Alta Moda Karolin Stone by Salvador Lopez Arriaga

During last year's Supermodel Integrity Toys convention in Chicago, the Official Integrity Toys Advanced Design competition took place and the winner was the very talented Salvador Lopez Arriaga with "Alta Moda" Karolin Stone™. Now, that creation is becoming available to everyone for purchase through the W Club (for members) and IT Direct (general public). The original design has undergone adjustments to make it fit for production while preserving its original spirit. W Club Members get a special pricing of $135.00 US versus the general public, who will be able to purchase this doll for $145.00 US. Furthermore, Club members can preorder earlier and as many dolls as they want. The link will be available soon. Deadline is 19th of September.

Update: link to preorder for the public:  http://www.integritytoys.com/shop20/alta-moda-public-pre-order-link.html

Item #82089

Alta Moda

Karolin Stone™ Dressed Doll

The NU. FACE™ Collection

2016 Design Competition Winner

Edition Size: TBD

Estimated Delivery: Spring 2018

W Club Only Retail Price: $135.00 US + Shipping and Handling

General Public Retail Price: $145.00 US + Shipping and Handling

Doll Tech Specs:

Head Sculpt: Karolin Stone™

Body: NF 3.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Platinum Champagne Mix

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No 

Karolin Stone is a 12.5-inch fully articulated fashion doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. Karolin wears a creation by design Salvador Lopez Arriaga, the winner of the 2016 Integrity Toys Design challenge. The ensemble is composed of a two-piece suit that features a structured waist length jacket, cut in an oversized houndstooth pattern and black trousers. The look is completed with an oversized bow-shaped headdress, custom-made houndstooth jewelry, spiked heels and a contrasting red purse. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. This doll cannot stand alone; a doll stand is included.

It hink the original looks better (see below), especially regarding the cut of the jacket at the top of the sleeves and the shape of its front. I also think she needs red strong lips with this black and white style - remember Opium Ayumi? Other than that she looks great and if I was in a better financial state I'd grab her. Maybe later. I love her jewellery set, it is always great to see new designs used. Salvador should be proud. Congratulations to him!

Alain Tremblay from Integrity Toys did an interview with Salvador, in which we learned that the inspiration for this design was Salvador's mother in the 80s but updated for now. He wanted versatility with mix and match pieces. Although one would not guess from this outfit, his favourite era in fashion is the 70s with their luxurious hair and glamorous fashions. He says Olivia Newton-John rocked the era's look and that made me like him that much more. His favourite IT characters are Nu Face models like Karoline but he's beginning to shift to Fashion Royalty ladies now.

Note: Please note that the doll, clothes and accessories pictured in the photos are prototypes and as always, final production colors and textures may vary slightly. 

All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2017 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. NU. Face 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, Graphics and 3D renderings by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

Defiant Rayna designed by Jason Kramer, winner of 2015 Integrity Toys convention design contest, available for preorder

Last year at the Cinematic Integrity Toys convention, there was the Official Integrity Toys Advanced Design competition. The winner was Jason Kramer with Defiant, modelled by a Natalia Fashion Royalty doll. The winning design, picked by the members of the Integrity Toys design team, after adjustments to make it production ready while preserving the spirit of Jason's original design, is now ready for preorder. A major change is that instead of Natalia, the doll wearing the outfit is now Rayna. W Club members can pre-order as many dolls as they like, so the total edition size will be based on how many pre-orders are received. The doll is also available for the general public to preorder, you can click on this link.

Item # 82076
Defiant
Rayna™ Dressed Doll
The NU. Face™ Collection
2015 Design Competition Award Doll by Jason Kramer
Limited Edition Size: TBA 
Estimated Ship Date: January/February 2017
Special W Club Price: $135.00 + Shipping, Handling and Applicable Sales Tax*.
General Public Price: $145.00 + Shipping, Handling and Applicable Sales Tax.
*W Club members will have to pay a non-refundable deposit of $20.00 at pre-order to reserve their doll (s); the balance of $115.00 + shipping and handling (and tax for Maryland residents) will be due approximately January/February 2017. 

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Rayna™
Body Type: NU. Face 2.0
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Hungarian
Hair Color: Golden Bronze
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Rayna™ is a 12.5-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with long, silky fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. Her look that can be worn multiple ways is composed of a high-contrast custom printed removable plaid skirt over high-waisted capris and a black micro sequined sleeveless top, finished with a multi-strand chain necklace, oversized hoop earrings, cuff bracelets, high-heels and a clutch purse. A doll stand and a numbered certificate of authenticity is also included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

Hmmm... Rayna is one of the rarest Integrity Toys sculpts, first premiered as an unknown doll wearing an outfit for sale and has only been released as part of conventions or special events, while lately she appeared as part of an ITBE collection but in a dark skin tone. I was looking forward for a more easily available version of hers and now she's here. But she does not look like Rayna at all. Look at the photo below and tell me you'd recognise the same character if no one told you who it was.

I do not know why the designers picked this particular doll to use the small, slanted eye design but it is a total disaster - it is not Rayna. So, while the outfit is gorgeous and I'd love to have it in my collection, the doll will keep me off buying it. We were informed that she has painted eyes so I cannot attribute the look to the newly available, and much discussed, decal eyes that the company used on some dolls. It is a major disappointment for me. I know some people will pre-order her in the hope that Integrity will redesign the eyes but I cannot commit like this. And no one should have to.

So who is the talented Jason Kramer? He began working in design straight out of college, where he majored in Theatre Arts, with an emphasis in Costume design. He has designed costumes for both theatre and dance productions, and now works as Artistic Director and Lead Designer at a costume design company that specializes in custom made dance wear. When he's not working, he spends most of his free time with his husband James and their dog Apollo in their Long Beach, California home. 

The inspiration for this design was grunge fashion, with a more contemporary and chic interpretation. He collects dolls for the last 15 years. His favourite era of fashion is the Dior New Look. Favourite IT sculpts include Eugenia, Natalia, Elyse and Tulabelle. 

Jason Kramer

The winning design as sketched by Jason

Are you pre-ordering Defiant? What do you think of her? Let me know in the comments.

Note: Pictures of prototype shown; final production colors and textures may vary slightly. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2016 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

Fashion Royalty and all related characters are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc. and JWU LLC. All rights reserved.

Graphics and Layouts by Alain Tremblay Marketing. Photography by Jayme Thornton

Integrity Toys convention 2015: Cinematic Part X: The final gala and convention doll

The Saturday gala is always a bittersweet event: while everyone is anticipating the presentation of the convention doll and lots of other reveals and gifts of the night, it is also time to say goodbye and marks the end of the convention. The Integrity Toys design team conducted the highly anticipated OOAK and complete collection raffles, unveiled the final dolls of the weekend and announced that next year's convention would take place in Chicago (the theme, dates, registration information and other details will be revealed approximately in the Spring of 2016). They also announced the winner of the design contest, Jason Kramer, who was attending his first convention and won both categories, the advanced with his 12" entry (which will be made into a doll from Integrity next year) and the intermediate with his 16" entry. Here are photos taken from the flickr profile of Crystal.

Jason Kramer - winner of the advanced category in the design contest

This is Jason Kramer's 16" entry that won the intermediate category. It is actually portraying model Shalom Harlow at the finale of the Spring Summer 1999 Alexander McQueen collection, where her dress was spray-painted by industrial robots live on the runway.

Of course the final two dolls of the weekend were revealed: Elyse Jolie was the centerpiece (the designers mentioned that the change in her name's spelling was requested by her and they had being writing it wrong for years!) and a new character was introduced in the Nu. Face collection, Ms. Karolin Stone, a model and actress. Everyone in attendance received the gorgeous Karolin doll who is the official convention doll. Not everyone was pleased, as Elyse or Vero were expected to be convention dolls. The fact that Jason Wu did not make an appearance during the convention and no doll was wearing one of his real life outfits in miniature was also much discussed and speculated upon.

Item # 91383
Starlet Elyse Jolie™ Dressed Doll (Gala Dinner Centerpiece)
Cinematic: The 2015 Integrity Toys Convention Collection
Limited Edition of 450 Dolls

I'm not a fan of this Elyse. She looks a lot like previous releases of her (On The Rise was the first that came to mind), while the dress is too transparent  - shouldn't it be lined? I really like the fabric buy maybe it needs a different design to look its best.

Item # 82068
Making An Entrance
Karolin Stone™ Dressed Doll (Main Souvenir Doll)
Cinematic: The 2015 Integrity Toys Convention Collection
Limited Edition of 600 Dolls

The face looks familiar. She could be using the Ayumi 2.0 (more likely, as it is out of use now) ot 3.0 sculpt. Her severe look and simplicity did not go down well with some attendees - I read somewhere that when she was announced, everyone was silent for a few moments. She looks modern and strong but I would not try to get her.

Note: The dolls shown are prototypes and final versions may vary slightly. All doll photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2015 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

The Winning Doll of the 2014 Integrity Toys convention design competition: As Dusk Falls

In October 2014, the Official Integrity Toys Advanced Design competition took place at the "GLOSS" Convention in Orlando, Florida. As last year, with previous winning design doll Edge Vanessa, the W Club is introducing a doll based on Ms. Julia Leroy's winning entry, "As Dusk Falls" Eugenia Perrin Frost™. As per the rules of the competition, the winning design, personally picked by Jason Wu and other members of the Integrity Toys design team, has gone through various adjustments to make it production ready while preserving the spirit of Julia's original design. I really like the doll and would try to get her if the timing was better. 

Item # 91388
As Dusk Falls
Eugenia Perrin Frost™ Dressed Doll 
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
2014 Design Competition Award Doll by Julia Leroy
Edition Size: TBA (Based on all orders received, see ordering information below)
Suggested Retail Price: $150 public/$130 W Club Members (+ Shipping and tax if applicable)
Estimated Delivery Date: Approximately Winter 2015/2016

*Deposit of $40.00/20.00 due immediately at pre-order, balance of $110.00 + shipping and handling (and tax for Maryland residents) due approximately Winter 2015-2016.

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Eugenia
Body Type: FR 2013
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Colors: Golden Blond
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Eugenia Perrin Frost is a 12.5-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. The doll comes dressed in a look based on Julia Leroy's award winning design from the 2014 Integrity Toys Design Competition, which took place at the Gloss Convention in Orlando, Florida. This doll comes complete with matching accessories and shoes. A doll stand is also included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up. W Club members only can get the doll at a price of $130.00 (plus any taxes, shipping and handling). You can pre-order her with a $20.00 deposit. Members of the general public will also be allowed to order this doll; however, the price will be $150.00 for non-members. You can order the doll here (deadline is September 23rd at noon ET, so make it quick): 

http://www.integritytoys.com/shop20/Eugenia-Perrin-Frost-As-Dusk-Falls-by-Julia-Leroy-PUBLIC.html

Julia Leroy started her career in 2003 as a graphic/product designer, but became interested in fashion photography after moving to the US. A few years later, she delved into several professional hobbies. One of them was sewing high-end doll fashions and photographing them in miniature dioramas. The world of modern doll collecting was revealed to Julia in 2007, when she bought her first "Adele Brilliance" Fashion Royalty doll. Julia holds a master degree in design from Academy of Architecture and Art; beyond her education and experience, she is largely self-taught.

Julia Leroy

"I was dreaming about beautiful real model looking dolls since I was a kid, but the smallest doll I had back in 1988 was a 14 inches "Cinderella" doll and of course, it had nothing to do with modern fashion dolls. I remember making a "bra" with two pom-poms and a stretchy band to make her look like a Disney "Cinderella" and was hiding it that my parents wouldn't notice the "improvement" I created. I never could imagine that 20 years later, I will discover Fashion Royalty dolls.

The original competition winner

The 2014 Gloss convention was my first Integrity Toys convention and I was entering the very first time for a doll design competition. Since I had some experience in creating doll clothes, I knew I had chances to win but I would never think it actually could happen. That was an amazing feeling to receive such honor by winning in both categories, it's like falling in love for the first time - doesn't matter what your future holds, but you will always remember the first one." - Julia Leroy

What Julia Says About Her Creation:

"I love vintage era fashions and I think many fashion designers are looking to be inspired by it. The competition theme was perfect for me, but I wanted to combine a classic vintage dress with modern edgy elements that even the future Fashion Royalty doll released 30 years from now could easily wear. I chose to reconstruct a vintage looking bodice for my dress and combine it with the today's most popular red carpet "mermaid style" skirt. To make it look effortless and modern, I covered parts of the dress with mesh inserts. I called it "As Dusk Falls" because I imagined my character as a "mysterious lady" - like that old time story about "Cinderella" - when she appears from almost twilight air and everybody looks at her mesmerized by her beauty."

Pictures of prototype shown above; final production colours and textures may vary slightly. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2015 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

DOFDAs 2015 - 4th Annual DollObservers.com Fashion Doll Awards announced!

Today was the day that the Fashion Doll Awards winners were announced by Doll Observers, after a public vote was held until a few days ago. This blog was nominated in the relative category but we did not win - proud to be included in with the rest of the amazing nominees! Congratulations to all winners and nominees as well. And of course a big tank you to Doll Observers and Simon Farnsworth who organized the whole thing. Let's see who the winners are:

Winner layouts courtesy of Doll Observers.