A new Monarch doll - was that what you were missing from your life?

Having new doll releases during this world-changing time can be a way to combat dreariness and escape a bit from the relentless pace real life moves. Isn’t doll collecting an escape into our own ideal world for most collectors anyway? Having said that, the release of a new, unexpected Monarch doll was definitely quite surprising - and to me, quite unnecessary. Rest assured, I always love a well designed and made doll, especially a guy. But this is not how I would have done it. He’s a lottery exclusive for W Club members in a lower than usual price, which is quite nice. And a new character too!

Item #21005

Most Influential

Paolo Marino™ Fashion Figure

The Monarchs™ Homme Collection

Edition Size: 700

Expected Ship Date: In-stock, will ship after winners' payments are received

MSRP: $175.00 Special Members-Only Price (During Lottery Only): $150.00 + Shipping

W Club Exclusive Right-to-buy Lottery Offer

Head Sculpt: Paolo 

Body Type: Monarchs 1.0

Skin Tone: Hungarian

Hair Color: Salt and Pepper

Eyelashes: No

Quickswitch: No

Included:

12.5" fully articulated fashion figure with rooted hair and flocked hair;

Bespoke slim-fitted business suit;

Tailored shirt;

Dashing satin tie;

Brilliantly engineered, multi-toned overcoat;

"Micro-suede" loafers;

Fully functional umbrella accessory;

Time piece;

Eyeglasses;

Alternate pair of "grip" hands;

Alternate pair of "gloved" hands;

Underarm fashion figure stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

Offer Type: Members-only right-to-buy lottery;

Participation Deadline: June 15th, 2020, Noon Eastern time;

Special Members-Only Price (During Lottery Only): $150.00 + S&H each;

Final Edition Size: 700;

Shipping Timing: In-stock, will ship once the lottery winners have paid;

Availability: 2020 W Club members only; Right-to-buy Participation Limit: Max. one (1) lottery ticket per 2020 membership only.

For those following the complicated storylines of the Integrity Toys dolls, Paolo Marino is the younger brother of Missima Cosmetics founder Perry Marino and is presented now as a ruthless billionaire financier ready to take over the world. Not exactly the guy to mess up with. The doll sure looks more like a hipster entrepreneur with that hair and that coat and less like a Wall Street guy. Even more, he reminds me of Eggsy, the character played in the Kingsman films by Taron Eggerton - see photo below. The sculpt could even be made to look like the actor. The sculpt is supposedly new but it looks like a tweaked Zipper.

Do I like the doll? Not with those ears! That god-awful hair style! Which will definitely, experience talking, will look much worse IRL. if I need a cobweb broom, I will get one from the supermarket, thank you very much. the suit does not help a lot, despite the narrow, tailored look. Red ties are forever ruined for me after Trump. Maybe a pinstripe fabric would have suited him better. A waistcoat would have bee so fitting. And definitely not that oversize patchwork coat, which is something Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen has been making variations of forever, and with much better results and aesthetics. Thom Browne does it too but in a more trompe-l'œil way. We have had two-toned coats before in FR Hommes and they never look that dapper to begin with. Some examples in the slideshow below (after the accessories photo), with a pinstripe look in the end that would be my favourite for this release. i would not mind the first look either, on a black gorgeous doll as shown IRL please.

Fashion photos courtesy of Alexander McQueen and Vogue Runway. Final fabrics, colours and textures may vary slightly. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. All doll photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2020 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. The MONARCHS HOMME, PAOLO MARINO and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc. All rights reserved. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.

Doll Photography by Jayme Thornton;

Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing

Integrity Toys 2019 Convention: Live From Fashion Week - Day 1

The 2019 Integrity Toys Live From Fashion Week convention opened officially this week in Baltimore and once again, this blog will be bringing you all the new dolls and outfits, as products become available at the convention throughout the weekend. This year's theme is all about fashion, and with the exception of the Poppy Parker Style Lab (which celebrates the 10th anniversary of Poppy Parker), every exclusive doll offered at the event, whether in the convention collection, salesroom, centerpieces or giveaways, is inspired by either Spring, Resort, Summer, Fall or Winter fashion weeks as follows:

Poppy Parker is Fashion Week Spring/Summer 1967

Fashion Royalty is Fashion Spring/Summer 2020

Monarchs is Fashion Week Resort 2020

East 59th is Fashion Week Fall/Winter 1956

The Industry is Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2020

NU. Face is Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2020

Dolls from the Fashion Royalty® Collection and the NU. Face™ Collection were designed by Jessy Ayala, the East 59th® Collection by Chris Stoeckel, The Monarchs Homme by Vaughn Sawyers and the Poppy Parker™ Collection by David Buttry.

The convention registration started on Wednesday for the attendees who arrived early and they all received "Fresh Perspective" Baroness Agnes Von Weiss in their welcome bag. The bag had Powder Puff Poppy Parker printed on it, celebrating Poppy’s 10th anniversary.

Note: All dolls pictured in these photos are prototypes; final colors and textures may vary slightly.

Item # 91467 

Fresh Perspective

Baroness Agnes Von Weiss™

Welcome Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention:

Live From Fashion Week

Edition Size: 700

Head Sculpt: Agnes Von Weiss

Body Type: FR

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: Hungarian 

Hair Color: Caramel Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

I’m not crazy about this version of the Baroness. She’s beautiful but I find her make up too pronounced and candy coloured to like (it looks more prominent in real life photos). Her outfit and accessories remind me of Going Public Eugenia. And, as you will see below, most of the dolls in this convention so far, remind me of older releases. I don’t know if it is due to the production problems that troubled Integrity Toys this year or simple lack of inspiration, but I’m a bit underwhelmed by what I’m seeing in the first convention day, with a couple of notable exceptions.

The Integrity Toys Souvenir Shop and The Style Lab opened for business on Thursday. Let’s see the offerings that can be found in the Souvenir Shop - that is, the Convention collection and the shop exclusives.

Convention Collection:

Item # 91468

English Rose

Eugenia Perrin-Frost™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Convention Collection

Edition Size: 700

Head Sculpt: Eugenia Perrin-Frost

Body Type: FR

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Raven

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

Cute but it’s like Vivacité with another skintone. The total would look completely washed out, save for the raven hair and brightly coloured shoes. The blouse looks beautiful but the skirt does not do it justice. Where is Ferré when you need him!

Item # 91469

Spring Romance

Adèle Makéda™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Convention Collection

Edition Size: 700

Head Sculpt: Adèle 1.0

Body Type: FR

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: Dark A-Tone

Hair Color: Raven (Flocked)

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

She look a lot like her sister from the Faces of Adéle giftset. From the waist up she gives me Adut Akech vibes in Valentino. The pants are not to my liking, they needed a more fluid fabric to work properly. Love the bag and hat, her accessories in general are superb.

Item # 82121

London Show

Nadja Rhymes™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Convention Collection

Edition Size: 700

Head Sculpt: Nadja 2.0

Body Type: NU. Face

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Pale Honey Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

She’s fantastic! People have been clamouring for ages for a light coloured version of the Afroamerican Integrity Toys sculpts and the result is breathtaking. Her outfit is gorgeous too, reminding me of the OOAK Bow Down Nadja from the 2017 convention.

Item # PP153

Young Romantic

Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Convention Collection

Edition Size: 700

Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy Parker

Foot Sculpt: High Heel and Articulated Ankle (Comes With Both)

Skin Tone: Hungarian

Hair Color: Warm Dark Brown

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

I’m not against romantically styled dolls, but they have to be styled in a certain way. This is not it. Very renaissance looking, a little modern Juliet, looking for her Romeo. The extra flat feet and sandals only accentuate the effect.

Item # PP154

Kimono Go Go

Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Convention Collection

Edition Size: 700

Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy Parker

Foot Sculpt: Articulated Ankle

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Platinum

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

What a beautiful face! The only thing bothering me are the orangey brows. Her hairstyle and earrings are straight from the fashion magazines of the sixties. Her kimono though is not up to par. The huge obi distorts her silhouette in an ungainly way.

Item # 73012

Winter Shimmer

Lady Aurelia Grey™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Convention Collection

Edition Size: 400

Head Sculpt: Lady Aurelia Grey

Body Type: E59

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: Light Honey

Hair Color: Raven

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

The last doll of the convention collection is a new Aurelia. Blue seems to be a favourite colour for her. She looks regal and I love her jewellery. Not enough to want her for my collection though. The hairstyle is a bit off for her era though, it was popular in the next decade. Not many accessories but killer gloves.

The convention salesroom had a few more dolls available for collectors, with a new sculpt and character of - gasp! - older age debuting in the Industry line.

NEW CHARACTER!

Item # 88060

That's All

Plum Powers™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Salesroom Exclusive

Edition Size: 400

Head Sculpt: Plum Powers

Body Type: The Industry

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: Cream

Hair Color: Platinum/Silver Mix

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

She’s so obviously inspired by Iris Apfel but she also has a bit of the legendary fashion editor of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, Carrie Donovan, who had trademark huge glasses too. Want her! And her croc imitation Kelly style bag is to die for.

Item # 88061

Devil Made Me Do It

Tulabelle True™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Salesroom Exclusive

Edition Size: 400

Head Sculpt: Tulabelle True 2.0

Body Type: The Industry

Foot Sculpt: High Heel

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Warm Dark Brown

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

We can see the new Tulabelle sculpt better now, I still cannot warm up to her. She looks so smug I want to punch her, LOL! Not sure about the asymmetrical jacket. I’d like it better if the asymmetry was also at her collar.

Item # 21012

Art Of Manliness

Darius Reid™ Dressed Doll

The 2019 Integrity Toys Convention: Live From Fashion Week Salesroom Exclusive

Edition Size: 500

Head Sculpt: Darius 2.0

Body Type: The Monarchs Homme

Foot Sculpt: The Monarchs Homme

Skin Tone: Nubian

Hair Color: None

Eyelashes: None

Quickswitch: No

One of the oldest and most loved characters makes his appearance again! Darius has a new sculpt, not a gorgeous as the previous one though. He look more like Tyson Beckford now. The hot pink suit is lovely. He has nice accessories too, plus a hat and an earring. And yes, the ugly sneaker trend has hit the Monarchs too. Must add that titling your male doll The Art Of Manliness in 2019 and the era of #MeToo and LGTB+ rights is a bit weird.

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, POPPY PARKER, NU. FACE, EAST 59TH, THE INDUSTRY, THE MONARCHS HOMME 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 Jaime Thornton Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

Integrity Toys Luxe Life 2018 Convention: the highly anticipated Menswear Collection Launch did not live up to the hype.

Friday afternoon at the convention continued with more shopping and workshops, but many convention guests (and many more not attending the convention) were eagerly anticipating the Menswear Collection Launch Event and Party. The new Hommes body and line have been in the pipeline for many years (five if I’m not mistaken) so everyone that collected the Male Integrity Toys dolls were holding their breath. The importance was such that the reveal had  replaced the very popular Friday night bazaar and masquerade ball.

Unfortunately, even though guests got to hear about the design and inspiration behind the newest line, named The Monarchs, from Integrity Toys designer Vaughn Sawyers, something was amiss. All attendees received the Undercover Declan Wake Male Doll. More information on the line will be revealed to W Club members by email, and some prototypes were shown on a slideshow, with one also sent by email to Club members that is under strict no-show order. There was no centerpiece for the event, just an empty acrylic base with the new line logo, that was raffled instead. One can imagine how disappointed people were, as they were expecting to be able to purchase a dressed male doll from the new line, as the convention package mentioned. The doll was nowhere to be seen. Because of that mishap, the unveil lasted only a short time and the only information people managed to get out from Vaughn was that attendees would get first dibs on a dressed male doll sometime soon.

Item # 21008

Undercover

Declan Wake™ Fashion Figure

The Monarchs™ Homme Collection

2018 Luxe Life Convention Exclusive

Edition Size: 500 Dolls

The doll shown was offered to everyone who attended the launch event for "The Monarchs". The formal introduction to the new line will take place later this winter, with a full reveal of the new storyline, characters and looks.

So this is the body that took Integrity Toys five years to redesign. Other than making it skinnier and more defined, I do not see an actual improvement over the old one. No improved articulation, no better neck joint. Cosmetic changes are all nice and well, but real redesign should have made for a better articulated body, with a neck allowing male dolls to move their heads better and make them look more expressive.

None of the old, first wave of Hommes will be part of the new lin up: no Pierre, Francisco, Darius or Takeo. Which is a pity to hear, as they are very special and beautiful sculpts. I’m a Declan fan but this looks like his best ever version too much to be considered great. His hairstyle does not help - it looks like some third rate Mediterranean lover boy would sport while out cruising the tourist traps. Easy pass. And no, having a semblance of a penis will not make a doll better. Nice bag though - the big one. The other can simply disappear into the eighties it came from.

 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. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.