Integrity Toys Basic Edition 16-Inch Capsule Collection

Four new 16" dolls were offered to W Club members for early purchase today (May 11.) They will be available to the public depending upon availability on May 12 at 10 AM.

Using the FR16 body, three of them sport Avantguard sculpts and one uses the Elsa sculpt. The clothes are rather basic but do not look trashy. Their hair is rooted. The price of $99. + postage seems reasonable as well. Each has a very low edition of only 200 and they are available without a wait.

Decisive

Head Sculpt: Elsa 1.0

Skin Tone: New Hispanic

Hair Color: Brunette

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Forward

Head Sculpt: AvantGuards™ (Open Mouth)

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Raven

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Reflective

ITBE 16-Inch Capsule Collection

Head Sculpt: AvantGuards™ (Open Mouth)

Skin Tone: Light Honey

Hair Color: Light Brown 

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Illusive

Head Sculpt: AvantGuards™ (Closed Mouth)

Skin Tone: New Hispanic

Hair Color: Sable (Dirty Blond)

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I do plan to order Reflective as I am a fan of the open mouth AG sculpt and I like her hair and skin tone. I may eventually have her cartoon brows repainted.

It's interesting that Forward who they say is also using the open mouth AG sculpt, doesn't look it. She looks more like a giant Poppy with duck lips. Perhaps it's the lighting that's making her mouth look like that. 

I wonder if anyone else has noticed on their FR16 bodies that the right foot turns inward slightly. I can see it in all of the pictures and both my FR16 bodies have the same thing going on. Even looking back at all the previous releases in which one can actually see the ankle on the dolls, they all have the same thing going on. It is a defect in the ankle joint, not a photographer style although he does turn the feet in in many photos. This is different. 

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If Integrity started designing and dressing their 16" dolls to look like these again, I'd be in trouble.

 

Integrity Toys "How To" Videos

Integrity has several how to videos, several of which may be applicable to other dolls as well. I'm listing the most often asked about here and ultimately they will migrate to the right hand column of this blog site for future reference.


How to Safely Disassemble the FR2013 or NuFace Body

How to Safely Switch a Doll's Head

How to Safely Enlarge or Create a Doll's Earring Holes

How to Tighten Loose Knee Joints on a Doll

How to Reshape the Sole of a Shoe to Make the Heel the Correct Length

 

 

Superdoll Collectables: "Columbia"

A new Gen X Sybarite was revealed today. Here is the description from the Superdoll website:

I think I'll wear flowers.
Taking in the neighbourhood sights while strutting her stuff in Trendiest East London.

Venus knows her way around this part of town... it's home!

NEW! GENX.2 body!
NEW! Cosmetique skintone!

Her waist length wig is a delicate blend of black, dark chocolate and copper with subtle V cut fringe, serving 'edge'! Eyes of marigold and triffid surrounded by shadow in rose, olive, vanilla and charcoal. Heavy olive liner on her lids. Brows of coffee accentuated with a stroke of black. Lips the colour of summer begonia.
Her Cosmos print uber mini wrap dress bears delicate ties in olive silk, firstly to show off her waist and secondly to hope the wind lifts her wrap to show off her leopard print panties! To keep her cool, she wears a floral lace printed cardigan, just tight enough to show off all her curves.
Coffee coloured hose, a pair of gorgeous leaf and mocha platform open toe lace up sandals , bearing lazer cutout detail. These along with a long sling leopard print pouch bag dripping in gilt accessories emblazoned with a gilt union jack are her accessories of choice.
Just when you thought that was enough she picked up her oversized multicolour enamel tassel necklace and popped on her divine chocolate coloured wide brim hat.
Good to go, she then added multiple hippy bracelets... just because she should!

The sun is shining outside Darlings!
Clone: 1000 Venus d'Royce

Of course she comes with the following standard accessories:
-manic_cure hands (see booklet for hand change instructions)
-booklet
-stand


*PRODUCTION MAY VARY FROM PROTOTYPE SHOWN
In stock.
Shipping will commence 11 May 2016.

In stock and ready to be delivered

Price: £245.00 (Excluding VAT at 20%)

 

She has a pretty face but is not a must have for me. The fashion is not my taste. I love that adorable handbag, though. 

 

245 British Pound equals $354.91 US. Postage is usually $65 for a doll.

 

Misty Copeland Barbie® Doll

 Released today, a lovely new Barbie Doll with a body that actually has volume in the bust, thighs and calves. The retail price is $29.95  Impressive!

Mattel's Promo: 

As the first African American female Principal Dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland is an inspirational star, paving the way for future dancers all over the world! Her fire red bodysuit, with sunburst orange tulle cutouts, stretches over her perfectly poised body, while layers of red and orange tulle tease a luxurious red tail. A vibrant tulle headpiece tops off her elaborate look, adding drama and flair. The doll features a brand-new ballerina body, with a face sculpted to Misty's likeness!

She looks preggers here.

The doll is dressed up in Copeland's Firebird dance costume. It's "articulated," which is Mattel speak for extremely flexible and able to be posed in various ballet positions. To truly capture Copeland's likeness, the company took numerous photos and sent the dancer various prototypes to critique.
"We looked at her nose and made sure it was a little bit wider than Barbie's actually is, and that her lips were fuller and that she had a little almond shape to her eyes," she says.
"Something I kept saying was 'make her bust bigger!' I wanted it to really represent me, and for it to really, truly be like my body."
The doll has strong muscles, which Copeland says was important to her. She's glad that Barbie is "truly representing" a real athlete.

 Excerpt from an article by Yohana Desta

 The real dancer is a true doll.

 Available now at: http://www.thebarbiecollection.com/shop/misty-copeland-barbie-doll-dgw41

Purse of the Month Club

For several years Diana Wieler and her sister, Janet Ellis, have been creating monthly doll-sized handbags and coordinating outfits. I have posted about it before http://terrigoldphoto.blogspot.com/search?q=Purse+of+the+Month+Club and in many of my photos one of their bags shows up on the arm of a doll.
Their business name is La Boutique and this month's offering has a nautical theme for it's miniature Chanel bags. These are just adorable!
These are suitable for 1/6 scale dolls (12") but you can ask if it's possible to have it made in 1/4 scale for 16" dolls. 
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/24570917

Chanel Nautical Charm Bag
Live a charmed life! Each quilted leather bag features 5 custom-made charms, a thread-through leather and chain handle, and CC logo over the closure. $40.00 + shipping

 

You can expect an extremely well-constructed product that both you and your girls will adore.

They are also offering a coordinated tote set and a lovely sheath, below.

Tote Set
Bold stripes and a modified CC logo are topped with a chain and anchor dangle. Includes a long red logo scarf. $30.00

Navy and White Dress
Fresh and fashionable for spring! This classic knit dress is shaped, and includes a detached belt. $55.00

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In addition to the basic offerings above, every month, they create an "Elite Ensemble."

Elite Ensemble
Dramatic high fashion, this month's Elite gives nautical a new look! Includes jacket, fringed skirt, red bodysuit, over-sized sailor hat, necklace, earrings, Special Edition Tote, shoes and your choice of Chanel Nautical Charm bag. 160.00 + shipping

 

 

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/24718870

Check out this month's products and then gaze upon the mouth-watering products of the past. You will not be disappointed!

http://www.picturetrail.com/mellyandgeorge

To order and for more information contact dianawieler@hotmail.com.

First W Club Exclusive Doll of 2016 is a Poppy "Ooh La La" Giftset

Ooh La La!

Poppy Parker™ Gift Set

The Bonbon Collection

2016 W Club Exclusive

 

 

Limited Edition Size: TBA

Estimated Ship Date: Mid to Late Summer 2016

Special W Club Price: $150.00 + Shipping, Handling and Applicable Sales Tax*. 

Poppy Parker explores the City of Lights with glee, her ears filled with romantic songs! Composed of all of the elements for Poppy to easily go from day-to-night and back, the Ooh La La! gift set is designed to give Poppy Parker fans tons of redress possibilities by creating their own mix-and-match combos! This exquisite Poppy Parker doll also marks the debut of a brand new eye screening!

Poppy Parker is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with a scrumptious fully rooted hairstyle and delicately hand-applied eyelashes! This absolutely fabulous gift set includes Poppy's Parisian mix-and-match separates, colorful bracelets and silver hoop earrings, her delightfully printed tote, two pairs of interchangeable hands, a pair of authentic cork wedgies, bright red slingback shoes and a doll stand, all packaged in a gorgeous window box gift set! A numbered certificate of authenticity is also included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

All descriptions and text are those of Integrity Toys. 

New Dresses from Antonio Realli and Kingdom Doll Brunel

I have two new gowns from Antonio. Both are classic designs using wonderful fabrics and the addition of a bit of bling. I love dressing my dolls this way.

First is "Flawless" Elise in a flowing chiffon confection with metallic silver abstract shapes 'painted' on.  The belt is adorned with rhinestones. Jewelry Integrity Toys "True Royalty."

This model is Monogram "Dreamscape."
This gown has a lacy overlay that is embellished with sequins.  More sparkle is provided by the belt which is a mix of tiny metallic balls and rhinestones.
Jewelry by Joy.

Brunel was in my studio at the same time and wanted to get in on the fun.
She is wearing a Tonner outfit called "Impressionist Chic" and KD shoes. The Tonner fashions for Tyler fit the KD dolls fairly well. I pin the bust and torso to make them smaller. I lament not keeping many of the Tonner gowns I sold now that I see how beautiful my KD's look wearing them. I've been hunting bargains on these older fashions which are few and far between.
The different scale dolls look so strange together.  Elise looks terrified. I should have spent some time posing her better.

Here is Brunel showing off her great legs.

Fashion Doll Empire: Applying Eyelashes Picture Tutorial by Ayal Armon (Ayaloo)

Fashion Doll Empire: Applying Eyelashes Picture Tutorial by Ayal Armon (Ayaloo)

DeDe Denton by Tonner Doll

As we watch the peeling away of the layers of the Tonner Doll Company, I think it's a good time to take a look at what still remains.

Tonner is the only fashion doll company that has consistently put out a doll with a realistic female shape. Beginning with the introduction of Emme in 2002, there have been very few collections that did not contain a doll that we would previously have called "full-figured."  Full-figured is now the average American woman's figure IMO.

I found these old Emme catalog pages in the Tonner archives.

Emme is an actual person who is credited as having been the first plus size model at the end of the last century through the beginning of this one.  She is currently an advocate for body image reform and has twice been chosen for People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.

She is much more beautiful than the doll showed.

The current full-size doll coming out of TDC is DeDe Denton whose back story is that she's the granddaughter of DeeAnna Denton, the chewing gum heiress. DeeAnna was from an earlier style era and her clothing was, for the most part, quite lovely.

DeeAnna Denton - "Parfum de Fleur" PFDF Exclusive

 DeDe was introduced at the TonnerCon 2015 "Guilty Pleasures" event.

This screen shot from Cherished Friend's website shows the entire line as it's currently available or will be eventually. Check out the great prices, too.

Here are the full images of each of the DeDe products.

While these gals may not be in my collection, I can appreciate their place in that of any other collector.  My favorites are Manhattan Blush and Producers Lunch. I'd like to see a lighter hand used with the eyeliner and lashes. It's a little too raccoonish for my taste.

It would be a real shame if Tonner were to stop producing moderately priced dolls like this, leaving a big black hole in the doll world.

Do you have or have you ever had any so-called plus-sized dolls? 

Joe Petrollese Leaving Tonner Doll Company

Another star of the Tonner Doll Company will shine elsewhere from now on. Joe is leaving to "take advantage of an incredible opportunity," according the the Facebook page of TDC.
Considering all that's taken place over the last few months with Tonner, I am not at all surprised. Who is next? There's not much left.

Joe has richly influenced both the company as well as our design aesthetic and his impact will carry us forward for many years to come.

He's young and talented and wherever he goes I am sure he will do well. He's always been a smiling personality at every event I've been to.

What will become of Evangeline? Miette? and the other characters whose stories he created? I think they will keep on going. 

Barbie Exhibition Opens at the Museum of Decorative Dolls in Paris

From the Daily Mail.com 

The article I have linked to above is a must see if only for the photographs of this beautifully curated exhibit. Look carefully at the standing dolls to see how bendable (possibly armature) wire has been used to support the dolls without resorting to unsightly doll stands.

The settings that were built for the exhibit are a diorama lovers dream. Apparently many of the Silkstone dolls have been switched to articulated bodies in order to allow them to sit and pose. One wonders what type of bodies were used and if they had access to the recently released bodies or if they used other bodies.

Enjoy!

Andy Warhol Barbie Doll

The Andy Warhol Barbie Doll was released on 3/4/2016. My main interest in purchasing her doll was the t-shirt and her articulated body.

  This is not exactly an attractive face unless you like the 'deer-in-the-headlight' look and cartoonish eyeshadow. If only I had the skills to do a really nice repaint. I like her hair and she poses very well.

The outfit is fairly low end Mattel but the t-shirt is very cute.

The image inside her box is that of Warhol hanging out in his studio.
Below is a brief video of the doll.

Chalk this one up to a possibly useful impulse buy.  Retail at BC.Com $50.