Just like last year, the Integrity Toys convention was held virtually, on the web, due to the ongoing pandemic. Unlike last year, W Club event ticket holders (like me) could not attend the rest of the convention events. So it was less fun than 2020, but it probably helped make the whole experience more smooth and glitch free for everyone.
This year's theme was Obsessed, which, per IT, “explores what truly defines our obsession for fashion, couture, makeup, and everything that is connected to the world of beauty, seen through the eyes and styling of the Integrity Toys design team!” This was a free pass for IT designers to create whatever dolls they wanted, but the result was a lack of cohesion and a mixed bag of offerings. While it helped the designers make some unusual and bold choices, it resulted in some dolls having a less than warm welcome from collectors, attendees or not, even when designed by IT’s enfant gâté Jessy Ayala.
Another sore point is the availability of the dolls presented to attendees. Integrity Toys stated that they did not have the dolls available for shipping until “likely sometime in January / February.” Having in mind that people were receiving 2020 convention dolls even in November, it looks like delays are becoming a permanent part of the experience. I wonder how would this go across in a live event - can you imagine not having the dolls to hand over to attendees in a live convention? And since these troubles are not going away soon, I am betting that next year’s convention will be held virtually too, regardless of the situation with the pandemic. The uncertainty over shipping schedules affects everything worldwide and will not be restored very soon.
On with the dolls - and first up is the Welcome Gift Set. Main convention ticket holders had already received a package swag that was sent as a surprise, with a set of replacement hands and a doll sized make up kit, plus the convention lanyard and badge.The welcome gift set was designed by Mark Tinkey - here’s what he had to say about it:
"I wanted to think of NU. Fantasy in a different way for this gift set, the fantasy life of a doll made real. I was inspired by the dolls I grew up wishing I could own as a kid and YouTube videos of people obsessed with being living dolls. You'll notice oversized jewelry and details that feel doll-like, but still incredibly chic. My own love of doll gift sets and what I would want as a collector also heavily influenced this set. I wanted this to be a fantasy of mix and match play with a gorgeous doll as its main feature. I hope you have as much fun playing with this set as I had designing it for you!" -
Item # 75031
A Doll's Life
Vanessa Perrin™ Welcome Gift Set
The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession
The NU. Fantasy™ Collection
Edition Size: 1300
*Only for Main Convention Package Holders*
Head Sculpt: Vanessa 3.0
Body Type: FR 6.0
Foot Sculpt: High-heeled
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Light Blonde and Platinum Mix
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
I was not expecting Mark Tinkey to design the welcome doll but he did a good job. First problem is that she looks too much like a watered down version of Smoke & Shadows Vanessa that he designed as well. Second problem (always for me): she is almost a Barbie clone. The styling, the choice of clothing and accessories, is too much like the Barbiestyle dolls. And I do not get why she is under the Nu Fantasy line. This line is almost always about known mythical or fairy tale characters reinterpreted in a modern fashion. Maybe it is Vanessa’s fantasy of living like Barbie, LOL. Having in mind his brilliant work at the two Coven Couture dolls and his previous creative work, this feels a bit underwhelming.
The gold gown is a reinterpretation of a Valentino Haute Couture one from 2020. It is probably the fabric that makes a poor translation in doll scale. The black ruffle top could be from a number of designers (Saint Laurent, Vauthier, McQueen, Herrera, De La Renta, Valli, to name a few) but the closer one I could find was a Valentino from 2020 again. The fur coat is a classic - from YSL in the 70s till today and so many others. I love the versatility this giftset offers and the variety of styles and accessories - can’t wait to see how it is packaged.
The dolls is really pretty but not exceptional, especially following at the heels of Smoke and Shadow Vanessa. She reminds me a lot of how Nicole Kidman looked in Nine Perfect Strangers, which is not my cup of tea at all.
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, POPPY PARKER, NU. FACE, EAST 59TH, THE INDUSTRY, THE MONARCHS HOMME, METEOR, NU. FANTASY 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 Bill Peck and Shaunessey Smith ; Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.
