Integrity Toys Obsession Convention 2021, Day 2: The Final Gala Event dolls

The Obsession Convention Final Gala Event was the final one for this year’s virtual convention. The Event Centerpiece doll was designed by Jessy Ayala and the Official Convention Souvenir doll was designed by designer Jason Wu, as it has been for many years. The winners of the three creative competitions were also announced. It was a mixed bag of a convention, more so than last year, and I think that the format of the event, if it continues to be virtual (which will almost certainly be again next year), has to be rethought. There are ways to make things a bit more interactive, so that people can get a sense of being connected and do things during the convention, instead of simply watching one webinar after another. With the problems in the supply chain not going away for the foreseeable future, it might be sensible to make the convention dolls early enough so that they can be available during the time of the event. It has been two years now living in a pandemic, with adequate and early planning, it can be possible.

Item # 91529

Sovereign

Adèle Makéda™ Dressed Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

Final Gala Event Centerpiece

Edition Size: 1300

Special Convention Price: $180.00

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Adele 2.0

Body Type: FR 6.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Sunkissed

Hair Color: Golden Blonde

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Sovereign Adèle Makéda is definitely giving a run for her money to Victoire Roux for best doll of this convention. The final gala centerpiece doll continues designer Jessy Ayala's military-styling Obsession for the Fashion Royalty ladies and hits the mark - a perfect ten. And from the real-life photos I have seen, she sure is gorgeous. I will try to add this one to my collection, as well as Victoire. The jacket is in the formal military style seen especially in the 19th century, and with her hair and accessories she looks like a modern version of the Bridgerton ladies. She could very well have a part in that series!

Item # 12320

Fall 2020

Elyse Jolie™ Dressed Doll

The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession

The Jason Wu Collection Official Convention Souvenir

Edition Size: 1300

*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*

Head Sculpt: Elyse Jolie

Body Type: FR 6.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Dark A-Tone

Hair Color: Black

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

It is weird to have a second dark skinned Elyse in a year (after the upgrade one) and, despite her wearing a Fall 2020 Jason Wu original dress, she feels a bit underwhelming. Following after the incredible centerpiece Adele surely does not help. The obsession is cosmetics and she comes with a set of miniature Jason Wu cosmetics that are gorgeous and I’d love to have them offered as an accessory set sometime in the future. The gown is quite close to the real dress but the unfinished edges do not translate well in doll size and make the effect have no impact compared to the original. It looks like someone decided to leave the dress unfinished because they were in a hurry. Last year’s Aymeline was a much better choice for the convention souvenir doll.

The winners of the Obsession Convention Design Competitions were also announced at the final event. Each one will receive an Integrity Toys exclusive award statuette. Let’s see who won each category:

Monochromatic Obsession Styling

Competition Winner: Aral Rahman

Meet Aral Rahman

Aral Rahman was born and raised in Malaysia. He loves to design OOAK doll outfits under his own mini label ARALGHOSTIER. Coffee addict. Pure Cancerian. My muse would be pop/dance songs, favourite colors got to be black, maroon ruby, mauve & emerald. Digging in the characters of Giselle, Rayna, and Lilith.

A Note From Aral

As black and addictive as 'Opium Libre'... Feeling free and mysterious at the same time. Would love some danger while on the red carpet. Not perfect, asymmetrical, and just on edge. Effortless timeless in black couldn't be wrong! - Aral Rahman

Fashion Photo: Obsessed with Travel Photography

Competition Winner: Alberic Kacou

Meet Alberic Kacou

I'm Alby, the unique IT Collector man living in Africa (Ivory Coast, West Africa). As a globe-trotter African native, I'm passionate about travels, people and their culture, dolls, photography, fashion, and music. To me, life is a priceless gift, that I dully celebrate every day with family and friends, all over the world. I have been a doll collector for a decade, but collecting IT dolls since 2019. IT dolls are the perfect dolls for collectors, to me. Please dive into my special universe through my IG account @bibidollscollector

A Note From Alberic

Rayna is back in Tunisia, the country of origin of her grandparents. She's happy to discover the famous village Sidi Bou Said, where this special blue is present everywhere and dresses all the artistic and unique doors of the ancient shelters. Rayna's dress is assorted to the blue mood of this nice location. - Alberic Kacou

Obsessed with Fashion Diorama/Scene

Competition Winner: Nicanor Aquino

Meet Nicanor Aquino

I'm Nic from Annapolis, Maryland. Was always a doll lover, but was inspired to collect in 2018 after discovering the doll community on Instagram.

A Note From Nicanor

My diorama is inspired by your iconic characters like Cher Horowitz and Carrie Bradshaw and their obsession and love affair for fashion. The scene depicts the ridiculousness of living and breathing fashion through obsessive shopping. - Nicanor Aquino

Congratulations to all the winners, what a creative trio! And this is the end of the 2021 Integrity Toys convention coverage from me.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prototypes shown, final production may vary. Acrylic blocks in the accessory pictures are display props only and are not included with the doll. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2021 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. FASHION ROYALTY and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc. Chesapeake City MD USA 21915. All rights reserved. Jason Wu and all other related brands are trademarks of JWU, LLC. All rights reserved. Used under permission. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.

Doll Photography by Jayme Thornton, Bill Peck, and Shaunessey Smith; Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing

A doll with an Edge by Lisa Ramsammy and Integrity Toys

Almost a year ago, back in October 2013, the Official Integrity Toys Advanced Design competition took place at the "Premiere" Convention in Los Angeles, California. According to the competition rules, the winning design, personally picked by Jason Wu and the rest of the Integrity Toys design team members, has been made into a production doll and W Club members get to pre-order her starting today. The new doll based on Lisa Ramsammy's winning entry, "Edge" is none other than Vanessa Perrin. Lisa had dressed a Vanessa 1.0 for the competition but Integrity picked her latest incarnation, 3.0, to use for this offer. Below is the original doll by Lisa (photo by JennFL).

In an unparalleled move by Integrity Toys, every Club member is guaranteed the right to pre-order as many dolls as they want. The total edition size will be based on how many pre-orders are received.

Item # 91354
Edge
Vanessa Perrin Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty Collection
2013 Design Competition Award Doll by Lisa Ramsammy
Edition Size: TBA (Based on all orders received)
Suggested Retail Price: $150 public/$135 W Club Members (+ Shipping and tax if applicable)
Estimated Delivery Date: Approximately Late Fall/Early Winter 2014

Doll Tech-Specs:
Head Sculpt: Vanessa 3.0
Body: FR 2013
Skin Tone: FR White
Quickswitch Feature: No
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Hair Color: Luscious Blond

Dressed in a creation by doll artist Lisa Ramsammy of Canada, Vanessa Perrin is a 12.5-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. The doll comes dressed in Lisa's ultra-modern creation and is completed by earrings, bracelet, bag and shoes. A doll stand is also included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

The doll is already available to W Club members for pre-order at a special price and will be also available to the general public soon. For me, she is an outstanding doll. She looks like a modernized, updated version of Poesie Sans Couleur Vanessa; she is stunning with her silver hair and pale make up. Lisa's design is minimal with an edge. It could easily work as a real fashion too.

Update: The doll will come with extra painted glove hands:

A few words about the designer, Lisa Ramsammy:

Never formally trained in the art of sewing or fashion design, Lisa learned to use her basic skills to hand and machine sew her competition entries and its really draping fabrics on the doll, pinning and tacking things by hand that allows her to get her desired results. Born in the Caribbean, Lisa has been a doll fan since childhood and finally obtained her first doll when her family immigrated to Canada. One of Lisa's favourite past times growing up was stitching outfits for her dolls using bits and pieces of fabric she could find! Fast forward nearly 20 years later, married with a family of three boys and not sure if she would ever have a daughter, Lisa started collecting various vintage and modern fashion dolls in hopes that she could one day pass her gorgeous collection onto a daughter or granddaughter... Then, along came Integrity Toys' Fashion Royalty line and the rest is history!

Lisa has been actively painting portraits of people and thoroughbred racehorses for many years until she stumbled into the repaint world of dolls in 2004. She was fascinated and decided to try her art on such a small scale. She's been fine tuning her skills ever since. She mainly sells repainted dolls on eBay. Lisa has entered annually at each Integrity Toys design competition thus far because she loves doing it and feels it is important to participate even if you think you can't win. In Lisa's words: "The expression of pride on my Mom's face was priceless when I won; she's supported me through life's ups and downs and every convention thus far; it's a great feeling making your parents proud while doing what you love!" "Never say "I can't". The whole idea is to have fun doing it. It was a complete shock and thrill and a great honour to have been chosen as the 2013 Advanced Design winner and I am humbly grateful."

Lisa has entered and won multiple times at the various design competitions held each year at the Integrity Toys convention. Here's an highlight of Lisa's previous wins:

2004 -2nd Place Judges' Choice Advanced Category
2006 -1st Place Judges' and People's Choice Winner Advanced Categories
2007 -1st Place Judges' and People's Choice Winner Advanced Categories
2008 -1st Place Judges' and People's Choice Winner Male and Female Advanced Categories
2010 -2nd Place Judges' Choice Poppy Design Category
2011 -1st Place Judges' Choice Hair Design Category

What Lisa Says About Her Creation "I simply named this creation "Edge" as I was trying for an edgier look, something modern in design. I decided on simplicity rather than pomp and pageantry, something that would stand out and be different than the other entries."

**Please note: Integrity pre-production prototype shown; actual product may vary slightly. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2014 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.**

Barbie now has an architect designed dream house

If you are frequent readers of this blog, you probably remember back in May when the AIA Barbie® Dream House™ Design Competition challenged AIA members to design a dream house for this worldwide but oh so American icon. Well, the results came out this month: from only 30 submissions, a panel of jurors selected five finalists with input from Mattel’s own team of Barbie® experts. They then invited the public to choose their favorite design. Almost 9,000 people, children, but also those still feeling like children at heart, voted. The result: Barbie’s dream house is the quintessential Malibu beach house; it is modern, functional, spacious, fun and most of all sustainable. The design submitted by Ting Li, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP and Maja Paklar, Assoc. AIA, received the most public votes, out of the 8,470 votes registered.

The press release from Mattel tells us how Architect Barbie designed her house:

Naturally the newly minted Architect Barbie took on the task of designing her own dream house. She is creative, fashionable, busy and powerful. She has gone through years of training to become a leading figure in her field. She is LEED AP and a member of the AIA. Although she is an internationally renowned globe trotter, when not travelling she loves to look smart, entertain her potential clients, and come up with innovative ideas in her high-tech, low energy consumption home.

The concept of this house reflects exactly who Barbie is in her new profession. She has pledged to build an environmentally sustainable home using the principals set forth by USGBC as well as to stay true to all the needs of a classic California girl! The house is situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The entrance faces north-west and the main body of the building has a panoramic view of the ocean. Distinct building programs are specific to each floor, connected by a center core of spiral stairs. 

The stairs rise around a hollow tube , which becomes Barbie’s tower closet. Since Barbie is the original fashionista, she inevitabily accumulated a large volume of enviable designer labels. This computer controlled closet allows for the clothes to be displayed and visible from every angle of the house. It also makes dressing easy: she can select her outfit, push a button, and the outfit is delivered to her bedroom via the double helix moving rack.

The house features 1,500 sq.f. of entertaining space and chef’s open kitchen on the first floor. A Steven Jobs approved office / library / meeting space as well as 500 sq.f. of terrace on the second floor. The third and fourth floors are Barbie’s private enclave, her bedroom and her inspiration room respectively. The roof has a green house and a landscaped garden for her domestic pets.

The design elements include solar panels, landscaped rooftop and irrigation system, operable shading devices, bamboo flooring, low flow toilet and sink fixtures, and locally sourced and manufactured materials and furnishings.

A joint statement from Ms. Li and Ms. Paklar stated, “We are very honored to have been chosen by AIA and Mattel as a finalist and as the public favourite - Barbie was both of ours’ favorite doll growing up in China and Croatia. We appreciate the versatility of our profession which allows us to express ourselves in a myriad of ways - from entirely built city environments to a Barbie Dream House. We hope to encourage more young female architects to flex their design muscles and just to have fun with architecture.”

“The intent of the partnership with Mattel to promote the launch of Architect Barbie was to engage and inspire young girls to experience the world of architecture and the range of possibilities that design thinking offers,” said AIA President, Clark Manus, FAIA. “We are thrilled that this initiative was so well received by the public and congratulations to the finalists and especially the winners of the design competition, Ms. Li and Ms. Paklar. Their submissions did an excellent job of showcasing the innovative approaches that architects reflect in the design of projects of all types.”

The bad news is that the architects’ submissions including the winning design, will not be produced by Mattel. The good news is that the creators of the winning design will have a $1000 donation made in their name to CHAD, a charter high school in Philadelphia focused on architecture and design. Bit AIA does not write if they or Mattel are making the donation.

Most text and info through The American Institute of Architects

BARBIE and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by Mattel, Inc. ©2011 Mattel, Inc. All Rights, Reserved. Photos courtesy of Mattel, Inc.

Design Barbie's dream home competition

For more than 50 years, Barbie has empowered girls to dream big and explore a world without limits. This year, Barbie unveils I Can Be … Architect, encouraging a new generation of girls to pursue a career in architecture.

Along with introduction of the newest Barbie, the American Institute of Architects and Mattel announce the Architect Barbie Dream House Design Competition. It’s an opportunity for architects to design a home for Barbie that meets her guidelines, which include sustainable design principles, room for an office, open living and dining areas and plenty of room for her five pets, including her giraffe.

Competition outline

• Any AIA member is eligible to compete.

• The contest is open for submission on May 16, 2011 at the web address you’re on right now.

• You can fill out this form to register now for your submission.

• The deadline for submissions ends on June 27, 2011.

• The AIA and Mattel will announce five finalists on July 12, 2011 and the public will be able to vote for their favorites between July 12 and August 1, 2011.

• The winner will be announced by the AIA on August 2, 2011.

• You should read and understand the requirements for submission available by clicking here (PDF).

Of course, the Dream House will be home to Architect Barbie (PDF). Designed to ensure she captured the spirit and style of young architects, Barbie designers consulted with two members of the AIA (PDF) - Despina Stratigakos, Professor of Architectural History at the University at Buffalo and Kelly Hayes McAlonie, Associate Director of the Capital Planning Group at the University at Buffalo and the 2011 President Elect for AIA New York State.

''For more than a century, women have chosen to become architects to express and give form to new ways of living. Yet some still consider architecture an unusual profession for a woman. Architect Barbie salutes the many generations of women architects and encourages young girls to imagine a better world they can design and build,'' says Stratigakos.

Despina Stratigakos, (left) Assoc. AIA, and Kelly Hayes McAlonie, AIA, LEED AP.

There was also another initiative from AIA. The American Institute of Architects partnered with Mattel to launch the “Barbie I Can Be...Architect” during AIA’s national convention, May 12−14, in New Orleans, Louisiana. They invited local organizations to sign up groups of 25-30 girls, ages 7 – 9 years, to have the opportunity to interact with an architect during the AIA/Barbie Workshops. 

Girls had the unique opportunity to learn from a real architect about what it takes to become one in a fun and educational environment on location at the AIA 2011 National Convention (May 12-14). Girls also learned about the first female architect recognized by the AIA over 125 years ago and got to ‘create’ their very own Dream House. All participants in the workshop left with a gift bag including their own Architect Barbie and a special poster.

All images courtesy of Mattel

Fashion doll stories

From time to time, Integrity has contests about their dolls, which involve writing about particular situations involving one or more dolls from certain lines. I enter some of them (and have won a couple) but this time, I was a bit more inspired from the situations we were called upon to improvise. I find the two stories I wrote really interesting, so I thought I should post them here too for all to read (no, I did not win this time!).

Here is a story involving FR Veronique Perrin and searching for an outfit:

Hearing the door bell ring, as it did every time a customer entered the shop, I raised my head from the counter, where I had been folding a very expensive silk scarf, and looked at the woman that had just appeared. I almost gasped.
-Ms. Perrin, welcome to Velvet. What can I do for you? I immediately said, still not believing in my eyes. She walked towards me, with that famous feline walk, her sapphire blue eyes steady on mine, her lips almost smiling.
-A lot, if you please. I have a minor emergency in my hands and you can help me overcome it!
-Please let me know how, I smiled.
-I have an unexpected engagement tonight, a small cocktail party for a select few friends, thrown together by another, just because i'm in town. So I need something to wear, but not only that. I need the whole works: accessories, jewellery, the whole shebang!
I smiled. It was my lucky day: I could make her look like a million bucks and have a living advertisement of my boutique walking around a glamorous cocktail party. I tried not to show my excitement and lead her to the inner part of the shop: the lounge area. She sat down and I asked my assistant to serve her some refreshments. I immediately proceeded to pick a couple of elegant dresses I had received the day before: it looked like they were made for her.
-I think you should see these two first. I said, holding the dresses up for her to see. She left the china cup she was holding on the lacquered table and stood up. She approached me with a smile and picked the black one.
-Don't you think black would be too obvious?
-Not in this fabric, I replied. This is Balenciaga. It is wool crepe, but lined in neoprene. Look at the form.
She held it in front of her, while looking at the big mirrored wall opposite her. Framed with a gilded weathered huge wooden but simple frame, it reflected her image back at her.
-I must try this! she said excited! My assistant showed her into the dressing room and i stood waiting for her. When, after a few minutes, she appeared, I felt so good. I had chosen well. The slim elegant line of the dress, the list on her right thigh, the cut-out shoulders, all made her look like a super heroine ready to blast her enemies away. And God knows how many of these she has.
-I looooooooooove this! You're a genius! She winked at me and continued enjoying her look in the mirror. But we have to accessorize this!
-Not a problem, I said calmly. I went behind the counter and picked a small black pillbox hat, in a diameter much smaller than one would expect fitting on one's head. A huge black silk faille bow was tied on it, making it look like a bird ready to fly.
-Try this on!
To my surprise, she did just that. And loved it. My assistant helped her pin tha hat on her elegant and impeccable chignon: she looked amazing. But I already knew that. I handed her the Balenciaga strass necklace and bracelets that I had ordered for the dress. A match made in heaven. With the d'Orsay stilleto's in silver and black, with the thins straps crossing on her little elegant feet, she was ready to meet her friends and be the soul of the party. Any party!
-Thank you soooo much! she said as she air-kissed me, going out the door a while alter, with a smile. Send the things to my suite at the hotel... and please call me tomorrow! We simply MUST talk!
I waved her goodbye as she entered her limousine and was whisked away. As I closed the boutique door behind me, I knew another door had opened for me.
-Close the shop, I said to my assistant. We're going for lunch!

And of course here is the outfit in question (the hat I describe is less art, more fashion):


And here is the second story, this time about Gene Marshall and accessorizing her turquoise Colour Deal outfit:

As Gene Marshall entered the boutique, I rushed to assist her. It was not everyday she came here, but she was a regular customer and a very valued one at that. Having only been here a couple of months did not matter to her: she always asked for my opinion, frequently elaborating
on various fashion ideas. This time it was no different:
-I need you to help me pick some accessories for this turquoise dress, I think I have worn it with white a little bit too much! she said. It is an informal event but I do not want to look too casual.
The gleam in my eyes must have shown, cause she gave me one of those beaming lovely smiles only Gene Marshall could give.
-I might just have the thing for you, I replied. I went to the back of the shop and returned with a number of small elegant boxes. I placed them on the counter and started opening them one by one for her to see.
-See? First we have this elegant pair of the softest kid gloves you have ever seen, in black.
-Black? she asked. Isn't that a bit much?
-Of course not. It will make the whole dress look different, sharper, more glamorous. And you will also wear this matching belt with it.
The belt was made of patent black leather, shiny as jet, very thin, with a lovely silver buckle. The gloves had a similar miniature buckle on the wrist, matching them perfectly.
-Wow! I already see myself in this! And would you agree that I need something from the jewellery department to match these?
-Sure! I have just the thing, I replied, producing the most gorgeous jet brooch this side of the Grand Canyon. And we also have the earrings to match, I said, pointing to the smallest box on the counter. But you must pick a pair of fine pumps too.
-I think I see just what I need, she smiled. I followed her look and my eyes stopped on a gorgeous pair of high heeled slingbacks in patent leather. And guess what? They had buckles too.
-Must have ordered these with you in mind then, I said teasingly, going towards them to pick them up for her. And just look what else is in store too, I smiled.
I raised my arm and pointed to a shelf beside her. A lovely black raffia handbag with silver circular handles was resting on it, just waiting for her it seemed.
-I think I never was readier for my close up! she beamed at me. We had done it again! A perfect look for a perfect lady!

This is the photo that inspired me for the colour combination:


I hope you enjoyed the stories!