Marvel and Mattel unveil amazing X-Men ladies in SDCC: Storm, Dark Phoenix and Mystique

It is not uncommon for Marvel and other big companies to unveil new superhero dolls in SDCC - in fact it’s a given, even when they are not comic-con exclusives. So yesterday, during the event’s preview day, the three X-Men ladies everyone had been waiting for were unveiled. They celebrate Marvel’s 80-year anniversary.

From Mattel designer Bill Greening’s instagram - the SDCC stand of the Marvel Barbies

The three dolls use the same body as the Wonder Woman collector doll and will be available from today to pre-order exclusively from Gamestop.com and Barbie Signature. The release date is October and they will then be available in shops as well. Retail price $54.99. We know dealers have been able to pre-order them so contact your favourite dealer for details.

STORM: Born Ororo Munroe, Storm is one of the most powerful mutants on Earth. As a member of the X-Men team, she confounds enemies with her ability to manipulate weather and the atmosphere. Storm Barbie® doll is as electrifying as the character she emulates. This collectible Barbie® doll captures Storm’s iconic look in a shiny-black bodysuit, cape and thigh-high boots, all with metallic-gold trim. Gauntlets, a headdress and her signature gemstone brooch finish the fierce look.

The dolls are designed with their original comic book looks, no relation to their movie counterparts. I love how Storm looks here, although the lack of heels on her boots is weird for these feet. I know Storm hovers over the ground instead of walking on it when she’s on super hero mode but this does not work perfectly for a doll. Other than that, she’s perfection. It looks like she is using the Selma sculpt.

MYSTIQUE: This Super Villain is a mutant born with the ability to shapeshift. She deceives her enemies by mimicking the appearance and voice of any person. Mystique Barbie® doll is as beguiling as the character she emulates. This collectible Barbie® doll captures the Super Villain’s iconic look in a white dress with a double slit and belt of skulls. Details include white gloves, boots, and the signature skull detail adorning her forehead.

Great Mystique doll - I hope the hair will be perfect like this IRL. Love the scull accessories. She has the Louboutin sculpt.

DARK PHOENIX: Also known as Jean Grey-Summers, Dark Phoenix is an Omega-level mutant with telepathic and telekinetic powers. This beloved character, who has faced numerous deaths and rebirths, wrestles with her personal demons. Dark Phoenix Barbie® doll is as fierce as the character she emulates. This collectible Barbie® doll captures Dark Phoenix’s iconic look in a red bodysuit with shimmering gold details, including the gold phoenix graphic, thigh-high boots, gloves and a sash.

Beautiful Jean grey in her Dark Phoenix era, using the Mermaid sculpt. Again no heel boots, probably because she was not walking but flying all the time.

A new Poppy Parker unveiled on David Buttry’s birthday! Gardens Of Versailles exclusive convention 2019 doll

This year is the tenth anniversary of Poppy Parker and all releases of her in 2019 are, by default, considered just that bit more special. So what better date than the birthday of Poppy’s designer, the über-talented David Buttry, to unveil the "Gardens Of Versailles" Poppy Parker™ Convention upgrade doll. What this means for W Club members is that, whether they are able to attend the FW19 convention or not, they get exclusive access to a chance to pre-order and obtain this convention exclusive upgrade doll. There is no set edition size, as the final production quantity will be determined by the total amount of pre-orders received by the deadline.

Item # PP155

Gardens of Versailles

Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll

2019 Convention Exclusive Upgrade

Non-attending members-Only Price: $150.00 + s & h

Approximate Delivery Date: October 2019

Edition Size: TBD

Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy Parker

Foot Sculpt: High Heeled

Skin Tone: Sunkissed

Hair Color: Black

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

• 12" fully articulated doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;

• Full length custom floral printed taffeta gown with halter neckline and black satin sash;

• Black satin clutch;

• 2 pairs of earrings; large “golden” hoops and floral burst drop earrings with faux pink "stone" details;

• Two "golden" bangle bracelets, 1 "multi-stone" cuff bracelet;

• A large pink "stone" ring;

• Black satin ankle strap heels;

• Alternate pair of hands with long nails;

• Stand;

• Certificate of authenticity;

On the 28th of November 1973, a fashion show unlike any other before or after it, was held at the Palace of Versailles near Paris, supporting a charity for the palace restoration. Five French couturiers (Yves Saint-Laurent, Givenchy, Dior, Ungaro and Cardin) and five American fashion designers (Oscar De La Renta, Anne Klein, Bill Blass, Halston and Steven Burrows) were showing together for the very first time. A who is who of celebrities were attending. The event has a historical place in both French and American fashion, as it greatly influenced both industries for the next decade. There is an excellent book about it, The Battle of Versailles: the night American fashion stumbled into the spotlight and made history, by Pulitzer Prize winner, author and journalist Robin Givhan, plus two documentaries, Versailles ‘73: American Runway Revolution by Deborah Riley Draper, plus Battle at Versailles, by Fritz Mitchell. You can read more about it in this interview of Robin Givhan here and an excerpt here. Also, Ava DuVernay is slated to co-write and direct a film for HBO based on the aforementioned book.

Stephen Burrows dresses

Why all this history lesson? Because this is the story frame of this particular Poppy doll, according to the story details Integrity Toys released. She’s supposedly the most famous model walking the runway at this event. It’s early seventies, so she’s at the end of her career. The dress does not look like the ones you can see if you google photos of the event. Most of the outfits shown were either monochromatic (lots of beige for the opening and black for the finale), with Stephen Burrows rainbow coloured dresses in jersey standing out.

Stephen Burrows dresses

The silhouette and print of the dress are very true to the seventies, looking like something either De La Renta or Bill Blass would design. But there was none like that in the show. The story accompanying the doll mentions a Bartholomew Barrows as the designer Poppy is wearing, clearly referencing Stephen Burrows. The real Burrows mostly did colour blocking designs, using a lot of jersey cut asymmetrically or in geometric shapes, using a lot of “lettuce” curly edged hems. People complaining her dress looks too mature should remember that in 1973 Poppy is mature herself, not a fresh faced ingénue.

From the March 2015 issue of W magazine, article about Robin Givhan’s book.

Oscar De La Renta early seventies print dress

Bill Blass early seventies dresses

Halston dress from Spring 1974

Anjelica Huston with David Bailey in Corsica, 1973

My major objection with the dress is the sash. Big, flowing dresses in the early seventies had either a thin belt shaping their waist, in leather or fabric, or a draped narrow basque-like design, with dangling ends on the side, made of the same fabric as the dress. The wide black sash is more emblematic of the eighties. The deep V neckline to the waist is very typical of the era.

The doll is beautiful, with her Sunkissed skin tone (first time for Poppy) and curly hair in a style clearly reminiscent of the famous seventies model Pat Cleveland.

Pat Cleveland by Irvin Penn, Vogue US, March 1971

The accessories are nice, although I think only one of the bracelets is original. The straps on the shoes will be hell to fasten. Love that she has two pairs of earrings to choose from.

The price tag is higher than usual for a non-giftset Poppy, but remember that this is the slightly higher price Integrity Toys charges on convention dolls for non attendees. I’m definitely getting her, how about you?

The dress has pockets!

Final doll will be unveiled closer to convention time. Final fabrics, colors and textures to be announced. 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. FASHION ROYALTY, POPPY PARKER, NU. FACE, EAST 59TH, THE INDUSTRY 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 Jayme Thornton. Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

David Bowie’s Space Oddity was released 50 years ago today and there is a Barbie inspired by him.

The seminal David Bowie song “Space Oddity”, was released as a 7-inch single on 11 July 1969. The opening track of his namesake 2nd studio album, it became one of his signature songs. And curiously enough, Mattel has released a Barbie inspired by the amazing artist.

The doll will be produced in a limited edition, as she is a Gold Label™️ doll. She’s dressed in one of his iconic Ziggy Stardust outfits, the metallic “space” suit with red and blue stripes, winged shoulders and red platform boots, as pictured in this legendary photo by Masayoshi Sukita from 1973. The suit was designed by his then costume designer Freddie Burretti (21 years old then and David’s boyfriend too!) alongside Kansai Yamamoto. The boots were designed and made by Kansai Yamamoto, bought by David and Angie from Boston 151, the shop in London’s Fulham Road that represented the designer in the UK. The boots would be worn again by Bowie, this time with jeans, in his nineties homecoming tour.

The make up was by Pierre LaRoche, Bowie’s personal make-up artist. He designed the sunburst circle on the singer’s forehead (and later the lightning bolt). Which brings us to what I think is a missed opportunity here: I would have preferred for the Bowie tribute doll to be more androgynous, as befits the great artist, and also have the lightning bolt make up, plus more spiky hair. The doll looks nice and I will probably get her, but she’s too slick and proper for a representation of the artist in that era. Just see what it might have been in this OOAK doll made by talented Russian duo AFD Group Dolls.

Here is the information from Mattel:

Barbie® David Bowie Doll

Ages: Adult Collector

$50.00

PRODUCT FEATURES:

Introducing Barbie® as David Bowie. In a definitive celebration of two pop culture icons, Barbie® honors the ultimate pop chameleon, English singer, songwriter and actor, David Bowie, whose dramatic musical transformations continue to influence and inspire. With a career spanning over five decades, David Bowie was at the vanguard of contemporary culture as a musician, artist, and icon. He was, and remains to be, a unique presence in contemporary culture. Dressed as Bowie’s fantastic sci-fi alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, in the iconic metallic ‘space suit,’ this collectible Barbie® doll honors the cultural legacy of the musical genius who redefined rock and roll. Subject to availability. Colors and decorations may vary. 

• Label: Gold Label®

• Designer: Linda Kyaw

• Release Date: 7/11/2019

• Included with doll: Blouse, pant, boots, doll stand

• Customization: Painted fingernails, painted art on forehead

• Eyelashes: Painted

• Fashion: Metallic suit and platform boots

• Fashion Sewn On?: No

• Body Type: Articulated-Original

• Doll Stand: Yes

• Facial sculpt: Star

• Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 13" x 3" x 8"

• SKU #: FXD84

IFDC 2019 - Fabulous 40’s Felines doll’s unveiled!

The 2019 IFDC convention was held again in Las Vegas, organised by the amazing Jim Faraone. The theme this year was "Fabulous 40's Felines" and the event took place in the Orleans Hotel. Integrity Toys provided the convention dolls again, plus they offered an extra doll in the salesroom. This year, IT designer Vaughn Sawyers created a trio of 1940's inspired dolls just for the event, which were unveiled during dinner on Saturday. It has been a while since Vaughn did a retro inspired collection. If I’m not mistaken, his last one was the Fashion Royalty Classic collection back in 2013. And this year’s dolls have lots of similar elements to their 2013 sisters. All dolls, including the extra one, will be available through lottery to W Club members.

But let’s get the proverbial cat out of the bag first. When the salesroom opened on Friday, people discovered that there was an extra Integrity Toys doll on sale: a make-up and violet hair colour variation of "Beyond This Planet" Violaine Perrin, part of the NU. FACE Counter Culture collection designed by Jessy Ayala.

Item #82100A

Beyond This Planet (Violet Variation)

Violaine Perrin™ Doll

NU. Face™: The Counter-Culture Collection

Ship Date: In-stock, will ship when lottery winners pay for their wins.

Special W Club Price: $140.00 US

Available Via Right-To-Buy Lottery

Edition Size: 800

Head Sculpt: Violaine

Body Type: NU. Face 3.0

Foot Type: High-heeled

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Violet

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

• 12.5-inch fully articulated doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;
• Convertible cargo cropped denim pants;
• Long sleeve top with drape/hood detail;
• Iridescent scarab-colored paillette jacket;
• Short metallic socks;
• Royal blue faux-leather boots with light "gold" pierced detail,
• Neon yellow "patent leather" purse with strap/harness detail;
• Multiple bracelets and rings;
• Neon yellow/aqua faux-leather choker with "gold" hardware;
• Light "gold" star/moon earrings;
• 2 tiny hoop earrings on top of right ear;
• Nose ring, light "gold" hoop (removable);
• Doll stand;
• Certificate of authenticity.

When you attend a convention with a theme, you usually expect all dolls officially on sale there to be inspired by it, even with a wide margin, when they are extra. So it was quite jarring to see the very opposite of a 40s glamour gal on sale by IT Direct. Even more so seeing a colour variation of a doll from last year’s NuFace collection, one that had cause quite a fuss with the problematic rooting of her hair. Were there extra Violaine dolls made and the company found a way to sell them? The sheer size of the edition is quite big for a convention-offered doll (800), quite close to the original one (850). People that shied away from the previous version due to her dark lips are surely going to try for this one (I suspect a lot of dolls will be available to the club lottery), even though the fantasy coloured hair might still be an issue. If the outfit was in different colours too, the doll would make a bit more sense, the irrelevance to the convention theme notwithstanding. Now she just smacks of opportunism - and don’t throw stories about fun variations at my face. Companies that sell product want to profit and take advantage of every opportunity to minimise loss, which is perfectly fine. Sugarcoating it makes it feel insincere though. And to make matters worse, look how much more interesting Jessy made her, by putting her in another outfit by Kyle (inthevalleyofthedolls)

Item #75026

Glamour Puss

2019 IFDC IT Direct Exclusive Doll

Approx. Ship Date: In-stock, ships once the lottery winners have paid

Retail: $160.00 + Shipping

Edition Size: 500

Head Sculpt: Alternate Monogram Sculpt

Body Type: E59

Foot Sculpt: High heel foot

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Black Velvet

Eyelashes: Yes, hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

12" fully articulated doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes

Two-piece fitted suit, with contrasting, perfectly pleated draping detail on the front;

Faux-fur stole;

1940's period inspired faux-leather handbag;

Perfectly matched faux-leather pumps;

"Pearl" choker necklace and matching earrings;

Intricately designed hat with tulle veil attached;

Alternate pair of hands;

Doll stand.

​The three dolls by Vaughn are all beautiful and a perfect fit to the convention theme. They remind me a lot of his Classic FR collection, as I mentioned earlier, and this is a very good thing, as that one was gorgeous too. Using Monogram sculpts with East 59 body (the line everyone thought would be presented here) is a brilliant idea. The doll has a sultry, sexy style and the suit is right out of a 40’s Hollywood film. The shape, cut and execution of the suit are breathtaking. If I could afford it, I’d enter the lottery for this one too, but the high prices (and getting even higher, as you’ll see below) prevent me from doing so. The bag and shoes are very similar to the 2013 Splendid Jordan and share their colour. 

Item #75025

Dish

2019 IFDC Centerpiece Doll

Approx. Ship Date: In-stock, ships once the lottery winners have paid

Retail: $165.00 + Shipping

Edition Size: 400

Head Sculpt: Alternate Monogram Sculpt

Body Type: E59

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Cream

Hair Color: Copper Penny

Eyelashes: Yes, hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

• 12" fully articulated doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes
• Intricately designed lingerie set;
• Floor length, black chiffon robe;
• Colorful enameled jewelry set, composed of a choker, earrings and matching cuff bracelet;
• Black "leather" open-toe pumps;
• Alternate pair of hands;
• Doll stand.

Considering the convention theme, one of the dolls at least would certainly have been a lingerie one, and the centerpiece fills this part brilliantly. Dish is delicious (pun intended) and the combination of the transparent robe with the lace undies, red hair in a classic 40’s style and lush lips makes her irresistible. They should have included a miniature retro telephone with her. The +$10 price from the previous one is probably due to the more limited edition, but the difference is only 100 dolls. It’s a lingerie doll, she would be the cheaper one, she even has less accessories than the rest.

Grandstanding

2019 IFDC Convention Doll

Approx. Ship Date: In-stock, ships once the lottery winners have paid

Retail: $175.00 + Shipping

Edition Size: 500

Head Sculpt: Original Monogram Sculpt

Body Type: E59

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Hollywood Platinum

Eyelashes: Yes, hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

• 12" fully articulated doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes
• Long hot pink satin gown with bow and pleat details on the back, featuring contrasting lace cups at the bust;
• Long, luxurious, faux-fur cape;
• "Stone" encrusted "golden" necklace;
• Matching earrings and ring;
• Elaborate gold and iridescent pink open-toed pumps;
• Alternate pair of hands;
• Doll stand.

This is the best doll of the convention. Elaborate gown, incredible hair and face, magnificent jewellery and shoes. I’m not crazy about the fur, it does not look great in the photos, but she can live without that. I love the nails too. She looks a lot like a very good and dear friend of mine, so I’m entering to get her. Va va She also gives me vibes of Carmen Dell’ Orefice, the famous fashion model. Well done Vaughn, fantastic trio of beauties. 

The dolls pictured are prototypes. Final fabrics, colors 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. FR: Monogram 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 Jayme Thornton. Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

The final RuPaul doll of the new series, Red Realness, is now available from Integrity Toys

Integrity Toys, in collaboration with RuPaul Charles himself, just released the third and final doll in the recent series, Red Realness. in this incarnation, RuPaul is serving you her classic two "mint" lunch - the lunch with the contestants near the end of each season where they are served tic tacs for lunch. This doll is more limited than the first one in the series, so make sure that you get one before Red Realness sashays away.

Item # 14103

Red Realness

The RUPAUL Doll™

Approx. Ship Date: In-Stock, should start shipping after IFDC, on July 1st, 2019.

Price: $145.00 + Shipping

Edition Size: 750

Head Sculpt: RuPaul

Body Type: New Special Body Type

Foot Type: High-heeled (Compatible with FR Shoes)

Skin Tone: Light Honey

Hair Color: Golden Blond

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Includes:

12.5-inch/1:6 scale, fully articulated, vinyl collectible doll, rooted hair and delicately hand-applied eyelashes;

Elaborate red hot micro-sequined stage gown designed by Jason Wu;

Killer red and chrome laced-up heels;

Faux-ruby covered oversized hoop earrings;

Faux-silver cuff bracelets with faux-ruby accents;

Miniature plate with faux-silver plate cover and two miniature "mint" lunch;

Pair of hands with long manicured nails;

Alternate pair of grip hands;

Doll stand;

Certificate of authenticity.

While the first series of Ru Paul dolls were quite varied in style and looks, this one is just Ru Paul triplets that only change colours between them. All three have similar hairstyles and make up, sequined long gowns that look alike and similar jewellery. The only major difference each time is the accessories, with the best having been the opera glasses of the first one. So it is a no thanks from me. Plus, I have a problem with the tic tac concept of the Ru Paul lunches, that kind of promotes an unhealthy diet metaphorically. I’m sorry to see the line end so quickly but not sorry if it has to be one lookalike doll after another.

As always, the doll pictured is a prototype. Final colors and textures may vary slightly in final production. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

Offer Type: First-come, first-served.

Sale Start (general public): Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 at approximately Noon Eastern time (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST).

Price: $145.00 USD + shipping and handling.

Shipping Timing: This doll should begin shipping the week of July 1st, 2019 (after IFDC).

Availability: Everyone (W Club members and non-members alike).

Order Limit: None

Here is the link to order the doll.

**All text 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 RuPaul likeness and logo are designated trademarks of RuCo, Inc. ©2019 All rights reserved. Used with permission. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. Doll Photography by Jayme Thornton. Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.