As the W Club started later than usual in 2016, it affected the pacing and schedule of new doll releases. This past weekend was the second unveil of the year, after the first with the Poppy Parker collection early this summer. This one included the Fashion Royalty collection, arguably the most important one of Integrity Toys, plus the My Little Pony (MLP) franchise collection and a couple of ITBE 16 dolls. This event was a live webinar presentation, unlike the previous one which was done through emails. The presentation was done by Carol Roth, W Club founder, assisted by Alain Tremblay, but without the Fashion Royalty designer, Vaughn Sawyer, who was in China attending production procedures. The team was completed with Jesse Ayala for the MLP line (more for that in the relevant post). They also mentioned that the collection was based on a concept worked by Jason Wu and Vaughn together. Jason will also be making an appearance at this year's Integrity Toys convention in Chicago and Alain said that if anyone is still interested in attending, to contact him at the company email - there may be a few places available.
As was expected, the Fashion Royalty collection generated a lot of talk and probably raised more questions than it answered. The main one was the new decal eye (hybrid eye as IT names it, meaning the actual eyes are water slide decals and the eye make up is painted with stencils as before) process that some of the dolls are now using, which begun, without the buyers knowing about this, with the upgrade Vanessa club doll and the IFDC Dasha/Annika doll. I will make a separate post about this so will not elaborate further here. As you will see reading on, the dolls that have decal eyes from this collection have it in their specifications. Most are available to pre-order (with Natalia and Elyse already sold out at most dealers) while Vero, as a basic doll (a much welcomed return of the Close Up dolls), will be available later in the year through IT Direct.
How I saw the collection "A Delicate Bloom" as a whole? I was again underwhelmed, much like with the Poppy Parker one. While it looks nice and coherent, with some gorgeous details and dolls, it is not what I was expecting based on the Vanessa upgrade doll and her delicate, intricate outfit, hairstyle and accessories, that all the dolls would have a similar styling and aesthetic. And while the intense colours and lack of black (much to the joy of several collectors) did stay the same, the rest were severely lacking. I know many people loved it and that is good, but I was waiting to see something entirely different. Another thing that raised a lot of noise was the lack of non-caucasian dolls. With the exception of the asian Kyori, the rest of the dolls are caucasian, even the Latina Natalia has the FR White skin-tone. And no, the so called Hungarian skin tone is not ethnic, just a slightly tanned variation. It is a bit weird coming from this particular company, especially considering last year's gorgeous darker skinned dolls and their popularity. More about how I see each doll below.
Item # 91397
Contrasting Proposition
Natalia Fatalé™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Approximate Ship Date: September 2016
Limited Edition Size: 700
Suggested Retail Price: $135.00
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: FR2013
Head Sculpt: Natalia Fatalé 2.0
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Blond
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Natalia Fatalé™ is a 12.5-Inch completely articulated fashion doll with long, side-parted fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. She wears a high-contrast beaded cocktail dress with a lace overlay. Natalia completes her look with highly-textured accessories such as a faux-fur covered clutch purse, chunky golden jewelry and ribbon laced "patent leather" pumps. This doll also includes a doll stand and a certificate of authenticity.
She is a beautiful doll, and if I did not already have both a blonde Natalia and another with FR White skin-tone (she is the third Natalia variation with this tone, both previous ones were convention dolls), I might have pre-ordered her, even though I am not crazy about the dress. I love her make up and styling, and the simpler hairstyle, a staple of this particular collection, fits her perfectly. No wonder she is the most popular from this bunch, along with Elyse. Great accessories too.
Item # 91393
Emerging Rebel
Kyori Sato™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Approximate Ship Date: Week of August 22nd, 2016
Limited Edition Size: 700
Suggested Retail Price: $135.00
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: FR2013
Head Sculpt: Kyori Sato™ 2.0
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Color: Medium Brown
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Kyori Sato™ is a 12.5-Inch completely articulated fashion doll with long, side-parted fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. Kyori wears a fitted embroidered faux-leather dress, accessorized by a sculptured pale grey leather bag, lavender pumps, golden jewellery and a pair of oversized sunglasses. This doll also includes a doll stand and a certificate of authenticity. This doll features the new hybrid eye screening method.
I usually prefer my Kyoris with dark hair and intense make up, and this one made no exception. While I know this colouring will be popular with collectors, it leaves me a bit underwhelmed - maybe if the lips were darker or the hair cut in a shoulder length bob (which is one style sorely missing from collections), she would be more enticing to me. Have in mind that this is one of the dolls with the decal eyes. I also hate faux leather fabric on dolls, the material does not stand the test of time and usually dries out and flakes after some years (for example the intricate corset of Bewitching Hour Luchia), which I hope does not happen to this dress and ruin the gorgeous Japanese-style embroidery. I love the bag and, while the colour contrast of violet, grey and beige should not work, it kind of fits. The glasses are an old design and I think it is time to have a new one - a circle shaped pair would have been more in line with the real life trends.
Item # 91394
Daytime Impact
Dasha™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Approximate Ship Date: September 2016
Limited Edition Size: 700
Suggested Retail Price: $135.00
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: FR2013
Head Sculpt: Dasha™
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Platinum
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Dasha™ is a 12.5-Inch completely articulated fashion doll with long, side-parted fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. Dasha has a tailored two-piece faux-suede suit, which features lace appliqués and matching piping. It comes with a turquoise colored lace cami, a matching bag, watermelon coloured pumps and black chrome chunky jewellery. This doll also includes a doll stand and a certificate of authenticity. This doll features the new hybrid eye screening method.
I was ready to get this Dasha, having missed on the IFD Annika gorgeous one, but two things stopped me from ordering her: the 80s outfit and the decal eyes. While I find the lace and piping amazingly done, the colouring and shape of the suit is off-putting, reminding me of the bad side of the 80s. Think how this would look if the suit was in rust red with an olive green cami instead. And while smokey eyes and pale lips are always a winner for me, the way she resembles a very nasty TV personality in Greece holds me back - it's a personal thing, the doll is very beautiful.
Item # 91401
Fresh and Delightful
Véronique Perrin® Dressed Close-Up Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Approximate Ship Date: Mid to Late October 2016
Limited Edition Size: 700
Suggested Retail Price: $89.00 + Shipping and Handling
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: FR2013
Head Sculpt: Veronique 2.0
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Hungarian
Hair Color: Black
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Véronique Perrin™ is a 12.5-Inch completely articulated fashion doll with long, fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. Véronique wears a flower printed, high-contrast black lace overlaid mini-dress, matched with chunky rose gold jewelry, "patent leather" shoes and an over-sized designer handbag. This doll also includes a doll stand and a certificate of authenticity. This doll features the new hybrid eye screening method. She will be available via IT Direct only, through lottery.
This Vero incarnation marks the return of the Close Up dolls. In other words, basic editions of FR characters, with minimal fashions and accessories, offered in a lower price, making them more easily available to collectors. What I see though is a doll in a similar get up to Natalia, in a much lower price. The decal eyes are surely not the reason for that, are they (the prototype has wonky eyes if you look)? They both wear lace overlay short tailored dresses, have a bag, earrings, necklace and bangle and a pair of shoes. Natalia has a ring but I am guessing that does not make up the price difference. On the other hand, Vero has a more elaborate hairstyle.
Item # 91398
Fabulous Fields
Luchia Z.™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Approximate Ship Date: September 2016
Limited Edition Size: 600
Suggested Retail Price: $135.00
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: FR2013
Head Sculpt: Luchia Z.™ 2.0
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Cream
Hair Color: Red
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Luchia Z.™ is a 12.5-Inch completely articulated fashion doll with long, fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. Her gown features topstitched ribbons on the torso to create the illusion of a form fitted corset which creates a structured silhouette. It comes accessorised with a jewelry set, a lemon yellow clutch and chrome pink heels. This doll also includes a doll stand and a certificate of authenticity. This doll features the new hybrid eye screening method.
I do not have this sculpt yet (there are two older incarnations of it, a limited Bergdorf version and an FR2 release), and the doll's colouring and style is enticing enough, were it not for the decal eyes and the fabric print, which I do not like at all. Even though I usually love what Alain designs, this custom made print of his is a dud and ruins what could have been a very sexy and striking gown. If you are not convinced, check the event doll to see the better version. I love the jewellery and shoes.
Item # 91399
Ruffles and Blooms
Eugenia Perrin-Frost™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Approximate Ship Date: September 2016
Limited Edition Size: 800
Suggested Retail Price: $150.00
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: FR2013
Head Sculpt: Eugenia Perrin-Frost™
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Hungarian
Hair Color: Auburn
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Eugenia Perrin-Frost™ is a 12.5-Inch completely articulated fashion doll with long, fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. The gown features sculptural details at the waist, chiffon ruffles at the neckline and embroidered blooms along the hem of its skirt. The look is finished with a jewellery set, a purse and matching shoes. This doll also includes a doll stand and a certificate of authenticity.
Not a version of Eugenia I want, plus the gown is a bit problematic with the overload of both structure, embroidery and the detail on top. The dress is inspired from a S/S 2016 Oscar De La Renta gown (photo above from The Telegraph), but the original works better with the two contrasting colours and the more controlled (and not embroidered) skirt volume.
Item # 91392
Key Pieces
Elyse Jolie™ Dressed Doll Gift Set
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Approximate Ship Date: Mid to Late October 2016
Limited Edition Size: 800
Suggested Retail Price: $199.00
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: FR2013
Head Sculpt: Elyse Jolie™
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Color: Golden Blond/ Champagne
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Elyse Jolie is a 12.5-Inch completely articulated fashion doll with long, fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. The gift set comes complete with an evening gown, a two-piece skirt suit, which features a brocade skirt with an asymmetrical hemline and a classic 3/4 length sleeve jacket over a sleeveless chiffon blouse with matching scarf. The gift set also includes a lingerie set and accessories such as a leather bag, two pairs of shoes and jewellery. A doll stand and a certificate of authenticity in also included.
After the success of the club Elyse gift set, here comes another one. I love everything about it, and for me, it is the only completely perfect doll from this collection that can stand along with the upgrade Vanessa. The dress is an old Armani Prive design from 2010 that was worn by Jennifer Lopez in that year's Oscars (with striking effect) and it looks gorgeously made here and in a lovely colour. i predict a catfight if these two ever meet, LOL!
My only complaint is the skirt asymmetry: in this scale, it had to be more pronounced to look good, now it looks like a cutting mistake. The doll is a blonde version of Avenue Montaigne Elise (sans glitter), which is good. Her lingerie is gorgeous too and her bag looks fantastic. I wish she had more elaborate earrings for this price, but the ring makes up for it a bit.
So what do you think of this year's Fashion Royalty collection? Which dolls are you getting?
The dolls, fashions and accessories depicted in the product photos are prototypes. Final production colors and textures may vary slightly. All doll photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2016 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. Fashion Royalty, FR and related characters are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc. ©2016 All rights reserved.
Graphics and Layouts by Alain Tremblay Marketing. Doll Photography by Alain Tremblay