The third day of “Stay Tuned”, the online event replacing the Integrity Toys convention for 2022, had two dolls inspired by two 90s TV sitcoms: Family Matters (hence their TGIT Comedy hour Thank Goodness it's IT reference, from ABC’s Thank God It’s Friday sitcom block including FM), and Fresh Prince of Bel Air. The uniting thread, apart from the era, is IT designer Vaughn Sawyers, as we get a Monarch and a Meteor doll. And while we would probably have gotten a stronger duo if Integrity picked only one of the two series (Fresh Prince of Bel Air alone could have given a whole collection worth of dolls), we get this rather weird couple of dolls, a whisper instead of a bang.
The inspiration for the two dolls per Integrity Toys:
First, we meet Tobias Alsford in the role of a nerdy-yet-sexy fashion intern coming of age as he tries to shake off the last remnants of his geeky high-school years and grows into his more mature looks while doing his very best to navigate the awkward circumstances that landed him in an internship at one of New York's top fashion magazines.
Then, we switch gears to meet Keeki Adaeze, who stars as a sweet, introverted teen (yes, in the 90s, adults played teens!), affectionately nicknamed "Princess" by her ultra-wealthy Hollywood family. Desperately wanting to help her come out of her shell, our star is sent across the country to move in with her hip, flamboyant Aunt who works in the 90s hip-hop music scene. Follow her fish-out-of-water adventures as she tries to fit in!
Item # 21029
Fashion Matters
Tobias Alsford™ Fashion Figure
The 2022 Integrity Toys Event: Stay Tuned
Edition Size: TBD
Expected Ship Date: Summer 2023
W CLUB ONLY MADE-TO-ORDER
Head Sculpt: Tobias
Body Type: FR Homme 1.5
Skin Tone: A-Tone
Hair Color: Black
MSRP: $200 + S & H
Special W Club Price*: $180 + 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, $130.00 + S & H due in approximately Summer 2023);
*Special W Club pricing is limited to one per membership
The Story:
In this classic comedy of errors, Tobias Alsford is absolutely perfect as an awkward 20-something lad who landed "the" dream internship he never thought he'd get at a top fashion magazine. He constantly finds himself in hilarious, yet bizarre situations, having to figure novel ways out of his crazy schemes in order to keep his job, all while working hard to become the "player" he's always not-so-secretly wanted to become behind those conservative clothes and glasses!
Included:
12.5-inch articulated fashion figure with partially rooted and flocked hair;
High-waist pleated pants;
Suspenders;
Plaid shirt;
Custom-designed knitted cardigan sweater;
Eyeglasses;
Link bracelet;
Watch;
Signet ring;
Socks;
Classic wingtip shoes;
"Stay Tuned" doll stand;
Certificate of authenticity.
Tobias is one of my favourite sculpts, so it is always nice to see him appear in a collection. I am not so crazy about his look here though. Trying to emulate both the original Steve Urkel and his more glamorous alter ego Stefan Urquelle, Tobias has the outfit of the former and the looks of the latter. But for me, to be convinced to pay the already high price of a Monarch means a more sophisticated and complete outfit. That would mean, in this case, a second pair of pants for the more sophisticated look, plus a bag. I love the suspenders! Also, his beard looks more like it belongs to a Lego or Playmobil figure than a fashion doll.
Item # 46033
Bel-Air Princess
Keeki Adaeze™ 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: Keeki Adaeze
Body Type: Meteor 1.0
Foot Sculpt: Flat Feet With Articulated Ankle
Skin Tone: Light Honey
Hair Color: Spiced Caramel
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:
In this re-imagined take on the early 90s sitcom genre, Keeki Adaeze stars as a sweet, introverted teen, who is sent across the country by her ultra-wealthy Hollywood family, in hopes that living with her flamboyant aunt will help her come out of her shell! Doing her best to navigate through the 90's East Coast hip-hop music scene, follow her fish-out-of-water adventures as she tries to fit in!
Included:
12.5-inch articulated doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;
School uniform-inspired look composed of a reversible jacket that features a colorful printed lining, and a burgundy pleated mini-skirt;
Cropped blouse with a long tie that can be worn multiple ways;
Burgundy fishnet stockings;
Knee-high platform combat boots;
Handbag with golden zipper deco and shoulder strap;
Oversized triangular hoop earrings;
High-school class ring;
Lower legs with articulated flat feet;
Pair of long-manicured hands;
Alternate pair of "grip" hands;
"Stay Tuned" doll stand;
Certificate of authenticity.
I mentioned earlier that Fresh Prince of Bel Air as a series could be the inspiration for an entire doll collection. Cousin Hilary alone could provide an entire collection with her numerous outfits! But here we have a different proposition: Fresh Prince reincarnated as a princess - what if we had a woman from Philly coming to live in L.A.? I am not sure that would have been the result though. The doll has too much hair and without a distinct style. Hilary would never. Will would never, what with his always sharp hi-top fade. Her lips are weird. I get the lip liner effort but here it looks ugly. It does not help that the prototype doll pictured has eyelashes only on one eye. The outfit tries to be an urban version of a school uniform. While I like the shirt, boots and bag, the rest of it could have been reworked. That skirt looks thrown on and the tights waist showing over it is bad. Would have been much better to just make a copy of the infamous Miu Miu mini skirt - not Bel Air related but better suited to this. For both dolls, it would have looked so much better and less awkward if the inspiration was more Thom Browne than Steve Urkel. For me that is the designer to go if you need flood pants or school uniform chic.
Fashion Matters
Tobias Alsford™
SPECIAL W CLUB PRICE $180 + SHIPPING AND HANDLING
(a non-refundable $50 deposit per figure only is due at this time to pre-order)
Bel-Air Princess
Keeki Adaeze™
SPECIAL W CLUB PRICE $170 + SHIPPING AND HANDLING
(a non-refundable $50 deposit per doll only is due at this time to pre-order)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes shown, final product may vary. This collectible is meant for adult collectors ages 15 and up only.
All photod 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. THE MONARCHS HOMME and METEOR 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 and Shaunessey Peck. Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.
