3rd Annual DollObservers.com Fashion Doll Awards public vote open!

Dear friend Simon Farnworth has set up an excellent doll community at DollObservers.com. Part of this fashion doll haven is the annual Fashion Doll Awards - this is their 3rd year running. As a member of that board (and thus having had a vote in selecting the nominees) it is my pleasure to inform you that the public vote for the awards is now open. You can go here to cast your vote; results will be announced on the 8th of March. Congratulations to all the nominees and may the best one win. Here are the nominees (click on the photos to see them bigger):

1. Best Playline Fashion Doll

Apple White 'Ever After High' by Mattel

Barbie 'Birthday Wishes' by Mattel

Lena 'Prettie Girls' by One World Doll Project

Midge 'Life in The Dreamhouse' by Mattel

Monster High Lagoona '13 Wishes' by Mattel

2. Best Collectable Vinyl/Plastic Fashion Doll

Emma 'Deja Vu' by Tonner Doll

Poppy Parker 'Sweet in Switzerland' by Integrity Toys

Elise Jolie 'Midnight Star' by Integrity Toys

'Coach Barbie' by Barbie Collector

Vanessa Perrin 'Out Sass' by Integrity Toys

3. Best Resin/Porcelain/BJD Fashion Doll

Gene Marshall 'Phoenix' JAMIEshow Dolls USA

Natalie 'Holiday 2013' by JAMIEshow Dolls USA

Sybarite 'Madame V' Superdoll Collectibles 

Apple Nougat by DollChic 

Cherub 'Inamorata' Emiliacouture

4. Best Male Fashion Doll

Alejandro 'Havana Nights' by JAMIEshow

Jay Gatsby by Tonner Doll 

Lukas Maverick 'Beauty' by Integrity Toys

Ken 'Tailored Tuxedo' l by Barbie Collector

Peeta 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' by Barbie Collector

5. Best Celebrity Fashion Doll

Peeta 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' by Barbie Collector 

Jennifer Lopez 'Red Carpet' by Barbie Collector

Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford 'Mommie Dearest' by Integrity Toys

Katniss 'The Hunger Games- Catching Fire' by Barbie Collector

Poppy Parker as Corie Bratter 'Barefoot in the Park' by Integrity Toys

6. Best OOAK Fashion Doll Artist

Emilia Nieminen of Emilia Couture

Peewee Parker

Mario Paglino & Gianni Grossi of Magia2000

Nik Moronese & Marie Lebreton of ninimomo

Noel Cruz

7. Best Fashion Doll Accessory 

Headspinner by Superdoll_Collectibles

Jem 'Stage Essentials by Integrity Toys

Silkstone Dress Form by Barbie Collector

Urban Vita Environment Show Case by Horsman Ltd

'Winter Weekend' Barbie Fashion by Barbie Collector

8. Best Fashion Doll Designer/Manufacturer

Charles Fegen & Desmond Lingard for Superdoll_Collectibles

David Buttry for Integrity Toys

Paul Pham for Dollcis

Robert Best for Barbie Collector

Robert Tonner for Tonner Doll

9. Best Online Fashion Doll Retailer

Angelic Dreamz

Barbie Collector

Fabric & Friends

Marl & B 

My Favorite Doll 

10. The 2014 Fashion Doll Innovations Award: Best Make-Up

Fashion Royalty by Integrity Toys

JAMIEshow by JAMIEshow Doll USA

Numina by Dollcis 

Poppy Parker by Integrity Toys

The sYbarites by Superdoll_Collectables

Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2014 advertising campaign: Kate Moss and a fashion doll

It seems fashion dolls keep fascinating more and more fashion people. The brand new advertising campaign of Alexander McQueen, shot by Steven Klein, one of my very favourite photographers, features not only Kate Moss modelling for the first time in a McQueen campaign (although she was very close to the late designer and founder of the brand) but also a fashion doll. And it is no ordinary doll too (how could it be?): it is a proper Kate Moss miniature, dressed in exact mini replicas of the outfits she wears in the photos featured in the campaign.

The doll seems to be in 1/6 scale, without articulation, made to look exactly like Kate Moss does in the photos, even down to the bright yellow hair. The outfits it wears look incredibly detailed and well scaled. I am jealous; I want all of the outfits for my dolls (would not mind having the doll too but non-articulated dolls are not a favourite in this house). Doesn't Kate look a lot like Tilda Swindon here? Can you imagine that doll?

There is also a small video clip made for the campaign, with a stalker following Kate around a dark and foreboding East London, with the doll in his hand. It is directed by Steven Klein as well, who returns to work with the brand after twelve whole years.

If you look at all the photos, some of them use the doll as a voodoo doll, with pins on its head. Steven Klein was inspired by the 1960s British thriller, Peeping Tom in which a serial killer murders women and uses a portable camera to record their dying expressions of terror. Morbid and fascinating at the same time. I love the way the doll looks in the campaign and covet the outfits. Sigh.

I have no idea who made the doll but I would not mind having it with the extensive miniature garment collection from McQueen! There is only one photo of the campaign without the doll - it's at the end of this post.

Jason Wu exclusive doll for Montaigne Market luxury boutique in Paris

Since 2005, Montaigne Market is a fashion check point on Avenue Montaigne in Paris,France. The 350 sq. m. shop, conceived by the architect Joannes Zingerlé in new tones of urban greys, blends some sixty international labels of clothes, accessories and bijoux selected by Liliane Jossua. From party dress to fur, from fine charms to studded perfecto jacket, Montaigne Market, the first multi-brand shop on Avenue Montaigne, offers a huge choice of ultra luxury and cosmopolitan styles. Jason Wu outfits are also available in the boutique. And now, an exclusive doll wearing one of his creations in miniature version will be too.

A mini version of one of his Spring 2014 looks, that Jason made exclusively for Montaigne Market store, will be available in a limited edition of 300 pieces during this spring's Paris Fashion Week. It will retail for 150 Euros (about $200).It will go on sale on the boutique's website as well at the end of February, so get ready!

This is not the first collaboration the designer has done with fashion boutiques. He has previously designed dolls for Colette, Bergdorf Goodman and Jeffrey. “It’s sort of my background, so it’s kind of a tongue-in-cheek thing to do this once in a while. I mean, I worked 10 years as a toy designer before I started my career as a fashion designer. It’s something I just fell into and really liked,” he said in an interview for WWD.

Apart from wearing a perfectly miniaturised version of a Wu original, the doll (she has the Elise Jolie sculpt) also carries a miniature of his Daphne clutch, wears true to scale versions of his shoes and has mini versions of the boutiques shopping bags as well. The style fits the "urban safari" theme that the main Fashion Royalty collection will have in 2014.

**Please note that these are pictures of the prototype doll and are subject to change. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2014 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.**

Happy Holidays to all!

W Club registration open!

December is always eagerly awaited by Integrity Toys fans as it is the month when the registration for the W Club opens. There are a lot of perks if one joins this club: getting the latest scoop on every brand manufactured by Integrity Toys, gaining access to the member's only W Club forum and exclusive newsletters and, of course, W Club Exclusive Dolls. For 2014, every member will have an opportunity (in addition to the upgrade dolls) to pre-order two Club-exclusive Fashion Royalty dolls, one exclusive Poppy Parker doll, one exclusive Victoire Roux doll and again this year, 2014 W Club members will be guaranteed the ability to purchase a Club-only exclusive JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ doll. In addition to this exclusive JEM Club doll, members will also receive first to know JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ dolls updates. 

Members also get a free subscription to Dolls magazine, special coupons and incentives from Integrity Toys dealers, exclusive info to related events and the on-line company presentations. The registration ends on the 21st of January 2014 and you can go here to register now or download the brochure. Let's see the upgrade dolls this year:

Item # 91345

Fashion Explorer Vanessa Perrin®

Dressed Doll

The Fashion Royalty® Collection

2014 W Club Exclusive Deluxe Upgrade Doll

Doll Tech Specs:

Body Type: FR 2013

Head Sculpt: Vanessa 3.0

Quick Switch Feature: No

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Brunette

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

A sporty version of Vanessa Perrin, she has rooted brunette hair and hand applied eyelashes. She comes dressed in a multi-layered look composed of a sheer mesh top layered with a faux-suede shirt, a low waist wrap mini-skirt accented by a wide pleather belt, matching knee high boots that lace up the front, a perfectly coordinated oversized pleather duffel bag, jewellery and a newly developed pair of sunglasses. Doll stand and certificate of authenticity included. For adult collectors ages 14 and up.

This is a gorgeous Vanessa in her latest incarnation. A brunette as well, which mean I want her as I only have a red head version 3.0 - plus the outfit looks great and she comes with a nice bag. Just wish her jewellery was a bit better, as she comes with the $130 price tag that proper collection dolls come. I thought upgrades were supposed to cost less than the normal collection dolls (last year's Kyori was $95)

Judging from last year's upgrade dolls, the make up style of Vanessa will be the one dominating the main collection, which is good, it looks terrific. But I would have liked better earrings or a ring.

Item # PP059

The Girl from I.N.T.E.G.R.I.T.Y.

Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll

2014 W Club Exclusive Upgrade Doll 

Doll Tech Specs:

Body Type: Poppy Parker® 

Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker®

Quick Switch Feature: No

Skin Tone: Caucasian / FR White

Hair Color: Raven

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

This year the main Poppy Parker collection has a spy theme, as it was announced in the convention. So look out for lots of mod styling again.The doll has fully rooted hair styled in a pageboy look and features hand applied eyelashes. She wears a black and white mini dress with black button accents, completed by a matching black "leather" vest, white tights, black "leather" boots, a mod handbag and her look is topped by a newsboy cap that matches the rest of her ensemble. A doll stand and a certificate of authenticity are also included and the The Girl from I.N.T.E.G.R.I.T.Y. collection will feature a brand new exclusively themed package design. For adult collectors ages 14 and over.

I love mod Poppy and this one is no exception. If they get the hair right (short hair is always tricky) she will be a smash. Emma Peel beware! She even has a gorgeous ring to complement her beautiful outfit.

She has lots of accessories, plus an extra pair of hands, but a price tag that's also more expensive than last year's Poppy Parker collection (the Poppy upgrade was $85 and the main collection $89 each). Not a very good sign. 

Item #14057

Countess Danielle Du Voisin™

Adult Collectable Doll

The JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ Collection

2014 W Club Exclusive Upgrade Doll

Doll Tech Specs:

Body Type: JEM / Color Infusion

Head Sculpt: Minx

Quick Switch Feature: No

Skin Tone: Caucasian / FR White

Hair Color: Blond

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Danielle Du Voisin is a 12-inch articulated doll with fully rooted hair, styled in the character's (she's the Holograms' mentor) signature sophisticated up-do and has hand-applied eyelashes. This never before produced character seen here for the first time in doll form comes dressed in one of her key looks from the original TV series and includes shoes, a jewellery set and a variety of character related accessories. Doll stand and certificate of authenticity included. For adult collectors ages 14 and up.

She's a dead ringer for Paris Hilton! The outfit would have made Joan Collins proud, it's straight out of Dynasty. She would have made a fun addition to my collection but I want the other two more than this one (she's $130 when other Jem dolls with loads of accessories were $120) and she also has the Jem/CI body which does not fit with anything else in my collection. 

So while the W Club plain subscription price remains the same ($50), the dolls cost much more than they should. If this trend continues with the main lines, my spending will be less than last year to manage. And I bet other collectors think along the same lines.

**Please note that the photos are of prototype dolls and subject to changes and modifications. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2014 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. HASBRO and its logo, JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. (C)2014 HASBRO. All rights reserved.