Integrity Toys Obsession Convention 2021, Day 2: The Final Gala Event dolls

The Obsession Convention Final Gala Event was the final one for this year’s virtual convention. The Event Centerpiece doll was designed by Jessy Ayala and the Official Convention Souvenir doll was designed by designer Jason Wu, as it has been for many years. The winners of the three creative competitions were also announced. It was a mixed bag of a convention, more so than last year, and I think that the format of the event, if it continues to be virtual (which will almost certainly be again next year), has to be rethought. There are ways to make things a bit more interactive, so that people can get a sense of being connected and do things during the convention, instead of simply watching one webinar after another. With the problems in the supply chain not going away for the foreseeable future, it might be sensible to make the convention dolls early enough so that they can be available during the time of the event. It has been two years now living in a pandemic, with adequate and early planning, it can be possible.

Item # 91529

Sovereign

Adèle Makéda™ Dressed Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Final Gala Event Centerpiece

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $180.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Adele 2.0

Body Type: FR 6.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Sunkissed

Hair Color: Golden Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Sovereign Adèle Makéda is definitely giving a run for her money to Victoire Roux for best doll of this convention. The final gala centerpiece doll continues designer Jessy Ayala's military-styling Obsession for the Fashion Royalty ladies and hits the mark - a perfect ten. And from the real-life photos I have seen, she sure is gorgeous. I will try to add this one to my collection, as well as Victoire. The jacket is in the formal military style seen especially in the 19th century, and with her hair and accessories she looks like a modern version of the Bridgerton ladies. She could very well have a part in that series!

Item # 12320

Fall 2020

Elyse Jolie™ Dressed Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

The Jason Wu Collection Official Convention Souvenir

Edition Size: 1300

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Elyse Jolie

Body Type: FR 6.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Dark A-Tone

Hair Color: Black

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

It is weird to have a second dark skinned Elyse in a year (after the upgrade one) and, despite her wearing a Fall 2020 Jason Wu original dress, she feels a bit underwhelming. Following after the incredible centerpiece Adele surely does not help. The obsession is cosmetics and she comes with a set of miniature Jason Wu cosmetics that are gorgeous and I’d love to have them offered as an accessory set sometime in the future. The gown is quite close to the real dress but the unfinished edges do not translate well in doll size and make the effect have no impact compared to the original. It looks like someone decided to leave the dress unfinished because they were in a hurry. Last year’s Aymeline was a much better choice for the convention souvenir doll.

The winners of the Obsession Convention Design Competitions were also announced at the final event. Each one will receive an Integrity Toys exclusive award statuette. Let’s see who won each category:

Monochromatic Obsession Styling

Competition Winner: Aral Rahman

Meet Aral Rahman

Aral Rahman was born and raised in Malaysia. He loves to design OOAK doll outfits under his own mini label ARALGHOSTIER. Coffee addict. Pure Cancerian. My muse would be pop/dance songs, favourite colors got to be black, maroon ruby, mauve & emerald. Digging in the characters of Giselle, Rayna, and Lilith.

A Note From Aral

As black and addictive as 'Opium Libre'... Feeling free and mysterious at the same time. Would love some danger while on the red carpet. Not perfect, asymmetrical, and just on edge. Effortless timeless in black couldn't be wrong! - Aral Rahman

Fashion Photo: Obsessed with Travel Photography

Competition Winner: Alberic Kacou

Meet Alberic Kacou

I'm Alby, the unique IT Collector man living in Africa (Ivory Coast, West Africa). As a globe-trotter African native, I'm passionate about travels, people and their culture, dolls, photography, fashion, and music. To me, life is a priceless gift, that I dully celebrate every day with family and friends, all over the world. I have been a doll collector for a decade, but collecting IT dolls since 2019. IT dolls are the perfect dolls for collectors, to me. Please dive into my special universe through my IG account @bibidollscollector

A Note From Alberic

Rayna is back in Tunisia, the country of origin of her grandparents. She's happy to discover the famous village Sidi Bou Said, where this special blue is present everywhere and dresses all the artistic and unique doors of the ancient shelters. Rayna's dress is assorted to the blue mood of this nice location. - Alberic Kacou

Obsessed with Fashion Diorama/Scene

Competition Winner: Nicanor Aquino

Meet Nicanor Aquino

I'm Nic from Annapolis, Maryland. Was always a doll lover, but was inspired to collect in 2018 after discovering the doll community on Instagram.

A Note From Nicanor

My diorama is inspired by your iconic characters like Cher Horowitz and Carrie Bradshaw and their obsession and love affair for fashion. The scene depicts the ridiculousness of living and breathing fashion through obsessive shopping. - Nicanor Aquino

Congratulations to all the winners, what a creative trio! And this is the end of the 2021 Integrity Toys convention coverage from me.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes shown, final production may vary. Acrylic blocks in the accessory pictures are display props only and are not included with the doll. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2021 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. Jason Wu and all other related brands are trademarks of JWU, LLC. All rights reserved. Used under permission. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.

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

Integrity Toys Obsession Convention 2021, Day 2: Poppy Parker Style Lab

The morning of the second (and final) convention day was reserved for Poppy Parker - the Style Lab collection centred on her was unveiled, as well as the Poppy Parker Event dolls (these two are on the next post). David Buttry single-handedly reversed the negative feelings from the previous evening and delivered a highly praised collection, both for dolls and outfits presented. Each doll, each outfit, and each accessory pack in the Style lab collection was sold separately. The theme for this collection was an obsession with Parisian fashion, while David placed the time period for it in the early 70s, which was also reflected in the packaging, reminiscent of 70s YSL make up and perfume boxes. Apart from Poppy, Ginger was the only other character that made an appearance. Main convention package holders are able to pick from an assortment of five totally glam dolls, five fabulously curated looks, and two accessory packs. While the dolls pictured are dressed, Style Lab dolls and outfits were sold separately. I will be presenting each doll along with the corresponding outfit to avoid photo repeats.

Item # 77215

Beautiful

Ginger Gilroy™ Nude Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Poppy Parker® Collection Style Lab

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $70.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Ginger Gilroy

Body Type: Poppy Parker

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled and Articulated Ankle

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Dark Auburn

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Ginger is always a welcome surprise and this one is no exception. She is a redhead again (third time in a row and, while in varying shades, the only hair colour she has had so far) and has a lip colour that fits only the outfit she’s shown wearing but not her hair colour or eye palette.

Item # 77222

Le Chic Fashion

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Poppy Parker Collection Style Lab

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $80.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Body Type: Fits Poppy Parker

Shoes designed to fit Poppy High-heeled feet.

**OUTFIT ONLY, NUDE DOLL SOLD SEPARATELY**

The fashion is very 70s and very Yves Saint-Laurent too. The inspiration might have been from the infamous Spring/Summer 1971 Haute Couture collection by the late designer, particularly this dress echoing a 40s silhouette, but with the flounced hemm placed under the knee. Midi lengths and knee-high boots are vey typical of the 70s. The print of the dress, while not similar, echoes the prints of that collection too. Fabulous.

Item # 77216

Glamorous

Poppy Parker® Nude Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Poppy Parker® Collection Style Lab

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $70.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy Parker

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled and Articulated Ankle

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Golden Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Glamorous is a beautiful Poppy Parker doll but looks like so many previously released ones that she’s not standing out that much - at least not as her moniker suggests.

Item # 77221

Pink Vamp Fashion

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Poppy Parker Collection Style Lab

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $80.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Body Type: Fits Poppy Parker

Shoes designed to fit Poppy High-heeled feet.

**OUTFIT ONLY, NUDE DOLL SOLD SEPARATELY**

The outfit is straddling the line between late sixties and early 70s - the length and print is from the earlier decade, while the overall styling and the jacket is more from the latter.

Item # 77217

Gorgeous

Poppy Parker® Nude Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Poppy Parker® Collection Style Lab

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $70.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy Parker

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled and Articulated Ankle

Skin Tone: Dark A-Tone

Hair Color: Golden Brown/Dark Brown Two-Tone Hair

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Gorgeous indeed - here we have a dark skin Poppy and these are always popular - but always remind me that we do not have a proper Darla doll in ages and how Darla has always been unpopular compared to the dark skinned Poppy dolls. The lipstick also looks weird for me.

Item # 77224

French Disco Fashion

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Poppy Parker Collection Style Lab

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $80.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Body Type: Fits Poppy Parker

Shoes designed to fit Poppy High-heeled feet.

**OUTFIT ONLY, NUDE DOLL SOLD SEPARATELY**

This one is again lifted from the 1971 Spring/Summer Yves Saint-Laurent Haute Couture collection - it is its most enduring silhouette:: the chubby short brightly coloured fur over a short dress.

Item # 77219

Darling

Poppy Parker® Nude Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Poppy Parker® Collection Style Lab

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $70.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy Parker

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled and Articulated Ankle

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Purple

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Purple hair for this one, not the first Poppy with them but the first with this shade, very close to the colour of the year for 2022. They are definitely nylon fibers, as the lack of variety on the saran colour chart has led Integrity Toys to use nylon for many of their dolls now. She’s beautiful.

Item # 77223

Gothique Fashion

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Poppy Parker Collection Style Lab

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $80.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Body Type: Fits Poppy Parker

Shoes designed to fit Poppy High-heeled feet.

**OUTFIT ONLY, NUDE DOLL SOLD SEPARATELY**

The dress is probably the best of this collection. The style is again Yves Saint-Laurent, first seen on a dress he designed, among others, for Catherine Deneuve in Luis Buñuel’s Belle de Jour film . YSL later incorporated the style in his Rive Gauche line. Someone in the W CLub forum found a photo of an outfit exactly like the doll's (with the sequins, which were not part of the original design), but I have not been able to establish a provenance or a connection to the designer.

Item # 77218

Alluring

Poppy Parker® Nude Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Poppy Parker® Collection Style Lab

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $70.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy Parker

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled and Articulated Ankle

Skin Tone: Hungarian

Hair Color: Light Auburn Red

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

This is again a lovely Poppy, but the almost identical hairstyles are a bit boring - especially considering the variety of them used in the previous PP Style Lab in 2019. I know that long straight hair were the rage in the early 70s but it was definitely not the only style that was popular, especially in fashion. But I guess there’s always the cost factor. From the real life photos of this doll I have seen, the skintone looks quite a bit lighter in them than what we see in the promos.

Item # 77220

American in Paris Fashion

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Poppy Parker Collection Style Lab

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $80.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Body Type: Fits Poppy Parker

Shoes designed to fit Poppy High-heeled feet.

**OUTFIT ONLY, NUDE DOLL SOLD SEPARATELY**

I love this look, with the leopard cape (that reminds me the Poppy in Milan one) over the turtleneck, jeans and boots plus the cap - so very seventies! I could not find the exact same outfit but there were many variations of this one during that era. YSL definitely used the print and fur a lot ( he did a trench-coat in 1969) and his muse and friend Mme Deneuve favoured it a lot.

Item # 77225

Accessory Pack A

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Poppy Parker Collection Style Lab

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $75.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Body Type: Fits Poppy Parker

Shoes designed to fit Poppy Parker dolls with high-heeled feet only.

**ACCESSORY SETS ONLY, NUDE DOLL AND OTHER FASHION SOLD SEPARATELY**

*Note: Bandeau top and doll not included, accessories only!

Great set of accessories for Poppy - most of the pieces match the Pink Vamp outfit.

Item # 77226

Accessory Pack B

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Poppy Parker Collection Style Lab

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $75.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Body Type: Fits Poppy Parker

Shoes designed to fit Poppy Parker dolls with articulated ankles only.

ACCESSORY SETS ONLY, NUDE DOLL AND OTHER FASHION SOLD SEPARATELY**

It’s great to have separate sets for high heeled and articulated feet for Poppy, but I must say I like the B set a bit better (see what I did there?) because of the colour and pattern combinations. Reminds me of Gucci classic pieces.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes shown, final production may vary. Acrylic blocks in the accessory pictures are display props only and are not included with the doll. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only.

All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2021 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

Integrity Toys Obsession Convention 2021, Day 1: The W Club Event

The first day of the Obsession 2021 convention ended with the W Club Event. This, as usual, was charged in addition to the main convention package and was available to all W Club members. The price was $155.00 and included one doll (souvenir), giving you also the right to purchase the centerpiece doll of the event. We already knew that the dolls would be part of the NU Face line, so after the previous reveal, these were going to be sports themed as well. Carol Roth hosted the live presentation, along with Alain Trembley. They also had all the Integrity Toys designers participate in a Q&A session, after each one presented himself. Which pretty much followed last years event.

What was new, was a condescending tone coming from both hosts against W Club members, about not reading their emails properly (sounded like a teacher scolding you about homework) and about not being understanding enough about the problems that plague doll manufacturing. Carol even prompted designers to tell what they felt collectors should know about doll manufacturing, but in a way that was more like “tell them what obstacles we face making these highly coveted collectable dolls so that they stop complaining about receiving them late or with faults or both”. And that left a sour taste in my mouth (and from what I have been seeing and reading in various forums and social media, to many other people as well). I would never dream of telling my clients off like this, ever, no matter what problems I face making their product (and trust me, I work in a design company making high end exhibit stands for companies so I’m familiar with the situation). You want people to read your emails? Maybe you should make them more condensed and make their layout better? Maybe Break down information about a variety of stuff in smaller emails instead of one big endless text email? Maybe use diagrams and pictures to convey part of the information? Don’t tell me you are doing this for the last 25 years, most of your collectors are doing similar things for as many if not more years as well. Don’t treat your customers like pre-schoolers. W Club has grown too much lately and growing pains are never easy, but people are paying you dearly for a high quality collectable doll. Their money is what give you your daily bread and also a job you love doing. Stop complaining about how your clients treat you and look into why they treat you the way they do. You are paid to give solutions to problems, not whine about it. And if that whole shebang was not enough, there came the dolls.

Item # 82153

MVP

Rayna Ahmadi™ Dressed Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

W Club Event Event Centerpiece

Edition Size: TBD

Special Convention Price: $175.00

*Only for W Club Event Ticket Holders*

Head Sculpt: Rayna

Body Type: NF 3.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled and Flat Foot

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Copper

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

The centerpiece was presented early on in the event, as it would be the doll attendees would see decorating their tables in an in-person event. Rayna is always a popular sculpt and was missing last year from the convention. She was a centerpiece in the Fairytale convention (and a gorgeous doll). We have already gotten two Rayna dolls since last year’s event though. The doll is beautiful - I love her make up and the hairstyle is new for this line, a bit of Sailor Moon inspiration there. She did give me a very very slight vibe of the first Rayna (the IFDC Dorothy from Oz one) which I coveted for quite a long time (not that much anymore).

The outfit is a mess. The obsession for Rayna is American Football. She is probably auditioning for a quarterback? The vest/sleeveless jacket is supposed to remind us of the padded jersey the players wear but it does not even come close. It also riffs on the recent trend of oversized clothing, which might look good on a few models and celebrities (very few if any) but it does not translate wall on doll scale. Having the end seams unfinished helps to further make the look problematic. The colour combination is a bit weird but Jacquemus has been doing it recently (although I doubt Jessy had seen his latest collection before designing this, the timing does not match) and he also did an oversized sleeveless jacket.I like the bodysuit and the rugby shorts, but combining them with kitten heel slingbacks? So not sporty. Maybe she should have had a pair of bright orange combat boots with chunky soles to go with extra pair of flat feet. For this price (and being a made to order doll. unlike the rest of the centerpieces), she’s seriously lacking. Just look at last year’s magnificent Eugenia.

Item # 82154

Adrenaline Rush

Dominique Makéda™ Dressed Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

W Club Event Event Souvenir

Edition Size: 2750

*Only for W Club Event Ticket Holders*

Head Sculpt: Dominique 2.0

Body Type: NF 3.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Nubian

Hair Color: Soft Black Flocking

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

I have wanted to get a Dominique for ever, she’s a sculpt missing from my collection. And I am probably one of the few people who jumped with joy at seeing her appear as the souvenir doll of the event. She give me more super hero vibes than a sports obsessed lady (she’s supposedly a MotoCross enthusiast). If her flocked hair were platinum, she’d be a perfect Storm doll. I honestly did not understand why people complained about the flocked hair - some of the most coveted IT dolls have them: the Muse Adele, one of the Faces of Adele heads (the 1.0 sculpt),, Out Of Sight Nadja (who was a convention souvenir too), Urban Outfitting Nadja. And as for the white eye shadow (not an eyeliner, that is black), it looks good on Nubian skin (for me at least) and reminds me of Bionica Jordan,

The outfit would have been better if it had come with soft, ankle-high boots like the ones motor-cross riders are wearing, instead of the pumps. Then she would have had the extra pair of flat feet all other NU Face convention dolls have - and I bet they are not worth $20.00 (that’s the difference between her price and the other NU Face doll prices). Love the earrings, they are original and beautiful. The stirrup pant detail could have been omitted too - maybe adding a cap would have been better.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes shown, final product may vary. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only.

All text and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2021 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. NU. FACE 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.

Integrity Toys Obsession Convention 2021 Day 1: The Convention Collection and Salesroom exclusive dolls

The 2021 Convention Collection was presented to attendees on the first day. This year there were fewer dolls, mostly because of production delays but also because W Club member had asked to see more dolls outside the convention and less offered in it. There was only one Salesroom exclusive, which would be allocated by lottery. For the dolls shown below, the Poppy Parker doll is designed by David Buttry, the East 59th doll is designed by Chris Stoeckel, and the NU. Face and Fashion Royalty dolls are designed by Jessy Ayala. Each designer decided on a different obsession for his line, so we got a hodgepodge of styles, some hitting the mark, others leaving people dissatisfied. Let’s check out the offerings.

For Fashion Royalty, Jessy decided that the obsession would be military styling. This has been a constant influence with fashion designers since forever, some have even made it a constant in their offerings (see Ralph Lauren and Balmain). The concept was explained by IT as follows:

“Since the dawn of time, whether it is for a simple show of force or as a form of national pride, just about every blue-blooded "royal" and/or would-be leader of our world has been "obsessed" with their armed forces! With this collection, the ladies of Fashion Royalty are putting their own "fashionable might" on display by paying homage to military styling, as seen through their own unique fashion lens! Each dressed in military-inspired looks, featuring intricate construction details that you will immediately recognize, the unique personality of each of our favorite FR characters shines through and will make a definite impact on the ongoing story of Fashion Royalty! Designed by Jessy Ayala.”

Item # 91528

Chain of Command

Natalia Fatalé™ Dressed Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Fashion Royalty® Convention Collection

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $180.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Natalia 2.0

Body Type: FR 6.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Light Honey

Hair Color: Dark Brunette

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Natalia looks more like a police woman in this suit than a military officer. And that is not good, especially after all that has happened these last few years. Jessy took an Alexander McQueen staple (the two-tone tailored suit) and styled it in a way to make it look more military like. I’m not feeling it at all, even though the execution looks great - and the recreation of the small bag on the belt is perfect. What is that thing hanging from her handbag?

The doll has a gorgeous face: she is a beautiful Natalia and I might try to find her nude at some point. The straight long hair ruins all the military styling though - she needed an up do or a short crop to finish it off perfectly.

Item # 91530

Vendetta

Agnes Von Weiss® Dressed Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Fashion Royalty® Convention Collection

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $180.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Agnes

Body Type: FR 6.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Pale Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

This Agnes reminds me a lot of Dressing The Part Agnes, the doll styling and the silhouette of the dress is very close to that doll. Despite the Vendetta moniker, she looks very sweet and kind here, the veil and the ringlets framing her face giving her a renaissance Madonna feel. If you take away the hat, there’s nothing military about her. Her screening (not colouring) is like Malibu Agnes and Head For Glamour Agnes. She looks like the child of Taylor Swift and Grace Kelly.

The dress is actually a variation on the famous Dior Bar Suit, the iconic New Look outfit. One of the photos has the doll posed just like the model in the most famous photo depicting that outfit. With the styling though, it reminded me of this Giambattista Valli look. The shoes are transparent vinyl patterned to mimic lace. The bag is like a highly geometric version of the Lady Dior bag. Are the gloves united together by the red neck scarf?

The NU. Face obsession was sports. Completely unrelated to military except that both are mainly straight male obsessions (soldiers and athletes are male gay obsessions obviously). Many designers have translated sports uniforms on the catwalk, again with a variety of success. Integrity Toys summed it up like this:

“Since the only way to stay on top of the game is to win, the ultra-fashionable modeling team of the NU. Face agency is ready to put its competitive edge to the test by showing us just how obsessed they are in their own fashionable way! Each model in this series wears a look inspired by her favorite sport or fitness activity, re-imagined in a never seen before way, from the mind of IT designer, Jessy Ayala!”

Item # 82151

Varsity

Alejandra Luna™ Dressed Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

NU. Face™ Convention Collection

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $175.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Alejandra

Body Type: NF 3.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled and Flat Foot

Skin Tone: Hungarian

Hair Color: Dark Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Alejandra makes her second ever appearance as a baseball bunny, with a look inspired partly by the collaboration that Jeremy Scott did with Adidas back in 2014. While the overall impression is not imminently fashion, it is kind of attractive, mainly because of Alejandra - see how a good model saves the outfit?

The doll is a recoloured version of the OG Alejandra with a ponytail. The make up is a bit harsher here, in line with her being an obsessed baseball player I guess. But the overall impression is that she’s too basic for the price. She could have been a giveaway/souvenir doll but for a convention collection one, she’s seriously under-dressed. Jessy said that the number 82 on her cap is the item number for NU Face. Nice to see they have both sets of legs, high heel and flat articulated.

Item # 82152

En Pointe

Violaine Perrin™ Dressed Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

NU. Face™ Convention Collection

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $175.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Vanessa 2.0 / Violaine 1.0

Body Type: NF 3.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled and Articulated Ankle

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Brunette

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Violaine looks more like Poppy Parker than a Perrin sister in this incarnation. Many people find a similarity to Bergdorf Goodman Poppy in particular, but her Princess Leia hairstyle makes this quite impossible for me. The sport she’s supposedly obsessed with is ballet, which is a bit weird as ballet is not what one would normally think of when considering sports. Ballet is an art form, not a sport (although there are plenty of straight male humans out there that consider sports as art). So I do not find this relevant, plus the doll is so different in style from the rest of the NU Face ladies that it speaks for itself.

The outfit reminds me of what Sarah Burton did in her Fall/Winter 2020 collection for Alexander McQueen, putting harnesses over asymmetrically hemmed dresses. But also the Spring/Summer 2017 collection of Gauri and Nainika from India, who did many different iterations of the concept. I would have preferred the harness over the top (which then would have to be more tailored) for a better look and also in a contrasting colour. This total beige look, while very ballet in feel, looks very bland.

Thankfully, Poppy Parker had a more fashion-related obsession: Parisian Couture. Unfortunately, there is only one Poppy in this year’s convention collection. Here’s the company description:

“Poppy Parker gives us a glimpse at her latest look, as she is seen attending a very special soirée in Paris, celebrating her favorite French Couturier, Louis Laurent! Designed by David Buttry!”

Item # 77212

Silver Soirée

Poppy Parker® Dressed Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Poppy Parker® Convention Collection

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $160.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy Parker

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Platinum

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

She is a lovely doll - echoing the Style Lab Get It Together doll from 2019’s convention. She has a screening seen before on Oh La La, Powder Puff and other Poppy dolls, with a different colouring. She is both soft and strong, which is nice and gives her a certain glow. People who saw the online presentation during the convention and the doll in David’s hands, said she looked even better.

The dress sort of reminds me of another 2019 convention Poppy, Young Romantic. They would look cool displayed next to each other. Since the French designer she’s obsessed with echoes Yves Saint Laurent a bit, I tried searching for a similar style in his early collections (both the Dior years and his first solo collections) but there is not much online to work with. The accessories are nothing that stands out but fit the style perfectly.

There was only on 2021 Convention Salesroom Exclusive, Victoire Roux, obsessed with Surrealist Art. that gave the opportunity to Chris Stoeckel to give her a Mugler outfit from his 1995 Fall Couture collection. Here’s Integrity Toys description:

“1950s top-model Victoire Roux channels her own personal Obsession for modern art and beauty, as she pays homage to her friend and fellow French citizen, famous surrealist visual artist Man Ray!"

Wearing an original creation by Integrity Toys designer Chris Stoeckel, this truly unique doll features a special "one-eyed" sculptural mask, which attaches to the doll's head using a special magnetized earring, which is included in the set! Fun and versatile, Victoire makes a statement wearing a long, flowing black lace floor-length evening coat, or a high-contrast, wearing her flamboyant pink jacket!”

Item # 73043

Black Ice

Victoire Roux® Dressed Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

The East 59th® Convention Salesroom

Edition Size: 700

Special Convention Price: $160.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Victoire Roux 2.0

Body Type: East 59th 1.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Silver

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

She’s a winner! Easily the best doll of the convention so far, this unusual Victoire edition is a couture marvel! Her main outfit is a reversal of look 3 of the Fall/Winter Haute Couture Thierry Mugler collection (lace for the coat instead of patent leather, vinyl for the bodysuit instead of lace. There is also a magenta sculpted jacket that can be worn instead of the coat, taken from look 13 of the same Mugler collection. And there is that mask!

The doll is gorgeous too - with her silver hair and intense make up, she channels not only Simonetta Gianfelici who modelled the original outfit and was a muse to both Mugler and Claude Montana, but also the very regal and imposing Carmen Dell’ Orefice, the model that has the longest modelling career ever, from the 1950s till now. She’s totally different from any of her previous iterations.

I think it would have been better that they had her story be like she is the Carmen of her world - Victoire keeps modelling even in the modern era and she dons the outfit in a runway of our time, older but ageless. Just like Carmen. Surrealism was a hot thing in fashion a bit earlier than Victoire’s era (Elsa Schiaparelli collaborated with Salvador Dali and Jean Cocteau to create some memorable and influential stuff, and the 50s was her last decade of work), but this is so distinctly Mugler that the story falls flat. And no, she’s not channelling 60’s Catwoman extraordinaire Julie Newmar - wrong era for Victoire.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototype shown, final product may vary. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only.

All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2021 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. FASHION ROYALTY, POPPY PARKER, NU. FACE, EAST 59TH, THE INDUSTRY, THE MONARCHS HOMME, METEOR, NU. FANTASY 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

Integrity Toys Obsession Convention 2021 Day 1: The Welcome doll is Vanessa!

Just like last year, the Integrity Toys convention was held virtually, on the web, due to the ongoing pandemic. Unlike last year, W Club event ticket holders (like me) could not attend the rest of the convention events. So it was less fun than 2020, but it probably helped make the whole experience more smooth and glitch free for everyone.

This year's theme was Obsessed, which, per IT, “explores what truly defines our obsession for fashion, couture, makeup, and everything that is connected to the world of beauty, seen through the eyes and styling of the Integrity Toys design team!” This was a free pass for IT designers to create whatever dolls they wanted, but the result was a lack of cohesion and a mixed bag of offerings. While it helped the designers make some unusual and bold choices, it resulted in some dolls having a less than warm welcome from collectors, attendees or not, even when designed by IT’s enfant gâté Jessy Ayala.

Another sore point is the availability of the dolls presented to attendees. Integrity Toys stated that they did not have the dolls available for shipping until “likely sometime in January / February.” Having in mind that people were receiving 2020 convention dolls even in November, it looks like delays are becoming a permanent part of the experience. I wonder how would this go across in a live event - can you imagine not having the dolls to hand over to attendees in a live convention? And since these troubles are not going away soon, I am betting that next year’s convention will be held virtually too, regardless of the situation with the pandemic. The uncertainty over shipping schedules affects everything worldwide and will not be restored very soon.

On with the dolls - and first up is the Welcome Gift Set. Main convention ticket holders had already received a package swag that was sent as a surprise, with a set of replacement hands and a doll sized make up kit, plus the convention lanyard and badge.The welcome gift set was designed by Mark Tinkey - here’s what he had to say about it:

"I wanted to think of NU. Fantasy in a different way for this gift set, the fantasy life of a doll made real. I was inspired by the dolls I grew up wishing I could own as a kid and YouTube videos of people obsessed with being living dolls. You'll notice oversized jewelry and details that feel doll-like, but still incredibly chic. My own love of doll gift sets and what I would want as a collector also heavily influenced this set. I wanted this to be a fantasy of mix and match play with a gorgeous doll as its main feature. I hope you have as much fun playing with this set as I had designing it for you!" -

Item # 75031

A Doll's Life

Vanessa Perrin™ Welcome Gift Set

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

The NU. Fantasy™ Collection

Edition Size: 1300

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Vanessa 3.0

Body Type: FR 6.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Light Blonde and Platinum Mix

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

I was not expecting Mark Tinkey to design the welcome doll but he did a good job. First problem is that she looks too much like a watered down version of Smoke & Shadows Vanessa that he designed as well. Second problem (always for me): she is almost a Barbie clone. The styling, the choice of clothing and accessories, is too much like the Barbiestyle dolls. And I do not get why she is under the Nu Fantasy line. This line is almost always about known mythical or fairy tale characters reinterpreted in a modern fashion. Maybe it is Vanessa’s fantasy of living like Barbie, LOL. Having in mind his brilliant work at the two Coven Couture dolls and his previous creative work, this feels a bit underwhelming.

The gold gown is a reinterpretation of a Valentino Haute Couture one from 2020. It is probably the fabric that makes a poor translation in doll scale. The black ruffle top could be from a number of designers (Saint Laurent, Vauthier, McQueen, Herrera, De La Renta, Valli, to name a few) but the closer one I could find was a Valentino from 2020 again. The fur coat is a classic - from YSL in the 70s till today and so many others. I love the versatility this giftset offers and the variety of styles and accessories - can’t wait to see how it is packaged.

The dolls is really pretty but not exceptional, especially following at the heels of Smoke and Shadow Vanessa. She reminds me a lot of how Nicole Kidman looked in Nine Perfect Strangers, which is not my cup of tea at all.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes shown, final production may vary. Acrylic blocks in the accessory pictures are display props only and are not included with the doll. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only.

All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2021 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. FASHION ROYALTY, POPPY PARKER, NU. FACE, EAST 59TH, THE INDUSTRY, THE MONARCHS HOMME, METEOR, NU. FANTASY 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.