There will be a big going away bash for Gene Marshall to be held by Integrity Toys. This event being called the Gene Stardust Convention and will take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from June 3-5, 2010. I am sure this will be the party of the year as devotees of the line flock to the scene to bid farewell and to get the last of the line's dolls. Internationals and others who will not be able to attend Stardust are clamoring for the ability to purchase the convention line. Will they be heard and accomodated?
The announcement of the impending end of the road for Gene has boosted interest in sales and other aspects of the line. In particular, the recently announced "It's A Cinch" which was received with much criticism one week before Mel's announcement, is now sold out at most dealers. The discussion board ICOG run by Dennis Bastien has booked it's sponsors for 2010 and will be up and running for the entire year. Members of the W Gene Club have been wondering what will become of that group. Wait a minute, I'm a member of that club, too. What will happen? Will we have a 1/2 year club with one club exclusive? If they do that, everyone in the world will join the club with multiple memberships. This will be an interesting development to watch.
The date and location of the Fashion Royalty Convention (which can now be called the Wu Fashion Royalty, NuFace, Hollywood Royalty, Poppy Parker & ITBE Convention) has been announced nice and early this year.
The event will be back at the Pittsburgh International Airport Hyatt from October 28-30, 2010. I'm guessing that Halloween will play a big role at this event. That should be lots of fun! There's been some disgruntled chatter about the change of location back to Pittsburgh but most people are happy with the location.
During the last two weeks there were so many announcements about "special purchase opportunities" that I could barely keep track of them. I had to make a list of what is on it's way, approaching lotteries and other opportunities in order to get the whole picture and to decide what I would go for. Right now I'm in non-spending mode. Haha, famous last words.... but I'm looking at IDEX and two conventions in 2010. I can hardly believe that I am not entering the lottery for the Colette Monogram doll. I really wanted her. I wish I wouldn't have purchased the Monogram doll from Jeffrey's. Her hair is unmanageable, the dress lost beads, one shoe strap broke and the body joints are so loose that I can't pose her standing upright. Ugh. I have been promised a replacement.
11/12/2009
No Exaggeration AvantGuard Doll
This Avantguard doll is eye candy. The face screening is gorgeous and she looks beautiful in her fashion. No Exaggeration is all about color and style; now we need to add some engineering.
The biggest difficulty with this doll and all the Avantguards is the wobbly joints. Even with the stand at an optimal height and careful placement, her ankles or her hips kept bending causing the doll to lose balance. I like the dolls but the quality of the body is very poor. I don't want to play with something that is frustrating. Their hips sway. If I just wanted to pose the doll in a runway stance, it would take forever to get her to stay that way.
We can hope this gets fixed or I am done with Avantguard.
The feathers on her hat (?) fall off easily but the strangest thing is that it comes with two hat pins. The base of the hat is hard felt and you practically need a drill to get the pin through to secure it to her hair.
Putting the wig on takes experience but it can be done. I will change the wig soon because I think she needs something bigger to balance the shape of the pants.
Retail price of No Exaggeration is $220. and she is available from Integrity dealers who carry the AGs.
We can hope this gets fixed or I am done with Avantguard.
The feathers on her hat (?) fall off easily but the strangest thing is that it comes with two hat pins. The base of the hat is hard felt and you practically need a drill to get the pin through to secure it to her hair.
Putting the wig on takes experience but it can be done. I will change the wig soon because I think she needs something bigger to balance the shape of the pants.
Retail price of No Exaggeration is $220. and she is available from Integrity dealers who carry the AGs.
11/09/2009
Tyler's 10th Anniversary Dolls For Sale at Tonner Direct
For those of you with a few hundred to spare right before the Holiday Season, the remaining Anniversary dolls have gone on sale at Tonner Direct.
First up is the beautiful "It was a Very Good Decade." LE 150. Priced at $295. She would certainly add sparkle to any collection. I have heard that the sequin fabric is the same that Robert used in his human clothing line. These were the centerpiece dolls.
"A Perfect Ten" LE 200 is being offered for $195. She's worth it. You saw my photos of my event doll. Here is Tonner's photo:
The surprise return of Mei Li in the form of an Ultra Basic doll was very well received. According to the site, there is only a limited amount remaining right now. More will be received early in December. They are priced at $59.95. She comes packaged in a clear plastic box dressed only in the white body suit. No shoes or stand are included.
Images in this post are the property of Tonner Doll Company.
11/08/2009
A Perfect Ten ~ Tyler Commemorative Doll
This is the event doll we received at the anniversary celebration on Saturday, November 7 at the Wiltwyck Country Club in Kingston, NY. My jaw dropped and I sat in awe when I opened the box. Her face, hairstyle and magnificent dress are so fitting on this occasion of her tenth anniversary. Here are some of my preliminary photographs of her.
More about the event will be posted. Stay tuned!
More about the event will be posted. Stay tuned!
Picture of the Week Award ~ November 8, 2009
Carol is the proprietor of Dreamcastle Dolls. She, along with assistance of other collectors, is compiling a detailed and sweeping reference for Tonner and Effanbee dolls that will go back as far as 1999.
11/06/2009
An Open Letter From Percy Newsum to Mel Odom
Hello Everyone;
I wanted to take the opportunity to thank Mel Odom and all of the Gene collectors for the opportunity to "take care" of your favorite star over the past few years. It has truly been a privilege to be able to work with someone as talented as Mel and to service such a dynamic and caring group of collectors. We hope that you have enjoyed the creations we have come up with and that they are an important part of your Gene collection and the Gene legacy.
The entire Integrity team wants to ensure that Gene and her 15 years on the fashion doll scene is celebrated appropriately and hope you will join us in Philadelphia this June to celebrate all the wonderful things about Gene and her friends.
Once again, thank you for this wonderful opportunity. Gene will always be an important part of our history.
Best Regards,
Percy Newsum
President, Integrity Toys
Other Clarification Concerning the Gene Marshall Doll Line:
Per Mel’s announcement, we are confirming to you that as of June 2010, the Gene Marshall line will be officially retired. Based on Mel Odom's wishes, Integrity Toys Inc. will host a final official convention to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Gene Marshall, which will feature every character of the line as a final farewell to everyone's favorite girl star. As Mr. Odom put it, it is better to go out on top while your fans still love you and we could not agree more. Our experience dealing with Mel and the exquisite Gene Marshall has been a great one and we wish to thank everyone for their support these past four wonderful years. More information about the Gene Marshall farewell celebration convention will be posted on this site in the next few weeks.
Please come back to visit for registration information. This website will not go off line, but will be incorporated into the www.integritytoys.com site sometime next year.
Also for clarification, other than a special Gene early next year, the only Gene products produced for 2010 will be the final convention collection. The Hollywood Royalty Gene dolls (mini-Genes) will also be retired.
I wanted to take the opportunity to thank Mel Odom and all of the Gene collectors for the opportunity to "take care" of your favorite star over the past few years. It has truly been a privilege to be able to work with someone as talented as Mel and to service such a dynamic and caring group of collectors. We hope that you have enjoyed the creations we have come up with and that they are an important part of your Gene collection and the Gene legacy.
The entire Integrity team wants to ensure that Gene and her 15 years on the fashion doll scene is celebrated appropriately and hope you will join us in Philadelphia this June to celebrate all the wonderful things about Gene and her friends.
Once again, thank you for this wonderful opportunity. Gene will always be an important part of our history.
Best Regards,
Percy Newsum
President, Integrity Toys
Other Clarification Concerning the Gene Marshall Doll Line:
Per Mel’s announcement, we are confirming to you that as of June 2010, the Gene Marshall line will be officially retired. Based on Mel Odom's wishes, Integrity Toys Inc. will host a final official convention to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Gene Marshall, which will feature every character of the line as a final farewell to everyone's favorite girl star. As Mr. Odom put it, it is better to go out on top while your fans still love you and we could not agree more. Our experience dealing with Mel and the exquisite Gene Marshall has been a great one and we wish to thank everyone for their support these past four wonderful years. More information about the Gene Marshall farewell celebration convention will be posted on this site in the next few weeks.
Please come back to visit for registration information. This website will not go off line, but will be incorporated into the www.integritytoys.com site sometime next year.
Also for clarification, other than a special Gene early next year, the only Gene products produced for 2010 will be the final convention collection. The Hollywood Royalty Gene dolls (mini-Genes) will also be retired.
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