A bit later than usual (a week to ten days later than last year I think) comes the first wave of new releases from Integrity Toys. Poppy Parker is the major line is this wave and it is of course the BonBon collection, samples of which we got to see earlier in the year: the upgrade Poppy (Ma Petite Fleur) and the W Club first doll, Ooh La La. As a refresher, let me remind you that the concept of the collection is that Poppy is on her first trip to Paris for modelling and so, as David Buttry told the W Club in the video accompanying the release, it draws elements from Parisian couture as well as from the very first Poppy Parker collections. So they use not only a new screening (like the one of the W Club doll) but also those from the first collections - remember those dolls are still very sought after. The dolls are available to pre-order from IT dealers except two of the dolls, which will be available later through lottery.
I have to say that I was a bit underwhelmed reading the presentation email. It's not that the dolls are not beautiful but I only wanted one to join my collection - and that one is due for a lottery in the coming months. I think I expected something different design-wise, more like ooh La La and less like Parisian mannequins of the early 60s (which A Funny Face has already covered for me to perfection). I am sure people will love the collection, as it has been a while since the designs had the early part of the decade as an inspiration, but to me it simply did not click. I will be writing my particular thoughts about each doll below - lets fly to Paris!
Item # PP100
Bonjour Mademoiselle
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
The Bonbon Collection
Approximate Ship Date: Late Summer/Early Fall
Limited Edition Size: 800 Dolls Worldwide
Suggested Retail Price: $120.00
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: Poppy Parker™
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker™
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Colour: Raven
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Poppy's ensemble includes a sea foam sheath dress and a black and white hounds-tooth coat with matching beret. A pair of assorted duo-toned kitten heels, a fleur-de-lis brooch, a pair of stud earrings and a fully functional customized travel train case finish off this lovely ensemble. Poppy Parker is a fully articulated 12.5-inch doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. This doll cannot stand alone; a doll stand is included.
According to her serial number, this is the 100th Poppy version released by Integrity. I was expecting them to have a very special doll with that number, but it seems they did not consider it important. This one, while looking great, simply reminds me of one of the Mood Changers Poppies, down to the colour of her dress. If I did not have that one already, I might be getting this one, but now it simply does not interest me at all., And yes, that's the travel train case we have seen before in Sabrina, albeit in a different colour and print.
Item # PP106
Powder Puff
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
The Bonbon Collection
IT Direct Exclusive
Approximate Ship Date: Late Summer 2016
Limited Edition Size: 700 Dolls
Exclusive Retail Price: $120.00 - NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH DEALERS
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: Poppy Parker™
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker™
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Colour: Dark Brown
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Poppy wears a baby blue peignoir set that consists of a baby doll nightie with delicate ribbon and lace detailing, a layered full-length sheer robe, and matching blue satin mules with pompom accents. She comes with the teddy bear, a ring and stud earrings as well as a leather-bound diary with a lock. Poppy Parker is a fully articulated 12.5-inch doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. This doll cannot stand alone; a doll stand is included.
This is fluffy and cute all-right, but I don't do fluffy or cute in my collection. The teddy bear is a nice touch as is the diary and I love the ring. The hair-style I could live without. The outfit was inspired by one David saw in the film "The Love God?". I guess the pink one?
Item # PP099
Très Chic Boutique
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
The Bonbon Collection
Approximate Ship Date: Late Summer/Early Fall
Limited Edition Size: 900 Dolls Worldwide
Suggested Retail Price: $120.00
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: Poppy Parker™
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker™
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Colour: Natural Red
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Poppy wears a yellow suit with black accent belt and tops it off with a bell-shaped flocked hat, black gloves and faux pearl jewellery - earrings, necklace and bracelet. She comes with a handbag and a shopping bag. Poppy Parker is a fully articulated 12.5-inch doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. This doll cannot stand alone; a doll stand is included.
This one again reminds me of a Mood Changer Poppy, the red-head. If her skin tone was Japan or Cream, I probably would try to get her. Nice suit, boring jewellery. Gorgeous handbag.
Item # PP102
Night At The Ballet
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
The Bonbon Collection
Approximate Ship Date: Late Summer/Early Fall
Limited Edition Size: 700 Dolls Worldwide
Suggested Retail Price: $120.00
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: Poppy Parker™
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker™
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Colour: Ash Blond
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Poppy is sporting a turquoise brocade cocktail dress with a tulip skirt and coordinating jewellery: earrings, necklace and bracelet. She finishes it off with a faux fur wrap, matching clutch and shoes. Poppy Parker is a fully articulated 12.5-inch doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. This doll cannot stand alone; a doll stand is included.
The silhouette of this dress does not photograph well. I wonder how it will look in real life. I do not like the brocade pattern at all, but the colour combinations are lovely. Great jewellery set. The shoes look poor for this type of outfit. she needed something more glamorous here.
Item # PP098
C'est Si Bon
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
The Bonbon Collection
Approximate Ship Date: Late Summer/Early Fall
Limited Edition Size: 600 Dolls Worldwide
Suggested Retail Price: $120.00
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: Poppy Parker™
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker™
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Colour: Lemon Yellow
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Poppy wears a black and white polka dotted cocktail dress with black belt and gloves. She tops it off with a black tulle spectator headpiece along with earrings, necklace and a black clutch. Poppy Parker is a fully articulated 12.5-inch doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. This doll cannot stand alone; a doll stand is included.
I would get this one if the polka dots were smaller (I know, I'm picky) and the top tier of the skirt (the polka dot part) sat better on the tulle layers. There is a special construction at the back but it gets lost in black. The dress is actually a copy of a Lanvin dress designed by Antonio Castillo in 1957, now in the V&A museum, donated by Stella, Lady Ednam (see photo below).
Lanvin dress by Antonio Castillo, 1957, given to the V&A by Stella, Lady Ednam, photo copyright V&A museum
Item # PP105
Paris In The Springtime
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
The Bonbon Collection
Approximate Ship Date: Late Summer/Early Fall
Limited Edition Size: 900 Dolls Worldwide
Suggested Retail Price: $120.00
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: Poppy Parker™
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker™
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Colour: Raven
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Poppy wears a printed (custom made by Integrity Toys) dress with black waist bandeau and neck trim. She has a little poodle with her and comes with a bag, sunglasses, earrings, bracelet and shoes. Poppy Parker is a fully articulated 12.5-inch doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. This doll cannot stand alone; a doll stand is included.
This is the closer it gets to the previous Poppy releases of this collection. Lovely dress and cute dog. She's like the opposite version of the W Club Poppy. I like the doll but not that much to buy her.
Item # PP103
Magnifique
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
The Bonbon Collection
Approximate Ship Date: Late Summer/Early Fall
Limited Edition Size: 900 Dolls Worldwide
Suggested Retail Price: $120.00
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: Poppy Parker™
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker™
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Colour: Luscious Red
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Poppy wears a strapless white brocade gown, contrasted with an obi style waistband and long train in lilac. A matching clutch bag, shoes, and long white opera gloves complete the ensemble. The jewellery set includes earrings, necklace and bracelet. Poppy Parker is a fully articulated 12.5-inch doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. This doll cannot stand alone; a doll stand is included.
This is a case where the accessories are more interesting than the dress itself. I love the jewellery and bag very much but the dress looks a bit simple for them. Maybe if it her a couture detail at the front of the bodice and the train was double-faced (white on the top. purple at the bottom for example) it would look more spectacular. The shoes could have been better - why not high heeled sling backs? Or a jewelled buckle on them? As for the doll, the intensity of the eye-shadow is off-putting. The lipstick looks a lot like those used in the era.
Item # PP104
Miss Amour
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
The Bonbon Collection
IT Direct Exclusive
Approximate Ship Date: Mid-Late Summer 2016
Limited Edition Size: 700 Dolls
Exclusive Retail Price: $120.00
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: Poppy Parker™
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker™
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Colour: Ash Brown Mix
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Poppy wears a frothy ball gown of gathered pale pink tulle accented with a black belt and flower detail at the waist. A pink satin cloth and matching shoes as well as earrings, bracelets and a ring finish off the ensemble. The bag has a flower closure to match the outfit. She comes with the perfume bottle as well. Poppy Parker is a fully articulated 12.5-inch doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. This doll cannot stand alone; a doll stand is included.
I love this doll. It reminds me of Chanel Couture so much, while it is actually homage to a Dior 1963 dress designed by Marc Bohan (see last photo). Doll, outfit, accessories are all perfect. David said it is the grandest gown they have made for Poppy so far and I agree. I hope to win her at the lottery. Perfection!
Christian Dior - Spring 1963 - Design by Marc Bohan - Embroideries by Saint-Gall - L’Officiel
The dolls pictured in this release are prototypes. Final fabrics, colors and textures may vary slightly. All photos and information contained herein are copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2016 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.