Integrity Toys' New Dolls

On Saturday, January 26. 2013 members of the W Club were invited to a webinar during which new dolls were described and shown.

Not all of IT's doll lines were included in this reveal. The most popular appears to be the new Funny Face collection designed by Chris Stoeckel. These dolls and fashions are based on the 1957 movie by the same name that stars Audrey Hepburn and  Fred Astaire. In a brilliant move, the designers decided to give each doll in the new line a different sculpt. And, instead of having a bunch of single dressed Poppy Parker-faced dolls, several of the dolls are mini-giftsets and full giftsets. The focus is on the fashion and although none of the designs is original, Stoeckl has interpreted them very nicely.

Here are several of the images with which we were presented.

Jo Stockton "Take the Picture"

Maggie Prescott's Assistant "Think Pink"

Dovima as Marion "A Woman Who Thinks"

Jo Stockton "On How To Be Lovely"

Jo Stockton "Bonjour Paris"

Maggie Prescott "The Quality Woman"

There is a lottery for another gift set. This one is called "Let's Kiss and Make Up." It looks like a fabulous gift set consisting of three complete outfits and lots of accessories. Also included is a little dog. It's not a poodle but we'll over look that fact.

I need this giftset and will be very disappointed if I am not amongst the lottery entrants who is picked. VERY disappointed.

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Another reveal was this year's Dynamite Girls designed by David Buttry. Entitled "London Calling,"  the collection consists of 7 dolls each priced at $65.  I didn't care for any of the four girls; their outfits are pedestrian. But, the two male dolls are fabulous.The layering, attention to detail and edgy styling is clear in the guys and missing from the girls.

Kyu

Cruz

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Integrity's 16" doll line has morphed into Tulabelle. The backstory sounds like a fantasy from Cosmo magazine. Here's the promo text from Integrity Toys:

Every once in a while, you meet a character that is so special and unique that you can't forget her. That's Tulabelle! She's a young influential fashion blogger and the go-to expert for the latest in trends for young fashionistas around the world. Tulabelle comes from a long line of fashion insiders and has inherited her family's extensive archive of clothing from the beginning of the 20th century to today. The highlight of the collection consists of some amazing pieces from her famous model grandmother, Poppy Parker! Whether she's hanging out with friends at her favorite thrift store or sitting front row at the hottest runway show, Tulabelle is always at the forefront of style.

There are 6 dressed dolls in the collection, one of which is a "basic" priced at $115. The others are priced at $150. 

I have previously written that I prefer sophisticated looking doll sculpts more than the teen look. I think it's sad that the giant Poppy dolls and these gals have replaced the Avantguard line. They could have kept the sculpts and used the improved body. As a collector who spans both the 16" and 12" groups, I know many who loved the AG sculpts and would buy them again. But I believe IT caters to it's post-Barbie collectors who tend to prefer more youthful looks. 

That being said, I did like one of the Tulabelles very much...enough to pre-order her! 

Calling this doll "Yeti to Wear" — dorky — but I like the fashion. Hopefully the bangs come out flat enough to stay on her forehead. I'm curious about the body as I've not seen it yet. I don't think her fashion will fit any of my 16" dolls but we'll see.

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The other new dolls revealed are three Holograms from the Jem and the Holograms line.

Since I am not one of the former television watchers of this cartoon, I have no connection there. To me they look trashy. IMO, there is no fashion, just costume, all for $119. each. Lest I forget, you get a detailed plastic guitar.

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Jem and The Holograms

Jem, also called Jem and the Holograms, is an American animated television series that ran from 1985 to 1988 in U.S. first-run syndication. The show is about music company owner Jerrica Benton, her singer alter-ego Jem, her band the Holograms, and their adventures. 
The series was a joint collaboration by Hasbro, Marvel Productions and Sunbow Productions, the same team responsible for G.I. Joe and Transformers.  The creator of the series, Christy Marx, had also been a staff writer for the aforementioned programs. The animation for most of the episodes was provided by the Japanese animation studio Toei Doga (now Toei Animation). -Wikipedia

Presented below is the "First Wave" of Integrity Toy's new Jem and the Holograms doll line.
The editions of all the dolls is 1000 except for Rio whose production size is 850.

Classic Jem

Jerrica Benton

Synergy This doll appears to use the Elise Jolie sculpt.

Rio Pacheco

Each retails for $119. The girls are 12" and Rio is 12.5" 

Photo Credits
Promotional Poster - Hasbro
Four Dolls - Integrity Toys

http://www.integritytoys.com/jemandtheholograms/about.php

Jem and the Holograms

Hasbro, Inc. and Integrity Toys, Inc. have partnered to produce a line of Jem and the Holograms dolls. The price range is projected to be $125.

JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS Special Edition Doll: HOLLYWOOD JEM 

The image above is Jem. She will launching at 2012 Comic-Con International in San Diego. This doll will be available for purchase at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth #3329 during Comic-Con International in San Diego at an approximate retail price of $125 and following the convention, at www.HasbroToyShop.com.

Hasbro and Integrity Toys are in business to make money. That's the bottom line.

Marketing gobbledygook:

"As children of the 80's ourselves, working on this project with the Hasbro team was a dream come true for our entire team. JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS has been a major influence for us," says Alain Tremblay, marketing director of Integrity Toys, Inc.  

 

"We wanted to remain true to the spirit of the original doll line, while paying homage to the animated series, which is something that we as JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS fans always wanted through the years," says Vaughn Sawyers, Integrity's head designer.

Bryony Bouyer, Sr. VP, Global Franchise Development for Hasbro said: "We wanted to pay homage to the characters and offer collectible dolls to fans that would showcase the essence of their favorite characters.  We admire the high quality dolls produced by Integrity Toys, so this relationship made perfect sense."

Not being a child of the 80's or a fan of Jem and the Holograms, I know absolutely nothing about this cartoon, these characters or the animated series. I looked it up on Wikipedia and learned it ran from 1985 to 1988. "The show is about music company owner Jerrica Benton, her singer alter-ego Jem, her band the Holograms, and their adventures."

Most of Hasbro's action figures sell for well under $20. There are a few playsets for under $35.  

  

 In my biased opinion, this doll has a Pink Box Barbie Aesthetic. $125. Seriously?

Links which may be of interest:

http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/10/06/ten-truly-outrageous-jem-and-the-holograms-toys/

http://thisisnotheavymetal.tumblr.com/post/635326249/barbie-vs-jem-plastic-baggage-is-still-baggage

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jem_episodes

http://www.jemdolls.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR2FVm4_x_0

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=jem+and+the+holograms+dolls

http://www.ghostofthedoll.co.uk/Toys_Jem.htm

http://jemgirl.com/jemgirl/home.html

http://www.pranceatron.com/jem/cartoonsynopses.htm

Take your $125. and buy the real thing. Buy vintage.