Trust Your Instincts Jordan

This is one of the most beautiful dolls of this year's Spring collection by Integrity Toys (a tour de force of collections indeed). It's my second Jordan (you can see the previous one here) and having seen her in real life, a firm favourite now.

She comes dressed in a two-piece ensemble: a short sleeved chartreuse top that buttons up her back, with peplum and a slim matching belt, over a sugar white pencil skirt. It is a 40s look re-done for out era and her hairdo channels exactly that.

The outfit is completed with brilliant accessories: a coral "crocodile" leather bag with beige strap and a pair of bi-colored strap pumps.

Her jewellery is beautiful too: a pair of multi-colored enamel earrings with a matching cuff bracelet. I wish she had a green ring to complete this, it would be perfect.

Her make up is not as bold as I feared - in real life it looks even more subtle. The nails are painted pink. The skin tone is lighter than previous Jordan versions. Her hairdo is perfect, fits the outfit,, giving it a 40s vibe and compliments her face beautifully. Her profile is almost Nefertiti like.

This has become one of my all-time favourite Fashion Royalty dolls and would very much like to try more outfits on her. She has set the bar very high for Adele, who will be coming home probably by the end of this year.

Christmas came early in Paris: Dior dolls for Printemps department store

Each Christmas season, the Printemps department store in Paris sets up a magnificent display on its windows. In an atypical contest between the major Parisian department stores, locals are lucky to experience the best that artist collaborating with these stores have to offer, often setting up elaborate displays that attract crowds every day to them. This year, they did something special for us doll collectors: the windows are full of dolls dressed in Dior historical outfits (72 dolls and replicas of 12 iconic outfits), even down to the miniature accessories (oh those Di bags!) that are actually moving like marionettes. Let's read the article about this display from the Dior magazine:

Jean-Claude Dehix, the most famous of puppet masters, has been creating window displays for Paris department stores for over thirty years. He tells DiorMag about his work, and what it was like to collaborate with the house of Dior.

"In a setting of silk and tulle, sequins and ribbons, they're getting ready, making themselves up, impatient to go waltzing or ice-skating in a decor drawn straight from a fairytale. These distinctly Dior dolls are the stars of the Printemps department store's windows. 

Under the Eiffel Tower's steel arches, they twirl and glide, beyond elegant in Bar jacket and full, flaring skirt. On the ice rink, they slice through the air, gracious skaters graced with the most Parisian of silhouettes. A little further on, under a band stand, they waltz and dance to the strains of a gramophone, bedecked in vaporous ball gowns. Look closely, for isn't that also them clutching to a huge bunch of balloons floating over the Opéra Garnier, Printemps and the Eiffel Tower, and again at the fairground, dancing between the carrousel and the big wheel? Yes, it's definitely them, no one else - the dolls!"

"In the Printemps windows, brought to life by the puppeteer Jean-Claude Dehix and dressed by Dior, they play the starring roles in a story of magic and enchantment, elegance and couture. For the holidays, the Paris department store places Dior center-stage with its codes and its many stories, from Avenue Montaigne and the gardens, to the banquet and the opera and the grand voyage. Over nine windows, Printemps tells a fairytale in the heart of the French capital. It's a story of joy and of celebration: the very tale of the house of Dior itself."

French film actress and Dior icon Marion Cotillard was the star of the opening event for Printemps Christmas windows.



More photos of the dolls:

The Twiggy clone: She's Not There Poppy Parker

When, back in spring 2012, Integrity Toys announced their line up for the year, one of the most talked about dolls was She's Not There Poppy Parker. The dominant theme of the Poppy collection was swinging 60's and London back in the days of Mary Quant and Vidal Sassoon but this one stood out as she channelled uncannily the model that defined the image of an era: Twiggy. Her short, boyishly cropped hair, her mod outfit and accessories, her bold make up, all reminded us of her. Anticipation ran high, until collectors started receiving the doll. Many complaints were written on boards and blogs about how different she was from the prototype, how washed out she looked and many people felt disappointed. I was one of the people who got the doll so let's see how she measures up to expectations.

First impressions: she is a very beautiful doll. Even inside the box she looks lovely and cute and does remind me of Twiggy a lot. People complaining she looks nothing like the promotional photos should remember that photos can be retouched/overexposed etc.  to make them look a certain way. Even Twiggy did not look like her photos did. The trick would be to see how she looked in photos taken of her and how close she would come to the prototype (which for me was not that different to begin with). 

A major problem was immediately apparent: the hood of her coat could not be fastened under her chin. Not only was the strap a bit smaller than it should have been, the hood itself could have been cut a tiny bit bigger. And the design of the hood is completely different than the one shown in the promo photos. This was indeed disappointing.

On a previous post I had written about the inspiration for this outfit and how it came from an identical (minus hood and boots) one that Diana Rigg as Emma Peel was wearing in the Avengers series. The same dress and coat were also photographed for British Vogue on Jean Shrimpton (who is another Poppy Parker look alike) and was designed by Jean Varon for the Avengers Collection.  I love the outfit. If you can forget the hood mishap, it is pure mod sixties in it's best. It consists of the white coat over the black dress with contrasting stripes, red fishnet stockings (which stain terribly, remove them immediately from your doll), boots, handbag, ball striped earrings (Twiggy was wearing many pairs in this style in editorials) and red Jackie O sunglasses like the white ones that Sweet Confection Poppy is wearing.

The bag is one of the prettiest I have seen on this line so far. And she comes with a second set of white painted glove hands to maximize the mod effect. The boots are nice but I would have preferred them without the open toe. The original outfit had shoes that looked more like a negative version of the ones Bus Stop Darla is wearing.

Her make up is, to my eyes. just like the promos - neither washed out nor pronounced. I forgot to set her eyelashes properly for most of the photo-shoot but she still looks great. Her hair is nicely cropped and I have seen many people who washed and re-set them with even better results but I still have not tried this.

When I got Bus Stop Darla, I had to re-dress Poppy with that outfit: it is one that the real Twiggy was wearing in many photos and is very iconic. The results are breathtaking.

She looks even better with this outfit than with the mod one (which looks great on Darla, but that's another photo shoot). It inspired me to have a series of photos tampered with to make them look vintage, like they were lifted off magazines of the 60's. I hope you like them.

The set was made by using Karim Rashid's chess - the colours and design matched mod-Poppy very well!

First wave of Jem And The Holograms dolls from Integrity Toys and Hasbro

They may not be to my taste, but the Jem And The Holograms dolls surely have a big fan base. Most dealers are already out of stock on pre-orders for these new releases from Integrity and Hasbro. The tacky 80s styling and fashions leave me uninterested but fans of the cartoon series are clamouring for the dolls and were waiting breathlessly for this release. Let's see what the new line is comprised of.

Item #14021 

CLASSIC JEM
Adult Collectible Dressed Doll
The JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS Collection
Limited Edition of 1000 Dolls
Suggested Retail Price: US $119.00
Estimated Delivery:  November 2012

JEM, the lead singer of famous 80's girl glam band JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS is always ready to make an impression as she makes a noted command performance in her fan favorite classic look, as first seen in the first episode of the famous 80s cartoon titled "The Beginning".
CLASSIC JEM is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl adult collectible doll with hand-applied eyelashes and a fully rooted 80s hairdo. CLASSIC JEM comes dressed in her iconic, truly outrageous pink ¾ sleeve mini-dress, cinched at the waist by her signature silver new wave belt. Sassy metallic fishnet stockings, hot pink metallic pumps, a totally fashionable bracelet and of course, her "JemStar" earrings complete her totally hot look. It also includes a microphone with an adjustable base and miniature amp cord accessory, an additional set of interchangeable hands, adjustable doll stand, instructions and a certificate of authenticity. For collectors 14 & up only.

Item #14022 

JERRICA BENTON 

Adult Collectible Dressed Doll 

The JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS Collection 

Limited Edition of 850 Dolls 

Suggested Retail Price: US $119.00
Estimated Delivery:  November 2012

Charismatic music executive by day, truly outrageous rock star by night, JERRICA BENTON is a determined and driven individual! Using a cutting edge computer named SYNERGY capable of projecting highly realistic holographic images, JERRICA transforms into JEM using the holographic micro-projectors hidden inside her star shaped earrings! Based on the lead character of the famous 80s cartoon JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS, this high-end collector doll marks the first time that the character of JERRICA BENTON is seen as a stand-alone doll.

JERRICA BENTON is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl collectible doll with hand applied eyelashes and fully rooted hair. She comes stylishly dressed in with her classic "oh so 80s" white and aqua striped shirt-dress  perfectly cinched at the waist by her extra wide fringed belt. Her signature matching beret, blue pumps, new wave sunglasses and highly detailed pleather purse complete her truly outrageous look. JERRICA BENTON also comes with doll sized JEM album and music industry magazine accessories, an additional set of interchangeable hands, adjustable doll stand, instructions and a certificate of authenticity. For collectors 14 & up only.

Item # 14023
SYNERGY
Adult Collectible Dressed Doll
The JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS Collection
Limited Edition of 750 Dolls
Suggested Retail Price: US $119.00

Estimated Delivery:  November 2012

A highly advanced computerized artificial intelligence capable of projecting truer than life holographic 3D images, SYNERGY is the secret hidden behind JEM AND THE HOLOGRAM's success! SYNERGY projects a lifelike hologram over JERRICA BENTON and instantly turns the charismatic music industry mogul into one of the 80s most memorable and beloved characters, the truly outrageous JEM. SYNERGY is all set to add some magic to your doll collection today!

 SYNERGY is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl collectible doll with hand applied eyelashes and fully rooted bright purple hair and comes dressed in her iconic glittery holographic techno bodysuit. SYNERGY also includes interchangeable metallic "gloved" hands and lavender coloured hands, high-heel boots, tiny miniature gift box containing a pair of JemStar earrings for JERRICA BENTON, as well as other miniature screen-accurate surprise accessories that fans will recognize and adore! An adjustable doll stand, instructions and certificate of authenticity are included. For collectors 14 & up only.

Item # 14024
RIO PACHECO
Adult Collectible Dressed Doll
The JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS Collection
Limited Edition of 850 Dolls
Suggested Retail Price: US $119.00
Estimated Delivery: November 2012 

Sweethearts since high school, JERRICA BENTON and RIO PACHECO were destined for each other, but lately, his crush on the mysterious JEM is putting doubts in our hero's heart... But little does he know, the woman he loves and the woman he's infatuated with are one in the same! JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS' road manager is always there to come to the rescue of a rock star in distress, but will JERRICA BENTON ever reveal her mysterious secret to him?
RIO PACHECO is a 12.5-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion figure with rooted hair and interchangeable hands! JEM's leading man comes dressed in a highly detailed screen-accurate costume, which consists of a pair of 80s style high-waist pleated trousers, a crew neck t-shirt and "pleather" varsity jacket with working tiny-zippers and includes hand-made deck shoes, a miniature new wave watch, an official miniature JEM crew duffel bag, miniature V.I.P. back stage pass and concert hall layout schematics. An adjustable doll stand, instructions and certificate of authenticity are included. For collectors 14 & up only.

Please note that the photos are of prototype dolls and subject to changes and modifications.

All text (apart from my comments). photos and information is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2012 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

Integrity Toys Tropicalia Convention 2012: the Convention Collection dolls

Each Integrity Toys convention has an exclusive collection of dolls, designed according to its theme and available only to attendees for purchase. Let's see the official photos of this year's Tropicalia collection.

Item #91308

Haute Société
Véronique Perrin Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive   

This is a beautiful Veronique, both doll and outfit, with the exception of the mumsy coat, ate exceptional. I love the design of the dress, the colour and the fabric used. The accessories are gorgeous. She would have been perfect without the nondescript, boring coat.

Item #91309
Main Event

Adèle Makéda Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive   

Ehm... Apart from her gorgeous face, I do not like anything about this Adele version. Crinkled hair, dreadful dress, boring accessories. Meh.

Item #91310 
Peak Season
Kyori Sato Dressed Doll

2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive  

This is the second only Kyori with the new sculpt introduced earlier this year. Here she looks even less Asian then before, the blonde hair not helping one bit. She looks more like Veronique or Anja than Kyori. I like her outfit though - a Parisian lady on holidays at Saint Tropez. Not very tropical though. Great accessories too - the shoes and bag are gorgeous.

Item #91311

Sweet Victory
Natalia Fatalé Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive

How can you destroy a perfect doll: crinkle her hair and give her a boxy jacket embroidered like a kitchen doily. Why? Oh why? Without the jacket and with a lovely hairstyle she would be incredible with the Sophia Loren style and her lovely accessories. Pity.

Item #PP046
Hot Dots
Poppy Parker Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive

This is a weird looking Poppy doll. I guess it is that she looks more grown up here than ever before.And this makes the workshop Poppy (photo courtesy of Shuga Shug) easily the best Poppy of the convention. I love her bathing suit and accessories.

Item #82048
Lady in Red
Erin S. Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive

The second Erin in the new sculpt (after the W Club exclusive doll earlier this summer) is beautiful. You have understood by now I am not a fan of crinkled hair so yes, I would prefer her in another hair style. The outfit reminds me of Versace a lot. Lovely doll.

Item #82049
All White Now
Collette D. Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive

I was never a fan of Colette. But this is an amazing version of her. I love everything about this one: face, hair style, dress (again Versace vibes), accessories. Perfection incarnate. Would have loved to own this one.

Item #57025
Infallible
Dasha™ FR2 Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive

The FR2 dolls of the convention are amongst the best of the dolls available. Dasha looks great, her dress is lovely (amazing colour) and so are her accessories.

**All photos (not text) and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2012 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.**