The end of Dolly Days 2021 brought a variety of offerings: a Monarch, a Meteor and lots of hair

Dolly-Days Day 5 was the last day of the “unofficial” event of Integrity Toys (delayed this time from December to January). A day with offerings by designer Vaughn Sawyers that included a guy from the Monarchs Homme line plus a lady from the Meteor line, along with some accessories. They are all made-to-order* (up to one of each style per membership) for W Club members. They are extra from the five 2021 W Club exclusive dolls, so this means we are still waiting for our fifth club exclusive (either a NU Face or a Fashion Royalty doll).

Item # 21028

Sound Individual

Romain Perrin™ Dressed Fashion Figure

The Monarchs Homme™ Collection

Edition Size: TBD

Expected Ship Date: Late Summer 2022

Retail Price: $175.00

(Only $30.00 Due Now to Pre-order!)

Head Sculpt: Romain

Body Type: Homme 1.5

Foot Sculpt: Articulated Ankle

Skin Tone: Sunkissed

Hair Color: Darkest Brown

Eyelashes: No

Quickswitch: No

Included:

12.5-inch articulated fashion figure with a mix of rooted and flocked hair;

Designer trench coat with houndstooth trim accents;

Hand-distressed grey denim jeans;

Forest green long-sleeved zip hoodie;

Faux vintage band t-shirt;

Chelsea boots;

Wireless headphone accessory;

Chainlink timepiece;

"Pink Flash" double record accessory with custom marble effect records;

"Maxwell Mann" record accessory with special chrome finish record;

Pair of regular FR Homme style hands;

Alternate pair of male hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

Romain makes an appearance in Dolly Days - it’s been a while since we last saw a Monarch (was it the twins?) and he certainly looks a bit downtrodden for a much vaunted financier. He’s not even wearing Off White or Louis Vuitton. He’s too plain dressed to pass off as a Monarch and at that price range - Club Lukas was $5.00 more expensive but was wearing tailored clothes (two sets of them) plus more extravagant shoes and bag. I’m not convinced I should pay so much for a sorry pair of jeans and a hoodie.

The coat alone is not making the cut - Integrity has released much better overcoats (Bellamy Blue anyone?). A couple of records and a pair of headphones don’t sugarcoat this bitter pill I’m afraid. This could have looked so much better if the coat was in a different colour (silver or white?) with more groovy pants (degrade jeans? how soccer mom), a trendy pair of trainers, the hoodie with a nice print at the back and a logo-ed t-shirt. When you brand a guy doll (enough with this figure nonsense, it’s 2022) a Monarch, he should have to show more (he does not even have the Monarch body) to justify the name and the price tag. Just sayin’.

Item # 46023

My Hair Fair

Zuri Okoty™ Dressed Doll

The Meteor™ Collection

Edition Size: TBD

Expected Ship Date: Late Summer 2022

Retail Price: $160.00

(Only $30.00 Due Now to Pre-order!)

Head Sculpt: Zuri Okoty

Body Type: Meteor 1.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Light Honey

Hair Color: Blond Flocked Hair and Two-toned Blond Wig

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

12.5-inch articulated doll with velvet flocked hair and hand-applied eyelashes;

Signature style fitted cocktail dress with intricate laced-up eyelet detailing;

Ribbon-tie pumps, with golden spike and "jeweled" accents;

Chain choker necklace with golden spike details;

"Stone" encrusted spike earrings;

Cuff bracelet;

Two rings;

Middle-parted, pale blond waist-length wig with airbrushed dark ombré accent at the part;

Pair of long-manicured hands;

Alternate pair of long-manicured "strike a pose" hands;

Alternate pair of long-manicured "grip" hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

I love Zuri Okoty and this incarnation could very well be her best so far. And yes. the tooth gap has returned and I can finally own her with it! Plus the cropped. almost white hair is a favourite style to see on a black doll (Kith Barbie I am looking at you) and this looks so good. Hair face is gorgeous and the idea with the wig is very welcome - I don’t think we have seen Integrity doing wigs since the first Monogram collection and, further back, the Modern Pompadour line. That Fashion Royalty line was the one that made me fall in love with these dolls and it featured four ladies with wigs as basic dolls (each wearing corseted lingerie). Belle Du Soir Kyori was my first IT doll ever. And I have all dolls from that collection except basic Vero. So I am very excited to see wigs coming back.

The only problem with this doll is where the inspiration from the dress is coming from. it is almost an exact copy of a Dolce & Gabbana outfit from 2018. The problem is, this designer duo are known to be racist (the major China incident almost cost them their fortune), homophobes (even though they are gay, they oppose gay marriage and gay parenthood). Not to mention their tax dodging scandals. I’d appreciate it if Integrity Toys did a bit of research before copying such people. Your company name is Integrity after all. And I am certain that there are so many other designers out there to be inspired from.

Item # 46028

Good Hair Wig Pack

Edition Size: TBD

Expected Ship Date: Late Summer 2022

Retail Price: $75.00

(Only $15.00 Due Now to Pre-order!)

Designed to Fit Meteor Dolls

*WIG PACK ONLY INCLUDES 3 WIGS LISTED BELOW; OTHER WIG PACK AND DOLL SOLD SEPARATELY.

Included:

One pixie length vibrant red wig;

One waist-length brunette curly wig;

One thigh-length blond micro-braided wig.

The first wig pack that comes today has three different styles: a short red one (that’s not a pixie cut though, pixie is a much shorter style, like Audrey Hepburn for example, or Jean Seaberg, or Twiggy), a micro braid one and a long curly one. I have a short black wig from Monique’s that’s styled exactly like the red one.

I also have an afro wig from my Urban Antoinette Adele Makeda, which I like better than those unruly curls, so I am not getting the pack just for the micro braid one - which looks to be two-toned. The red one on Zuri reminded me of Mary J. Blige. I noticed that while on the specifications they write that the wigs fit Meteor dolls, in the “storyline” for each set they mention that the wigs are designed to fir most 12” dolls. Go figure.

Item # 46029

This Hair Is Mine Wig Pack

Edition Size: TBD

Expected Ship Date: Late Summer 2022

Retail Price: $75.00

(Only $15.00 Due Now to Pre-order!)

Designed to Fit Meteor Dolls

*WIG PACK ONLY INCLUDES 3 WIGS LISTED BELOW; OTHER WIG PACK AND DOLL SOLD SEPARATELY.

Included:

One shoulder-length aqua wig with ombré shading at the middle part;

One waist-length two-toned (brown with black underneath) wig with bangs;

One buttocks-length sable wavy wig.

The brown wig with the bangs looks a lot like the wig of my Belle Du Soir Kyori Sato, so that’s one I already have. The sable one does not look very well styled, so that leaves only the aqua blue one - not getting the pack for just one wig. I don’t know why but Zuri in the photo with the aqua wig reminds me of Khandi Alexander.

Offer Type: Members-only "made-to-order" pre-orders;

Pre-order Deadline: January 31st, 2022 at 12 PM / Noon Eastern Time;

Pricing (FOR W CLUB MEMBERS ONLY):

Sound Individual Romain Perrin: $175.00 USD + S&H

($30.00 NRD deposit due now, $145.00 + S & H due in approximately Late Summer 2022);

My Hair Fair Zuri Okoty: $160.00 USD + S&H

($30.00 NRD deposit due now, $130.00 + S & H due in approximately Late Summer 2022);

Good Hair Wig Pack: $75.00 USD + S&H

($15.00 NRD deposit due now, $60.00 + S & H due in approximately Late Summer 2022);

This Hair is Mine Wig Pack: $75.00 USD + S&H

($15.00 NRD deposit due now, $60.00 + S & H due in approximately Late Summer2022);

Approximate Shipping Timing: Late Summer 2022;

Availability: 2021 W Club members only;

Pre-order Limit: Up to one (1) of each doll style and wig pack style per each 2021 membership only (each member can purchase up to 1 Romain figure, 1 Zuri doll, 1 Good Hair Wig Pack and 1 This Hair Is Mine Wig Pack in any combination) per membership.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes shown, final product may vary. These dolls and accessories are 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. METEOR, 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.

Doll Photography by Jayme Thornton ; Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing

Dolly Days 4 brings us an Elyse Jolie doll - again

The fourth Dolly Day revealed a Fashion Royalty doll: Glamour Coated Elyse Jolie. She is part of last year’s Maison FR collection, which raises the question if she was designed along with the other dolls that make it up (Le Tuxedo Eugenia Perrin, Enamorada Naralia Fatale, Siren Silhouette Korinne Dumas and Little Day Ensemble Veronique Perrin) and she got delayed like Natalia (who broke the record I think, being late even more than Mothership Dania Zarr). She does have a different photographer though. Whatever the reason for including her in that line up, she is now available through right to buy lottery for W Club members.

Glamour Coated

Elyse Jolie™ Dressed Doll

The Fashion Royalty® Collection:

Maison FR

Edition Size: 1500

Expected Ship Date: Late Summer 2022

Price: $180.00 + Shipping & Handling

*W Club Right-to-buy Lottery Offer*

Head Sculpt: Elyse Jolie

Body Type: FR 6.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Raven

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

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

Extravagant couture swing coat featuring a custom printed lining for that perfect touch of whimsy;

Perfectly scaled, pale lilac custom knitted top;

Show-stopping, calf-length pink lamé skirt;

Faux-leather designer handbag;

Golden high-heeled pumps with ribbon details;

Golden hoop earrings;

Cuff bracelet;

Pair of long manicured hands (not shown in accessory photo);

Alternate pair of "grip" hands;

Alternate pair of pale mint opera length gloved hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

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

Participation Deadline: January 31st, 2022 at 12 PM (Noon) Eastern Time;

Pricing (Only If You Are Selected in the Right-to-buy Lottery): $180.00 + S&H each (For winners, $30.00 due by February 11th, the remaining $150.00 + S/H will be due closer to the doll's arrival);

Approximate Shipping Timing: Late Summer 2022;

W Club Right-to-buy Lottery Participation Limit: Max. one (1) lottery ticket per each 2021 membership only.

Yes she is a beautiful doll. Yes, Elyse looks fresher than ever (I first thought she was Giselle while opening the email), even with a hairstyle similar to Vendetta Agnes. Yes, her outfit (and particularly the voluminous coat) is exquisite. Yes, she has gorgeous accessories (the bag reminds me of Bottega Venatta’s Casette but with a diagonal grid). But why does it have to be Elyse again? Especially in a year that Veronique and Eugenia are missing in action? When we got two of this character already in the year (yes, the second one is a convention doll, but still). It has a whiff of that Jason Wu anniversary, when all the special dolls released for it were Elyse - there were probably more dolls of this character released that year than in her entire line up until then. Jessy dear, there are so many other wonderful Fashion Royalty characters available: Isabella, Tatyana, Kyori, Isha, Luchia, plus the aforementioned Veronique and Eugenia. Maybe a second Adele 2.0 even. I did enter the lottery for her, as she is beautiful - and the combination of dark hair, pale skin and red lips is always attractive to me. I like me some Evil Queen vibes (no, not that snowflake Snow White darling).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototype 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. 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

Integrity Toys Dolly Days continue with the East 59th collection: La Femme Godiva

Third day for Dolly Days and the East 59th line had a date with the W Club - just like the previous time! Four dolls for the collection titled "La Femme Godiva" and a stellar job overall from Chris Stoekel! One of the four dolls is a lottery-only, W Club exclusive, the three remaining ones are dealer dolls. If you have not contacted your dealer yet, do it now. Just a reminder that some dealers put them directly on their website and do not take pre-order emails. Also Sideshow will probably put them up tomorrow, as Friday is the day reserved for W Club members to preorder.

Item # 73047

Arctic Moon

Coralynn "Cora" Kwan™ Dressed Doll

The East 59th® Collection

Limited Edition: 750 Dolls

Expected Ship Date: Summer 2022

Suggested Retail Pricing: $160.00

IT DIRECT RIGHT-TO-BUY LOTTERY FOR W CLUB MEMBERS ONLY

Head Sculpt: Coralynn (New Character!)

Body Type: East 59th 1.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

12-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with long, luscious, rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;

Nude/sheer long-sleeved bodysuit with carefully applied rhinestone design;

Show-stopping dusty lilac, mermaid-style skirt with elaborately decorated facing at the waist;

Extravagant, long, dusty pink faux-mink coat with exaggerated shawl collar;

Two faux jewel-encrusted cuff bracelets;

Oversized earrings with "stone" details;

Elaborate necklace dripping in sparkling "stones";

Clear vinyl open-toe pumps with pink "stone" accents;

Perfume atomizer accessory;

Pair of long manicured hands;

Alternate pair of "strike a pose" hands with long manicured nails;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

This is by far the most gorgeous doll of this collection! Chris has done an incredible job with her, again a bit Mugler inspired I guess - this time though more adjusted to the appropriate era for East 59th (Mugler did the fur coat too back then). The fur, the bodysuit, the skirt, wow! We have seen all the accessories before, but who cares if they match so well for an exquisite ensemble? The doll is a new character but the face looks familiar. Chris confirmed in a comment on one of his Instagram posts that it is indeed a refreshed old sculpt. When I first saw her, I though of the original Kyori sculpt but more experienced collectors have commented that it it probably Alysa from the old Integrity Toys playline dolls. In any case, she’s beautiful and I hope I win the lottery for her. W Club members have until January 31st, 2021 at noon Eastern Time to enter. If they win, they have to pay only $30.00 as a first Instalment to secure the doll, that ships in summer, when the rest of the amount will have to be paid along with shipping.

Item # 73044

Frosted Passion

Della Roux™ Dressed Doll

The East 59th® Collection

Limited Edition: 750 Dolls

Expected Ship Date: Summer 2022

Suggested Retail Pricing: $160.00

*Available from Authorized Dealers Only*

Head Sculpt: Victoire 2.0

Body Type: East 59th 1.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: FR Black

Hair Color: Sable

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

12-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with beautiful, long, rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;

Period inspired custom-designed three-piece frosted blue satin ensemble with intricate embroidery detailing and matching faux-fur trim;

Matching faux-fur muff and hat;

Elaborate beaded necklace with rhinestone accents;

"Stone" encrusted cuff bracelet;

Matching earrings;

Lipstick accessory;

Frosted blue open-toe pumps;

Pair of long manicured hands;

Alternate pair of "gloved" hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

The second appearance of Miss Della Roux (third if you count the scrumptious OOAK one I got from Chris Stoeckel and Integrity Toys as a gift for interviewing him live on Instagram) is a smashing one. Dressed in powder blue, with matching accessories, Della hits the ball right out of the park! She gives off Dominique Deveraux (from the original Dynasty TV series) vibes. Pure perfection. She’s sold out at most dealers and I can understand why.

Item # 73045

Pink Mist

Maeve Rocha™ Dressed Doll

The East 59th® Collection

Limited Edition: 750 Dolls

Expected Ship Date: Summer 2022

Suggested Retail Pricing: $160.00

*Available from Authorized Dealers Only*

Head Sculpt: Maeve (New Character!)

Body Type: East 59th 1.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Sunkissed

Hair Color: Black

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

Included:

12-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;

Show-stopping, ¾ sleeve couture-inspired fitted jacket featuring an Intricately embroidered portrait collar, and a flower and tulle scarf ornament detail at the hip;

Matching embroidered capri pants;

Bonus! Calf-length tulle skirt;

"Stone" encrusted drop earrings;

Matching cuff bracelet;

Cigarette holder accessory (with "pretend" cigarette);

Fascinator hat;

Eyeshadow pallet accessory;

Pink open-toe ankle strap heels;

Pair of long manicured hands;

Alternate pair of gloved hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

Another new character introduced in this collection, Brasilian Maeve initially reminded me of the original Victoire sculpt (which was Dynamite Girls Jasper), but that one had a much more delicate nose - people who know better recognised the Integrity Toys playline Jade doll sculpt. Probably refreshed too, like Cora. Beautiful doll with a striking outfit - its versatility and different pieces plus the cigarette holder remind me of the first Constance outfit.

Item # 73046

Pressed Perfection

Evelyn Weaverton® Dressed Doll

The East 59th® Collection

Limited Edition: 750 Dolls

Expected Ship Date: Summer 2022

Suggested Retail Pricing: $160.00

*Available from Authorized Dealers Only*

Head Sculpt: Evelyn 1.0

Body Type: East 59th 1.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Golden Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes

Quickswitch: No

Included:

12-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;

Perfectly tailored custom printed cocktail-length dress, featuring contrasting layered peplum detailing at the waist, and a removable belt;

Vibrant lime ¾ sleeve satin bolero jacket;

Pale pink faux-fur muff and matching hat;

"Pearl" and "stone" earrings;

Matching cuff bracelet;

Pale pink open-toe pumps;

Powder compact accessory;

Pair of long manicured hands;

Alternate pair of "gloved" hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

Evelyn is always sure to be one of the best dolls in every East 59th line up and she surely does not disappoint here. The cut of her outfit brings to mind her first outing but in quite a different concept. The Egyptian hieroglyphics print is very original. Two minor points: a. I’d love to see her in different hairstyles and hair colours and b. I would have preferred the accessories to be in that lovely shade of green from her outfit instead of powder (get it?) pink. Just nitpicking here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes shown, final product may vary. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. The acrylic block in the accessory photos is not included.

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. EAST 59TH 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

Dolly Days are back again - and the fourth W Club doll for 2021 is revealed!

Due to the convention being held late in 2021, the unofficial Dolly Days tradition was moved to January 2022., to the joy of all W Club members. The first day gave us members the opportunity to: a. order replacement bodies from a variety of types and skin tones offered (unfortunately FR bodies had only Hungarian ver. 5.0 and sun-kissed ver. 6.0, so I got one of each that I needed and there were no FR white available NU Face ones that I needed). and b. pre-order a small variety of FR and NU Face bodies (here we could pre-order FR white ones for Fashion Royalty but not for NU Face - why was that?). All lines were pretty much represented, with The Industry, East 59th and Meteor having the most variety. There was a small selection of FR Homme ones (no dark A tone one unfortunately) and Monarch ones too.

The second day gave us the 4th W Club exclusive doll - and it is Poppy Parker, another Palm Springs Collection entry! Let’s check her out!

Item # 77210

Desert Dazzler

Poppy Parker® Dressed Doll

Poppy Parker® In Palm Springs Collection

2021 W Club Exclusive Doll

Edition Size: TBD

Expected Ship Date: Late Summer 2022

Retail Price: $160

(Only $30.00 Due Now to Pre-order!)

Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy Parker

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled & Articulated Ankle

Skin Tone: Sunkissed

Hair Color: Brown/Dark Brown Mix

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

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

Glamorous matching two-piece multi-color micro sequined bell-bottom ensemble;

Dazzling, fully lined, hot pink faux-fur coat;

Matching hot pink high-heeled pumps;

Strappy pink and gold colored kitten heels;

Pink and orange bangle bracelets with golden cuff bracelet;

Golden dangling square design earrings;

Two rings;

Metallic golden handbag with buckle detail;

Pair of regular Poppy Parker hands;

Alternate pair of long manicured hands;

Alternate pair of lower legs with articulated ankle feet;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

Offer Type: W Club Exclusive pre-order;

Pre-order Deadline: January 26th, 2022 at 12 PM/Noon Eastern Time;

Pricing (FOR W CLUB MEMBERS ONLY): $160.00 USD + S&H

($30.00 NRD deposit due now, $130.00 + S & H due in approx. late Summer 2022);

Approximate Shipping Timing: Late Summer 2022;

Availability: 2021 W Club members only;

Pre-order Limit: Up to one (1) doll per each 2021 membership only.

She is a beauty! The doll has lovely colouring - the earthy tones make her quite special. I must say I am happy she does not have pink lipstick, that would have been a deal breaker for me. The hairstyle is more Ariana Grande than Palm Springs and here I wonder why we do not get any of the more elaborate, blown -up, overly decorated hairstyles we saw in the late sixties - the addition of a hairpiece would have been awesome as well. We have seen plenty of ponytails, it is time to move on. The sequinned top and pants are dazzling and match perfectly with the fur coat, which is a colour variation of the one we saw in the convention style lab - I do not mind! Love the accessories too, especially the earrings - and we get two pairs of shoes and both high-heels and articulated ankle feet!

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

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. 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.

Doll Photography by Bill Peck and Shaunessey Smith; Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing

Barbie collaboration with Balmain: no dolls, plenty of NFT brouhaha

The latest designer collaboration for Barbie, and the first for 2022, is with Balmain. But it is not like previous efforts, where one usually could get a doll dressed by the collaborating fashion brand or that plus some real human clothes to suit. This time Mattel and Balmain decided to move their collaboration to a new level. It seems that the constant race on today’s social media fuelled digital landscape to come up with the most outrageous, jaw-dropping and previously unthinkable partnership has no end in sight. Balmain of course is a storied French haute couture house that has ventured into ready-to wear and, for the last ten years, enjoys a renaissance helmed by the genius Olivier Rousteing. Barbie is the prominent fashion doll, the very definition of the term, so it almost a given that fashion designers and brands are eager to collaborate with it.

This time, in a shocking (at least for fashion doll collectors) move, there is no doll involved: what we (ehm, those of us that can afford it) get instead is a 50-piece Barbie-inspired collection of real people clothing. Three of these are cgi modeled by miniature racially diverse doll avatars and become NFTs to be auctioned online. Each NFT auctioned will come with the doll-sized clothing it depicts, which is another way for NFts to show authentication - it also makes the auction a bit more attractive for traditional collectors. Notice how they have digitally altered the dolls used for the photos to make them look like dollified humans - or are they humans made to look like Barbies?

If you have no idea of that NFTs are, you can read this article here, which is very enlightening in a non-technical way and has lots of relative links for even more explanations and details. The majority of reactions I have seen from fashion doll collectors online so fat amounts to a collective NO to the notion of NFTs entering the fashion doll world and lots of pearl clutching. I am not attracted to NFTs but the reactions and exasperation seems to be a bit hyperbolic (which is not unusual for the fashion doll world indeed). Collectors seem to think that everything Mattel does with Barbie should have them in mind first and foremost.

Well, I am sorry to break the news to many, but this will never happen. Brands, especially multi-million dollar empires like Mattel, always look for ways to make more money, and if they can be unique and creative, its even more attractive to them. When collaborating with a major fashion brand, that comes from an industry also looking for new ways to become more commercial and move in the digital landscape of our era, it is only natural that they would release NFTs - Marvel has done it already.

I understand the disappointment of not getting an Olivier Rousteing Balmain collectible Barbie, but one may come in the future - there was talk about continuing the collaboration between the two brands at the conclusion of the live presentation held by Mattel, Balmain and Mint NFT on the 11th of January. By the way the three corporate honchos talked, it seemed that they worked well together (it took two years for this to come to fruition) and that the response is overwhelmingly positive (and no, despite what you think, their world does not revolve around the very small fashion doll collecting community).

Olivier was not part of the presentation but they showed a video clip of him answering questions about the collaboration and being very enthusiastic and happy about it. he even got an OOAK mini Olivier done from Mattel. which he posted on his instagram account days before the collaboration became known. He said:

“Having Barbie in my Balmain army, making a collection inspired by her where there are no boy clothes or girl clothes, is my small revenge,” said Olivier Rousteing, the creative director of Balmain. “I think Barbie represents a joyful dream world. There’s nothing wrong with a dream. But let’s push the dream and not dream of the 1950s or 1960s, but 2022. For me, it’s a lot more than just a commercial project. It’s very emotional.”

He also said that he got derided when he was playing with Barbie as a kid, a very familiar feeling to most male fashion doll collectors, and that was one of the reasons he was interested in taking the collaboration with Mattel beyond dressing the doll.

Richard Dickson, the president and chief operating officer of Mattel, said:

“When you combine the seriousness of high fashion with the fun of toys, it’s very powerful”

and it is actually true. It is one of the reasons fashion brands collaborate, not only with Barbie, but with other toy brands as well, or even sell limited editions of their own toys. It is one more branded/logo thing to display/brag about. Or maybe even feel sentimental about. “People are looking for optimism and joy, especially now when life is very heavy,” Dickson said. “Toys are that by definition.” That applies to fashion as well.

Talking about fashion, what about the clothes? The pricing for the Barbie x Balmain collection ranges from $295 for a T-shirt to $42,494 for a gown, definitely more expensive than usual Barbie prices, but also less than classic Balmain, where a basic logo t-shirt retails for $495. This is not H&M stuff. There are giant puffer bags logoed with Balmain Paris in curving Barbie script under the 1970s Balmain logo and clear plastic shoppers that remind me of Barbie doll boxes. There are pink silk satin suits with wrap jackets and striped pyjama sets, sequinned mini dresses and a strapless mermaid gown. Overalls, sweatshirts and sharp-shouldered bouclé jackets with gold buttons complete the collection.

And what about the digital art? The auction started yesterday and will end on January 14. If you had registered for the online presentation, limited to the first 5,000 was a simple NFT video of the invitation for the event. And of course you can see the NFT videos and even download them. The prices have reached somewhere around $1600 for each at the time of writing. Let’s check them out. And yes. I’d love to have the dolls as collectibles, properly released. Maybe some other time. I include the blurb for each NFT from their website.

NFT1

“This stylish avatar is wearing a striped sweater dress with a shoulder cut out and carrying a pink maxi pillow bag featuring Balmain’s signature monogram and Balmain x Barbie logo”

Below you can see the actual doll clothes made by Balmain and Barbie - we must mention here that the talented Linda Kyaw and her team supervised the project for Mattel. It is a knit dress with a leather and chain belt that matches the handle of the puffer bag that comes with it. Pink mules complete the look. I love it, even though my favourite dress from the collection is the one with the Balmain logo as a print (which Olivier had already done in other colours for his main collection).

NFT2

“Barbie avatar makes a huge statement in a short voluminous dress with maxi bow detail in a pink silk satin. (if needed: the background of the NFT features a white lacquered Balmain signature monogram with a Balmain x Barbie logo frame) Fashions and accessories on the Barbie avatar are from the Balmain x Barbie collection; NFT comes with bespoke set of Barbie size Balmain pieces.”

This one is a more couture style dress, with the puffed sleeves and bow front. It does bring to mind a certain pink dress that Zac Posen did for Iman a while ago. Event though it should not have translated in doll size, it actually looks great, like a peony blossom. Feathered mules, a gorgeous bag, disc earrings and a necklace complete the look.

NFT3

“Ken avatar looks chic in a white cotton t-shirt with pink trim topped with a double-breasted blazer and a long peak collared coat paired with loose pleated trousers- all in pink back satin crepe. A Balmain ball cap finished the stylish look. (if needed: the background of the NFT features a white lacquered Balmain signature monogram with a Balmain x Barbie logo frame) Fashions and accessories on the Ken avatar are from the Balmain x Barbie collection; NFT comes with bespoke set of Barbie size Balmain pieces.”

This piece looks amazing, the doll clothes are very well made and the tailoring is so sharp. Tailored jackets never look so well made in doll size. Gorgeous. The pieces comprising it are an overcoat, a jacket, a t-shirt, pants, a cap, a pair of disc earrings and a pair of sneakers. Can we also have a Ken with this handsome face? No plastic hair please.

This collaboration is not and never was about fashion doll collectors. It was conceived and made to be a major fashion and tech event to show that both companies have their hearts and minds firmly set in the now and the future, and it succeeds. And it is of course always about the money, no matter how many sugary words you hear and read in the presentations. The collection will go live on the Balmain website on January 13 and some of the items will be available from other online retailers as well.