Integrity Toys Unveils "East 59th" Collection

I'm going to post most of the description directly from the announcement and add my commentary at the end.

Featuring elaborate vintage-inspired looks created by Integrity Toys designer Chris Stoeckel and a storyline he collaborated on with Alain Tremblay, the EAST 59th collection promises to take us back in time to chic and swanky 1950's New York, where the bold personalities of the talented individuals involved in the modeling, advertising and PR scene clash for a bigger share of the marketing pie! Everyone from newcomers seeking to be discovered and chasing the American Dream to socialites wanting a bigger presence in the high-society pages of top fashion magazines will stop at nothing to be noticed! This is where we come in... and where Victoire Roux will enter later...

The story goes like this:

Picture a woman, a man, a big city and a chance meeting that would launch the career of a lifetime.

As we furtively glanced at each other in the luscious decor of the Hawthorn Room, I immediately knew that a truly exciting path was ahead. My name is Evelyn Weaverton and my life completely changed the day he discovered me. 

That is until she arrived on the scene, the mane of all my troubles, the one everyone in the industry loved to hate, Constance Madssen.

I found fame, drama and love on East 59th, wrapped in the arms of glamour. This Spring, follow our adventures and together we will shine like no one ever has 

Luxurious Leisure

Constance Madssen™ Dressed Doll

Edition Size: 400 Dolls Worldwide

Suggested Retail Price: $135.00 US

Head Sculpt: Constance Madssen (New Sculpt!)

Hair Color: Raven

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied

Body Type: EAST 59th 1.0

Foot Sculpt: Traditional High-Heeled Feet

Skin Tone: Cream

Classic Glamour

Evelyn Weaverton™ Dressed Doll

Edition Size: 400 Dolls Worldwide

Suggested Retail Price: $135.00 US

Head Sculpt: Evelyn Weaverton™  (New Sculpt!)

Hair Color: Flame Red

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied

Body Type: EAST 59th 1.0

Foot Sculpt: Traditional High-Heeled Feet

Skin Tone: FR White

Captivating Cocktails

Constance Madssen™ Dressed Doll

Edition Size: 400 Dolls Worldwide

Suggested Retail Price: $135.00 US

Head Sculpt: Constance Madssen™  (New Sculpt!)

Hair Color: Luxe Blond

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied

Body Type: EAST 59th 1.0

Foot Sculpt: Traditional High-Heeled Feet

Skin Tone: Cream

Glittering Gala

Evelyn Weaverton™ Dressed Doll

Edition Size: 400 Dolls Worldwide

Suggested Retail Price: $135.00 US

Head Sculpt: Evelyn Weaverton™ (New Sculpt!)

Hair Color: Brunette

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied

Body Type: EAST 59th 1.0

Foot Sculpt: Traditional High-Heeled Feet

Skin Tone: FR White

 _____________________________

Constance Madsen's sculpt is rather insipid (like so many of the CI dolls.)

When I saw that they had a new body type, I immediately eliminated them from consideration. That was the issue that doomed the Katy Keene line as well. The suits designed for Katy's companion were stunning but the body just did not work for me with it's giant hands and enormous feet. 

Collectors like me want variety but we also like dolls to be able to share clothes and shoes. 

IMO the great majority of collectors currently populating the W Club are not, for the most part, vintage oriented. They like young, edgy fashion so I am surprised that the dolls are sold out on pre-order. 

Chris is a very popular and talented designer. This would make an excellent line of 50's fashions to purchase separately if they were the proper size for Fashion Royalty dolls.  

Why are their shoes plastic? That's a new backward step.

April Purse of the Month Collection

Here is the latest release from Diana and Janet.

Denim is a timeless favorite, especially when it's been re-created with Uptown Style!   It's our theme for April and there's a fun, fashionable look for every doll.

Our handbag options have both been created in denim-colored leather.  The Michael Kors tribute is to the Ava bag, with its sweet flowers, bold silver logo and chain and leather handle.  32.00  For a bigger, dazzling purse,  choose the Prada Bling bag!  Both front and back are heavily decorated in white studs and rhinestones, and the front sports a large logo.  36.00

The Tote Set is softly elegant.  Stone-washed denim with silver decoration, it also features a white, feminine design that resembles lace.  And it includes a long scarf.  30.00 / set

The separates this month are simple and sweet.  A crisp cotton shirt in raspberry pinstripe also includes a belt.  35.00  Wear it over a pink bodysuit (25.00) and finish the look with a lovely stone-wash skirt, with white floral embroidery.  30.00

To view the handbags, tote and separates, click here:

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/24570917

I love the look that Janet has created for the Elite Ensemble.  Stonewash denim with white floral embroidery makes up the Jacket and skirt, with careful planning to make the most of the design.  Also included are a pink bodysuit, tote set, shoes, earrings, belt and your choice of handbag.  150.00 + shipping

To view the Elite Ensemble, click here:

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/24765152

All items shown in 12" can be upsized to 16" for a modest increase.

Please send all orders to: dianawieler@hotmail.com

_______

I adore that Prada bag but I'm not a big fan of the fashions. That mix of pink and blue doesn't work and the stying of the jacket is kind of boring. 

Barbie Fan Club "We're Sorry For Making You Wait" Reward

Those of you who faithfully send your $25 every year to the Barbie Fan Club are being rewarded for having to wait so long this year. According to those in power "the launch of the 2017 Club is part of a newly optimized website experience...and we want to get everything just right for you." The last time they "optimized" the website, all hell broke loose. It still freezes for me on a regular basis.
Even the link:

included in the email announcement, takes one to a blank page. They need help.

In any event, they're offering a "one-use" discount that will be good all year. Unfortunately, one must spend money in order to 'save.'

One detail to note is that the "free standard shipping offer with $100 minimum purchase" is valid even with this offer.

"BomBom" A New Modsdoll is Revealed

Yian Lee  sent out photos of her new modsdoll "BomBom" this evening. She uses the Miao sculpt and has the same body as "Sasha." 

BomBom will be released on March 27th at 9AM (Korea time).

I love the look of her accessories - the jacket and the purse. That bag is so adorable! The ruffle at the bottom of the dress is a shade of aqua which neatly ties the bag into the outfit. The open-toed boots are darling. It all works well together and lends itself to mix and match. 

I predict this girl will sell out quickly. 

9:00 AM Korea Time = 8:00 PM the previous day EDT (New York)

Here is a good conversion chart: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/south-korea/seoul

There is no DST in Seoul, So. Korea.

There are more photos on Yian's Flickr.

http://themodsdoll.com/

"Eric Raymond's No. 1 Henchman: Zipper!" A new JEM character debuts.

According to Integrity Toys, there are very "few items left before the Jem and the Holograms line is officially retired." That's definitely not an issue for this collector. However, as I've said many times previously, most of the male dolls throughout the years have been exceptional. This new doll is another interesting addition to the "Hommes."
Zipper comes with rooted and flocked blonde and jet black hair. Yes, there are two to choose from. He wears jeans, a white t-shirt and a cute faux leather jacket and also comes with a hoodie and sweatpants which are called a "thief outfit." No weapons this time although there is something that looks like a coil of thin rope.

If I were going to order, I'd get the Jet Black one. IMO the sculpt looks better with the black hair.

Each doll is an LE of 200 with a price of $130. plus shipping.
They will be sold only through IT Direct:
http://www.integritytoys.com/shop20/Jem-And-The-Holograms/

Item # 14094A (Blond) or 14094B (Jet Black)

Zipper™

The JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ Collection

Approximate Ship Date: Now In-Stock (Shipping shortly after payment is received)

Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 + Shipping and Handling Per Figure

Head Sculpt: Zipper (New Sculpt!)

Body Type: Homme 1.0

Skintone: FR White

Hair Color: Blond or Jet Black (Depending on version)

Eyelashes: No

"La Vie en Bleu" Elise Jolie

I was lucky to find a collector who attended the IT convention last year offering this lovely Elise doll. She is wearing a miniature version of one of Jason Wu's designs. The box she came in actually said Jason Wu on it!
I am not a huge fan of the pale face and tiny eyes but the gown is stunning. The fabric is beautiful. The construction is detailed and well executed.

The doll herself is almost perfect. IT used a new finish on the vinyl that feels wonderful and looks great. There is something strange going on with her hip and knee joints. As I moved the legs, I could swear they clicked into place. Uh oh. I might have to take her to my orthopedist.

Whatever it is, it's better than loose hips.

Her shoes are too small. Sigh. The last time I warmed up shoes, the glue wound up melting and the entire shoe came apart. Obviously I left it in the heating pad for too much time. So with these pretty shoes, I got her foot in but I couldn't get her heel to meet the sole. I hate tight shoes.

Here is one of Jason's gowns in the same style using different colors.

Here is the original dress on a flat-chested, sick-looking model. I do not see the beauty of this model in any way.  The gown looks better on the doll.

I wish they would have painted more open eyes.

Elise is my favorite sculpt and although I have most of them, I did not pursue the ones that have slitty eyes. But this one's fashion outweighed her looks. I had to have it.