The Fashion Royalty theme is Urban Safari.
From left to right they are:
On The Rise Elise Jolie,
Vivid Encounter Adele Makeda,
Elusive Creature Natalia Fatale,
Faded Desert Kyori Sato,
City Prowl Eugenia Perrin Frost and
Full Spectrum Veronique Perrin
All the dolls are editions of 700 or 800 each except Adele which is an edition of only 400. Each doll's retail price is $135., a bit of a hike from last year's FR dolls. These have the FR2 version 2 body.
The last doll is the event doll available to any W Club member who wishes to pre-order. The edition size in this circumstance will be determined by those who sign up to buy her. She is High Visibility Agnes Von Weiss. It is a mini gift set as she comes with two fashions. She, too, retails for $135. but will not be available to the public.
Agnes' fashion leaves me cold. The cropped vest over the bustier is fussy and awkward and probably too bulky for the doll to wear. The long skirt is just like another early FR outfit. But Agnes is a very popular sculpt so many will order her.
I like Veronique's outfit a lot but it's not worth $135. I would not keep the doll as this is not Veronique to me.
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The Poppy Parker line gains four new characters, not all with new sculpts. The theme is the Girl From I.N.T.E.G.R.I.T.Y. Apparently they are crime fighters (or murderers) as all come with color coordinated weapons. Seriously?
Four others, above are from left to right: Agent Lotta Danger, Spy-A-Go-Go, Arm Candy Chip Farnsworth III and Mayhem in Monte Carlo Poppy Parker.
The dolls and their outfits are cutesy. The entire Poppy Parker line is on the comical side of tongue in cheek. They need to be careful not to turn them into action figures as opposed to fashion dolls. The price of each doll in this line is $120. That's a huge increase over last year's prices. Perhaps it's the tiny guns.
I like Arm Candy's suit a lot. It's a very gay James Bond look. I just don't care for Chip's sculpt. I'm wondering if Lex Lawrence is a combination of features seen previously. He's got very strange eyes.
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There are four new Tulabelle dolls. Each is an edition of 300 and costs $140. Tula's clothes will fit the Avantguard doll. I don't have any FR16 dolls but the clothes are very similar in size.
Click on any of the photos to see larger size versions.
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Jem and the Holograms
The Jem line dolls are action figures to me. They wear costumes, not fashion.
To each his own.
Each doll is $125.
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What is your opinion of the offerings?
Please include your name in your posts...if you dare. :-)
I love the action figure accessories of the Poppy line! I will keep the guns and catsuit, sell the rest. I don't think the face-ups could stand on their own if not in the theme. I wish the hands would hold the guns, but I'm very glad to have guns in Poppy's scale. I'm also glad to have a different color Poppy body because that is my favorite body--just because it is the most similar to an action figure! For the FR line--I think these dolls are really cool. If Poppy is kitschy spy, then FR is full-on 2014 spy women. I did order Elise (it's so hard/expensive to get her secondary market) and although it's not Vero to you, I really like the variety in hair! I ordered her and I'm excited to see a short haired glamorous girl. The Jem dolls are great for representations of the show. I think fans of the show must be so thrilled. My 7 year old daughter had been playing with curly haired Jem from In Stitches non-stop! We watched the Jem show on Netflix. Many Monster High doll shoes fit her. So, it has some retail store excitement also. All in all, really great! I think this collection surpasses last year when I didn't order anything that wasn't Poppy. Great blog, as always! As an aside, I am no expert on fashion or dolls! So, these are just opinions. Don!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your input, Don. Glad to hear the excitement new dolls bring.
DeleteSince I've become so selective in my doll buying, and I only collect Poppys & Misakis from Integrity, I was pretty safe from purchasing anything. Until I saw the silver haired Poppy head in the Loni set. I HAD to have her, so that's all I preordered. I plan on keeping the Poppy head & the body & (hopefully) selling off everything else in one lot. That should (again hopefully) offset the cost of the set. The other dolls were OK, but I don't buy dolls that are "OK" anymore, especially since the price is now around $30.00 higher.
ReplyDeleteI think that those of us who have been collecting for years are all being very selective now. I ordered that Poppy set, too.
DeleteUnless you're independently wealthy, there really isn't any choice any more. I don't know anyone who can afford to just buy what they want, prices are through the roof, I remember posting in a Misaki thread last year about the fact that I didn't understand why Poppy Parker was so much cheaper than Misaki when they basically had the same body, & Poppy actually came with more stuff. With this big price increase on Poppy, I'm worried about what they'll want for the next Misaki.
DeleteMay consider the Poppy Parker line, but do like that Elise, too. Yes, I know it's Integrity. Loved the original Adele sculpt, but like her gown here.
ReplyDeleteSteve my Dear...stick with Gene. It's safer. Hehe.
DeleteTerri
I love the Tulabelle line. My favorite is the little lady with the gold trench (didn't catch the name of that one). I don't collect the 12" girls, but it looks like a nice enough collection. I think the Poppy Park line is very cute. I think for Jem fans who grew up in the 80's watching those cartoons these dolls are very appealing. They are very much a niche collectible.
ReplyDeleteThe Tulabelle body is different from the FR16 body. The FR16 girls are a little fuller in the chest and hips. Some things they can share, but not pants. Some of FR16 tops are slightly too large on Tula. The Poppy 16 girls share the same body, so those girls can exchange clothes. The FR16, Tulabelle, and Poppy 16 all have the same feet so they can all share shoes. The Tonner Deja Vu girls can wear Tula and Poppy 16 clothes as well, since they have very similar proportions. The Deja Vu girls can't share the shoes however.
-Tracy
Thank you, Tracy, for the size info.
DeleteI agree that the collections are very nice but not stellar. I personally like that the Poppy line looks so coherent and definitely true to the theme of vintage spy movies.
ReplyDeleteI personally only wanted Agnes, the "agent" Poppy and Elise but got confirmed only for Poppy (and no confirmation is necessary for Agnes). After collecting FR for a few years now I learned to live with this... if they do not want my money I will just carry it somewhere else.
I have a lot of beautiful FR dolls by now and I am definitely over paying inflated (scalping) prices on the secondary market. If I cannot get a doll from my dealer or by lottery I normally won't buy it any more. Collecting got a lot more relaxed this way (and of course I felt inspired by the crazy market to look around for other dolls).
Nina: We both collect other dolls now and I'm not so sure that it's exactly relaxing but I, too, don't get frenzied over the FR releases. Honestly, I don't even want more Fashion Royalty dolls. I want gorgeous clothes for the dolls I already have.
DeleteT
It's not always relaxing ;) But at least with the higher costs of 16" dolls, scalping seems to be a lot less attractive. I know every collector has a different perspective on this but for me personally it was so bothersome that it destroyed part of the fun I used to have with these dolls. It's a personal thing and I am just drawing my own consequences.
DeleteHi Terri - Lex looks familiar because it is actually the Francisco Leon sculpt! :)
ReplyDeleteAha! I knew I recognized him. Thank you, Stratos.
DeleteYou're welcome dear :)
DeleteAt the Q&A portion of the presentation, it was explained that it was not economically viable to make separate outfits or furniture any more. Those days are over, it seems.
ReplyDeleteFran in NYC
That's kind of sad as the FR furniture was truly beautiful. I had all of it and a few pieces remain in my collection.
DeleteTerri
IF I had ever been fortunate enough to see, hold, own a doll like a Sybarite or a JamieShow resin Gene, I think my love for IT dolls would wane greatly. The mass-produced dolls are probably NOT a huge draw for collectors in the upper tier price market.
ReplyDeleteI see it as- We are on a doll continuum of quality and details. The defining lines are the price points for me.
I can save and buy one Sybarite or two a year, or I can stock a cabinet with IT almost to the point of being full every year. Then there are the extremely loyal " B" fans- they can buy twice as many dolls as I can, on average, because most "B" dolls are in the $30 price range.
I'm on the fence about " moving up" because I have a doll dealer who wants to sell Sybs to me and who wants to see me get into the higher priced market... Our dolls are our drug, I think. :)
With that out of the way, I liked 5 of the dolls well enough to purchase them from the previews. I won't be buying any of these dolls on the secondary market because I got what I liked.
The main thing which impressed me was a minor thing, probably. It was that the W Club upgrade Vanessa and Poppy are part of the theme of this large release. I appreciated the fact that there is cohesiveness to the group as a whole. The last few years' upgrade dolls have been disappointing. These should be " cute" but not stand outs on their own, most likely.
I liked and bought the event Agnes. Most of my Agnii are W Club dolls. I'm fine with the features of this doll for the price point.
Out of the Urban Safari collection, I bought Natalia and Kyori. I think they are the two which go with the theme the most, and although this is the first time I've ever CARED what the " theme" is, it has been fun to see what was created and pick and choose favorites.
I am a huge fan of the old Vero in cream and pastels such as Lush Life many years ago and the Power Plate Vero. So Agnes, Kyori and Natalia appeal to me because in one way or another, they pay homage to the old FR couture.
I bought Poppy Lotta Danger because she's novel. She will kind of go with the upgrade doll ( especially if one of the boxes has the theme written on it and can be positioned in the background).
I bought Poppy Spy A Go-Go because I love the colors and I think she's very pretty.
Didn't pay much attention to Tulabelle, because I don't collect her, and like Terri said, to me, the Jem dolls are not really collectible dolls IMO. She sees them as action figures- I see them as a bad joke about the entire decade of the 80's. Cartoon characters even in doll format. I HOPE this is the last time I have to look at them and hear how fun and fabulous and awesome they are- because they are tacky.
Oh, and I thought the little colored guns in the Poppy collection are just fun and funny- not meant to make a statement at all.. I don't think they will be nearly as noticeable as Night Warrior's Samurai sword. :) Lilly
I own Sybarites, Jamieshows and other resin BJDs and I still like many of the 12" vinyl dolls. It's a disease. :-)
DeleteTerri
My primary collection focus is 50s/60s fashion, especially mod, so of course I am a Poppy fan. I agree with you though about the line staying as a fashion doll -- after the "dolls of world" type theme last year, and the spy show this year, it is drifting into costume territory. I'm wondering since it is her anniversary whether there will be another Poppy line this year (besides the convention dolls). Stuck to Poppy this year as I am trying to focus my collecting for monetary, space and happiness reasons. Or so tell myself!! Laura
ReplyDeleteWe tell ourselves the same thing...over and over.
DeleteT
Hi Terri,
ReplyDeleteI got the event doll - Agnes. I love her hair and lip color. Another plus was the edition size is ultimately decided by the amount pre-ordered. For me, I do pay attention to the edition # and is a factor in my selection. I would have ordered Poppy with the head switch, but with the edition size I passed. If I do decide to get her later she may be a little more, but not enough to get her now. I do love FR. I cannot get into the Sybs at all. To me they look so harsh - not beautiful or glamorous. Just harsh. I think I can honestly say I have never seen a Syb I liked. Probably good thing too ($). Debra
Sybs used to look awful to me, too. But so did Silkstones. Tastes change. Who knows how you will feel in 5 years. Uh oh...
DeleteWell I'm a child of the 80s and a big fan of Jem (always loved the cartoon and Jem's punk rock look), so of course I had no choice at all but to get the Jem dolls once again. I especially LOVE Regine (so so cute with the Janay sculpt, and her outfit is adorable and so ridiculously 80s). I also love how they pulled off Clash and both of her "looks" and so relieved they didn't use wigs. Video was a little boring for me, and Danse (although I like her a lot better now that I've seen Alain's out of box pix) - but I still couldn't NOT get them, and I don't even know where I am going to put them...
ReplyDeleteOverspending on Jem made me want to resist any other dolls, but I will confess I was sorely tempted by the Poppy in the black leather get-up, and the Elise in the orange dress (mostly for the dress). LUCKILY by the time I decided to get them and contacted my dealer, they had sold out! So just as well, I want to save up for Hadrian anyway, and also have my eye on a Marmite Sue which will also hurt - Sarah
I'm not familiar with Marmite Sue. I'll have to look her up.
DeleteT
As with all collections, some things I like, and other things, not so much.
ReplyDeleteMy main focus is the FR line. I liked some of the outfits. Agnes first outfit was interesting and I was drawn to it more than the others. Eugenia's outfit was also a stand out to me. What I didn't understand was the gowns with the Urban Safari theme. Especially Agnes's. Another mermaid gown\skirt? Yawn. I do like Adele's gown and Elise's, but again, I didn't understand how that went with the theme. As well as Veroniques' red dress. Although, I really did like this Vero alot. She seemed fresh with her sassy new short do and make up pallet. I wish there had been some pants added. Natalia was a complete miss for me, as was Kyori. Their over exaggerated cat eyes seemed to be a bit over done. Their outfits were Ok. But not stand-outs to me. Some of the dolls lip colors seemed to a bit off as well. Especially Agnes and Adele. Someone at the Webinar stated that this was the most cohesive collection to date. Vero stood out like a sore thumb with that bright red dress. I don't find that look combined with the others, cohesive. All in all, I think it was a good collection and much more interesting than last years reveal.
Poppy Parker line was cute. But I don't do cute.
Tulabelles' outfits were very nice and I liked them alot. I think IT stepped it up with this line here. Although the sculpt isn't quite right for me. Her eyes seem to be very far apart.
Jem? I hope those fans are quite happy. But it's a line I don't collect. So I don't have an opinion one way or the other.
Kevin
Thanks for your input, Kevin. It was Vaughan who said that Jason told him it was the most cohesive collection so far. I do think the Vaughan reined in his often out-of-control tendencies. Refer to the convention year before last. That was a nightmare. This is when collectors started complaining that Jason's influence is nowhere to be seen. They heard that.
DeleteAs far as the gowns - it's the color that they are leaning on for a safari theme. They weren't going to do a camouflage gown. Hehe. That would have been funny.
I really can't say anything that hasn't already been said...but I did enjoy seeing the FR and Poppy collections on a whole. Something for everyone as a good friend always says.
ReplyDeleteI don't collect Tulabelle but I love seeing her fashions...they are always so 'on trend'.
I really enjoyed viewing the Poppys and all the "new" characters but I guess my OCD still sees Colette and Ayumi as NuFace models and can't wrap my head around them on short bodies with jointed ankles. lol
I do not care for the male characters so that's that. lol
In the end...I only ordered "Lotta Danger" because she's a bit of a departure from the normal MOD looks.
I think the stylized 'droopy eye screening which I didn't care for the first time around...kept me from ordering more?
The FR line is really nice but nothing wowed me personally. Again, the eye screenings bothered me and weren't my taste...mostly because of large blocky areas of color and very large irises to the point of barely seeing the whites of their eyes. I felt like the lashes were positioned downward to hide the actual eye area, if that makes any sense...?
I did order Veronique and Eugenia because they seemed less like the theme and had an edgier look - more urban than safari. ;)
The others just seemed to be too deliberately safari except for Elise who was beautiful but I do not collect that character.
Lastly, Agnes was pre-ordered as well, but I'll reserve any opinions until I see her in person...the jury is still out on the screening...that's all I'll say.
;)
Remember, these are only my personal viewpoints on what I saw and in NO way am I trying to force an opinion. Just like buying a car or a home (and pretty soon we'll need loans and mortgages to afford these little divas)...it's very subjective and a matter of taste.
Vin
Vin, darling...everything is subjective except when some crackpot takes it personally. I, too, placed an order larger than expected. I think I may be the only person on earth who ordered Sebastien Havoc. I love his outfit and if I don't like his face/hair, I'm sure I'll be able to sell him nude. I ordered Elise - how could I not? I love that sculpt. I loved the Tulabelle clothes and I have to admit I ordered Player Slayer. I do not like her face and I doubt she'll live here for long. I, too, ordered Agnes...who knows?
DeleteTerri