Fashion inspiration - what is Poppy Parker wearing?

April 10, 2012

When I saw She's Not There Poppy Parker, I knew I had seen the dress before - not necessarily on Twiggy but it was engraved somewhere in my memories.

Looking around at old Vogue issues, I discoverd why. The original dressed was designed by John Bates a.k.a. Jean Varon for his Avengers collection. Take a look at Diana Riggs sporting it along with the coat in an Avengers episode:

I also found Jean Shrimpton wearing the coat over the dress in a British Vogue 1965 issue, photographed by Bailey (small photo, bottom right).

Some more photos of the dress.

(Vogue scan courtesy of Youthquakes - Avengers photos courtesy of Vintage Chic)

Integrity Toys 2012 release: On-line event exclusive doll

April 3, 2012

Of course every event has an exclusive doll: Integrity gives W Club members the chance to order a doll made exclusively for them, with a very small window of ordering her, usually 24-48 hours after the event ends. The official 2012 W Club Online Event Exclusive was presented by Alain Trembley, who said this was one of the best dolls ever offered and one of his very favourites: the "Truly, Madly, Deeply" Baroness Agnes Von Weiss mini gift set. She is after all an event character and a crowd pleaser so it makes sense.

Item #91302 Truly Madly Deeply Baroness Agnes Von Weiss™ Mini Gift Set 2012 Online Unveiling Event Exclusive Limited Edition: TBA Estimated Arrival: Early Summer 2012 Suggested Retail: $150.00 US

Agnes, in her latest incarnation, looks like a cross between her Festive Decadence and Optic Verve editions, with a touch of Royal Von Weiss thrown in for good measure. She comes dressed in a chartreuse two-piece evening gown. The skirt has a long train and peplum attached, looking very much like Gene Marshall's Ransom in Red outfit (of course that one was red, I have it and is one of my favourites). The whole look is very 40's and early 50's. She could be Lauren Bacall or Susan Hayward.

The second outfit is a coral suit, with an embroidered side-slit skirt. The jacket is short, with 3/4 sleeves trimmed in fur. She has a matching bag. The suit can be worn with the chartreuse top from the other outfit as well.

The accessories are the same for both outfits: a coral bag, matching peep-toe pumps, a chartreuse bracelet and coral earrings. The jewellery are styled much like Dania's or Jordan's from the FR collection. But Agnes also has a matching coral ring. She's a gorgeous doll and of course I ordered her from the club.

**Please note that the photos are of prototype dolls and subject to changes and modifications. **All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2012 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.**

Integrity Toys 2012 release: FR Squared by Jason Wu

April 3, 2012

When the time came for the Fashion Royalty:Squared presentation, we were greeted by none other than Jason Wu himself as he is personally designing this collection - his fashion firm is mentioned under the line's name on the boxes. A trio of dolls were presented: Tatyana, Ayumi and Luchia Z. He said that the line will act as a platform to bring back characters that were away from the spotlight. The fashions will be more adventurous and mysterious.

Item #57016 Nouveau Régime Tatyana Alexandrova™ Dressed Doll FR: Squared™ Collection Suggested Retail Price: $175.00 US Limited Edition Size: 400 Dolls Worldwide Estimated Delivery date: Mid June 2012

Tatyana Alexandrova was moved to the FR2 line back in last year's convention. That doll was not a favourite of mine as I did not like the bangs or the dress. What a change now. She looks incredible here, with her sexy and luxurious dress, her chic up-do and mesmerizing make up. She wears a red hot cocktail gown, accented by a large bow at the shoulder and a contrasting gold lace bustier. The look is finished with a "gold" jewelry set, a matching red clutch purse, pantyhose and detailed tone-on-tone designer heels (they sport a miniature "gold"chain. I am a sucker for red lips and smoky eyes and will try to obtain her although she is one of the most sought after dolls this season.

Item #57017 Opium Ayumi N.™ Dressed Doll FR: Squared™ Collection Suggested Retail Price: $175.00 US Limited Edition Size: 400 Dolls Worldwide Estimated Delivery date: Mid July 2012

Ayumi Nakamura also changed sculpt recently, when she joined FR2 at the IDEX presentation (she was the event doll there). I was not fond of that doll because of her make up and because of my love for the old Sculpt of Ayumi (which had been used twice I think, I have the first one). Her second appearance in the same year makes this kind of special - and she got the looks to match. Her look is reminiscent of the 30's and 40's movie stars like Joan Crawford or Bette Davies. Ayumi wears a high-contrast fire red cocktail jacket over a black floor length, long sleeved, ultra-fitted siren gown. Her hair is neatly styled in an up-swept chignon and her look is completed by her earrings, two (yes two!) rings, a matching clutch purse and high-end patent "leather" pumps. She;s a keeper.

Item #57018 Strict Elegance Luchia Z.™ Dressed Doll FR: Squared™ Collection Suggested Retail Price: $175.00 US Limited Edition Size: 400 Dolls Worldwide Estimated Delivery date: Mid July 2012

Luchia Z completes the trio and is the most recent one to make a transofrmation - the old sculpt (Isha's own) is abandoned and replaced by the one used for the FNO Bergdorf Goodman doll back in 2011. A change that left many people gasping as the two sculpts are completely different from each other. The Integrity people seemed surprised we did not know it yet! So apart from style the three ladies here share another common thing: new faces! She is dressed like a dominatrix, in a slim-fitted "leather" skirt topped by a form enhancing "leather" and lace bustier, her sleek raven hair pulled back but framing her high forehead at the front as well. The look is finished with a frilly "fake mongolian lamb" coat, black chrome jewelry and a chrome "leather" purse that perfectly matches her designer shoes.

Integrity Toys 2012 release: FR - The Style Directive Collection

April 3, 2012

After the Perry Marino reveal, complete with the mention of his romantic link with Eugenia (oh those story lines!) Vaughan then proceeded to present the new Fashion Royalty®: The Style Directive Collection. As the storyline has again started to advance, the story-cards for these latest dolls are going to be sent to W Club members with a notice closer to when these dolls are being shipped. This was one of the collector requests that IT fulfilled, making a lot of people happy. So let's see the dolls - Vaughan said the collection is inspired by the 40s-50s styles, albeit with a more modern look and feel.

Item #91296 Always On Her Mind Dania Zarr™ Dressed Doll Suggested Retail Price: $110.00 US Limited Edition Size: 450 Dolls Worldwide Estimated Delivery date: Early July 2012

Dania Zarr looks a bit like Marilyn Monore in her retro, high-contrast black and pink outfit. The peplum is the basic element (here attached to the skirt), one of this springs staples at the fashion runways all over the world. She looks great, has a very soft face, lovely hairstyle (Lana Del Ray comes to mind). Her yellow bag is amazing and her jewellery original and stylish. Lucite heels for the shoes.

Item #91297 Trust Your Instincts Jordan™ Dressed Doll Suggested Retail Price: $110.00 US Limited Edition Size: 300 Dolls Worldwide Estimated Delivery date: Early July 2012

Jordan is one of my favourite dolls and her third incarnation does not disappoint: dressed in an ivory skirt topped by an ultra feminine short-sleeved light chartreuse satin blouse and accessorized with gold and cloisonné jewels. Her looks is mirroring Dania's style (peplum - attached to the top this time, separates, same design in jewellery) and Vaughan said the clothes are interchangeable - a thing they tried to achieve with the whole collection, much like last year. Her strong make up might alienate some, but I love her and hope to get her. Look at that incredible bag! She has a lighter skin tone than her previous releases.

Item #91298 Your Kind Of Model Kesenia™ Dressed Doll Suggested Retail Price: $110.00 US Limited Edition Size: 400 Dolls Worldwide Estimated Delivery date: Early July 2012

Kesenia is one of the most talked about dolls - many people dislike her open mouth, others feel she is a Vanessa usurper, after Van got hers closed. Some could never warm up to her vampire pale complexion. But look how thing change! In this edition of the character, Kesenia has the Japan skin tone, has much softer make up and hair, transforming into a dead ringer for Poesie Sans Couler Vanessa. She wears a translucent embroidered chiffon cocktail dress over a pink strapless sheath dress, a very modern shaved faux-mink fur jacket and perfect finishing touches to complete her look. The embroidered clutch is amazing, her shoes are black leather sling-backs and the rhinestone jewellery looks great on her.

Item #91299 World On A String Eugenia Perrin Frost™ Dressed Doll Suggested Retail Price: $110.00 US Limited Edition Size: 500 Dolls Worldwide Estimated Delivery date: Mid August 2012

Oh Eugenia! Look at her! Sophia Loren? Lauren Bacall? Susan Hayward? All of that together? A very 40s look for this beloved character, who in the current story line is causing a scandal, pairing up with Perry Marino, Natalia Fatalé's ex! Eugenia's fashion includes a knee length skirt with a way-up-there slit, an ultra-feminine chartreuse dobby weave blouse, a tweed and fur jacket cinched at the waist by a shiny patent leather belt, with removable fur-collar and matching large brimmed hat. Her shoes have transparent sides, a look that Christian Louboutin has already made popular for Spring. She has a gorgeous bag, chartreuse earrings and ring(a gift from Perry?) and a nice silver bracelet.

Item #91300 Main Attitude Adèle Makéda® Dressed Doll Suggested Retail Price: $110.00 US Limited Edition Size: 400 Dolls Worldwide Estimated Delivery date: Mid August 2012

Adèle Makéda's sculpt changed last year, she is now in her third incarnation! The convention doll was not to my liking; she looked way too soft and subdued to match the fierce and feisty character I loved and collected for so long. But now they got her right! She is smashing in this release, reminding me the style of Natalia Femme Du Monde from the Pompadour collection. Her sophisticated two-piece ivory ensemble is completed by a dramatic short "fur" wrap. The skirt has a lovely flourish at the hem and the top is very sexy. The whole outfit looks like a "cleaner" version of a McQueen ensemble from their S/S 2012 collection. Her bag looks very much like a new Louis Vuitton style! We've seen the jewellery before but she must have one fault! Will try to get her!

Item #91301 The Sweet Smell Of Success Véronique Perrin® Dressed Doll Suggested Retail Price: $110.00 US Limited Edition Size: 500 Dolls Worldwide Estimated Delivery date: Early August 2012

Véronique Perrin keeps showing up with a face in varying shades of pink since she returned, with almost alarming consistency. It looks good on her, so why change it? Here she reminds me of Festive Decadence Agnes, but much softer. Her black and pink dress with the soft lace accents looks cute. The rose-flower jewellery is again a re-hash but I guess this helps keep prices down. We did not get a photo of her accessories - the bag looks amazing. If I did not have Agnes already (and two new Veros from last year) I would try to get her.

Item #91303 ...And Another Thing! Kyori Sato™ Gift Set Suggested Retail Price: $150.00 US Limited Edition Size: 400 Gift Sets Worldwide Estimated Delivery date: Early August 2012

Kyori Sato has has sculpt changed - and I think it is for the best. The collectors think so too, she is sold out already! It is the most successful sculpt change I have seen Integrity do, as the doll is still Kyori but looks more defined and fresh. If only all sculpt changes were this good. She comes as a gift set that features multiple looks: they include a belted mermaid evening gown with plunging neckline and a draped and sewn up skirt (which looks way too busy for me), an two-piece suit with removable fur collar (that draped skirt is awuful) and a sexy lingerie set.Her accessories include a magnificent weave leather bag (Bottega Veneta comes to mind), gladiator shoes (these must be finally put to rest), big chunky pink single gemstone earrings and a matching ring. Her two-tone hair colour and hair style is also not a win for me. So, while I love the sculpt, I will wait for a future release.

So generally we saw a very strong collection, coherent, stylish but a bit conservative (which probably is what people want anyway). From the mention of Art Deco and the 40's, I was expecting a more defined and pronounced shoulder line, much like the fashion runways in real life have shown. But still this looks good, the bags and accessories are back and the prices are kept relatively low, which is even better! The only thing missed was Vanessa. Where is that girl?

**Please note that the photos are of a prototype doll and subject to changes and modifications. **All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2012 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.**

Integrity Toys 2012 release: Nu Face & FR Homme

April 3, 2012

After David Buttry finished the Poppy Parker presentation, Carol Roth introduced Vaughan Sawyer, the designer of Nu Face, Fashion Royalty and Hommes collections. He said that the overall name for the collections was Style Directive and the inspirations were period styles made modern and having fun with older looks. The main inspirations for Nu Face were the 20's and Art Deco: dark, bold, strong shapes and colours.

Item #82043 Lead Singles Lillith and Eden™ Two Doll Gift Set Suggested Retail Price: $199.00 US Limited Edition Size: 450 Gift Sets Worldwide Estimated Delivery date: Early July 2012

The twins are coveted by the collectors - they are a sensation every time they appear together or separately. They are wearing multiple outfits that can be combined between them, so from the four complete outfits one can get lots of combinations. I did not like the style of the clothes (Gucci inspired) or the dolls in this set. The shoes have a chunky addition beneath the arch that looks weird. The skirts on the second outfits are multi-layered: chiffon, lace and pleated organza for Eden and lace and organza for Lillith. They come packaged in the look of the first photo. All Nu Face dolls have coloured streaks in their hair.

Item #82044 Live, Work, Play! Giselle Diefendorf™ Mini Gift Set Suggested Retail Price: $125.00 US Limited Edition Size: 600 Mini Gift Sets Worldwide Estimated Delivery date: Early August 2012

I realise now that all Nu Face release are gift-sets! Popular girl Giselle Diefendorf comes in a gift-set with two outfits, one with a paillette skirt (reminiscent of AG Goldmine's skirt) and blue top and one with jacket and leather pants. They can be combined for multiple looks. I love this one and hope to get it. The necklace is gorgeous (like the Monogram doll sold at Collette's had) but the earrings are from older collections. The gorgeous bag is to die for. Her shoes have Lucite heels.

Item #82046 Pop of Color Annik™ Mini Gift Set Suggested Retail Price: $125.00 US Limited Edition Size: 300 Mini Gift Sets Worldwide Estimated Delivery date: Mid August 2012

Annik is a strong sculpt that needs eccentric fashions to come to life. Putting her in cutesy frilly stuff will not help, even if it is in bold colouring and chunky jewellery. Her long curly raven hair are weighing her down even though her skin tone (lighter than her previous incarnation) and make up look great on her. A gift-set again, with two interchangeable looks (which I do not like, shorts again! and that two-layered skirt of the dress is a disaster in the making). I like the back of her dress, it looks interesting (but wait to see this in real life). Her accessories are not that good compared with what the other dolls have. The bracelet is Egyptian -styled.

2012 FR:Homme Collection: Item #91294 Strings Attached Perry Marino™ Dressed Fashion Figure FR:Homme™ Collection Suggested Retail Price: $110.00 US Limited Edition Size: 400 Dolls Worldwide Estimated Delivery Date: Early August 2012

Perry Marino is Natalia Fatalé's ex husband in the long saga that is the Fashion Royalty storyline. He has been in there since the beginning way way back and emerged as a doll only now. He probably uses the Dracula sculpt (although the designers said it is a new one) but looks more like John Davidson than a fashion mogul. His pants are also way too tight for a man his age and status. I love Hommes but not this one.He sports a jacket and matching plaid vest over a contrast collar shirt (which is considered more formal) and lilac tie. He has tasselled loafers, a watch and ring.