Kingdom Doll 2018 MONARCHY Convention, Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland was the site of Kingdom Doll's "Monarchy" Convention. From October 12 through October 14, 2018, seventy-five doll lovers met at the DoubleTree by Hilton, most of us from other countries, to celebrate with each other.
My husband and I made a 10-day vacation around this event, many pictures of which are on my regular FaceBook page.  https://www.facebook.com/terri.gold.3?ref=bookmarks.  (Beware, you will have to wade through many political and other posts to find these photos.)
Photos from the actual convention events are posted on my Fans of Kingdom Doll FB page and the Monarchy page. You would have to be a member to see them.

Friday:
The first event took place from 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM during which time we were treated to a talk by Patricia Henry on photography. I can listen to her 'lectures' over and over again. She is so informative and funny. Everyone in the audience, no matter their photographic skill level, was able to take away hints to improve their photos.

We got to see the companion dolls and take the one we ordered.

Ravenna (left) and Raphaella

We had a buffet lunch in the hotel restaurant and returned to the convention space for more fun.
We voted on the competition entries which were amazing and very numerous.

During the mid-day break, the competition entries were set up. They were extremely impressive as you can see in this video:

We viewed the silent auction dolls and bids were taken.

Tribal Belgae OOAK 

Artemesia OOAK

We were introduced to the new 12" Monarchs. These little beauties are fully jointed 12" resin dolls. They will be sold dressed in copies of 16" Elgin's gown. They have their own website: www.kdmonarchs.com.

Kingdom Doll Photo 

The first Monarch to be released this December is La Scala Georgiana dressed in red silk. The second Monarch will be released sometime in 2019.

Finally, the shopping began.

Saturday 7:00 PM — Late:

Attendees arrived at the ballroom laden with gifts for other attendees and ran about distributing them. We oohed and aahed over the centerpiece hoping to be one of the ones lucky enough to have the opportunity to purchase her.  After dinner, we received our convention souvenir, Rosalind of Durham which some are calling The Red Queen. She has a new sculpt, complete with dimples, called Canti. I don't know who took the first photo but it does show Rosalind in her original wig with her crown. I took the second photo of her wearing a different wig.

The centerpiece doll LE 12 is called Raven. She has the Dumnonii sculpt.

The evening went on into the wee hours with dancing and partying.


Sunday 1:00 to 4:00

Afternoon tea was served and then a presentation with a whisky tasting took place. Since half of the collectors at our table are non-drinkers, we had a good time trying to get the others to drink more. The Scottish presenter was delightful and funny. I learned one little fact and it is that only true Scot's whisky can be spelled without the e.

The centerpiece is called Reign of Durham LE 8 .

Reign of Durham photographed by Machelle Dubriel

Her sculpt is the same as Rosalind's. Her gown is a black version of the Red Queen's while her fur epaulets are a pink version.

A big surprise of the event was our gift from Kingdom Doll which was a doll. She is called Realm. She came nude. Here are some photos I took of her when we got home. She's dressed in one of the optional purchase dresses which is part of a larger outfit.

More shopping opportunities finished off the afternoon with goodbyes and hugs and kisses.

Random photos I took once I arrived back home.

VanBrugh got to wear a British flag pin and carry a bagpipe when we came home.

Optional fashions available. Defense of the Realm was available for pre-order.

Blue Safari (Above) Defense of the Realm (below)

The Hamish Bag Set and There's A Snake in Your Sporran

Slay Another Day 

Holyrood Sapphire and Garnet Outfits

Integrity Toys' 2018 Collection

On Saturday, August 25, 2018, the Integrity Toys' 2018 collection was revealed via live online event. I had a bit of trouble connecting at first as I was traveling out of state and I didn't realize that I had to change a setting on my phone.
The collection consisted of dolls in the following lines: The Industry, Nu.Face, East 59th and Fashion Royalty. I'm not going to list every detail of every doll in every line as collectors can find all of this on-line at some dealers' sites even though many are sold out. Cherished Friends keeps sold out dolls listed (so you can see what you missed. Heh.)

The Industry line "Lovesick Collection" consists of 3 females and one male doll.

One stands far out from the rest. He's called "Hot to the Touch" and the character's name is Bellamy Blue.

Everything about him is extraordinary for a 1/6 scale doll from his edgy rooted and flocked silver hair to the layered garments (printed t-shirt, embroidered button-down shirt, parka, jeans) to his combat boots, messenger bag and jewelry. This is a fantastic doll that uses the newer Homme 1.5 body which disassembles.
Edition size is 725 and he sold out lightning fast at $130.

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The Nu.Face "Counter-Culture" Collection designed by Jessy Ayala is definitely a new look for IT dolls. They are described as "dark and edgy, artistically defiant and inspired by the alternative scene." The back story states that they are going to be an "integral part of what could be called the most controversial music video of all time!"
From top to bottom they are called: Tantric aka Lukas Maverik, Beyond This Planet aka Violane Perrin, The Awakening aka Annik Vandale, Supernova aka Colette Duranger and Nirvana aka Dominique Makeda.
These dolls retail at $150.

One interesting fact is that Violane Perrin's sculpt was that of Vanessa 2.0.

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The East 59th Collection's female dolls have a 50's vibe. I like the fashions more than the dolls themselves. Most come with additional fashion pieces and props. It appears that everyone on East 59th likes to drink. 

The dolls retail for $135.

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Fashion Royalty "Sacred Lotus" Collection designed by Jessy Ayala.

I was very impressed with this collection. Each doll is lovely. The fashions are pretty and the jewelry is super. If the main focus of my collection were Fashion Royalty, I'd have to have a few of these girls, namely Isha, Vanessa and Natalia. 

 Isha is outstanding. She's entitled "Divinity." She does look divine. Of course, she was sold out very fast. 

Vanessa Perrin Mini-giftset ($175.) will be sold via IT Direct lottery. I'm going to try for her. She is beautiful! Her skin tone is called Dark A-tone; hair is soft ebony. She's called "Serenity."

Natalia Fatale aka "Resurgence" retails at $155. Her edition size is 950. Sculpt is Natalia 2.0.

 Kyori Sato aka "Karma" appears to be dressed in a very modern version of a sari.
I preferred her original, more Asian sculpt. She's was made too much like the rest of the narrow-nosed, "white" eyed girls. I actually find this doll to be on the rather boring and not up to par with the rest of this collection. $155. retail.

Tatyana Alexandrova aka "Goddess" is wearing a stunning red fashion with equally beautiful jewelry. While not one of my favorite sculpts, she looks gorgeous here. $155. retail.

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Finally, the exclusive event doll, Agnes Von Weiss aka "Devotion." Every membership was guaranteed the right to pre-order this doll.
I wish she had been chosen to wear Tatyana's red outfit. It's so much more interesting than this black sheath and shoulder throw (not sure what it's called officially.)
Her henna designs are beautiful. Her jewelry is striking.
$155.

What were your favorites? Did you manage to lock in the pre-orders you wanted?