March 25th officially marked the introduction of one of the most anticipated collections from Integrity Toys in a long time; The Monarchs Homme. Brainchild of Integrity Toys designer Vaughn Sawyers, it is the reincarnation of the beloved FR: Homme line, the one collectors have been waiting for six years now. Their revamped storyline revolves around a super exclusive social club called "The Monarch", supposedly a gathering place for business, ideas, networking and more that has been around for more than three generations. The members who are part of this institution call themselves "THE MONARCHS" and that is how the line got it’s name. Exclusive male clubs are such an outdated idea in 2019 that it made me cringe just reading about it. Let’s be done with patriarchy even in our fantasy doll storylines, please.
Both the email for the W Club as well as the forum chat with Vaughn revealed that, while brand new characters/sculpts will be introduced later as the series progresses, for this first release and as a form of re-introduction (since many have been absent for a while), the focus has been kept on key characters that collectors know already from FR: Homme and other Integrity Toys collections. Asked about the most popular male characters from the original line, Pierre, Francisco and Darius, Vaughn said that the last one will make an appearance sooner than expected, the second is coming too but did not specifically replied about the first. There are four dealer doll’s and two lottery ones. If you hurry, there might be some left still at Integrity Toys dealers. Remember they all have the new body, Homme 2.0, first shown on the convention Monarch, Declan.
My overall impression: underwhelmed. After six years of waiting the return of the Hommes, I was bummed to see faces from other lines taking their place. The clothing is not coherent. While some outfits are daring and all look well made and tailored, they were not what I was expecting from a line being worked upon for so long. I will expand on this on each particular doll below. The raised price point is a cause of conabput many collectors. $175 for a doll is a lot, accesyand quality notwithstanding. Why are all these $45 more than Bellamy Blue from the Industry line, whose outfit and acc are equally well made, rich and detailed? Vaughn said the price point can change according to the outfit and accessories. I did not order any doll now and will wait to see when and how Darius and the rest of the old gang will appear.
UPDATE: Most dealers have all dolls available yet, so it seems the pricing is keeping people from buying.
UPDATE II: caved in and preordered Tenzin. Vu Nguyen posted some visuals from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure and when I saw them it clicked. It’s a Japanese manga and anime series.
Item# 21001
Natural Selection
Noah Faraday™ Fashion Figure
The Monarchs™ Homme Collection
Availability: Spring / Summer 2019
Retail Price: $175.00 + S & H - WILL BE OFFERED VIA RIGHT-TO-BUY LOTTERY, DETAILS TO COME CLOSER TO THE FIGURE'S ARRIVAL DATE.
Edition Size: 725
Head Sculpt: Noah (Formerly Ace McFly)
Body Type: Homme 2.0
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Colors: Chocolate Brown
Eyelashes: No
Quickswitch: No
Included:
- Latest generation 12.5" / 1:6 scale fully articulated male body that can be taken apart, featuring removable hands and feet for easy dressing;
- Alternate pair of hands (not shown);
- Combination rooted and flocked hairstyle;
- Meticulously crafted, multi-layered outfit composed of a faux-suede adventurer jacket, cable knit henley sweater, pale taupe t-shirt and slim-fit cargo pants;
- High-contrast orange sneakers;
- Oversized travel bag;
- Black aviator sunglasses;
- Faux-silver wrist watch;
- Faux-silver cuff bracelet and ring;
- Figure stand;
- Certificate of authenticity.
This is my favourite of the reveal. I always liked the Ace McFly sculpt but do not have one. And although a $175 doll that does not feature a belt is a major faux pas in my book, I will probably enter the lottery for this one. The straps on the waist and sleeves of the jacket are functional (Velcro) and adjust how tight it fits. Hope the hair in the final production doll stays the same.
Item # 21002
Dressed to Chill
Tenzin Dahkling™ Fashion Figure
The Monarchs™ Homme Collection
Availability: Summer 2019
Retail Price: $175.00 + S & H - SOLD VIA AUTHORIZED DEALERS
Edition Size: 725
Head Sculpt: Tenzin
Body Type: Homme 2.0
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Colors: Midnight Garnet
Eyelashes: No
Quickswitch: No
Included:
- Latest generation 12.5" / 1:6 scale fully articulated male body that can be taken apart, featuring removable hands and feet for easy dressing;
- 2 additional alternate pairs of hands (not shown);
- Combination rooted and flocked hairstyle (with special "shaved" details on the sides);
- Meticulously crafted, multi-layered outfit composed of an intricate faux-leather jacket with contrasting yoke and collar, Japanese-inspired hakama multi-layered pants, and two layered t-shirts creating a transparency effect;
- "Monarchs" branded sock boots;
- Dark grey wayfarer sunglasses;
- Stud earrings and two rings;
- Oversized faux-leather gym bag with removable shoulder strap;
- Figure stand;
- Certificate of authenticity.
I usually go head over heels for Asian dolls but this one looks too cartoony. I love the jacket, it’s perfect. The pants, based on Japanese traditional hakkama pants (tattsuke hakkama with the narrow lower part), now worn mostly by martial arts practitioners, would have looked better if they were full length. I like the layered T-shirts too. I’d prefer his sock boots to have a band over the back of the foot, better embroidered like the ones I saw in a Singapore boutique, below:
I know they have Monarchs written on their side, but still, wouldn’t you rather have the ones above? Yes, me too. The bag has a magnetic closure on top of its zipper.
Item #21003
Jean Therapy
Tobias Alsford™ Fashion Figure
The Monarchs™ Homme Collection
Availability: Summer 2019
Retail Price: $175.00 + S & H - SOLD VIA AUTHORIZED DEALERS
Edition Size: 725
Head Sculpt: Tobias
Body Type: Homme 2.0
Skin Tone: FR Black
Hair Colors: Darkest Raven
Eyelashes: No
Quickswitch: No
Included:
- Latest generation 12.5" / 1:6 scale fully articulated male body that can be taken apart, featuring removable hands and feet for easy dressing;
- Additional alternate pair of hands (not shown);
- Combination rooted and flocked hairstyle;
- Meticulously crafted, multi-layered outfit composed of a contemporary jacket, accented with contrasting knit at the lapel, cuffs and waist, a plaid shirt, a heather colored t-shirt and intricately constructed, distressed jeans;
- Faux-suede desert boot;
- Two-toned faux-leather shoulder pouch/bag;
- Three necklaces;
- Faux-silver cuff bracelet and two rings;
- Figure stand;
- Certificate of authenticity.
I like Tobias, I have the one from the MLP line, which is probably why this one does not make me want it. The outfit and accessories do not scream “buy me” at all, especially for a $175 doll. Plus I hate fanny bags. Really. They should be condemned for eternity in the flames of fashion inferno.
Item # 21004
Fresh Wear
Declan Wake™ Fashion Figure
The Monarchs™ Homme Collection
Availability: Summer 2019
Retail Price: $175.00 + S & H - SOLD VIA AUTHORIZED DEALERS
Edition Size: 725
Head Sculpt: Declan
Body Type: Homme 2.0
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Colors: Warm Mocha
Eyelashes: No
Quickswitch: No
Included:
- Latest generation 12.5" / 1:6 scale fully articulated male body that can be taken apart, featuring removable hands and feet for easy dressing;
- Additional alternate pair of hands (not shown);
- Combination rooted and flocked hairstyle;
- Meticulously crafted, multi-layered tone-on-tone outfit composed of a long rubberized "lab" overcoat, sleeveless shirt with removable faux-knotted sleeve belt and matching pants;
- Ultra modern, sneaker/loafer combo shoes ;
- Faux-elephant skin tech clutch bag;
- Mini-hoop earrings and two rings;
- Figure stand;
- Certificate of authenticity.
Declan is always a favourite with collectors. This one is a bit bland as a doll, but with an interesting outfit, that plays with contrasting textures and has a modern feel. The iPad case could have been made in a bolder colour to offset his neutral clothing. I dislike thick soled loafers in real life and it surely transfers into dolly land.
Item #21006
Checks and Balances
Elias Veiga™ Fashion Figure
The Monarchs™ Homme Collection
Availability: Spring / Summer 2019
Retail Price: $175.00 + S & H - SOLD VIA AUTHORIZED DEALERS
Edition Size: 500
Head Sculpt: Elias (Formerly Perry 1.0)
Body Type: Homme 2.0
Skin Tone: New Hispanic
Hair Colors: Natural Black
Eyelashes: No
Quickswitch: No
Included:
- Latest generation 12.5" / 1:6 scale fully articulated male body that can be taken apart, featuring removable hands and feet for easy dressing;
- Pair of gloved hands;
- Alternate pair of regular hands
- Combination rooted and flocked hairstyle;
- Meticulously crafted, multi-layered outfit composed of plaid three-piece suit (with high-contrast lining), a fashionable faux-fur jacket and a perfectly combined shirt and tie;
- Faux-snakeskin shoes with contrasting sole detail;
- Faux-leather wrist watch;
- Figure stand;
- Certificate of authenticity.
For a business man, I’d expect Elias to have at least a briefcase or at least a laptop case with a computer miniature inside, to justify his price tag. Unfortunately all he has to show is another checkered suit (we’ve seen it before) and a fur coat (Industry vibes here). His sculpt is the original Dracula one, as Vaughn mentioned in the forum, the final Perry sculpt was supposedly softer. Did not like it before, do not like it now. I’d rather see Pierre or Francisco in his place.
Item #21007
Layers Of A Man
Romain Perrin™ Fashion Figure
The Monarchs™ Homme Collection
Availability: Spring / Summer 2019
Retail Price: $175.00 + S & H - WILL BE OFFERED VIA RIGHT-TO-BUY LOTTERY, DETAILS TO COME CLOSER TO THE FIGURE'S ARRIVAL DATE.
Edition Size: TBD
Head Sculpt: Romain
Body Type: Homme 2.0
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Colors: Honey Blonde
Eyelashes: No
Quickswitch: No
Included:
- Latest generation 12.5" / 1:6 scale fully articulated male body that can be taken apart, featuring removable hands and feet for easy dressing;
- Additional alternate pair of hands (not shown);
- Fully rooted head sculpt with shoulder length flowing hairstyle;
- Meticulously crafted, multi-layered outfit composed of a wine colored cable knit sweater, a quilted sleeveless vest, a "faux-shearling sheepskin leather" jacket and slim fit plaid pants;
- Lace-up faux-leather boots with contrasting panels;
- Camera bag;
- Digital camera accessory with detachable lenses and articulated flash;
- Figure stand;
- Certificate of authenticity.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This Romain is a hair color variation of the one offered to convention guests who attended the Monarch launch event last October at the Luxe Life convention, in lieu of the promised doll/centerpiece. This blonde version will be made available for W Club members only later this Spring/Summer. Should quantities remain of the convention version, Integrity Toys will announce at a later date how they will be offered. Do not contact Integrity Toys at this time to inquire, as they do not have any additional information available.
This is my least favourite sculpt of male Integrity Toys dolls. No matter the version, I find his face off putting. I like the sweater and pants though. The boots could have been a bit more detailed at this price point. The camera with accessories and bag is a nice touch. This is a lottery doll as well. I suspect the edition size will be determined by the size of the other version.
So what do you think of this new collection of Hommes? Did you order any? Let me know in the comments.
The figures shown and the accessories in the product pictures are prototypes. As always, final fabrics, colors, shapes and textures may vary slightly. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only.
All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2019 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. THE MONARCHS and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc. Chesapeake City MD USA 21915. All rights reserved. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.
Doll Photography by Tony Pettinato. Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing