso of East 59th is not the best choice for modern dolls. That body looks good for period fashions but is not aesthetically close to current fashion. They could have used the FR upper body. The lower part is a modified Colour Infusion torso. I guess that was for having a more curvy bottom. The legs are new but they say that they can share shoes with FR and NuFace. If that’s the case, why design a new foot at all? Just use existing ones. I am happy they are compatible though as the main reason I did not collect CI was their incompatibility with FR. That and their larger heads.

Let’s check each new doll and see how they look.

Item # 46000

Night Falls

Keeki Adaeze™ Dressed Doll

Meteor™: The Launch

Limited Edition: 525

Available: Last Week of March 2020

Suggested Retail Pricing: $150.00

AVAILABLE ONLY FROM IT DEALERS

Head Sculpt: Keeki Adaeze

Body Type: Meteor 1.0

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: Nubian

Hair Color: Midnight Brown

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

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

• Ultra-feminine, brilliantly pleated and draped burnt-orange satin blouse featuring a sophisticated asymmetric neckline;

• Fashionable high-waist cuffed shorts;

• High-gloss taupe belt featuring an intricately designed oversized "gold" buckle;

• Deep-burgundy handbag with delicate, shimmering texture;

• Faux-suede over-the-knee / slouch high-heeled boots that can be worn in multiple ways;

• Baroque-inspired earrings with cloisonné detailing;

• Matching baroque-inspired cloisonné cuff bracelet with jeweled detailing;

• Oversized yellow "diamond" ring;

• Pair of long manicured hands;

• Alternate pair of grip hands;

• Acrylic doll stand and pole;

• Certificate of authenticity;

• Signature designer packaging.

First one is Keeki, a beautiful lady in Nubian skintone, with lovely natural hair in a series of ponytails and whisps of baby hair on her temples. It’s a nice detail that complements her hair. I love the doll. Her make up is fresh and stylish and I really like that the lips look well defined without too many paint layers. Her outfit? The blouse needed more work on the sleeves, this type of sleeve in this scale either needs a lighter fabric or gathering at the wrists, to show off well. Now they simply look like lumps. I like the shorts and the versatility the boots. The colours are gorgeous. And her accessories are beautiful. Love the burgundy bag and the Byzantine jewellery which were done a lot by Chanel, and in a more artistic style by Yves Saint-Laurent and Christian Lacroix. And did you notice the detail on her manicured long nails? Wow. I preordered this one despite my dislike of the sleeve style, as I love the rest.

Item # 46001

In This Skin

Zuri Okoty™ Dressed Doll

Meteor™: The Launch

Limited Edition: 525

Available: Last Week of March 2020

Suggested Retail Pricing: $150.00

AVAILABLE ONLY FROM IT DEALERS

Head Sculpt: Zuri Okoty

Body Type: Meteor 1.0

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: A-tone

Hair Color: Chocolate Copper

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

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

• Deconstructed, asymmetrical lightweight faille blouse;

• High-waisted, faux-crocodile skirt with dramatic side slit;

• High-contrast, multicolored faux-fur boa;

• Short gladiator lace-up sandals;

• Oversized "tortoiseshell" sunglasses;

• Newly developed spiral-ring earrings;

• "Golden" molded necklace;

• Pair of "golden" finger rings;

• Scaffolding inspired oversized "golden" cuff bracelet;

• Two-toned, micro-suede handbag with magnet closure;

• Pair of long manicured hands;

• Alternate pair of grip hands;

• Acrylic doll stand and pole;

• Certificate of authenticity;

• Signature designer packaging.

Zuri reminds me a lot of Suri from Black Panther, and not just name-wise. She’s a fierce looking doll with the air of those legendary Yves Saint-Laurent catwalk models of the 80s, Katoucha Niane and Mounia. And that gap toothed mouth is gorgeous. Her outfit is the embodiment of one of Vaughn’s sources of inspiration, the Real Housewives Of… reality series. My objections: first of all, the sleeve does not drape well with this fabric in this scale. It should have been narrowed at the armpit, meaning a more difficult execution. Or else discarded completely. Secondly, the skirt is pleather, which means eventual destruction. I tend to avoid pleather as much as possible. Accessories are again gorgeous, especially her jewellery. If the dolls were more spaced out as releases, I’d get her too. I will later, if she does not sell out.

Item # 46002

Breaking Dawn

Amirah Majeed™ Dressed Doll

Meteor™: The Launch

Limited Edition: 525

Available: Last Week of March 2020

Suggested Retail Pricing: $150.00

AVAILABLE ONLY FROM IT DEALERS

Head Sculpt: Amirah Majeed

Body Type: Meteor 1.0

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: New Hispanic

Hair Color: Honey Ginger

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

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

• Intricately draped charmeuse blouse;

• Pale blue faded skinny jeans, featuring rhinestone appliqués;

• Faux-snake pumps;

• Oversized faux-suede and faux-leather tote bag with name tag detail;

• Newly developed, oversized "golden" sunglasses with sculpted floral detail;

• Oversized hoop earrings with "jeweled" accents;

• Extravagant "golden" sphere ring;

• Chunky giraffe print inspired cloisonné cuff bracelet;

• Pair of long manicured hands with delicately hand-applied crystals;

• Alternate pair of grip hands;

• Acrylic doll stand and pole;

• Certificate of authenticity;

• Signature designer packaging.

Amirah is the sculpt I like least of all three. And the make up does not do her any favours here. Or the hair. The blouse she’s wearing tries to incorporate so many different things that ends up being a cacophony. And have I said I really hate torn jeans?

Her accessories are nice but not with the wow factor the two previous dolls have and ditto for the jewellery. Hard pass.

Item # 46003

Edge of Night

Amirah Majeed™ Dressed Doll

Meteor™: The Launch

Limited Edition: 525

Available: Last Week of March 2020

Suggested Retail Pricing: $150.00

AVAILABLE ONLY FROM IT DEALERS

Head Sculpt: Amirah Majeed

Body Type: Meteor 1.0

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Ebony

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

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

• Elongated, menswear-inspired, textured chiffon shirt;

• "Micro-suede", deconstructed, denim-inspired jacket;

• Pleated kilt with contrasting plaid overlays;

• Faux-leather handbag with shoulder strap detail;

• Chunky high-heeled military-inspired boots;

• Satin striped necktie;

• Faux-silver dangle earrings;

• Oversized "silver" ring;

• Pair of long manicured hands with black rhinestone appliqué on one nail and glitter French tip on the thumb;

• Alternate pair of grip hands;

• Acrylic doll stand and pole;

• Certificate of authenticity;

• Signature designer packaging.

The second version of Amirah is much better than the first. The combination of pale skin and dark hair is very attractive, especially combined with the cool toned makeup she has. Too bad she has a boring hairstyle and a version of a Thom Browne that looks and feels overworked but unfinished too. She is missing the oomph of Browne.

Item # 46004

Afterglow

Keeki Adaeze™ Dressed Doll

Meteor™: The Launch

Limited Edition: TBA

Available: Approx. Late Summer 2020

Price: $150.00, $25 deposit with preorder and $125 + S&H when doll arrives

IT DIRECT EXCLUSIVE, available only for W Club members

Head Sculpt: Keeki Adaeze

Body Type: Meteor 1.0

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: Sunkissed

Hair Color: Ebony

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

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

• Shimmering mini dress with criss-cross harness detail, worn over a sheer, long-sleeved mock-neck top;

• Show-stopping, extravagant, oversized, parka-inspired, quilted-satin and faux-fur hooded evening coat;

• Thigh-high, sheer micro-sequined boots with intricate "chrome" heels;

• "Jewel-encrusted", molded necklace (magnetized);

• Leaf inspired, chandelier earrings;

• "Jeweled" ring;

• Pair of two-toned, long manicured hands;

• Alternate pair of long-manicured hands;

• Acrylic doll stand and pole;

• Certificate of authenticity;

• Signature designer packaging.

The event doll is easily the best of the bunch. Vaughn said his inspiration for this one was Cardi B, but the doll reminds me of the Kimora Lee Simmons Barbie (see below)! She could easily stand next to the Retrofuture ladies too. The sequinned boots and intricate manicured hands are the cherry on top

Photo courtesy of Mattel Inc.

So, let’s recap what is available and from where.

Available from IT Dealers

Already in-stock/Shipping approximately the last week of March 2020

Item # 46000 Night Falls Keeki Adaeze™

Item # 46001 In This Skin Zuri Okoty™

Item # 46002 Breaking Dawn Amirah Majeed™

Item # 46003 Edge of Night Amirah Majeed™

IT Direct Pre-order

Ships approximately late Summer 2020

Item # 46004 Afterglow Keeki Adaeze™

Final fabrics, colors, and textures may vary slightly. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. All photos and information contained herein, unless otherwise stated, is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. ©2020 All rights reserved. METEOR, EAST 59TH, FASHION ROYALTY, NU. FACE, COLOR INFUSION, and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc., Chesapeake City MD USA 21915. ©2020 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

Kimora Lee Simmons Barbie Doll photo courtesy of Mattel Inc.