The dolls - blonde, blue-eyed and very white.
Stage Presence
Véronique Perrin® Dressed Doll (W Club Luncheon Centerpiece)
At the Saturday banquet it was announced that next year's convention will take place in Chicago.
The one character I would have wanted to buy is probably going to be the most difficult doll to obtain so I don't know if I'll try. There are 450 of them so she's not exactly 'rare.' I have lots of trades I can make for one but I'll just go and play with my Kingdom Dolls and forget all about her. Apparently Elyse is the new Vanessa.
Starlet Elyse Jolie™ Dressed Doll (Gala Dinner Centerpiece)
Karolin Stone™ Dressed Doll (Main Souvenir Doll)
A new character being introduced in the Nu. Face collection, Ms. Karolin Stone, an intriguing and secretive model and actress with an eye for drama and a flair for fashion!
Opinion:
My overall impression of the offerings are very positive towards the dolls and their fashions. The least appealing dolls IMO were the Poppy Parkers except for the centerpiece doll and the OOAK. The Color Infusion male dolls rocked as did the workshop male. It goes to show you that a doll for $45. wearing a $35. outfit can be fabulous.
I'm not an Agnes fan but Vaughn's OOAK and the mini gift set were excellent.
A friend of mine told me yesterday that he spent $3000. so far. That's a lot of dolls.
I'm sure most attendees went home happy and loaded with dolls to keep and to sell.
What was your overall impression of the product?
Favorite? Least favorite? Quality?
Terri, I've been hearing that Jason Wu didn't attend, didn't produce the Wu- inspired doll that he said in 2014 would close the conventions to come, and no mention was made of him at all by the IT team.
ReplyDeleteDo you know if these statements are accurate, and what is your impression?
I wouldn't want to go to a future convention where there was absolutely no Wu- inspired creation.
I'm surprised and not surprised at the same time. He's distanced himself from the dolls in many ways. No mention either? It's done. LOL
DeleteThe end of an era.
DeleteWell, he is in the news as receiving a fashion award that night (Wu) so I think that is what he was up to. They did say during the workshop that he was still involved with the design and approval of the FR line.
DeleteI really think that saying he was involved with the design can be interpreted in many ways. He may still have an economic stake in the company. They may be basing their designs on his fashions but if anyone thinks that he's actually designing doll clothes...they are dreaming.
DeleteI get that Jason Wu is a very talented designer, and that he was one of the creative forces behind the original concept of Fashion Royalty, but he actually has succeded outside the fashion doll bussiness and is great for him and all but I don't get collectors who interpret this as an omen of inferior design or automatic dismiss of the FR line. Yeah. he had new opportunities, great for him, goodbye. That doesn´t mean that all old was better and all new sucks. There are still a lot of talented designers out there, and at the end of things my loyalty is with the toy company, not because I think is the best (like some cheerleaders) but because I'm a Fashion Doll collector, not an actual fashion buyer. (heck I'll spend 150 dlls on any doll instead of 2000 for a jacket.)
DeleteKay
I agree that Jason Wu is successful and more power to him, as they say. The product did suffer as a result of his departure or because of the failure of the designers at that time. Around the time of the "Iconic" convention, they picked themselves up by the bootstraps and got it back together for a while. There are lapses and mistakes amidst the successful dolls. I don't agree with being loyal to a company no matter what. I buy what I love. It was not easy to transition away from IT but I found something I wanted more. I still love my 12" dolls and enjoy redressing them, etc. But, I don't have loyalty to any company. I use my judgment about my purchases. Occasionally I make impulsive mistakes. I'm working on that!
DeleteOh yeah I meant I stay loyal to my hobby wich is collecting dolls, not to the designer because he clearly is looking forward to new and different things that I don't follow or use, wich is not bad per se, but I'm kind of bothered by the implications that he WAS the company and without him everything is going to crumble to pieces. Of course the company makes horrible mistakes, Jet Set convention anyone? :shudders: but beautiful dolls is what I enjoy, not a signature or trademark.
DeleteThanks for clearing that up.
DeleteT
I agree that there is no way he is designing the outfits. His career has taken off and there is simply no way he'd have that kind of time.
DeleteThough I could not attend this year's convention and attended last year's GLOSS convention, I thought this year's dolls were beautifully done on the fashion more so than last year with the dreadful 70's so I don't see why this year's attendees have complained about this convention doll- new character, new look. She's different and lovely in an old Hollywood glamour and I have heard some derogatory comments on her. She looks a bit like Madra or Gene without the makeup. My least favorite is the Starlet Elyse but because of the embarrassing ace bandage dress with pockets she is channeling from the premiere of the Mummy she has going on there.....covering up the unmentionables. I love the doll and would love to see her redressed in a stunning gown with that hair. To put her in that awful see through nightmare is just well, blinding...lol. But overall I think the Agnes giftset was wonderful. And the CI dolls were tops.. Integrity did alot of work on this convention line!
ReplyDeleteYour review has made me look a little more closely at Elyse's dress. It is scandalous to say the least.
DeleteI've also heard derogatory remarks about the convention souvenir. She didn't look bad to me. However, to introduce a new sculpt as the event doll is rather cruel.
You think so? Agnes, Natalia and Tatyana where all introduced as Convention souvenir dolls, Ifind it pretty normal from IT.
DeleteI hated that Tatyana and her ridiculous outfit.
DeleteThe first Agnes previewed at a W Club event held at FAO NOT at a convention.
The MFD FR Convention Natalia was gorgeous.
And, if you wish to continue this discourse you will have to sign your name.
T
Sorry, my name is Luis, I thought that Concerto in M Agnes was the Convention doll from the Hi-Fi collection, though I may be wrong, apparently a lot of people hated her, too at first.
DeleteSo many loved her that collectors were promised she'd never be "just" a regular line doll.
DeleteOh, and Elise (or Elyse) was also introduced as a convention, doll. Personally I find this Karoline doll unappealing but the amount of hate she's recieveing is ridiculous I mean she was "free" in the convention package lol It's a good way of lowering expectations after the truly spectacular Agnes from last year and Elise (or Elyse- why they keep changing it?) the year before.
ReplyDeleteSad. :-(
DeleteStage Presence is def my favorite!!! The Poppy dolls are god awful to me. Part of me however feels that everything has started looking the same tho. Like, seriously how many trumpet skirts or halter top gowns do we need. We're is the detail? Dunno... IT continues to try and 'wow' but these past few years they crank out more and more dolls, maybe to meet demand, but quality and intimacy that existed just 3-5 years ago with accessories like lingerie, jewelry, purses, tiny buckles and soled shoes has been sacrificed. I really miss that.
ReplyDeleteI don't collect FR/NuFace/Hommes, but I do collect Poppy Parker. I am glad to say that while I may find some of the dolls attractive, I have no urge to own any of them. I'm also amazed at the amount of dolls released at just this one convention, why are there so many? Do the collectors really want this many dolls at one time? I hate it when 2 dolls I bought arrive on the same day, this many dolls would just be too much for me. I wonder how many more dolls they're planning on releasing during the rest of the year?
ReplyDeleteAre collectors so different from the way we were a few years ago? Going home with six dolls was wonderful. It was enough.
DeleteJust posting again because I forgot to check the notify me box
ReplyDeleteIt's hit or miss now. The higher quantity of dolls has hurt the brand IMO. There are more Poppy dolls this year than Barbies it seems. It's like IT is hoping for the brand to spread in popularity via eBay. Have you seen how many convention dolls are being resold? Years ago you could sell almost any FR for much more than the retail price. Now it's hard to get retail on most of the dolls. I'm so glad I don't care anymore. I love the FR dolls I have.
ReplyDeleteI don;t think it has to do with higher quantity as much as hier price. The dolls retail at nearly 145 (because of tax) so the resale value has to be high if you want to make money off of them, and most people don't want to pay the mark ups. So people are forced to sell close to retail, which reduces the resale value of the dolls.
DeletePoppy is very popular, however, and I am happy they are upping the edition sizes. Was really getting tired of seeing 400 dolls made for 3000 people.
I think the collection was stunning. I loved and bought nearly every doll, except for the males, as i do not collect them. I was very impressed. There were a few flops, like centerpiece Adele. A friend of mine told me that no one at her table wanted her when they had the opportunity to buy her. I know I passed along my opportunity to another member.
ReplyDeleteThe convention doll is a huge disappointment. I doubt more than 5 people like her. It almost seemed like they had forgotten about her, and she was more of an after thought, because she was introduced after they had the design team on stage and thanking everyone and closing the event. I mean they closed the event, said their goodbyes and then talked about the doll for exactly 8 seconds....like oh yeah by the way she is your doll, bye. it seemed rushed. Also, no welcome doll, no helper dolls. Jason Wu was a no show and they did not even explain why.
Overall a great convention. These are some of the best dolls in my opinion and I am very happy. Everyone worked hard. I loved it...
I'm very surprised to hear the reaction to the event doll and how she was almost overlooked.
DeleteI have to be honest, I didn't like this convention at all. I found it worse than Tropicalia, my prior least favorite event.
ReplyDeleteEven Elise didn't even move me. Don't like her hair (seriously hate) & the see through dress looks unfinished. I like Agnes mold, but disliked the eye screening used this time.
I did like Giselle.
The finale doll was not worthy of that honor, and I would have been very upset if I attended and that was what I was given as the souvenir doll. I'm sorry, she is hideous IMO. The high forehead and uneven hairlines on the produced dolls just makes it worse.
Nothing could have been worse than Tropicalia...but I get where you're coming from. Quantity over quality seems to be the theme.
DeleteWhile i disagree that this was the worst convention - I find it one of the best just doll wise, albeit terrible in terms of the very few numbers of souvenir dolls we got (3 really? - and one being this terrible Karolin Stone) - i agree that Karolin Stone is seriously the ugliest doll I have ever seen. She looks like a man trying to dress up as a woman who wonders how a men would dress if he were a woman.
DeleteI also agree that she is not worthy of the honor of being called the official convention doll. This convention is not the worst convention in my opinion, but Karolin Stone is the worst convention doll ever. The room was silent when she was shown - and I think that says it all, no matter how many people are trying to talk themselves into liking her by claiming she is "different". Yeah different hideous....:)
I do not see any A A dolls.
ReplyDeleteNadja. There was also Adele and Dominique. This is the first time that all three have made an appearance at a Convention together.
DeleteI really loved that Agnes set. The doll is gorgeous and I love that reproduction Marlene Dietrich suit! She looks so vintage lesbian :D The welcome fashion was also a Marlene Dietrich outfit- which I thought was pretty neat. I want to force myself to sell her since she is selling for so high right now, and she could help offset future KDs, but... I haven't been able to force myself to do it yet. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteI also really loved the Elyse. She has a pretty face and I love her unusual runway-style fashion. I don't have a problem with the fact that it is translucent in places- it looks like plenty of Wu's recent designs. I guess if you look like a fashion doll it doesn't matter how much your outfit reveals. She looks really nice.
I thought Naja was gorgeous, but her outfit boring, and was a little disappointed that Eden came in her skivvies. I loved Adele's fashion but not her face. I liked that Giselle was wearing a nice suit and had short hair- but haven't decided whether or not to keep her yet.
I didn't like any of the Poppies much. I thought Lilith was cute but sold her before the convention even started. I swapped Kumi for a grail doll and felt guilty about it.
I like but don't love Vanessa- it is neat she is wearing an outfit from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes- but she isn't at the top of my list so space and lack of funds require she get the boot soon.
I kind of like the new doll, but was disappointed we didn't get something as awesome as Intimate Reveal Agnes. Alain did talk about her a while, and it sounds like they knew it was a risk to reveal her. I disagree that they "almost forgot" to mention her. Alain told this entire ridiculous story about how they were looking for a new face, bla bla bla. There was clapping when she was revealed but it was definitely not the screaming that some of the other dolls earned. I think she is kind of pretty and like that they are trying a new sculpt. The problem I had was that for the main event doll, especially for a double anniversary year, her fashion was very very boring. I was disappointed we didn't get something as special as Intimate Reveal Agnes... although I guess the main collection Agnes was pretty great, so I think it balanced out a bit.
Will we see you in Orlando next October for KD? That's the new face, my dear. :-)
DeleteOh yeah I won't miss the KD event! There is no doubt in my mind the dolls will be spectacular... (not a fan of Orlando though, so might try to tack on a vacation to the Keys or something)
DeleteI don't like Orlando either. We've been there way too many times. But we have lots of family in south FL and will visit them.
DeleteWho is the Chan family? They came out of nowhere. Alain said something about special guests, but then they were part of the helpers and appeared later on stage with the family. Are they a new party to the company? New stakeholders?
ReplyDeleteRegarding the Karolin: the fact that she is being dumped on ebay for under $150 says everything we need to know about how she was received. Worst convention doll ever. I don't blame them for being almost embarrassed to introduce her and waiting until the last minute to do so.
$150. Seriously? I've never heard of a convention doll selling at such a low price. What was so horrid about her. I thought she looked like the unattractive FR2 Ayumi from 2 years ago but some people liked that doll.
DeleteOkay- actually I have recently reversed course completely on the Stone doll. Wearing the "Nightshade" Color Infusion outfit- she could TOTALLY be "Dark" Emma Swan from that silly (but enjoyable) show Once Upon a Time. Now I'm totally excited about this doll and can't wait to get her jacket to complete her "look!"
ReplyDeleteI would in no way say the Cinematic dolls and outfits were terrible but they just weren't exciting. There was so little colour and so much black. I don't even see the "cinematic" connection or inspiration (except for the Grace Kelly Eugenia and Marilyn Monroe Vanessa). It would have been perfect to showcase a few red carpet gowns, but none of the pieces were red carpet worthy in my opinion. Tasteful but no wow factor and there was an odd mix of vintage looking pieces mixed with contemporary styles. It just didn't gel in my opinion.
ReplyDelete