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 Dolly Days 2016: the Nu Face 2016 Collection unveil: Reckless

The final day of the Dolly Days event had a major unveil: the new 2016 Nu Face Collection: Reckless. This was hinted during the 2016 convention in Chicago. I think it is the most complete Nu Face collection revealed so far, especially with the new bodies. All the dolls are available to pre-order now at IT authorised dealers (remember that the W Club had a day's advance notice so there might not be so many left now) except Eden, which will be an IT Direct for next year, via lottery. Dolls will arrive next year.

Item # 82070
She Owns Everything 
Erin S.™ Dressed Doll
The NU. Face™ Collection
Approximate Ship Date: Early Spring 2017
Limited Edition Size: 700 Dolls Only
Suggested Retail Price: $140.00

Doll Tech Specs
 Head Sculpt: Erin 2.0
Body Type: NU. Face 2.0
Skintone: Cream
Hair Color: Golden Blond
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Quickswitch: No

This 12.5-inch fully articulated doll features fully rooted hair and comes complete with an outfit composed of a fitted faux-leather bustier and tweed skirt, a blush pink 3/4 sleeve "fur" coat, short mesh socks, high-heels, a jewellery set, a clutch purse, a pair of graffiti printed opera length faux-leather finger-less gloves, a doll stand and a certificate of authenticity. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. 

What a beautiful Erin. One of the best dolls in this collection. Indeed she looks like she owns everything. It is my third favourite, and would have gotten her if I had a bigger budget (I had to limit myself to two dolls). 

Item # 82071

I Slay

Nadja R.™ Dressed Doll

The NU. Face™ Collection

Approximate Ship Date: Early Spring 2017

Limited Edition Size: 600 Dolls Only

Suggested Retail Price: $140.00

 

Doll Tech Specs

Head Sculpt: Nadja 2.0

Body Type: NU. Face 2.0

Skintone: Dark A-Tone

Hair Color: Dark Cocoa Brown

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied

Quickswitch: No

This 12.5-inch fully articulated doll features fully rooted hair and comes complete with a two-piece outfit, a chain embroidered "fur" coat, thigh-high boots, choker, a jewellery set, graffiti printed purse, a doll stand and a certificate of authenticity. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only.

She slays it allright! Nadja here looks like a blaxploitation 70s film star - or a guest star in The Get Down TV mini-series. Even better, she could be in Empire or Luke Cage. If I had to make a list, she's be my 4th favourite in this collection. That choker! Those boots!

Item # 82072

Mad Love

Rayna™ Dressed Doll

The NU. Face™ Collection

Approximate Ship Date: Early Spring 2017

Limited Edition Size: 500 Dolls Only

Suggested Retail Price: $140.00

 

Doll Tech Specs

Head Sculpt: Rayna

Body Type: NU. Face 2.0

Skintone: FR White

Hair Color: Champagne Blond

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied

Quickswitch: No

This 12.5-inch fully articulated doll features rooted hair and comes complete with a sequined long-sleeved shirt, a soft pink faux-leather mini-dress, a black beret, a quilted purse, sunglasses, chunky high-heeled boots, an alternate pair of painted "Gloved" hands, a jewellery set, a doll stand and a certificate of authenticity. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only.

Rayna is thankfully back to her good old self with this release - and she's my top favourite of the bunch. So it seems I am finally getting a Rayna! Love the artsy, re-invented French bohemian look.

Item # 82073

Total Betty

Ayumi N.™ Dressed Doll

The NU. Face™ Collection

Approximate Ship Date: Early Spring 2017

Limited Edition Size: 600 Dolls Only

Suggested Retail Price: $140.00

Doll Tech Specs

Head Sculpt: Ayumi 3.0

Body Type: NU. Face 2.0

Skintone: Hungarian

Hair Color: Almond Brown

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied

Quickswitch: No

This 12.5-inch fully articulated doll features fully rooted hair and comes complete with an intricately constructed two-piece outfit, a "fur" enhanced jacket, a graffiti printed purse, thigh-high white socks, a pair of black boots, a jewellery set, a doll stand and a certificate of authenticity. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. 

This is my second favourite doll in the collection - what an amazing version of Ayumi. The colours. the hair, the outfit, all look amazing - even though her coat is a bit weird. Love the choker and purse. And also love that she looks completely different than her previous versions.

Item # 82074

Trouble

Eden™ Dressed Doll

The NU. Face™ Collection

IT DIRECT / W CLUB EXCLUSIVE

Approximate Ship Date: Early Spring 2017

Limited Edition Size: 700 Dolls Only

Suggested Retail Price: $140.00

***IT Direct / W Club exclusive*** 

Right-To-Buy lottery details coming approximately Spring 2017

Lottery will be open to 2017 W Club members in priority

Not Sold through dealers

 

Doll Tech Specs

Head Sculpt: Eden

Body Type: NU. Face 2.0

Skintone: Japan

Hair Color: Soft Copper Red

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied

Quickswitch: No

This 12.5-inch fully articulated doll features fully rooted hair and comes dressed in a custom made layered skirt, with  laser cut "faux-charred" effect at the hem, a faux-leather jacket, a quilted backpack purse, chunky black heels, black thigh-high socks, black leather cut-off gloves, a jewellery set, a doll stand and a certificate of authenticity. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. 

I already have an Eden with this colouring so I am not crazy about her and the outfit is not up to par with the previous ones, despite the charred laser cut effect. Love the back-pack: I am surprised it took them so long to release a doll with one, as it is all the rage for two seasons now. Remember this is an IT Direct doll and is not available to pre-order through dealers.

Item # 82075

AKA Gigi

Giselle Diefendorf™ Dressed Doll

The NU. Face™ Collection

Approximate Ship Date: Early Spring 2017

Limited Edition Size: 600 Dolls Only

Suggested Retail Price: $140.00

Doll Tech Specs

Head Sculpt: Giselle D.

Body Type: NU. Face 2.0

Skintone: FR White

Hair Color: Midnight Brown

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied

Quickswitch: No

This 12.5-inch fully articulated doll, features fully rooted hair and comes complete with an outfit which is composed of distressed cropped jeans with zipper detail, a blouse with a laser cut "faux-charred" effect on the scarf, a faux-leather bustier/belt, a black beret and veil, a quilted purse, a pair of yellow pumps, alternate "painted glove" hands, a jewellery set, a doll stand and a certificate of authenticity. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only.

At firts I saw a dark haired Giselle and thought "now I can have my own substitute Glam Addict". But nope. She's too tame for that. In fact she reminds me more of Lilith than Giselle. Not a bad thing but... And again the charred laser cut looks weird. I get the style, but I don't like it.

All text and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2016 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

Graphics and Layouts by Alain Tremblay Marketing.

Photography by Jayme Thornton 

Doll Days of Summer: The new Nu Face collection revealed!

Today Integrity Toys officially unveiled to collectors (yesterday for W Club members) the much anticipated Nu Face return collection. Even though the first dolls from this line were presented last year at the Gloss convention, this is the first release for the general public, through dealers. Do not wait, contact your Integrity Toys authorize dealer to pre-order today, as some of these dolls could already be sold out (or ready to be). IT named it a capsule collection. Indeed there are only 5 dolls included, and much to my surprise (and I bet most people's too), no sign of the twins, Eden and Lilith. Colette is absent too as well as Annik. Are they reserved for the convention? We'll see. The look of the fashions is very Versace circa early 90s, from the cuts to the colours to the earrings, without the over-embellishing, which I like a lot. Let's go check out the five beauties who made it.

Item # 82050
Voltage
Erin S.™ Dressed Doll
The Nu. Face™ Collection
Limited Edition Size of 800 Dolls
Retail Price: $135.00 + Shipping & Handling
Estimated Ship Date: Approximately Late Fall/Early Winter 2015

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Erin 2.0
Body Type:  Nu.Face 2.0
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Color: Strawberry Blond
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Erin S. is a fully articulated 12-inch vinyl doll with long, rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. She comes dressed in high-waist skinny trousers with faux-leather waistband detail, a vibrant red long-sleeve crop top and a grey fleece jacket. She completes her look with laced-up faux-leather heels and an oversized bag. For adult collectors ages 15 and up. Doll cannot stand alone; stand included.

To say Erin is the best doll of this collection would be an understatement. I love everything about her, from the gorgeous outfit (which would be perfect if the coat was in black taffeta and lined with the same red of the top) to the doll's face (she has an amazing expression) and make up. And strawberry blond hair with a Japan skintone? Bring it on! The lovely bag, shoes and earrings, plus two non-descript bangles, complete the outfit perfectly. 

Item # 82051
Polarity
Nadja R.™ Dressed Doll
The Nu. Face™ Collection
Limited Edition Size of 600 Dolls
Retail Price: $135.00 + Shipping & Handling
Estimated Ship Date: Approximately Late Fall/Early Winter 2015

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Nadja 2.0 (New Sculpt!)
Body Type:  Nu.Face 2.0
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Dark A-Tone
Hair Color: Midnight Black
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Nadja R. is a fully articulated 12-inch vinyl doll with long, middle-parted, fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. Nadja is wearing a contrasting outfit composed of a bright yellow criss-cross long-sleeved cropped top worn with a faux-leather intricately draped mini-skirt. Ms. Rhymes completes her look with a faux-leather and faux-fur jacket, zipped high-heeled booties and a swank bright orange over-sized leather tote. For adult collectors ages 15 and up. Doll cannot stand alone; stand included.

Nadja has always been my favourite Nu Face doll (even though Colette has the same sculpt, she did not click with me like the much more outré and edgy Nadja did) and I was anxiously waiting to see what the new sculpt would look like. I am on the fence about it, seeing the promo photos here, and will wait to have the actual doll in hand to make my final judgement. I can easily say though that she is wearing the second best outfit of the collection. One detail I hope will be different in the final doll though: the uneven hair ends. Although easily corrected with a snip of my scissors, it is not something I expect to see in a doll in this price range.

Item # 82052
Power House
Ayumi N.™ Dressed Doll
The Nu. Face™ Collection
Limited Edition Size of 800 Dolls
Retail Price: $135.00 + Shipping & Handling
Estimated Ship Date: Approximately Late Fall/Early Winter 2015

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Ayumi 3.0
Body Type:  Nu.Face 2.0
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Ayumi N. is a fully articulated 12-inch vinyl doll with long, wavy, rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. She is modelling a light grey draped mini-dress, with contrasting charcoal grey nylons and laced up pumps. The look is complete with the addition of a cinched faux/mink overcoat. For adult collectors ages 15 and up. Doll cannot stand alone; stand included

Does this Ayumi look like a twin of the Gloss convention one or what? I still think the original sculpt was much better looking, but she is a beauty in her own right. She's the third lady from this collection to be coming home. She's also the only one not wearing anything brightly coloured. All dolls wear separates, which means great possibilities of mix-and-match for all. 

Item # 82053
Electric Enthusiasm
Dominique Makeda™ Dressed Doll
The Nu. Face™ Collection
Limited Edition Size of 600 Dolls
Retail Price: $135.00 + Shipping & Handling
Estimated Ship Date: Approximately Late Fall/Early Winter 2015

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Dominique Makeda 2.0
Body Type:  Nu.Face 2.0
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Light Honey
Hair Color: Luscious Blond
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Dominique Makeda is a fully articulated 12-inch vinyl doll with long, wavy, rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. Dominique wears a cocktail dress and hot pink contrasting jacket, complimented by mid-calf high boots, a bag and jewellery. For adult collectors ages 15 and up. Doll cannot stand alone; stand included.

Dominique never did it for me, in any incarnation, and this is no exception. The dress looks like a bad version of the Herve Leger Barbie black and white outfit, which is  not good at all. Lovely eyes though.

Item # 82054
Energetic Presence
Giselle D.™ Dressed Doll
The Nu. Face™ Collection
Limited Edition Size of 1000 Dolls
Retail Price: $135.00 + Shipping & Handling
Estimated Ship Date: Approximately Late Fall/Early Winter 2015

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Giselle D.
Body Type:  Nu.Face 2.0
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Brunette
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Giselle D. is a fully articulated 12-inch vinyl doll with long, wavy, rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. Giselle's look is composed of a high-contrast, black lace top with draped satin detail and brooch at the front, midi-skirt and a perfectly cinched shaved faux-fur jacket. For adult collectors ages 15 and up. Doll cannot stand alone; stand included.

The doll that I was expecting to be the star of this collection, is easily the biggest disappointment (personal opinion). I do not like the make up at all, it makes her look weird, more like a cheap imitation of Agnes than her rebellious stylish younger sister. The top is something that Nolan Miller dreamt about in one of his nightmares: only Alexis Carrington Colby could pull this off and that would be back in 1980. Giselle is usually the first character of Nu Face to usually be sold out, so I am happy I do not like this one at all, it saved me the trouble of hunting her all over the place. The bag and booties are amazing though (but are the exact same as Nadja's), as well as the triangular earrings.

Note: Prototype shown, final production textures and colors may vary slightly. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2015 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

Nu Face is coming this weekend!

The Nu.Face Collection returned, after a long absence, to the Integrity Toys fold, during the Gloss Convention last Fall, with a new body, new sculpts for some dolls (Ayumi 3.0) and some gorgeous dolls to boot. A proper general release collection is probably the most anticipated release this year coming from IT (maybe bar the still unseen AHS collection). Finally, the wait is (almost) over.

Approximately at noon Eastern Time (New York Time) on Saturday, June 27th, 2015, the W Club will send out an email to all W Club members containing all of the details about the new Nu Face collection. They send us members a sneak peek to one of the dolls, the new version of Nadja. She's less cartoon-y then her previous face but less edgy as well. Still, a beautiful doll, but not the Nadja I was expecting to see. I will try to get her though. Curious to see the rest of the collection. I am betting that Giselle, the twins (Eden and Lilith), Erin and Ayumi will make the cut. What would you like to see?

Dealers are prohibited from taking any orders right now. The collection will open to the general public on Sunday, June 28th at approximately Noon Eastern time (it will be posted on the official IT site and on Facebook).

All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2015 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

Fashion Royalty: Darius Reid - High And Mighty

The first male fashion doll I am presenting is the latest release from Jason Wu's Fashion Royalty Cult Couture collection: High And Mighty Darius Reid. He is an African-American male doll, the third man to be added to the FR Homme Collection (the other two are Pierre De Vries and Francisco Leon). his story card is the first to be read only on-line - the one in the box does not have the usual text printed on it.



Darius has the face sculpt of an older Integrity play line male doll, Tariq. The body is the standard FR Homme body, tall and lithe, with articulation at the neck, chest, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips and knees. FR Homme dolls still do not have articulated waists, but that might be due to the fact that it gives them a better looking "six pack"! Best part of the body, apart from the aforementioned abdomen, are the hands - they even have veins!



His face paint is done very well, he has a strong and firm look. His eyes are very well designed, probably the best made eyes in the FR Homme series up to now. He has no hair, sporting the shaven head look favoured by so many African American men. It also gives him versatility, because it means he can easily wear wigs. His skin colour is a dark chocolate brown, lighter than Nadja R but darker than Adele Makeda.



His wardrobe is exceptional for the most part. He is wearing a lovely coat, supposedly velvet (FR description) but in reality it feels like felt. It has "satin" lapels and it is very well tailored (lined too), with a false single button (it has a hook and eye to close). Under this, he has pinstripe flat front pants with vertical side pockets (but no belt, a major faux pas here), a vest from the same material, which is very well made too (the satin of the back is to die for) and the white shirt we have seen before on FR men - they could have given him a purple or fuchsia shirt, or even a copper coloured one, he would have looked more edgy.



The fun part are the accessories though. He has a fedora, a flocked thin plastic moulded hat with a "silver" chain in place of the classic ribbon. It is the worst part of the outfit and it looks unnaturally cheap compared to the rest of the ensemble. Given the success of FR in making extremely good and detailed accessories, this one seems neglected. There are sunglasses - these have the same lenses as other FR sunglasses but the arms are a whole different story: sculpted to look like entwined serpents, they give the edge this doll demands. The best FR sunglasses I have seen. Darius is wearing black socks and white sneakers, nothing special there.



His jewellery is very well executed: he sports a big "silver" shark tooth at the end of a chain and a lovely "stainless steel" watch that has a secure fastening and looks very good. It is easy to put on and does not look fragile at all, contrary to the one Pierre was wearing last year. The prototype doll had a golden watch on it, which had struck me as odd, considering the rest of the accessories had "silver" tones. Luckily they corrected it on the final product. I hope they improve the hat the same way next year. See the watch below up close:



Here you can check the hat, sunglasses and pendant:



And here are the shoes - they are plain with the ends of laces inside-makes them easier to put on:



Darius is very handsome and suave. He gives the FR ladies a run for their money. With the proper accessories and outfits, he could turn out to be one of the best and most sought after FR dolls. I cannot wait to see what Jason Wu has in store for him next.



Darius is a limited edition of 800 dolls worldwide.