Tonner Doll Toyfair 2018 reveals

It was good to see that among the other toy companies participating at The New York International Toyfair this year was Tonner Doll, with many new releases, either already announced (but not seen) dolls, final versions of dolls that had already been previewed sometime ago or first time appearances. amazing and it was so great to see and hear about everything that’s happening in the doll world. The dolls and accessories shown below include everything showed at Toyfair with a couple of new additions. When you click through to the site there are buy buttons on many of the items in this release, if still available. Some are shipping now and some have projected availability dates in the future. Please be aware that if you add one of those items to your cart and complete the transaction, you will be charged for all the items now and they’ll ship as they become available. Tonner Doll allocated limited quantities on some items to their direct sale inventory and once they are sold the only way to obtain them will be through one of the Tonner Doll retailers, should they have availability left. Let’s check the dolls out!

T18DCDD01 Wonder Woman-Training Armor - $210.00

Featuring a portrait sculpt of Gal Gadot with hand painted details, this ¼ scale figure on the new 16" RTB 101 hard plastic/vinyl body, is heavily articulated and outfitted in a replica of the Themyscira training armor as worn in the Wonder Woman movie. The removable molded armor is movie accurate and hand painted. “Bracelets of Submission” and three sets of hands (relaxed, fists and gripping) are included with this figure. Diana’s sword, shield and fully adjustable base are available separately. Features mink colored saran hair in a long braid and dark brown eyes. June/July estimated shipping (subject to change).

Another great Wonder Woman doll, again very accurate and detailed. I wonder how many of the people who got the first one would get this one too.She comes without the stand, which is always a problem. Would I buy just the outfit? Maybe. But, there’s a second version of this one...

T18DCGS01 - WW Training Armor Deluxe Set - $310.00

Featuring a portrait sculpt of Gal Gadot with hand painted details, this ¼ scale figure on the new 16" RTB 101 hard plastic/vinyl body, is heavily articulated and outfitted in an exacting replica of the Themyscira training armor as worn in the Wonder Woman movie. The removable molded armor is movie accurate and hand painted. “Bracelets of Submission”,  three sets of hands (relaxed, fists and gripping) , her mythical sword, shield and fully adjustable base are included with this ultra-limited set in a custom, collapsible box. Features mink colored saran hair in a long braid and dark brown eyes. June/July estimated shipping (subject to change).

Same doll as before but with all her weapons added, apart from the lasso. We get to see the lovely braided hair at the back here, great job. 

T18DCDD03 - Wonder Woman Variant # 1 - $275.00

The new 16" RTB 101 hard plastic/vinyl body has 15 points of articulation and Gal Gadot’s likeness is captured in detail. Saran is used to create lifelike hair set off with an accurate, highly detailed tiara. Accurately sculpted depicting her movie costume, the WW armor consists of a molded breast plate with a genuine leather battle skirt; her armband and “Bracelets of Submission” are made of real metal. Wonder Woman carries her golden lasso in a genuine leather harness. Boots are made of detailed vinyl and resin.  Figure comes with changeable open hands, fists and gripping hands. Fully adjustable Wonder Woman themed stand, sword and shield are available separately. Wonder Woman has mink saran hair and dark brown eyes. June/July estimated shipping (subject to change).

Third WW doll. She’s like the first release, with the cape added. I don’t like the cape, always thought it looks out of sync with the rest of the outfit. The cape is sold separately as well, for those who have the first doll and want to add it. Still no stand. I really don’t like this policy with dolls. They all should come with a stand, so the buyer can display them properly. Making people buy them separately does not look nice, to me at least. 

T17DCOF01  Wonder Woman Gala Gown Set (outfit only) - $109.00

Featuring an asymmetrical plunging neckline, and draped accurately to reflect the 1918 period, the gown is completed with a train and, in true Amazonian warrior fashion, Diana conceals her “God Killer” sword, which is included. Matching blue pumps (authorized by Warner Bros.) are included should you choose to dress another Tonner doll in this outfit. As Shown on WW#1 with an updo. Shipping Mid-March.

This is one of her outfits I really wanted to have. The sword does look plastic in the back photo but I’ll wait to see it in real life. Could not preorder it fast enough. 

T18DCOF01 Wonder Woman 2018 Black Cape (outfit element) - $50.00

Replicating the one from the 2017 movie, this version is complete with a hood and arm holes and the chevroned elements are top-stitched to accentuate the accurate detail. As shown on WW#1. June/July estimated shipping (subject to change).

And here’s the cape, as sold separately. Meh.

T18GWDD01 Scarlett O’Hara BBQ dress (dressed doll) - $235.00

Scarlett’s chiffon gown, emblazoned with green floral sprays and highlighted with a deep green satin sash, is further accentuated by a wide-brimmed straw hat with a generously proportioned matching green satin tie. The outfit is complete with a petticoat, pantyhose and green “velvet” pumps. Featuring the 16" RTB 101 hard plastic/vinyl body and new Vivien Leigh portrait sculpt with green eyes and mink saran hair. Acrylic base stand included.  Limited Edition 300 Shipping Mid-March.

I wonder why did Robert Tonner feel the need to make a new sculpt for his Scarlett dolls. It does not look like Vivien Leigh at all and it’s harsh and square looking, compared with the previous sculpt. She looks more like Heddy Lamar would have looked had she gotten the part. And that’s no 17” waist, fiddle dee dee.

T18OTDD03  (previously T17OTDD03) Jamie Fraser  (dressed doll) - $235.00 (PROTOTYPE)

A portrait sculpt of Sam Heughan, the actor portraying Jamie Fraser in the TV series Outlander, by Robert Tonner, authorised by the licensor. Jamie is wearing a monochromatic but elegant black suit and striking white dickie and cuffs, brocade vest, stockings and black knee high faux leather boots, from the episode where he makes his formal entrée to French society, attendind the levee at Versailles hosted by King Louis XV. Offered on the 17" “Matt” body with Jamie’s deep rich auburn hair and blue eyes. Acrylic base stand also included.  Limited Edition 500. June/July estimated shipping (subject to change).

We had already seen a peek of this sculpt months ago, when a photo partially showing the doll was posted on social media and now we have the full monty. He looks a lot like the actor, the outfit is gorgeous and I’m so glad I preordered him way way back. Only thing I don’t like: the boots that look plastic (the description says faux leather) and cheapen the whole look. He’s has a larger edition than Versailles Claire had, so that’s good, I hope that his body is tall enough to stand next to Claire, who, lest we forget, has Wonder Woman’s body. I will be able to tell sooner, rather than later, since the first WW Doll is almost here and I have a few Matt Tonner dolls to measure them against her.

T17OTDD04 Claire’s New Look (dressed doll) - $235.00

Claire and Christian Dior converge as she re-interprets 18th-century fashion with a version of Dior’s 1940’s “bar suit”. The bespoke off-white satin jacket and floor-length black satin skirt are accented by sparkling faux diamond earrings, white gloves, stockings, family crested bag and bow-front black pumps. The outfit also features a black straw hat which completes the ensemble. Claire’s New Look is on the  16" RTB 101 hard plastic/vinyl body and has a Robert Tonner portrait sculpt of Caitriona Balfe with mink saran hair color and ice blue eyes. Acrylic base stand also included. Limited Edition 300. June/July estimated shipping (subject to change).

La pièce de résistance! That’s the outfit I most wanted to have Claire in, even more than the red Versailles dress! The genius of Terry Dresbach, Outlander’s costume designer shines through in all of her work for the series, but so much more in this particular outfit. A 40s woman, getting her clothes made in 18th century France, presaging the New Look that would debut a few years after her first time travel. Brilliant. Preordered already!

Winner of the Integrity Toys 2017 International Design Competition announced!

Last year was the first time that Integrity Toys made their annual design competition open to everyone in the world instead of only Convention attendees. The results were only just announced, after a process that begun with the company designers picking fourteen semi-finalists and then 2017 W Club members voting their favourite. The winner of course gets to see their creation made into a production doll in the coming months! The panel of Integrity Toys' designers voted for the Honorable Mention Winner.

The Production Winner (Chosen by 2017 W Club Members)
A new prototype based on this doll will be made and 2018 Club members will be able to pre-order it later in the year, once that prototype is complete.

The Winner is: Passion Week by Vasilen Milkov!

Passion Week

Designed by Vasilen Milkov

 

About Vasilen and his creation (in his own words)
My name is Vasilen. I am from Bulgaria and I live in Sofia. I have studied Fashion Design at the National Academy of Arts and now I work as a fashion stylist for music videos, editorials and wardrobe for tv commercials. I love my job and dolls help me spread and train my imagination. I like dolls resembling runway models or such with fashion editorial spirit. Clean and versatile looks, yet modern and unique.
I am a big fan of Kyori Red Blooded Woman's dress and the whole fashion that comes with it. It is really bold and powerful design with complicated but yet clean couture elements. I decided to take my chances with a day look which a fashion editor or a celebrity model would wear attending fashion weeks in Milan, Paris, London or New York. At least that was the story in my head which helped me develop the look. My intention was to create a fashion with play - mix and match potential in which every piece is strong by itself (still balanced in the outfit) and could bring some edge combined with more plain pieces. Something that I would love to get as a collector!

I’m so happy that Vasilen won! I always admired his work (and own one of his sublime creations) and most of you should know him as part of the valeyofdolls duo I had interviewed for the May 2016 issue of Haute Doll magazine. His design was by far the best of the bunch and won deservedly. Congratulations Vasilen!

The Honorable Mention Winner Is…Regina by Saturn Zixing Huang!

Regina

Designed by Saturn Zixing Huang

About Saturn and his creation
Saturn Zixing Huang is a college student learning towards his bachelor's degree in Graphic Design. He is based in Yantai, China. For him, it was a destined encounter to meet dolls made by Integrity Toys about three years ago. The Integrity girls instantly became muses for Saturn to turn his long-held passion for fashion and dolls into creativity. He has been honing his artistry in repainting, re-rooting, and making doll fashions and accessories ever since. Saturn is keen on integrating new technologies into his projects whenever possible- he employed 3D printing to make doll shoes inspired by Alexander McQueen.

Saturn did a great job with his evening gown, although I find the front lower end a bit unfinished and awkward. He is very talented and I’m certain we’ll see more gorgeous dresses from him. I’d love to see his graphic design incorporated in his clothes.

What do you think about the winners? Whom did you vote for? Will you be interested in buying the winning entry? Let me know in the comments.

The W Club 2018 registration period is now open!

It’s that time of the year again, when W Club opens up its doors for registration. The W Club is the Official Collectors’ Club for all Integrity Toys collectible dolls, including Fashion Royalty®, NU. Face™, Poppy Parker™, East 59th™ and much more. The club year ahead will be packed with exclusive perks, new dolls, special offers, priority service and more. A brochure has been designed to introduce you to all that the W Club has to offer, but should you have questions at any time, please contact the Club Liaisons at wclub@integritytoys.com. The W Club is an online based club and requires online registration plus a valid email address to receive information and special offers.

You may register for as many memberships as you would like (there are no limits) until 9:00 PM Eastern Time (New York Time) on February, 27th 2018. Please visit the following web address to begin your registration:

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR A 2018 W CLUB MEMBERSHIP

Joining the W Club means that you’ll be getting all of this and more:

• First-to-know information & sneak peeks at upcoming dolls & more.
• Exclusive access to Members-only forums.
• VIP customer service from the W Club Liaisons.
• Guaranteed opportunity to purchase at least *5* exclusive Club-only dolls, including:
• 2 Fashion Royalty dolls (which may include NU. Face), 2 Poppy Parker dolls and
  1 additional exclusive doll, plus additional surprise items!
• $25 coupon to be used towards any $99 or more purchase in the IT Direct Shopping
  Cart*.
• Club-only opportunities to purchase dolls & more.
• Exclusive members-only online events.
• Priority convention registration and optional access to a Club-only event at Convention.
• Special offers, Right-to-buy lotteries and contests.
• Access to private Q&A sessions with the Integrity staff and much more.

*Details and instructions for this coupon will be sent to 2018 W Club Members at a later
date, including that a one coupon limit will be allowed per order.
Important exclusion: Coupons cannot be used to purchase additional W Club memberships. Any memberships bought with coupons will be voided, as the 2018 Club year does not officially begin until after registration ends.

Membership options are as follows: 

Base Membership: $50; Includes the opportunity to purchase at least five exclusive dolls throughout the year- including two exclusive Fashion Royalty dolls (which may include NU. Face), two exclusive Poppy Parker dolls, and one additional exclusive surprise doll- a $25 coupon and a variety of perks, privileges, special opportunities and offers throughout the year.

OPTIONAL UPGRADES (these are in addition to the 5 W Club exclusive dolls that come with your base membership):

Adding the Upgrade “Modernist” Eugenia Perrin-Frost Fashion Royalty doll (as voted on by 2017 W Club members) to your base membership will have an additional $25 deposit due now and $100 (total of $125 US) plus shipping, handling and tax will be billed approximately in Summer 2018, with the doll scheduled approximately for a Summer 2018 delivery.

Adding the “Soda Pop Saturday” Poppy Parker Doll to your base membership will have an additional $25 deposit due now and $100 (total of $125 US) plus shipping, handling and tax will be billed approximately in Summer 2018, with the doll scheduled approximately for a Summer 2018 delivery.

Adding the Upgrade “Eye Candy” Rayna Ahmadi Doll from the NU. Face Collection to your base membership will have an additional $25 deposit due now and $100 (total of $125 US) plus shipping, handling and tax will be billed approximately in Summer 2018, with the doll scheduled approximately for a Summer 2018 delivery.

 Let’s check out the upgrade dolls, starting with Eugenia!

Item #91446
Modernist
Eugenia Perrin-Frost™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
2018 W Club Exclusive
Body Type: FR 6.0
Head Sculpt: Eugenia
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: A-Tone
Hair Color: Dark Espresso
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Introducing Modernist Eugenia Perrin-Frost, the newest offering from the Fashion Royalty® Collection by Integrity Toys, as chosen by 2017 W Club members, who voted for her features, from her warm and vibrant skin tone (a first for this character!) to her hair colour. Her fashionable ensemble was designed by Jessy Ayala. Eugenia Perrin-Frost is a 12.5-inch articulated vinyl doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. Her ensemble is composed of a pale blue one-piece dress, accessorized with sky-high metallic blue high-heeled boots, a matching purse, jewelry and sunglasses. Doll stand and certificate of authenticity included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

2017 W Club members finally get to see the result of their vote from last year. The doll Is beautiful and elegant, with the right amount of fashion bling to make her a standout. The dress is simple but with an intricate detail at the front. Her accessories are perfect, even though I’d prefer the boots with closed toes. The make up has Going Public vibes (the mouth and general design) combined with Tricks Of The Trade or Spring Forward (eyeshadow) - EDIT: She has the Spectacular screening in different colours. She’s not the smash Vanessa Perrin was when she got the dark skin treatment (Second Skin) but she’s fab. I’m getting her with my membership.

UPDATE: Integrity Toys released more close up photos of Eugenia, taken by Jessy Ayala.​

Item #PP134
Soda Pop Saturday
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
The Poppy Parker™ Collection
2018 W Club Exclusive
Body Type: PP 1.5
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Golden Blond
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

In 2018, Poppy Parker revisits some of the best looks that she’s worn in her modelling career so far, with a twist. The W Club introduces the first entry in the “City Sweetheart” Collection, as designed by David Buttry. Poppy Parker is a 12-inch fully articulated fashion doll with fully rooted hair and handapplied eyelashes. Dressed for a sunny summer day in New York city, Poppy looks as sweet as ever in her delightful, high-color day dress! She comes complete with a purse, jewelry, shoes, bright pink and bejeweled cat-eye glasses and a bottle of her favorite orange flavored soda pop. Doll stand and certificate of authenticity included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

I’m not crazy about this year’s upgrade Poppy. The eyes look weird (She has the Reluctant Debutante screening but with applied eyelashes), the hair is blonde (I have too many blonde Poppies), the lipstick too light pink and the dress looks like a variation of the one She’s Arrived had. She has the new high-heeled feet. I love the shoes and the bow details on her bag and bracelet. Easy pass for me. 

Item #82098
Eye Candy
Rayna Ahmadi™ Dressed Doll
The NU. Face™ Collection
2018 W Club Exclusive
Body Type: NF 3.0
Head Sculpt: Rayna
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Color: Amber
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Rayna Ahmadi, the 2018 NU. Face upgrade doll option, marks the debut of the new 2018 collection, as designed by the talented Jessy Ayala of Integrity Toys. Rayna Ahmadi is a 12.5-inch articulated vinyl doll featuring fully rooted hair and handapplied eyelashes. Rayna wears a one-piece denim overall jumpsuit and completes her look with an oversized jewellery set, a colourful bandana, matching denim open-toed high-heels and a unique ice-cream cone shaped purse. Doll stand and certificate of authenticity included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

This is an amazing Rayna, one of the best ever released. Her face and make up look great, using pink in the right way. She reminds me of the IFDC Rock Me Baby Rayna but enhanced with warm vibrant pink. Her outfit looks amazing - I’m a sucker for late 70s styled jeans. It would have looked even better in a dark blue denim though. Her shoes are awesome, her bag weird and the jewellery good. She’s coming home too.

So, are you joining the W Club this year? If so, which upgrade dolls are you getting, if any? 

• So, how do you become part of the W Club?

From now until February 27th, 2018, you can qualify for the 2018 W Club by submitting a
registration form and completing your payment. You can start your registration here:

https://www.integritytoys.com/wclubforum/2018clubregstart.html

No registrations will be accepted after February 27th, 2018 at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (New
York time). No exceptions.

• For how long is your 2018 Club membership valid?

Memberships are valid until the latter of January 1, 2019 or when the 2019 Club membership
registration period begins.

• As a member, will you be guaranteed every exclusive item from the Club?

Every member in good standing will be guaranteed the right to purchase at least 5 exclusive dolls, which will be offered at various times throughout the Club year, including the 2 Fashion Royalty exclusive dolls (which may include NU. Face), 2 exclusive Poppy Parker dolls, and 1 additional exclusive doll during 2018. Members that added upgrade dolls during registration are guaranteed those upgrade doll(s), as well. There will be other limited items which will be available by lottery or first-come, first-served opportunities. Please note that membership in the W Club does not guarantee access to Integrity Toys’ non-Club exclusive dolls and accessories. None of the dolls available through the Integrity Toys’ authorised dealers can be purchased through the W Club and are not W Club exclusive items.

• How many 2018 Club memberships can you purchase?

The number of memberships by collector or household is not restricted. However, memberships are non-transferable and cannot be shared.

• You live outside of the US. May you still become a member?

Yes. Membership is available to residents of all countries worldwide. Please note that all
news releases and information will be released in English only.

• You would like the Club information sent to you via regular mail; can it be done?

This is an online only Club and all members must have access to a valid email address.

• What forms of payment are accepted?

All payments are processed through Integrity Toys’ online shopping cart system. They accept
Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover) and PayPal. If you
don’t have a PayPal account or a credit card, you could get a prepaid credit card, as it
makes it easier for you to take advantage of the many offers.

• How about more information about the purchasing of exclusive W Club dolls?

2018 W Club members are guaranteed the right to purchase the exclusive W Club doll(s) from 2018 only (these dolls are separate from and in addition to the upgrade dolls that you can purchase at registration). The number of W Club exclusive doll(s) produced is based on the number of pre-orders paid. If you do not pre-order the Club doll(s) by the designated cut-off date (there is usually about a week-long ordering window), you forfeit your right to purchase that Club doll through the W Club. Also, Club doll(s) from previous years are NOT available to 2018 members- Club dolls are only available during that specific membership year.

• How about more information about the Club coupon?

Each W Club membership that you purchase will automatically add a special $25 coupon to your IT Direct Coupon Wallet that can be used towards ANY IT Direct shopping cart purchase of $99 or more online only during the 2018 W Club year. As long as your order is above $99 before shipping and tax, you can apply your coupon towards any order of your choice. Full details and instructions for the $25 coupon will be sent to 2018 W Club Members at a later date, including that a one coupon limit will be allowed per order.
Important exclusion: Coupons cannot be used to purchase additional memberships.
Any memberships bought with coupons will be voided, as the 2018 Club year does not
officially begin until after registration ends.

• When will you be able to log into the W Club forum?

Once your membership has been processed, you will be emailed the “Welcome to the 2018
W Club” notice. This notice includes information on how to register and be approved for the
members-only forum, contact emails, email information and more. Due to the number of
registrations that are expected to be received at this time, it can take up to a week or more for the welcome notice to be sent out and you should be patient until you are sent the notice.

• Other: For answers to any additional questions, please contact the W Club Liaisons at
  wclub@integritytoys.com
• For W Club Rules and Protocol, go to https://www.integritytoys.com/wclubforum/2018clubrules.html
  to view the rules document.
• The upgrade dolls will have a non-refundable deposit due immediately, with a balance due at shipping time, approximately in Summer 2018.
• Prototypes shown, final production may vary slightly.

**All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2018 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.

Elysegate ends with a bang - The Nordstrom Jason Wu 10 years anniversary doll

It was hotly anticipated but yet again wholly catastrophic: the Nordstrom Elyse Jolie Jason Wu anniversary doll, probably the most beautiful of all in this line, was no exception from the rule that defined all previous releases for the 10 year anniversary. While promised that it would be an online only sale, it was available mainly (if not exclusively) by phone. The online link showed the doll sold out when it first appeared, then available and so on. People calling Nordstrom found either sales representatives that knew about the doll or some that did not. International buyers could not get the doll (with rare exceptions) when the opposite was communicated initially. All in all, quite a clusterfuck, if you pardon my language. Was it worth it? To each his own. Some people love the thrill of the hunt, others don’t. I feel we have enough drama and anxiety in our daily lives to have them in our favourite past time as well. Below are the doll photos from the Nordstrom website as well as their product description. The final photo is the outfit from the Jason Wu Spring 2008 Collection.

W Club members have an opportunity to enter a lottery for 15 dolls reserved just for them, probably as a small I-am-sorry gesture for all the sale shenanigans around the anniversary dolls.

This was the outfit that opened the Spring 2008 show and is inspired by Grace Kelly in Rear Window.

 Details & Care

Celebrate designer Jason Wu's decade-long career in fashion—and his previous experience as a toy designer—with this limited-edition, highly collectible doll dressed in a stunning look from the spring 2008 runway. Luxe touches like red lips, a faux-leather handbag and stunning stiletto pumps beautifully complement the posable doll's black-and-white silk-faille dress.

• 12"
• Includes doll, stand, dress, bag and shoes
• ABS/polypropylene/silicone/PVC doll with 100% silk clothing and PVC accessories
• Imported
• Collectors
• Item #5576263

Tonner Doll Winter 2018 release - Outlander Claire Fraser in the iconic Red Dress

After quite a lot of time and retailers publishing information before them, Tonner Doll finally releases the first official photos and information about Outlander line’s second and much anticipated doll, Claire Fraser in the famous red dress. Alongside her, the first couple of Mary Astor dolls (it is almost a year since they were previewed in Toyfair) will be also available to buy from their website, if you haven’t already preordered them from dealers. Claire has not even appeared on the Tonner Doll website. Their ultra limited editions mean they could be sold out already at dealers though. They will ship in late February 2018.

 Claire Fraser - T17OTDD01 - $235.00

Claire stands 16” tall, is made of vinyl and hard plastic and has 15 points of articulation.  Highlighting her blue eyes, her deep rich brown rooted saran hair is styled to accent her period gown. Made of a deep ruby-red taffeta the separate bodice of the dress is trimmed with tiny satin ribbons crisscrossed over the rib cage and cuff of the three-quarter sleeve.  Her drop-dead skirt is fashioned of the same taffeta as the bodice. Deep pleats add detail interest and richness to the full skirt.  Of course she needs something to hold the skirt up, so a tulle cage is included. Under all that are nude pantyhose (a nod to the modern) and costume accurate satin shoes with buckled straps to hold them in place. Her “ruby” and “diamond” rhinestone earrings finish off the outfit. Claire comes with an acrylic based stand.  Limited Edition of 300

Sooooo, here she is. She looks better than the first Claire doll. I love the look of the dress and how they managed to convey the same impression that the actress in the actual costume conveyed when first appeared in the corresponding episode. I’m glad I preordered her... but. There are some things that look weird or feel unnecessary. 

First of all. The shape of the décolletage is wrong. The original costume was designed with a very low neckline, as was the norm in that period, but Terry Dresbach, Outlander’s amazing costume designer wanted Claire without a corset, so that she could show more flesh, as described in the book. So she took a typical bodice of the era and deconstructed it, to make Claire more provocative, in an era where provocative was de riguere, especially in the court of Louis XV. 

The doll, on the contrary, is not provocative at all. Her breasts are completely hidden by the dress, even if you lower the front a bit. From the Tonner description above, it looks like the dress is two separate pieces, the bodice and the skirt. I wonder if that is the case in reality as well, but from the photos it looks like one piece - a real dress. I know it would be easier to put on as separate pieces, but it would not look right when the actress moved. Also, the bodice looks like it incorporates the front panel of the skirt, something that is not happening in the real costume. 

Now the skirt, apart from the non-separate front panel, also has different pleats. Terry Dresbach mentioned in an interview that she loves cartridge pleats, even though they are not very period appropriate, and that is what you see on this dress too. But the doll outfit has knife pleating. It is actually more correct for the period but not for this particular costume. It helps wth the volume and overall feel but it does not look right, despite the photographer’s effort to make the doll look like Claire in the publicity photo of her and Jamie going up the stairs.  I wonder how the back looks, cause the real one is this:

The back in the real dress has fastening (even though adult dresses of the period had front fastening) so that the dress can have the extra low décolletage sans corset look. It works. And below you can see the cartridge pleats in close up.

The doll description by Tonner mentions nude pantyhose as a node to modern times. Really? The whole dress design is a nod to modern times (inspired by Dior gowns and Gruau sketches of the late 40s) with Claire supervising its creation in the series. I’m pretty sure she did not have pantyhose with her - they did not even have any in her proper time period! Thankfully they got the shoes right, which are an amalgamation of Louis XV and modern era styles, thanks to Claire (and Terry Dresbach of course). They might have missed a buckle and strap or two but the feel is there.

Most of the other details are spot on. The crisscrossed bodice, the ribbons at the finishing of her sleeves, the volume, all look really good. Dresbach said that the actual costume took 15 yards of duchess satin to produce. I wonder how much fabric this doll needed. The use of taffeta is probably due to practical and production reasons but the fabric in the photos looks quite thin to mimic duchess satin, which is particularly luxurious and heavy.

The earrings, her only jewellery in the episode, look very close to the real thing. Pity she does not have the gorgeous Stag fan Claire uses throughout the ball. The hair has the proper volume and shape but could use some hairspray to keep it together - the photographed doll already has flyaways. Her face looks better in this release, more like Caitriona Balfe, the actress playing Claire, then the first doll.

I will do a proper review of the actual doll when she arrives , which will probably be sometime in March.

Doll photos courtesy of Tonner Doll, costume photos from Terry Dresbach’s blog