Backstage with the Hommes: the new Monarchs Homme collection is here!

Integrity Toys and the W CLub had an online event Thursday to present three new Monarch dolls - it started at 3.00 am Greek time, which was not convenient at all. Dear Integrity and Carol Roth, could you please start doing your presentations again on Saturdays at a more convenient time for us (not all of Europe having to watch after midnight!), or at the very least on a Friday so that we do not have to think about waking up early for work the next morning. Also Vaughn mentioned that they are going to be doing more regular presentations for new stuff - but the actual production and delivery is still affected from global events.

There are two new characters, one of which is a brand new sculpt. The other new guy has the sculpt of Kyle Spencer from the American Horror Story: Coven collection. And the third is the Darius 2.0 sculpt. Also note that only Tae Min comes in the Monarch body. Vaughn did a great job of researching and adopting current trends. Two are dealer dolls (Darius and Tae Min) and Rashad is a lottery doll for W Club. Let’s check the guys out.

NEW CHARACTER

Item # 21013

Power Vibes

Tae Min Jee™ Dressed Fashion Figure

The Monarchs Homme™: Status Symbol Collection

Edition Size: 750

Expected Ship Date: Late Summer-Early Fall 2022

MSRP: $180 + S & H

AVAILABLE ONLY FROM IT DEALERS

Head Sculpt: Tae Min Jee (New Sculpt!)

Body Type: Monarchs 1.0

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Auburn

Included:

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

Custom printed camo cargo pants;

Oversized logo t-shirt;

Satin finish varsity jacket with custom embroidered details;

Socks;

Sneakers;

Embroidered beanie hat;

Earring;

Watch;

Two rings;

Two pairs of hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

New Asian character and sculpt - even though there are at least two Asian sculpts forgotten and unused, Takeo Mizutani from Fashion Royalty and Kyu from Dynamite Girls. We need to see them both return! That said, this one is a smash. Apart from the messy hair (which I am certain will never come like this in the final production doll), everything looks amazing . The face is gorgeous, with the eyeliner giving him that extra something that made me pre-order (and confirmed).

His clothing is very on trend and the accessories are great - love the wi-fi icon on the beanie. Is that an Apple Watch? Only thing missing is a bag - and at this price point, it should have been included.

Item # 21015

Studio Sessions

Darius Reid™ Dressed Fashion Figure

The Monarchs Homme™: Status Symbol Collection

Edition Size: 750

Expected Ship Date: Late Summer-Early Fall 2022

MSRP: $180 + S & H

AVAILABLE ONLY FROM IT DEALERS

Head Sculpt: Darius 2.0

Body Type: FR Homme 1.5

Skin Tone: FR Black

Hair Color: Dark Brown / Black

Included:

12.5-inch articulated figure with long, partially rooted hair;

Burgundy pants (full-length pants, the hems can be rolled down);

Navy blue long-sleeved half-zipped pullover;

Intricately tailored denim and checkered jacket;

Faux-suede tanker boots;

Watch;

"Diamond" stud earring;

Eyeglasses;

Chain bracelet;

Two pairs of hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

This is the first time I like the new Darius sculpt - great face screening. I am not so sure about the hair though - I would have liked either less dense big braids that would start from the forehead fade, or much thinner braids like the Mattel Looks guy. He is the lovechild of Milli Vanilli and Lenny Kravitz.

His clothing is gorgeous, especially that tromp-l’oeil jacket that looks like he has two, when in fact it is only one, cleverly constructed. If only it had different colour selection. Again, great accessories but no bag. Shame.

NEW CHARACTER

Item # 21014

Make 'Em Lit

Rashad Rouissi™ Dressed Fashion Figure

The Monarchs Homme™: Status Symbol Collection

Edition Size: 750

Expected Ship Date: Mid-Summer 2022

W CLUB ONLY IT DIRECT RIGHT-TO-BUY LOTTERY

Head Sculpt: Rashad (previously Kyle Spenser sculpt - New Character!)

Body Type: FR Homme 1.5

Skin Tone: Sunkissed

Hair Color: Dark Brown

MSRP: $180 + S & H

Special W Club RTB Winner Price*: $170 + S & H

(For RTB winners only, a $30 non-refundable deposit will be due before June 10).

Sales method: This is being sold to W Club members via a W Club right-to-buy lottery offer. Should any product remain after fully placing the lottery, it would then be made available to the public and for purchasing extras at the MSRP.

*Special W Club pricing is limited to one per membership

Included:

12.5-inch articulated fashion figure with shoulder-length, fully rooted hair;

Multi-toned denim pants with contrasting topstitching;

Neon yellow long-sleeved hoodie;

Utility vest;

Three earrings;

Three rings;

Square sunglasses;

Watch;

Sling bag;

High-top sneakers;

Two pairs of hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

Great re-use of the Kyle Spencer sculpt - which I did not like in its first incarnation. If he had shorter hair and a different style of facial hair, I might have entered the lottery. He reminds me a lot of Once Upon A Time’s Colin O’ Donoghue (Captain Hook). Will wait for his next incarnation.

He has the best accessory set of the bunch. Oh wait - you can actually get a bag in this price level - and give a W Club discount too! Come on Integrity, this sucks. hey all should have gotten bags.

**REMINDER**

Tae Min Jee and Darius Reid are only available through dealers!

For the Rashad Rouissi right-to-buy lottery, please read below!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes 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. 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 Jayme Thornton. Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

The Chemist is fashionably late... on time for the Greek Revolution's 200th anniversary

If you are on the Superdoll mailing list, you got an email a few days ago that a new doll was arriving on the 25th of March - and here she is! Chemist is a gorgeous Venus resin doll, dressed in a fantastic outfit that, combined iwth the banner she was photographed with, reminded me of heroines of the Greek Revolution of 1821 that gave Greece its independence from the Ottoman Empire. The crazy coincedence is that she is released on the very day the Greek Revolution celebrates its 200th anniversary. Love it. Below are the photos and description from the online Superdoll shop - she is still in stock while I’m writing this.

CHEMIST DD_0172

* PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SHIPPING MAY TAKE LONGER THAN OUR USUAL SPEEDY DELIVERIES. LONDON IS IN LOCKDOWN. OUR APPOLOGIES IN ADVANCE.

CHEMIST is Fashionably late... It's not unusual, but maybe this time she is pushing it a little. Our apologies in advance.

GEN:VII body!

CLONE:VENUS

RESIN: Ginza

CONQUERER is a great description of this girls attitude

Gorgeous blunt curved fringe and below waist length dead straight wig. Classic edge; bearing white double bow detail beside her face. Sky blue eyes surround in shades of red and dark violet with shaded purple under eye, fine black eyeliner, dusted lids and etched charcoal double wing eyeliner to top. Lips of illuminated red.

Extraordinary billowed gown of white corseted bodice and croissant hip patisseries,' CAPTURED BY ATTRACTION' then 'FALLING WITH LOVE' to the ground in a volumous statement. Front bodice is adorned in bias cut red satin bandeau in a 'cross my heart I LOVE YOU' symbolic gesture while bleeding tears are wiped onto her reverse satin skirt... the 'PAIN OF LOVE' veiled by triple layer superfine tulle 'PETALS OF JOY'. A bright red and gold bolero goes atop this gown as a sign of 'ENDLESS DEVOTION'..... trimmed in laser cut foil and loopity loop lurex trim. I could just go on and on, but in reality; this girl stands proud with her sheer tussle trimmed flag proclaiming: LOVE WINS ALL!'

Built in petticoat and hip pads, dew drop crystal earrings, gilt bow stiletto courts and Suspender set underwear complete this Historic tale of HEARTACHE and VALOUR.

Includes doll stand and applied eyelashes.

PROTOTYPE shown .

PLEASE ALLOW 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS FOR DELIVERY

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO RESTRICTIONS SUPERDOLL ONLY SHIPS ONE DAY PER WEEK.

Price: £397.47 (Excluding VAT at 20%)

That was quick - Integrity Toys new basic dolls available Monday, February 8th

After last week’s reveal of the basic Victoire dolls and the plan of Integrity Toys to offer basic edition dolls in open edition sizes (when they "sell-out", more will be produced and then made available for sale again in the IT shopping cart), we now get two more dolls! From the Meteor line, designed by Vaughn Sawyers, we get two variations of Keeki. It looks like IT will be releasing one character from each line as a basic doll in two colour variations, and probably add more characters later on, depending on the project’s success. Looks good to me.

Purchase Instructions

1. Starting Monday, February 8th, 2021 at approximately Noon Eastern Time, these dolls will appear in the IT Direct Exclusive Category in the Integrity Toys shopping cart at https://www.integritytoys.com/shop.

2. There will be no purchase limit on these dolls and they will be available to the public at the same time.

Item 46019

Slay All Day

Keeki Adaeze™ Basic Doll

The Meteor™ Collection

Edition Size: Open Edition

Price: $99 + shipping and Handling

In-Stock/Ready to ship

Head Sculpt: Keeki

Body Type: Meteor

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Nubian

Hair Color: Dark Brunette

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

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

Two-piece bathing suit with cool power mesh detailing;

Oversized hoop earrings;

Cuff bracelet;

Matching high-heeled sandals with holographic finish straps;

Long manicured hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

A beautiful basic version of Keeki - if you did not get any of her previous versions, this looks ideal. Great jewellery for a basic doll too. I have the first Keeki, so this is too close to her for me.

Item 46020

Still Poppin'

Keeki Adaeze™ Basic Doll

The Meteor™ Collection

Edition Size: Open Edition

Price: $99 + shipping and Handling

In-Stock/Ready to ship

Head Sculpt: Keeki

Body Type: Meteor

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Dark A-Tone

Hair Color: Sunkissed Blond

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

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

Two-piece bathing suit with cool power mesh detailing;

Oversized hoop earrings;

Cuff bracelet;

Matching high-heeled sandals with holographic finish straps;

Long manicured hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

A blonde version of the same basic Keeki doll - the hair looks a bit disheveled here, compared to the first one. She’s lovely still. Are you getting any of these? Let me know in the comments.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Remember, once the first run "sells out", more will be manufactured. Once Integrity Toys runs out of the first batch, more will be added to the shopping cart at a later date. So, if you miss out on this first shipment, no worries, you will be able to place an order in the future, as more stock of the same dolls will be replenished whenever they will become available.

SERVER NOTE

Please remember, you might have to click on "refresh" at the appointed time once they go live to force the items to appear in the cart (you might also want to clear your cache or try a different browser if they don't appear).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes 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. METEOR, and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc. Chesapeake City MD USA 21915. All rights reserved. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.

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

Net-A-Porter exclusive Jason Wu doll for their 20th anniversary: Midnight Garden Aymeline

In my previous post, I mentioned that last Saturday, during the final presentation of the Integrity Toys 2020 Legendary convention, Jason Wu showed us a doll that was to be kept under wraps for a while. Well, the doll in question was our first glimpse of the new character Aymeline, that was to be used for the convention doll as well, but in a completely different incarnation, which shows the versatility of the sculpt: it is the original Avantguard sculpt, shrunk with computer 3d modelling to 1/6 scale. And that explains its versatility, as the AG one could also give very different dolls depending on hair and make up used. Jason made this doll, Midnight Garden Aymeline, to celebrate the 20 years of Net-A-Porter in business, to be sold exclusively by them. Everybody was enthusiastic about her and we were promised more details before the release, which arrived on Sunday. The doll had a staggered release on NAP’s different country sites, beginning with east Asia and Australia, in the wee hours after midnight Sunday. It sold out really quickly, sooner even than the estimated time the email had given, something that has happened before with NAP Jason Wu dolls. 20% of the profits from the doll will go to a British charity, Women For Women International.

Item # 12312

Midnight Garden

Aymeline™ Mini Gift Set

NAP X Jason Wu

Limited Edition: 400 Dolls

Estimated Arrival: November 2020

Retail Price: $295.00

*NET-A-PORTER Exclusive

Head Sculpt: Aymeline 1.0 (New Sculpt!)

Body Type: FR 6.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Pale Blond

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Velvet Touch: No

Quickswitch: No

The Story:

Designed to celebrate the long standing partnership between Jason Wu and online retailer Net-A-Porter, Integrity Toys is proud to introduce this fashionable mini gift set! Newcomer Aymeline comes dressed in a miniature version of a Jason Wu designer original gown and comes with the fashionable goodies that she found on Net-A-Porter, three totally glam, 100% fierce pairs of high heels! Which one will she wear to the party? You decide!

Included:

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

Jason Wu original designer gown;

"Golden" earrings and bracelet;

Hot pink lace-up pumps;

Citron-lime colored high heels;

Dark green high heels with black contrast detail;

3 miniature Net-A-Porter shoe boxes;

2 miniature Net-A-Porter shopping bags;

Alternate pair of hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity;

The gorgeous Aymeline is a fantastic doll and comes with more accessories than previous Jason Wu releases ever did: proper jewellery, three pairs of shoes in their lovely shoeboxes and two shopping bags. The execution of the dress is stunning and the beauty of her face mesmerizing. I’m happy that she is coming home this week as it is my birthday on Thursday and she will be a perfect gift. I was lucky to check the W Club forum after reading the email and it was there, late at night my time (Athens time) that the first dolls started appearing on Asian and the Australian NAP sites and quickly selling out. When I saw that it was staggered, I calculated that it would come live for Europe early in the morning, and decided to risk it and wait as the prices were higher in Asia, plus I’d have to pay a huge amount of import tax. I woke up at 7.00 Athens time and it was right then that the doll started becoming available on EU sites. I grabbed the chance and she’s coming home. My first NAP Jason Wu doll! She is wearing a Jason Wu Collection original gown from his Spring 2019 collection, which you can see below.

Photo courtesy of Jason Wu Collection

I am posting here the details given by the club about the doll release, plus the photos from the Net-A-Porter website:

Photo courtesy of Net-A-Porter

NET-A-PORTER EXCLUSIVE

We have a limited amount of information to share. Note again, this is the information that was shared with us and we did not have any input/influence.

As the retailer is handling all of the specifics, we cannot confirm the accuracy of the information or that they will comply with the information given us. We also unfortunately cannot help solve any problems, should they arise.

For your convenience, here is the information that we have been given so far (please do not contact the Liaisons; we do not have any further information to share about this doll):

What we have been told is that the offer is expected to go live on NET-A-PORTER.com on Nov. 9th, 2020, at approximately 7:00 AM GMT (which is 3:00 AM Eastern/New York Time). While they have told us this time is across the platform, it is possible that it is a “rolling” time and they may launch later, depending on the location-specific site. We know this is inconvenient, but unfortunately, we are not involved in this release and are only sharing information available.

It is our experience that often retailers don’t follow their release plans exactly. Please check their site at your discretion, since previous offers have gone up early and others late. Again, we understand that this is inconvenient and have communicated that to them, but again, it is out of our direct or even indirect control and we don’t want you to miss out. As we do not have a link, we would check a variety of search terms including “Jason Wu” and “doll”.

We don't know of any international shipping restrictions for this item, but we also cannot confirm whether there will be any on the country-specific sites, so we recommend starting with NET-A-PORTER.com but perhaps checking their related country-specific sites just in case; exact shipping information will be available on their site once the offer goes live.

Photo courtesy of Net-A-Porter

And here is the information taken from the Net-A-Porter website.

EXCLUSIVE AT NET-A-PORTER. It's a little-known fact that Jason Wu was a toy designer for ten years before launching his eponymous label, so naturally this limited-edition doll has the same attention to detail as any of his ready-to-wear collections. It's created in partnership with high-end specialists Integrity Toys and dressed in one of the label's frothy tulle gowns. Fully articulated with a display stand, it has carefully rooted blonde hair and comes with two NET-A-PORTER shopping bags, a trio of different pumps and interchangeable manicured hands.

20% of the profits* from the sale of this product will go to Women for Women International (UK). Women for Women International (UK) is a registered charity in England and Wales (charity number 1115109).

*"Profits" means the sale price of the product less operational and landing costs, including transportation fees, customs, duties, taxes, insurance, currency conversion, crating, handling and payment fees.

Photo courtesy of Net-A-Porter

DETAILS & CARE

Comes with three shoe boxes, three pairs of shoes, two shopping bags, gold-tone earrings and cuff, pair of hands, certificate of authenticity

Can be attached to Perspex stand

Comes in a presentation box

Photo courtesy of Net-A-Porter

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

All photos, unless otherwise stated, and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. ©2020 All rights reserved. Jason Wu and all other related brands is a trademark of JWU, LLC. All rights reserved. Used under permission. FASHION ROYALTY and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc., Chesapeake City MD USA 21915. ©2020 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

A new Monarch doll - was that what you were missing from your life?

Having new doll releases during this world-changing time can be a way to combat dreariness and escape a bit from the relentless pace real life moves. Isn’t doll collecting an escape into our own ideal world for most collectors anyway? Having said that, the release of a new, unexpected Monarch doll was definitely quite surprising - and to me, quite unnecessary. Rest assured, I always love a well designed and made doll, especially a guy. But this is not how I would have done it. He’s a lottery exclusive for W Club members in a lower than usual price, which is quite nice. And a new character too!

Item #21005

Most Influential

Paolo Marino™ Fashion Figure

The Monarchs™ Homme Collection

Edition Size: 700

Expected Ship Date: In-stock, will ship after winners' payments are received

MSRP: $175.00 Special Members-Only Price (During Lottery Only): $150.00 + Shipping

W Club Exclusive Right-to-buy Lottery Offer

Head Sculpt: Paolo 

Body Type: Monarchs 1.0

Skin Tone: Hungarian

Hair Color: Salt and Pepper

Eyelashes: No

Quickswitch: No

Included:

12.5" fully articulated fashion figure with rooted hair and flocked hair;

Bespoke slim-fitted business suit;

Tailored shirt;

Dashing satin tie;

Brilliantly engineered, multi-toned overcoat;

"Micro-suede" loafers;

Fully functional umbrella accessory;

Time piece;

Eyeglasses;

Alternate pair of "grip" hands;

Alternate pair of "gloved" hands;

Underarm fashion figure stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

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

Participation Deadline: June 15th, 2020, Noon Eastern time;

Special Members-Only Price (During Lottery Only): $150.00 + S&H each;

Final Edition Size: 700;

Shipping Timing: In-stock, will ship once the lottery winners have paid;

Availability: 2020 W Club members only; Right-to-buy Participation Limit: Max. one (1) lottery ticket per 2020 membership only.

For those following the complicated storylines of the Integrity Toys dolls, Paolo Marino is the younger brother of Missima Cosmetics founder Perry Marino and is presented now as a ruthless billionaire financier ready to take over the world. Not exactly the guy to mess up with. The doll sure looks more like a hipster entrepreneur with that hair and that coat and less like a Wall Street guy. Even more, he reminds me of Eggsy, the character played in the Kingsman films by Taron Eggerton - see photo below. The sculpt could even be made to look like the actor. The sculpt is supposedly new but it looks like a tweaked Zipper.

Do I like the doll? Not with those ears! That god-awful hair style! Which will definitely, experience talking, will look much worse IRL. if I need a cobweb broom, I will get one from the supermarket, thank you very much. the suit does not help a lot, despite the narrow, tailored look. Red ties are forever ruined for me after Trump. Maybe a pinstripe fabric would have suited him better. A waistcoat would have bee so fitting. And definitely not that oversize patchwork coat, which is something Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen has been making variations of forever, and with much better results and aesthetics. Thom Browne does it too but in a more trompe-l'œil way. We have had two-toned coats before in FR Hommes and they never look that dapper to begin with. Some examples in the slideshow below (after the accessories photo), with a pinstripe look in the end that would be my favourite for this release. i would not mind the first look either, on a black gorgeous doll as shown IRL please.

Fashion photos courtesy of Alexander McQueen and Vogue Runway. Final fabrics, colours and textures may vary slightly. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. All doll photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2020 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. The MONARCHS HOMME, PAOLO MARINO and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc. 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