Showing posts with label W Club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label W Club. Show all posts

12/10/2022

The Final Dolls From Integrity Toys X Magia 2000

Celebrating 23 years in the doll world, Magia 2000, the artistic duo formed by fashion designer, Mario Paglino and graphic art director, Gianni Grossi, playfully began in 1999. After a few months, playing became collecting, which was soon followed by artistic passion. Their elegant, rich, fully detailed style, which takes a lot of inspiration from Italian couture, has been their distinguishing mark from the start.


Through the years, they attended almost 100 doll conventions around the world, traveling everywhere from Japan, the US, and all over Europe, promoting their brand and passion for doll customization, while generously donating several of their unique creations, which helped raise over $200,000.00 for various charities!


Magia 2000 was the first international design team to attend an Integrity Toys convention back in 2004 and won Judge’s and People’s choice awards at several design competitions afterward. In 2018, they were the first and only to host a Poppy Parker event outside of the US, welcoming designer David Buttry for the unveiling of the exclusive “Ciao!” Poppy Parker convention exclusive doll. Today, Mario and Gianni collaborate with various celebrities and brands and have been featured in multiple media outlets.


About The Final Dolls In This Series



“For the final two dolls of our capsule collection, we wanted to continue with the concept of “day-to-night” fun!
We know how much IT collectors love to play with their dolls, undress them and switch accessories and clothing pieces, therefore, we opted to embrace this facet of collecting as much as possible. We were given the chance to design for two NU. Face characters and we couldn’t be more excited at the opportunity to challenge ourselves by creating extravagant looks for this highly prized, modern, and younger doll collection.

We also jumped at the chance to have Colette and Karolin appear in never-used-before skin tones/hair color combos and incorporate details inspired by the last two cities of the Italian tour, Milan and Rome!"

-Mario & Gianni, Magia 2000









For me, Colette "Runway in Milan" fills the requirements of being different and attractive enough to add to my collection. The two fashions she's shown wearing are very stylish and edgy. I would have liked to see different makeup, but it's supposed to be runway so it makes sense. 

Look at these very early versions of Colette. I like 1.0 better.




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At first glance, Karolin, "Grand Gala in Rome," looks dramatic and appealing. Then I looked at a close-up of her face. She's not for me. Her hair is beautifully styled. The gown has a WOW factor. The mini skirt and high boots are adorable but I'm not a fan of the sculpt. 
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Dolls are available by lottery first. A portion has been set aside for the public. 









10/12/2022

Integrity Toys X Magia 2000 Collaboration: "Summer in Taormina" Vanessa Perrin

 Integrity Toys has unveiled the second of four dolls in their collaboration with Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi. The members of the W Club may enter a "right-to-buy" lottery for "Vanessa in 'Summer in Taormina."

Second in a series of dolls created especially for Integrity Toys, each figure and doll in this series will take fans on an ultra-creative tour of some of Italy's most iconic venues and festivals, as seen through the eyes of fabulous design duo Magia 2000!


Perched on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea on the East Coast of Sicily, with a rich history that pre-dates the arrival of the ancient Greeks, Taormina is well known as a welcoming haven for artists and is one of the top tourist destinations of Italy, attracting visitors from all over the world! Magia 2000’s exciting, fashionable journey through Italy continues as famed Fashion Royalty® top model Vanessa Perrin® visits the gorgeous seaside town, dressed in a glamorous ultra-detailed gown that is filled with symbolism, ready to make a most anticipated appearance at one of the many festivals that happen in town throughout the summer! 








  • 12.5-inch articulated doll with intricately styled, fully rooted hair;
  • Custom printed cocktail gown with extravagant detachable train and ruffle detail at the shoulders;
  • Black velvet bow belt with jeweled heart charm;
  • Black satin bra and panties with lace trim details;
  • Fitted, sheer black petticoat with ruffle detail at the hem;
  • Elaborate "sacred heart" tiara with black lace ruffle accent;
  • Matching "sacred heart" earrings;
  • Red "ruby" ring;
  • "Gold" chain bracelet with tiny lemon charms;
  • Elaborate oversized sunglasses with sculpted heart and flower accents;
  • Pair of black pleather strappy high-heels;
  • Pair of custom-printed platform sandals;
  • Custom embroidered purse;
  • Pair of manicured hands;
  • Alternate pair of "grip" hands;
  • Doll stand;
  • Certificate of authenticity.



  • This is my favorite look. 


    Love those sunglasses!

    A small percentage of the total number of dolls will be offered to the public after the lottery period ends. 

      

    'Beauty marks' were once very popular. Do you know the history?

    The origin of faux-beauty marks lies in the Renaissance, where pale white ladies covered any sort of blemish with a little dark dot. Before this, any blemish on the face was considered the sign of possession by the devil. Women would have to find ways to cover the marks they were born with. However, once the wealthy women in the Renaissance started a trend, the world would follow suit.


    By the 18th century, the beauty mark was a staple to the court of King Louis the XIV. Women and men would cover any blemish with dark makeup to both cover and add more character to their faces. As the trend continued, more elaborate felted marks, sometimes shaped like hearts, stars, or even carriages, became in vogue as a way for the aristocrats to cover blemishes on the face, especially syphilis spots (syphilis was quite common during this time).


    After the French Revolution, most fashion trends were seen as excessive and undesirable. Fashion completely changed by the arrival of the 19th century. Gowns were crisp white muslin with simple Empire waist lines, while faces were expected to be clear and deathly pale. After the Reign of Terror, the death look became very popular. Women would even go so far as to drop mercury in their eyes to get dilated pupils. Because of the shifting trends, the beauty mark was out, and wouldn’t be seen again for years to come.

     

    A minor resurgence in the trend happened during the Edwardian era. Fashion had yet again become as ostentatious and loud as it was during the time of Marie Antoinette. Big hairstyles and even bigger “picture” hats drew the attention to the face. Of course, no woman wanted a blemish on her face, so they looked to the past to find a way to disguise the unwanted guest. These women must have found the patches common in the court of Versailles appealing.

     

    Again, the simple circle wasn’t enough for these modern matrons. Designs of all kinds were seen on the faces of the fashion elite. Like the French satirists before them, modern comics were quick to make fun of the exaggerated shapes of the beauty patches. Similar to the Reign of Terror, the stock market crash halted the trend from continuing, although it seems like the beauty mark had become less and less popular throughout the 1920s.

     

    Marilyn Monroe has made sure the beauty mark would not go away, thanks to the many copycats who want to obtain the starlets “look”. It is not known weather it was a real mark, darkened to enhance and make her face more recognizable, or just drawn on. Still, people associate the above-the- lip mark with Marilyn so much, a piercing above the lip is known as the “Monroe”.


    Marilyn, of course, had plenty of copycats in her day and even after her death. Whenever Madonna really wanted to play the blonde bombshell in the press or in her videos, she would draw on the beauty mark. Super Model Cindy Crawford’s beauty mark was real, and just a little south of where Marilyn’s was. Instead of being ashamed, Cindy embraced the mark and it became her most defining feature.

    Today, people everywhere use the beauty mark to cover up blemishes, sure, but really, to pay homage to the stars they look up to, whether Marilyn, Madonna, or Marie Antoinette.  The beauty mark has really found its place in pop culture and will remain a favorite makeup trick/trend for years to come. 

    Source https://fashionsflashback.com/2017/06/05/the-brazen-beauty-mark/ 

    1/18/2021

    Mothership Dania Zarr™ Dressed Doll The Fashion Royalty® Collection: RETROFUTURE

     Mothership was a W Club exclusive doll offered in December, 2019. Those who pre-ordered experienced the longest delay ever of more than a year before she was actually delivered in January of 2021.

    She does not disappoint!

    Here are  two of IT's promotional photos:



    Gorgeous, right?

    Everything is exactly as it looks. 

    The bodysuit is a weighty metal as is her neckpiece. I have not removed her arm coverings so I'm not sure what they're made of. Her eye shield is a flexible, thin metal item. It's cool for the alien look. if you're going for that, but otherwise it messes up her hair.




    Everything is constructed beautifully except the boots. They are a nightmare. 

    Mine had a part of the surface eaten away by excess glue. Not only that, when I put them on, keeping ALL THE STRAPS OPENED UP, one strap near the front of her foot broke. They do not stand flat on a surface. 

    I have written to customer service for a replacement. They've contacted their factory in China. I suppose I'll be waiting for another year. 


    It took nearly 40 minutes to close the straps on the boots. (There are five straps with buckles on each plus a zipper.) Then I found another defect. One of the buckles was not attached properly so it couldn't be closed at all.  I have the loose straps taped to her leg and/or boot for now.  Sad!


    I like the black coat. The belt that is supposed to fit around the waist of the coat is not large enough. There is a lot of fabric that gets gathered when the belt is on and it just doesn't make it. Of course, if you were to attempt to use that belt, you'd have to remove her bodysuit.


    Both the bodysuit and the neckpiece are two parts that snap together via magnets. They are beautifully polished. The bodysuit is embellished with inset rhinestones front and back. 


    Another design touch I really like is that the earrings are facing forward. So often one has to look at the side of a doll's head to see what the earrings look like. 

    I recommend adding this doll to your collection if you have not done so already. The current average eBay price is just south of $300. It has dropped from about $400 in December.

    Her original price was $175.

    6/29/2018

    Another Hippie Poppy and I Really Don't Care, Do You?

    With so many members of the W Club who weren't even born yet in the 60's and who don't have any idea about what it was like, this doll will be ideal. As far as I'm concerned, she's just another hippie wannabe doll. The one unique thing I see is a hand making the peace sign. Now that's different and it's pretty funny. It looks slightly small but that may just be the photo.
    I must tell you that most 'real' hippies do not have highlighted hair and do not wear eye makeup. But Poppy is not real and I really don't care. She looks as if she really doesn't care either. Do you?




    "Free Spirit" 

    A Little Nazi

    Joni Mitchell-Woodstock (1969 Live)


    I came upon a child of God

    He was walking along the road
    And I asked him, where are you going
    And this he told me
    I'm going on down to Yasgur's farm
    I'm going to join in a rock 'n' roll band
    I'm going to camp out on the land
    I'm going to try an' get my soul free
    We are stardust
    We are golden
    And we've got to get ourselves
    Back to the garden
    Then can I walk beside you

    I have come here to lose the smog
    And I feel to be a cog in something turning
    Well maybe it is just the time of year
    Or maybe it's the time of man
    I don't know who l am
    But you know life is for learning
    We are stardust
    We are golden
    And we've got to get ourselves
    Back to the garden
    By the time we got to Woodstock

    We were half a million strong
    And everywhere there was song and celebration
    And I dreamed I saw the bombers
    Riding shotgun in the sky
    And they were turning into butterflies
    Above our nation
    We are stardust
    Billion year old carbon
    We are golden
    Caught in the devil's bargain
    And we've got to get ourselves
    Back to the garden

    __________________


    "Billion year old carbon...Caught in the devil's bargain"


    12/07/2017

    Integrity Toys "Dolly Days"

    W Club members were offered five opportunities to spend money beginning on 11/27 and ending on 12/1.  This week long event was called "Dolly Days."  
    On Monday, which was also Cyber Monday in the real world, they held a sale of all in-stock items which consisted of replacement doll bodies, older Style Lab dolls and fashions, ITBE dolls, Color Infusion, Katy Keene and AHS: Coven dolls, < MLP, Victoire Roux and select The Industry Dolls. Included as well were select Fashion Royalty and IFDC  2016 dolls,  Jem and The Holograms and a few warehouse finds.
    There is still a load of stuff in the Integrity on-line store which is available to the public here:
    http://www.integritytoys.com/shop20/home.php


    The Second Day was all about Poppy Parker.
    There were three dolls to pre-order from doll dealers and one IT direct via right-to-buy lottery which will take place next March. (Positively Plaid.) This last one is going to be available to 2018 members only so why show it to 2017 members? That is a rhetorical question.

    Here are the dolls:

    $130 Friday Night Frug


    $160 Where It's At



    $130 Hold That Tiger


    $130  Positively Plaid
    I decided a bit too late that I like Hold That Tiger. It's completely sold out everywhere. If anyone who has a pre-order for her and is willing to transfer it to me, please let me know.

    Wednesday was the last Jem and The Holograms collection offering. I won't miss them.

    Shana Elmsford  On-Stage Mini-Giftset 

    $150 AJA Leith On-Stage Mini-Giftset

    $130 Jem  This is Farewell 


    Thursday New bodies were revealed. All were priced at $35. plus shipping.

    I know some collectors are not happy that the low torso joint has been eliminated. That is not an issue for me as I lost a lot underwear as a result of said underwear getting caught in that joint.  




    It's too bad they waited so long to upgrade the Poppy Parker body so she could have a no-ankle-joint look. This is the body I wanted all along as I felt the ankle joint interfered with her overall pretty looks.


    On Friday they finally released an interesting Fashion Royalty offering. This set consists of three heads with busts. Each head is an Adele sculpt from the first through the third.
    I'm tempted but I only like the original head from this set. I am a big fan of the Adele 2.0 (the blonde) but I think this particular one is not as attractive as she could be.
    The Faces of Adele is $200. plus postage. You get one full body and to additional busts with heads and all the clothing and accessories seen below. For an additional $30. you get two sets of body parts seen by scrolling down.









    Of course, the more I look at it, the more I want it. Sigh. I suppose I could just keep Adele 1.0 and sell everything else...unless they look better in person. I wish 2.0 and 3.0 were wearing wigs.


    From the offering:
    At the W Club, we always try to think about what the collectors' feedback might be on each offering and anticipate as many needs as we can, as well as create solutions when we are able to. While "The Faces of Adèle" is meant to be a quick switch set & while each of the busts/portraits included with the set can be easily switched on the included body by simply disconnecting the arms and lower torso, we know that many collectors will still want 3 separate dolls. So, we spoke to Integrity and got approval to offer you an optional "Body Completer" pack sold separately that includes two sets of arms (with hands attached) and two lower torsos with legs attached, that will allow you to assemble all three dolls in this gift set into complete dolls for the added low price of only $30 + S & H per set!
    Again, this is an optional offering. If you complete the dolls, they will no longer be able to use the Museum Podium Stand, which is designed specifically to display one doll and 2 busts, not 3 complete dolls. This extra offer is not directly part of the initial gift set and is only being offered as courtesy.
    A deposit of $15 is required now to pre-order this body completer pack (these are not full replacement bodies) and 1 optional body completer pack per membership is allowed. You will be contacted to pay the remaining $15 balance closer to their arrival at the warehouse. Otherwise, the same timing and procedures as listed above apply. 

    $30. for both.
    ____________________

    This has been a great year for Adele Makeda in my collection. I like the styling and the beautiful fashions of the first two dolls below and I like the innovation of the giftset. 

    Exquisite Adele - Coming soon, I  hope.


    "Frosted Glamour" Adele Makeda    Gala Dinner Event Centerpiece Doll


     2017 4th W Club Doll  Adele Makeda Gift Set