2010 Integrity Toys Convention - Diorama and Fashion Competition

I think there were more diorama competition entries this year than I have seen in the past. People really put their time and effort into some great little works. There was one gigantic diorama which I can't really call a diorama - it was more of an installation. A separate category should have been created for it. It won and it certainly deserved an award for the electronic devices and the incredible amount of work that went into it. Unfortunately, the other dioramas were overshadowed by it's size. There were a few others that ought to have been recognized as well. I also believe that people who are part of a convention team including teachers, helpers, et al should not be eligible for prizes. Again, it is better to avoid the appearance of impropriety when running contests, raffles and such.

The fashion categories had delightful entries. Hopefully, after several  years the announcers will realize that a picture of the winning items ought to be projected onto the screen when the winner is presented. Very few knew what each person had created (except for the winning diorama.) It was nice to see that the winners actually got something besides a plaque or a ribbon for their efforts.

I thought they were all winners. When entering a competition like that you really put yourself out there and being recognized for the effort is important.

Several entries are missing from my photographs because I took the pictures early on Thursday before some items arrived at the hotel and there just wasn't any time after that! I apologize to all whose beautiful work is not represented. I wish I had them all with your names right alongside. If you can help to identify the images, please let me know. You can click on each photo to see an enlarged version. Enjoy!

Deb Buckner

Lori Lyon

Janice Delp

Karen Kolkman

Gin-O

Veronica Hage

Veronica Hage

Janice Delp (Halloween of the Future)

Janice Delp-left

Lisa Ramsammy

FR2

So what is FR2?

If only I could stop calling it FR two and start calling it FR Squared. The problem is that the numeral 2 is in the numeric form and not the squared form and I hated algebra anyway.
Fashion Royalty times itself. Hmmm...twice as good? Twice as expensive? Twice as hard to get?

I have played with Dasha the FR2 doll from the convention collection and I am very impressed with her body. First of all it's a very pretty body. She's got a lovely chest and graceful limbs. The range of movement is excellent. I don't like her hands. They're a little rubbery and the fingers are spread out.  That's useful for putting rings on her fingers but the other hands held things better.
My overall impression is that this body rocks! Congratulations to Integrity Toys for introducing a terrific body for 12 inch dolls. Now let's see the same on the Avantguards.

 Dasha's feet are a bit longer which makes many shoes from prior outfits unwearable. What I would do is carve a bit off the back of her heel. If done carefully and sanded smooth, it won't show. Or we could petition IT to tweak the mold and bring the feet back to the prior size. That won't work. On the other hand...all the shoes I have that were too big will now fit. Still, many of our older shoes will fit. The fit of the clothes remains to be seen.

I'm sensing that FR2 is the demarcation between the end of Fashion Royalty as we know it and a reorganization of their lines. And in a way it's an invitation to those of us whose collections are out of hand to back away from continuing to accumulate more and more and just concentrate on the finest dolls (and less of them.) In the last two years since the disappearance of Veronique, we have seen a big change in the FR line besides the introduction of the Monogram dolls. Many of the fashions have been less than what we had come to expect. Jason's absence was palpable in the Fashion Royalty line except in the dolls from the 2009 convention and some exclusives. But the FR2 line seems to be his work. Except for the styling of the centerpiece "Dark Swan" Elyse Jolie FR2 doll, they're all classy and beautifully designed.

These dolls come with an adjustable height stand that supports dolls under their arms. These stands are OK if the fashion is not heavy or doesn't  have a large skirt because the vertical support bar is up against the body and pushes the fashion forward from the rear. I'm glad I have dozens of left over stands from earlier dolls. 

What do you think of the longer eyelashes, larger feet, flat, spread-fingered hands and the new line in general?

They are not available for purchase yet and we were not told the date upon which they would be released.  I don't know how much they will be but I'm quite sure they won't be cheap.

Tonner Announces a Late Fall Release of Dolls

A group of nine dolls was revealed today by the Tonner Doll Company.  I was particularly impressed by the creativity and beauty of the following four. Click on the link to see the rest.

A long-awaited one is a 17-inch Dumbledore figure. For the hordes of Harry Potter fans out there, he's sure to be a prized addition to their collection. He is wigged and has the O'Neill body.

17" ALBUS DUMBELDORE™, HEADMASTER

Perseus from Clash of the Titans with the likeness of Sam Worthington on the Athletic 17" body with molded hair is an imposing figure. The costume is incredible.

PERSEUS - CLASH OF THE TITANS

 Jacqueline Frost is a new character who may be Santa's assistant. She comes in a basic version clad in a silvery bodysuit. This image shows her in a separately available fashion entitled "Frosty Touch." She is 16 inches tall on the Antoinette body. She reminds me a lot of Glinda.

Frosty Touch, Jacqueline Frost™ Outfit

Flynn from Tron with a Jeff Bridges head sculpt on a 17-inch Matt body looks sleek.

FLYNN from TRON™

Watch this video of the Tonner staff dancing to Thriller.

2010 Integrity Toys - Jason Wu Convention The Convention Collection Dolls

The following dolls were available for purchase - one to a customer - in the store during the convention. Everyone received a coupon which entitled him or her to buy one of each doll. At some point after dinner Saturday night, the rule changed, unannounced except to those inside the store. We could buy as many dolls as we wanted - no tickets necessary. PA tax was added to each purchase made in the store.

Fashion Royalty Dolls
"Out of the Blue" Kyori $90.
Mine has already had the bump taken down from her forehead and the glue washed out of her hair. I boiled it straight. Today she will get a trim and be redressed in her fashion. She was a bit too fussy for me to leave this way. After dunking her head in boiled water, I squeezed the sides to make her face less flat. When it looked the way I wanted it to look, I held it under very cold running water until it was cool. Then I let go. Pictures of the redone doll later.

Integrity Photo

"Night Vision" $90.
If I collected the Homme dolls, I'd have definitely bought him. I love the long coat and the rest of his fashion is cool. This is a good-looking doll.

"Fine Romance" Eugenia $150
I decided not to keep Eugenia. It's a lovely doll but there's no WOW factor. I have Eugenias that are much more gorgeous.  She reminded me of Pale Fire Vanessa with that hairstyle.

Integrity Photo

 "Scarlet Woman" Adele $90.
This doll has "Talking Drama" Adele's face almost exactly. IMO the dress did not fit well at the shoulders and neckline. She just wasn't for me...and there's that forehead bump again.

Integrity Photo

FR2
"Always Polished" Dasha $150.
I loved this doll and her fashion the minute I saw her. Several people commented that she looked like a tranny. I didn't think so at all. She's got attitude! Dasha is definitely eastern European and she's staying.
I love the gown with it's fabulous draping and tiny buttons. This is Jason all the way.

Integrity Photo

  Poppy Parker
"Ask Any Girl" Gift Set $130.
The center front Poppy is the doll included in the gift set. All three outfits come with her. She is wearing an adorable sweater whose buttons made me want to scream. When I finally got them hooked I put a piece of tape over them to keep them closed. I love the shorts!!!
The doll on the left is the workshop Poppy and she is wearing the softest off-white lace gown. I'm wondering if the factory put the sash on upside-down. David, if you're reading this...please tell.
On the right is Reluctant Debutante Poppy wearing a very "Mary Tyler Moore - That Girl" suit and bowler hat. It comes with two tone spectator type shoes. The straps are very difficult to button and one broke. I may remove the straps on those shoes altogether. There is a loden green sleeveless shell under the jacket. The hat which appears to be a type of pressed felt product is not a good quality as it's surface is shreddy-looking. There are also leatherette short gloves with a pearl button at the cuff. Forget putting them on but it's a nice touch. A little matching clutch, earrings and a pendant are also included.

I think it's a very good value for the price.
  
Nu-Face
"Wild at Heart" Twin Doll Gift Set $175.
This is a wildly popular gift set with two very trendy-looking dolls. Vaughn told us that in order to create the bi-color hairstyles, they had to do the pony tails as attached hairpieces which are not to be removed if the owners want to have this hairstyle. 

Integrity Photo

Did you get any of these dolls? Which ones? What do you like about them?

Convention Dance Party - Part I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-9RoF68I4w&hd=1


Part II will be uploaded late tonight for viewing tomorrow.

The Centerpiece Dolls; Jason's Talk - 2010 Fashion Royalty Integrity Convention

The first centerpiece was at dinner on Thursday night. She is called Smoke Screen Dania Zarr. I thought it was Agnes as her hairstyle and makeup are very much like that of Firefly Agnes.

Smoke Screen Dania Zarr 2010

Integrity Photo (Exposure Adjusted by Author)

 This doll is styled in a way that's been used often on FR dolls this past year - multi-level, multi shaped and multi-styled pieces in mixed fabrics. It's not my favorite style. I don't see any grace there. I see mix and match and cute but not classy.

The Friday afternoon luncheon saw a lovely Poppy Parker "Shadow of a Smile" as the centerpiece.

Poppy Parker "Shadow of a Smile" 2010

Integrity Photo (Exposure Adjusted by Author)

I have been told that this gown is a black (dark blue?) version of the beautiful off-white "The Look of Love" fashion currently available at dealers. [Correction: The gown is deep purple and black.] Her adorable red hair and irresistible face made this a delightful centerpiece.

Integrity Photo

Friday evening we were treated to the sight of a gorgeous doll called "Provocatrice" Anja trapped inside a cage! She is extremely sought after by collectors. I wonder why. Could it be that she looks like a version of Veronique? Hmmm....why fix it if it ain't broke?
We love Veronique and she is going to be relegated to the base of the pyramid of Fashion Royalty. More on that hint from Jason later.
Is this red fabric with black lace the same as was used on the Agnes Giftset? I don't have Agnes here anymore so I can't compare.

From Agnes Giftset 2010

Successful Ascension 2009

"Provocatrice" Anja

Integrity Photo (Exposure Adjusted by Author)

Saturday afternoon's W Club Luncheon saw Elyse Jolie "Dark Swan" as the FR2 centerpiece. The last time Elyse was seen was as the convention souvenir doll in 2009. She was such a gorgeous doll, so well dressed that I haven't touched a hair on her head or a thread of her fashion.

Elyse Jolie "Blue Blood" 2009 Convention Souvenir Doll

That one had the regular Fashion Royalty body. The new one has been moved to the FR2 line.  She's wearing a little dress with a skirt which stands out due to a stiff crinoline. Her cropped jacket is double breasted. She comes with lace ankle socks, a brown rectangular handbag and very nice shoes which look better sans socks. All I can say is OY VEY.  Did anyone actually look at this doll's ridiculous hairstyle before letting it out of the gate? She sports a long, fat braid with frizzy ends. The top of her hair is center parted with one side out of the braid that's been cut shorter and curled. Did you get that?  This character went from sublime to ridiculous. There is no grace or class.  How does the train case styled, poopy-brown handbag fit in here? The FR2 have Barbie length eyelashes and underarm gripper stands.

Dark Swan Elise FR2

Dark Swan Elise FR2

The Saturday night table centerpiece is my pick for the best doll of the lot. She is called "Smoldering" and is a dark-skinned Monogram doll. Her gown is absolutely magnificent and quite obviously designed by someone who knows how to drape fabric. It is two-tone and feels like brushed satin. Just gorgeous!!! This doll is classy and graceful and I'm so happy to have her in my collection.
I wish they would have done something with her hair besides chopping it into a short, style-less do. She definitely needs to be wigged.
Someone had started a thread on the W Club board questioning the absence of a dark-skinned doll from the Monogram line. And now we have one. I wonder if there will ever be a new Monogram sculpt. 

Jason's talk on Saturday night was enigmatic, as usual. What I got from what he did say was that there was going to be a restructuring of the Fashion Royalty line. The prices would go down. Veronique will appear in that restructured line. He said they would be "growing the brand," a big marketing expression. Whatever.
He stated that there would be a return to fine-tuned details, great accessories, shoes that look like real shoes, etc. He said this last year related to the Monogram line. Why is it coming back? Where did it go? What exactly do we have now?

Alain pranced around the ballroom with a microphone to get to those who wanted to ask Jason questions.

Drawings were held for those whose winning tickets were pulled. Actually, the drawings were held behind closed doors; the winners were announced. This year the tickets had to have names on them. You couldn't just rely on the anonymous numbers which are printed on the tickets. To avoid the appearance of impropriety in the future, all drawings should be in public in front of those who spent money on chances.  This is a pretty serious issue and should be addressed.
This is not to say that the staff has favorites or resentments. Ahem.  It just looks bad.


More will be revealed.