December to remember - a special invitation by Tonner Doll

Tonner Doll sent out today an invitation for a sale event at Best Western Plus in Kingston, NY, something they have done before. This time though they are clearing house, so they will be selling lots of prototype dolls. Full information in their text, below:

Dear Friends!

We're inviting YOU to an "Event" quite unlike anything we've ever hosted before!

Here's a bit of what's to come...
On Thursday, November 15, 2018, in just three days...we will send out an email with registration information (and a link) for signing up for this "Once in a Lifetime Opportunity."  Regonline is our hosting site for you to "sign" up as we've done for all our events in the past.  PLEASE NOTE, and READ CAREFULLY HERE, the registration will begin at 12 Noon Eastern time on Thursday, November 15, 2018th.  Once registration is complete (125 people maximum) we will conduct a lottery and assign entrance numbers to everyone.  Once you arrive and check in begins you'll receive your name badge and entry number and line up accordingly.  Ooooh, and the excitement begins!
For what you ask...

As you can see from the "snippets" below through images, we've collected quite an array of items over the years to rival even the most compulsive saver.  BUT we're turning over a new leaf and YOU get an opportunity to "peek into the Bat Cave" and take your pick from...
Never produced samples, assortments of dolls, and bodies, line products, pre-production samples, patterns, wigs, and outfits
Can you say TONS of fabric, swatch bags, trims, flowers, bits, bobs, beads, baubles and more
How about LIFE SIZE Robert Tonner Fashion Line Clothing (with a private tent for trying on)
Costumes from Conventions even, and perhaps holiday decorations
Doll furniture, props, foamboard/posters of your favorite characters, stands, bags, and books 
Puppies, kittens??  Okay, perhaps not...
Other ephemera YOU would never guess we have
When, Where? - The Event will be December 9, 2018, from 10am-2pm at the Best Western Plus in Kingston, New York. (Come on, you've been here before, join us won't you) Entrance is $25.00 AND includes a continental breakfast starting at 9am.  We will be allowing people into the room in groups of 25 for a defined period of time.

WE hope to see you there!

Team Tonner

Integrity Toys Luxe Life 2018 Convention - final gala and convention doll reveal

Sorry for posting this so late after the convention but I was away on business and did not have time to write. Better late than never though!

As most people know, Saturday night is the time of the final gala and the reveal of the much anticipated convention doll. The centerpiece doll was the one that first greeted the attendees though, as they entered the ballroom: Agnes Von Weiss!

Item # 91453

Affluent Demeanor

Baroness Agnes Von Weiss™ Centerpiece Doll

The 2018 Integrity Toys Convention: Luxe Life

Gala Dinner Event Centerpiece

Edition Size: 450 Dolls

​Hmmm. Not bad but no comparison to last year’s Agnes centerpiece. And her dress reminds me of an old Barbie release as well as a bubble dress of the same burgundy colour I own. Simple black shoes with ribbon ties, minimal jewellery, no bag... not that luxe for me. Slapping a crown on an outfit does not mean it automatically becomes luxu. Ask Dolce & Gabbana, they have been doing it for ages. And we saw the purple highlights in last year’s convention dolls. 

The winners of the convention design competition were also announced. The Diorama Design Competition had only had one participant, so it was the sole winner for both People's Choice and Judge's Choice: Lani Billitti. In the Doll Design Challenge, the People's Choice was the talented and very creative friend Mario Paglino, while the Judge's Choice was the talented and very creative friend Sinuhe Guzman, who later told me he first saw Fashion Royalty dolls in my blog. It made me so happy that those two guys won, they are worthy winners.

People’s Choice winner doll by Mario Paglino, photo by Mario Paglino.

Judge’s choice doll by Sinuhe Guzman. Photo by Patricio Lecuona. 

Then the winners of the OOAK dolls designed by the Integrity Toys design team just for the raffle room were picked and the host city of next year's convention was unveiled- Baltimore, Maryland. The theme will be “Live from Fashion Week” and it will take place from 10-12th October 2019.

Finally, special guest Jason Wu joined the hosts on stage to unveil the convention doll, which he designed himself, Elyse Jolie.

Item # 91454

Inspired Grandeur

Elyse Jolie™ Convention Doll

The 2018 Integrity Toys Convention: Luxe Life

Edition Size: 600 dolls

A bit disappointed with the convention doll. Too much colour on face and hair, too little on the outfit. She’s a hodgepodge of previous Elyse doll’s with the make up of Spring Forward Eugenia. The design competition dolls look much better than this.

Note: All dolls pictured in these photos are prototypes; final colors and textures may vary slightly. All photos, unless otherwise noted, 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. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

Integrity Toys Luxe Life 2018 Convention: the W Club luncheon

Saturday always begins with the W Club luncheon. Club members got to see the Lilith Blair centerpiece doll (and many the chance to buy her) and received her twin sister Eden Blair doll, both designed by Jessy Ayala.
Carol Roth hosted a Q & A panel on stage with the Integrity Toys design team, where Club members' questions were answered.

Item # 82106

Afterglow

Lilith Blair™ Centerpiece Doll

The 2018 Integrity Toys Convention: Luxe Life

W Club Luncheon Exclusive

Edition Size: 600 Dolls

Am I the only one that not going gaga every time the twins make their ubiquitous appearance either as a club exclusive or a convention doll? Probably so. I love the brows on this one, combined with the tan skin tone they make her look fab. 

 Item # 82107

Public Adoration

Eden Blair™ Giveaway Doll

The 2018 Integrity Toys Convention: Luxe Life

W Club Luncheon Exclusive

Edition Size: 600 Dolls

Saint Laurent vibes. Not crazy about the pink hair. They look washed out. 

All dolls pictured in these photos are prototypes; final colors and textures 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. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

Integrity Toys Luxe Life 2018 Convention: the highly anticipated Menswear Collection Launch did not live up to the hype.

Friday afternoon at the convention continued with more shopping and workshops, but many convention guests (and many more not attending the convention) were eagerly anticipating the Menswear Collection Launch Event and Party. The new Hommes body and line have been in the pipeline for many years (five if I’m not mistaken) so everyone that collected the Male Integrity Toys dolls were holding their breath. The importance was such that the reveal had  replaced the very popular Friday night bazaar and masquerade ball.

Unfortunately, even though guests got to hear about the design and inspiration behind the newest line, named The Monarchs, from Integrity Toys designer Vaughn Sawyers, something was amiss. All attendees received the Undercover Declan Wake Male Doll. More information on the line will be revealed to W Club members by email, and some prototypes were shown on a slideshow, with one also sent by email to Club members that is under strict no-show order. There was no centerpiece for the event, just an empty acrylic base with the new line logo, that was raffled instead. One can imagine how disappointed people were, as they were expecting to be able to purchase a dressed male doll from the new line, as the convention package mentioned. The doll was nowhere to be seen. Because of that mishap, the unveil lasted only a short time and the only information people managed to get out from Vaughn was that attendees would get first dibs on a dressed male doll sometime soon.

Item # 21008

Undercover

Declan Wake™ Fashion Figure

The Monarchs™ Homme Collection

2018 Luxe Life Convention Exclusive

Edition Size: 500 Dolls

The doll shown was offered to everyone who attended the launch event for "The Monarchs". The formal introduction to the new line will take place later this winter, with a full reveal of the new storyline, characters and looks.

So this is the body that took Integrity Toys five years to redesign. Other than making it skinnier and more defined, I do not see an actual improvement over the old one. No improved articulation, no better neck joint. Cosmetic changes are all nice and well, but real redesign should have made for a better articulated body, with a neck allowing male dolls to move their heads better and make them look more expressive.

None of the old, first wave of Hommes will be part of the new lin up: no Pierre, Francisco, Darius or Takeo. Which is a pity to hear, as they are very special and beautiful sculpts. I’m a Declan fan but this looks like his best ever version too much to be considered great. His hairstyle does not help - it looks like some third rate Mediterranean lover boy would sport while out cruising the tourist traps. Easy pass. And no, having a semblance of a penis will not make a doll better. Nice bag though - the big one. The other can simply disappear into the eighties it came from.

 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. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

Integrity Toys Luxe Life 2018 Convention: Poppy Parker Luncheon

Friday began with shopping and workshops. Then, it was time for the annual Poppy Parker luncheon. Guests were greeted with the Snow Stopper Poppy Parker as the centerpiece doll. And, as is the norm, everyone received Lemon Frost Poppy Parker. Let’s check them out.

Item # PP144

Snow Stopper

Poppy Parker™ Centerpiece Doll

The 2018 Integrity Toys Convention: Luxe Life

Table Centerpiece

Edition Size: 450 Dolls

Apart from the over the top coat, the rest of the doll looks amazing. Great colours (except the orange eyebrows) and make up for the doll, nice outfit with gorgeous accessories as well. 

​Item # PP145

Lemon Frost

Poppy Parker™ Giveaway Doll

The 2018 Integrity Toys Convention: Luxe Life

Edition Size: 600 Dolls

Again I’m not too crazy about the coat but dress and doll look beautiful. Attendees also got lots of information about next year’s Poppy Parker line that will be a new wave of spy Poppies, this time in Brazil.  

All dolls pictured in these photos are prototypes; final colors and textures 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. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing