Guest Review: "Odds Are Stacked" Gloria Grandbuilt from Integrity Toys

"ODDS ARE STACKED" Gloria Grandbuilt

Text and Photos by Michael Basala

The first doll in the Katy Keene collection to arrive is ODDS ARE STACKED Gloria Grandbuilt [sic]. Let me begin by saying my biggest and only issue is Integrity misspelled her name. It is Grandbilt like Vanderbilt. I am surprised that being an Archie Comic's licensed product the name is spelled wrong. I only know about the early Katy days and maybe they changed the spelling when they brought Katy & Co. into the 80's.

I will come right out and say it.... I love this doll. I do wish Integrity had used a body besides Color Infusion but it isn’t a deal breaker for me. As much as I would like, I doubt she can share clothes with Lana Turner, Mini Gene and Victoire. Her legs seem very long!

I think she is lovely; beautiful with just the right amount of snobbishness to be Katy's frenemy. A few people on doll boards have noted a resemblance to Madonna from her Dick Tracy era. I can see it.

The fashion is based on a 1949 Schiaparelli suit and is fabulous! I would have preferred IT used a different veiling for the hat. It is pretty netting but too heavy for this use. I have tucked it under for pics because you couldn’t see her face with through it. The accessories are all top notch. She comes with a magnet pin which makes me happy!!! No more holes in doll clothes.

I was ready to rate this doll a 9 out of 10 when I discovered an unexpected touch to her suit construction; the jacket and skirt are lined in leopard print fabric! Just what I would expect from Gloria!

I preordered three dolls from the Katy Keene collection; Gloria, the gift set Katy, and Lorelei. The 1980’s Dynasty Katy does not interest me but I seriously may purchase "Blue Serenade" Katy in the future.

This line has not sold out so I am guessing it is not very popular. I don't know why but I know many people do not like the Color Infusion body. Katy Keene fans have said the dolls are too much Fashion Royalty and not enough like Katy & Co as they appeared in the comics. It doesn't bother me. I see it as an interpretation. I am more interested in the fashion and being a fan of vintage couture, for me, this collection is a winner right out of the gate.

"ODDS ARE STACKED" Gloria Grandbuilt - 10 out of 10 - An unexpected joy!

Gen-X Precious from Superdoll

I adored her fashion, her accessories and her hair. The spousal unit thought she was scary looking. I didn't care until I stood her next to Eira and her head looked enormous. I was cured of wanting to keep her at that moment.
Of course, many dolls will pale next to the beautiful Eira but this was different. Precious looked ridiculously out of proportion to her own body. Her head is too damn big. Maybe that's the point...big headed, egotistical, rebel princess.

"Shimmering Dynasty" Katy Keene Doll

There's so much truth to the statement, "When it rains; it pours." Yesterday we picked up nearly 50 artist dolls we'll be selling on consignment. Today "Shimmering Dynasty" Katy Keene and Sybarite "Precious" arrived.  Tomorrow  Kingdom Doll "Eira" is due to arrive and I believe "Midas Touch" Poppy is due very shortly.  A new microwave oven is on it's way to be installed this afternoon and we're meeting with our real estate agent tomorrow for the second foray into the housing market this week. I'm trying to stay calm. I only go crazy when tornado warnings are issued which seems to be almost every week lately in addition to torrential rain and lightning. I need a vacation...but I'd probably be bored to death.
Wait...I forgot one thing. My graphics card dropped dead on Sunday night. Off to the Apple Store I went to have one of their geniuses check it out. Luckily for me there will be no charge to replace the card because there has been an issue with this particular card. Yay. But I'm using a dinky old laptop without Photoshop. The things we become accustomed to....

Anyway, let's discuss Katy Keene. For the first time (for me) from Integrity Toys, the inner doll box was wrapped in tissue paper—just like a Silkstone doll. That was a nice touch.
The box is very attractive with it's KK graphics inside and out.

The gown is exactly as shown in the promotional photos. It's lovely and I hope it fits my other FR dolls.

I'm not a big fan of the painting of this sculpt. It could be beautiful if there were shading but that's not going to happen. I have said it before...Katy Keene should have been created to look like vintage Katy Keene, not a distant relative of Jem who owns a comb.

KK shares Jem's sculpt but not the wild hair.

It would have been appropriate to have cartoonish screening without shading in that case. Just slapping a name on a doll does not mean anything. The graphics on the box are the only authentic Katy Keene thing about this doll.

I had to give her a chance because I loved Katy Keene when I was a child.

Her hair is separated into three distinct curled, uber-gelled segments. It is not a cohesive style. That is the only defect and it's a result of a poorly trained or poorly instructed factory worker.

Integrity Toys' Excellent 2015 NuFace Collection

Long anticipated by NuFace collectors, the 2015 collection went live for W Club members on Saturday, June 27. The designers did a great job providing adorable outfits with accessories on attractive dolls. There are no weird hair bumps or outlandish eyeshadow colors to contend with. The collection is focused and stylish.

Each outfit comes with a jacket, handbag and simple jewelry. A lot of black was used but black is always in style. If I were a NuFace collector I'd definitely be ordering Erin and Nadja. I would like to have Giselle's dress and Nadja's top and skirt for my Monogram dolls. 

I don't remember seeing a closed edition of 1000 in a long time. Giselle must be the one they expect to wow the crowd. I think they may have underestimated the popularity of Nadja. 

What's your opinion? Will you be ordering any of these gals? Which ones?

Voltage  Erin S.™ Dressed Doll

LE  800

Retail Price: $135.00 + Shipping & Handling

Head Sculpt: Erin 2.0

Body Type:  Nu.Face 2.0

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Strawberry Blond

Polarity  Nadja R.™ Dressed Doll

LE  600

Retail Price: $135.00 + Shipping & Handling

Head Sculpt: Nadja 2.0 (New Sculpt!)

Body Type:  Nu.Face 2.0

Skin Tone: Dark A-Tone

Hair Color: Midnight Black

Power House Ayumi N.™ Dressed Doll
LE  800
Retail Price: $135.00 + Shipping & Handling
Head Sculpt: Ayumi 3.0
Body Type: Nu.Face 2.0
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Color: Dark Brown

Electric Enthusiasm Dominique Makeda™ Dressed Doll
LE  600
Retail Price: $135.00 + Shipping & Handling
Head Sculpt: Dominique Makeda 2.0
Body Type: Nu.Face 2.0
Skin Tone: Light Honey
Hair Color: Luscious Blond

Energetic Presence Giselle D.™ Dressed Doll
LE  1000
Retail Price: $135.00 + Shipping & Handling
Head Sculpt: Giselle D.
Body Type: Nu.Face 2.0
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Brunette

Integrity Toys' ITBE and Jem Dolls Revealed

Five new ITBE dolls were revealed to W Club members on Friday morning June 26. Each will be available by lottery only. The winners will pay $99. each plus shipping.
Each doll is an edition of between 310-375 and will ship upon receipt of payment. 
They have the first generation FR2 body, the Monogram body or the NuFace 1.0 body.
As for the fashions, we've seen them all before in other colors.

 From left to right they are:

"Night"
Limited Edition Size of 375 Dolls

Head Sculpt: Minx

Body Type:  Monogram

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Black
(The dress is very unflattering.  Shorten it and put on some chunky jewelry to bring the volume up from her knees to her neckline. I'd cut her hair, too. Too much trouble. She's a mess.)

"Rare Jewel"
Limited Edition Size of 315 Dolls

Head Sculpt: Rayna

Body Type:  Nu.Face 1.0

Skin Tone: Dark A-Tone

Hair Color: Black
(Not only is her dress a repeat, her name is as well.)

  

"Flawless Impact"
Limited Edition Size of 325 Dolls

Head Sculpt: Dania

Body Type:  Nu.Face 1.0

Skin Tone: Dark A-Tone

Hair Color: Black
(My favorite.)

"Ignite"
Limited Edition Size of 310 Dolls

Head Sculpt: Janay 3.0

Body Type:  FR2 (First Generation)

Skin Tone: Cream

Hair Color: Cherry Brown
(I want her shoes.)

"Media Sensation"
Limited Edition Size of 320 Dolls

Head Sculpt: Alysa 3.0

Body Type:  FR2 (First Generation)

Skin Tone: Cream

Hair Color: Red
(Anyone getting this doll wanting to get rid of the body...contact me.) 

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It always cracks me up to read this line they put on their offerings:

"We are always thrilled to be able to bring you these opportunities! "

They're even more thrilled when everything sells. 

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TWILIGHT IN PARIS™ JERRICA BENTON/JEM Doll 

Approx. Retail Price: $149.99 US ($162.00 w/ CA Sales tax incl at the show)

Available at Hasbro's Booth #3329 at Comic-Con International in San Diego

Following the convention, a limited number will be available on HasbroToyShop.com.

 "This Truly Outrageous 2015 Comic Con and HasbroToyShop.com exclusive comes with all of the components to turn JERRICA BENTON into JEM via Integrity Toys' QuickSwitch system that allows users to easily pop the head sculpts on and off, as well as the clothing components required to turn JERRICA BENTON into JEM in a few minutes! But that's not all. As a bonus, this highly sought after collectible is brought to fans intricately packaged in a custom souvenir box that turns into a 30" tall diorama of the Eiffel Tower to use as a background to display JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS! Doll stand and certificate of authenticity included."

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Anthony Julian™ Dressed Fashion Figure

Retail Price: $130.00 US + Shipping and Handling.

The JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ Collection

Limited Edition Size of 500 Dolls

Body Type: FR Homme

Head Sculpt: Anthony (New Head Sculpt)

Skin Tone: A-Tone

Hair Color: Black

Rebel Princess "Precious"

Here is the listing on Superdoll's page that just went up. I love the outfit on this one!  

241.89 British Pounds equals $380.60 US Dollars.  Postage to the US $67.58. Isn't that how much is used to cost for the resin Sybarites? It seems quite high although DHL, the service that delivers here, is excellent. They do not run over the packages with their trucks and that's a good thing. Total cost with shipping to US $448.18.

PRECIOUS - GEN X - DD_088

After years in development we are delighted to present
our ALL NEW Vinyl formula. version T-5 sample.

REBEL PRINCESS Generation_X
Clone: 1000 Venus d'Royce
*please note different monitors may show colours differently.
*production may vary individually and from prototype shown.

Dreamy vanilla caramel eyes, arched for attitude brows in blonde with shadow of rose and muted blacks. Lids in translucent dark grey. Lips the colour of geranium infused rose.

Huge blonde wig bearing center parting, in a 'voluptuous' state; cascading down either side of her face and swirling into waist length big loose curls.

Today would be a day out with the gurls. Shopping? Lunch? High Tea?, and Venus has no intention of getting back to her ivory tower before daybreak, so she decided on her leopard and paisley 'girly pentagram' puffed sleeve smock frock; a pair of 'off beat' fishnet track pants. And just in case it gets a bit nippy on this summers eve, a huge big yellow fur wrap! She has this day to night to day feeling! Wrapping her neck in bling  'gold' chokers to accentuate her cute organza collar and bow, she also added an arm full of white lacquer bracelets. and finally adding that 'what the heck is Boho anyway?' slouchy fringed shoulder bag of olive, trimmed in real leather with England smiley, made her feel she had all she needs in a purse.

She walked through the palace hallway, heading straight for the open door of her unmarked tinted window auto with her chauffeur closing the door, she murmured to herself, "see ya later".
Venus was heading out till tomorrow!

Additional accessories: her cute flower and princess crown headpiece and her stiletto golfing slip-ons in bronze, gold and hologram.
of course she comes with the following standards:
-manic_cure hands (see booklet for hand change instructions)
-booklet
-stand

ED:100
Please allow 40 days and 40 nights for delivery

In stock and ready to be delivered

Price: £241.89 (Excluding VAT at 20%)

Photos and text are the property of Superdoll Collectibles. I did fix the spelling in a few spots.

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