Jem & The Holograms by Hasbro and Integrity Toys - Update!

Today Integrity Toys release more information for JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS Special Edition Doll HOLLYWOOD JEM™, as the buzz generated on the web since the announcement of the new Integrity Toys/Hasbro collaboration was huge. Theannouncement generated lots of questions  about future plans for the brands and about the Special Edition: HOLLYWOOD JEM doll herself, so the W Club went to the source and asked the designers for a little more information.

This line has been created by the Integrity Toys design team in close collaboration with Hasbro and is destined to adult fans and collectors of JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS. It is not intended to be "play line", it is a high-end collectible just like Poppy Parker or Fashion Royalty. The dolls feature a brand new body sculpt seen for the first time on this new line. The new body has slightly larger feet and newly sculpted interchangeable hands, which are more in proportions and will allow the characters to hold accessories better and more realistically. The dolls will be able to share clothes with many other Integrity Toys dolls, but the shoes will be unique to this new body only.

The earrings on HOLLYWOOD JEM do not light up like they did on the vintage Jem dolls from the 80's. This was done to make the earrings look more like they did in the cartoon, but they are chrome plated in red for that extra burst of sparkle. The outfits are faithfully reproduced from looks seen in both the TV show and the toy line and are ultra detailed, just like any other Integrity Toys collectibles. Each doll in the collection will feature ultra detailed accessories, musical instruments, etc. including tiny miniature amp cables for the instruments and microphones that can be connected to the doll stand for better display possibilities and added realism.

Designed to be reminiscent of the vintage oval doll stands, the new doll stand created just for the JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS collection will work in two modes, both "saddle style" and "underarm style". Interchangeable connector parts will be included with each doll. The packaging was especially designed to keep a retro look, while being modern and more "collectible". Each characters will come with special mementos. For example, HOLLYWOOD JEM includes a miniature reproduction of the original Jem poster and a doll sized "Boulevard of Fame" star frame, which Jem received in the original "HOLLYWOOD JEM" episodes for her work on the movie "Starbright".

People on the design team of JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS are serious fans, so you can expect some cool surprises with every new doll in the line, they even created an instruction sheet printed in purple, in the same style as the vintage dolls - that's attention to details! Information about the next characters in the line, edition sizes and distribution details will be released in the near future. The Special Edition: HOLLYWOOD JEM Doll JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS COLLECTION is debuting at the San Diego Comic Con International 2012 as an Exclusive with a suggested retail price of $125.00 US  It will be available from Hasbro Toy Shop at booth # 3329.

If you want to find out more about this truly outrageous collaboration between Hasbro and Integrity Toys, the IT marketing team and Haute Doll have collaborated together to bring you the first ever SDCC exclusive cover variant of Haute Doll magazine, only available at the show itself for free in the Hasbro booth, #3329.

So lots more information about the new line of dolls. I wonder if this new body will make its way into their fashion doll lines. I love the poseability it shows. What do you think?

Jem and The Holograms - by Integrity Toys and Hasbro

Inspired by the characters created by Hasbro over two decades ago and cherished by fans and collectors alike ever since, this nostalgic retro doll line is designed to pay homage to both the animated series and its original companion doll line, which was originally marketed from 1985 to 1987. Created for fans by fans of the rock ‘n shock pink haired pop-culture icon and her outrageous world, this classic commemorative line will feature the high-end details, quality accessories and ultra-limited edition sizes that fans of Integrity Toys have come to appreciate through the years. Hasbro in collaboration with the creative team at Integrity Toys, Inc., proudly presents a glamorous series of high-end fashion dolls based on the 1980’s ground breaking animated series JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS!

Hollywood Jem is the first doll in a series of characters based on the hit 80’s animated series JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS. A long time fan favorite, Hollywood Jem is ready to be added to your collection at long last! Based on a costume worn in the two-part episode of the same name, Hollywood Jem comes complete with a totally 80’s, screen accurate look which includes:

* Fully articulated, highly detailed 12” (30.5 cm) fashion doll with cotton candy pink hair and hand applied eyelashes
* Screen accurate costume with couture like finish
* Miniature Jemstar earings
* Miniature Hollywood Star award plaque
* Shoes, Bracelets and realistic microphone and stand
* Doll stand, instructions, souvenir post card and certificate of authenticity.

 

This special edition doll will be available from the Hasbro Toy Shop at booth # 3329 at Comic Con International in San Diego and the approximate retail price will be US $125.00

 

The doll looks great in the promo photos, as far as looking exactly like the cartoon character goes. Luckily it is not at all my style so I will not be getting her. But I am sure fans of the series will crave her, even though the price is high.

She reminds me of Olivia Newton-John in the 1985 video clip for Culture Shock:

Mad Men dolls: here come the guys for the season finale

In my previous post you read about and saw the gorgeous dolls that Michael Williams made for the female characters of the 5th season of Mad Men, the incredible series of AMC. Now, as the season's finale is upon us, he presents the men of the series. Again, he accessorizes them with all the necessary props they used in this season.

Don Draper is of course the star of Mad Men. For him, Michael used a Silkstone Ken, the unfortunate victim ex-flame Andrea is a Barbie Basics leg wearing a Silkstone Red MaryJane pump, and the car is a Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen car that only cost $10 at a dollar store 10 years ago. He photoshopped it from turquoise to red.

Roger Sterling, the wise-cracking partner of SCDP: Again he is a Silkstone Ken, he is holding a Barbie baby and the accessories include a My Scene phone, a Re-Ment repainted table, a VITRA miniature chair and custom-printed paper paraphernalia.

The man everyone loves to hate: Pete Campbell. To make him. Michael put a vintage Allan head on a VOLKS Neo-Go Guy Color articulated body. He wears a vintage Ken Special Date navy suit and his accessories include a repainted pencil sharpener film projector, a pair of generic fashion doll skis purchased at a doll show, a custom-printed lobster bib and book jacket.

Michael Ginsberg is the new guy on the show. Actually he is a Wedding Day Sparkle Ken groom, with a Misaki Destination Milan necktie and Barbie Loves Frank Sinatra jacket. His accessories include a College Student vintage Ken typewriter, a RE-MENT Hotel Buffet warming tray with RE-MENT French Restaurant and Fun Meals Lobsters, a Barbie Generation Girl Lara artist easel with custom-printed story boards and a One Modern Circle Ken portfolio.

Once again Michael has done an incredible job of bringing the Mad Men characters to life in a most iconic and ironic way through his dolls.

All photos ©Michael Williams/MyLifeInPlastic.com

Mad Men: The doll versions Mattel would not approve

Michael Williams is a very talented guy - if you read the blog, you will have seen his incredible photography and styling in the post about Jonathan Adler, one of the most popular posts ever in my blog. He is a fan of Mad Men as I am and had done an incredible photoshoot re-creating characters and sets along with many other talented people for Haute Doll magazine in 2010. But after last weeks incredible 11th episode of the 5th season of Mad Men, he was inspired to present all female stars of the series as they have evolved now.

Michael's layouts are ironic and stylish, presenting very cleverly the series' characters in doll form. Let's start with Joan Harris - the femme fatale of the series, who makes a major move - for her career, her life, her reputation. He restyled Dusk to Dawn Silkstone Barbie and she wears a OOAK little black dress from Marirose with a black fur coat from Coquette Cissy. The stroller is the Sindy baby carriage from the UK, repainted black.

Next up is the Other Woman (the title of the crucial episode in the series), Peggy Olson. Peggy is the BFMC Continental Holiday Silkstone Barbie in a Randall Craig cardigan sweater, Something Cool Isha Fashion Royalty convention bodysuit, Tiny Kitty "Perfect Knit" wool skirt, thermos from a Beverly Hillbillies Lunchbox keychain re-covered in custom plaid print; Jason Wu Event III FR Dark Medley Missima Luxury Accessory pack handbag, RE-MENT popcorn, Barbie Generation Girl Lara artist easel, custom-printed story boards.

Meghan Draper is the third star of the series: the doll is Kate Spade Barbie on a Dynamite Girl body wearing vintage Barbie Lemon Kick minidress that was photoshopped (not dyed) black; accessories include a RE-MENT sherbet and Isha script.

The Ex Mrs. Draper is Betty Francis. She is the Mattel Betty Draper Silkstone wearing Ken Rally Day coat, Barbie & Kelly Children's Doctor scale, Alfred Hitchcock The Birds purse, BFMC New York Yorkie scarf, Fashion Royalty skirt, RE-MENT whip cream and sundaes.

And finally little Miss Draper, Sally. Michael used the 1969 Dramatic New Living Skipper doll wearing Skipper Dreamtime #1909 pajamas with Skipper Me 'N My Doll miniature Barbie. What a gal.

Michael once again had done an incredible job - his photography and styling are impeccable and make me drool and want these dolls.  And, as Joan below proves, humour is always a major element of his work.

As a final note, here are some photos of his previous Mad Men photo session, for Haute Doll Magazine. The doll posing as Joan is the same used in the photos above.

Photos ©Michael Williams/MyLifeInPlastic.com (for the Mad Men ladies) and © Michael Williams/mawphoto.com for Haute Doll Magazine for the last three photos.

Tonner: Two Decades of Fashion and Design: a book by Pat Henry

Most fashion doll collectors are familiar with her name: Pat Henry is the publisher of Fashion Doll Quarterly, an adult collector publication filled with great articles and exquisite photography about fashion dolls. She is also the author of In Focus: Digital Photography for the Doll Collector. She began collecting fashion dolls in 1990, but truly started at age three, when given her first BarbieTM doll. Fashion dolls have influenced her education and vocation as she embarked on a successful career as an editor and stylist, working for Saks Fifth Avenue, Elle and Vogue magazines, along with well-known retailers like Bloomingdales, Bullocks, Neiman Marcus and Macy's. She teaches part-time as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Photography Department at the Fashion Institute of Technology.  So who better to write a book about one of the greatest doll creators in the world than her? 

On the cover: One-of-a-kind 21-inch porcelain model (1991) from the Tonner archives. Photo, by Pat Henry. 

The book is of course about Robert Tonner and his fashion doll empire: Tonner: Two Decades Of Fashion And Design. The commemorative book features twenty years of fashion, design, sculpting and a peek at the inside of the Tonner Doll Company. This limited edition book celebrates Robert Tonner's history as fashion designer, sculptor, and CEO of one of the most successful collectible doll companies today, with never-before seen photography, sketches and prototypes.Pat Henry gets unlimited access to the design rooms and offices of Tonner Doll Company, as well as the events and conventions that bring Tonner fans together year after year.

Feeling the constraints of living in a small town in Indiana, Robert Tonner came to New York to fulfil his dream of life in the big city and a career in fashion. After working with big names like Bill Blass and running his own label for Tudor Square and Breckenridge, Tonner came to the conclusion that true freedom in fashion could be found in a smaller scale. Now celebrating twenty years in business with the Tonner Doll Company, this book looks back at the highlights and milestones of his career, business, and successful ascension to one of the most influential doll designers of all time.

In Pat's own words: "Robert and everyone at Tonner Doll Company were incredibly generous and made the whole experience great fun. After a while, I felt like a part of the company, and everyone became quite used to me, carrying dolls around, riffling through boxes of shoes and files full of old contact sheets. As a long-time Tonner collector, it's quite a thrill to be allowed to roam through the halls of the company and watch while people are creating new lines and handling the day-to-day business of the company. I have been visiting the offices since the début of Tyler Wentworth (two office buildings ago for Tonner). I got lost my first visit, but I got to take a shot of a Tyler sample before she shipped. After that, I was hooked, and have continued to add to my collection every year, expanding into Antoinette, character figures like "The Doctor", and "Firefly's" Mal and friends, super heroes and Wilde Imagination's Ellowyne Wilde and Evangeline Ghastly".

And what does Pat have to say about the man himself?  "Robert is somewhat shy, but once you get to know him, he is quite brilliant and very funny. I don't think that people realize that it takes such a tremendous amount of skill and talent to not only create a successful doll, but grow a company that produces quality product year after year. It's wonderful to see a talented artist create a OOAK for eBay a few times a year, but imagine basically having to do it a dozen times every day. It takes an enormous amount of skill, imagination and insight that few people are lucky to have. Personally, I believe that his success comes from his training in the fashion industry, and that is something he and I share, so that is where I wanted to start the book.

So how did she decide to write this book? "It's not often that a company celebrates two decades of success in the toy business, doll-or otherwise. Robert took a hobby that he used to escape from the stress of the fashion industry and turned this passion into thriving dynamic business that is known the world over. Their continued growth and expansion into character figures and licensed merchandise is a casebook study of what to do right in today's competitive market. It's eye opening to see the big picture of how production costs, overseas time lags and communication issues all contribute to the final product. The fact that the dolls all seem to appear so magically and easily is a testament to Tonner and everyone who works at the company."

The book includes chapters on all of Tonner's beloved dolls, including The American Models, Betsy McCall, Tyler Wentworth, the Theater of Fashion dolls, Antoinette, Ellowyne Wilde, Evangeline Ghastly and more. You can order the book from the FDQ website.

Photos and information kindly provided by FDQ magazine whom I thank very much.