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.

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

I love the accessories but the €202 price tag is quite high. The american price is $125 on the designer website.

The accompanying description: An absolute must for collectors, Charlotte Olympia's Barbie® is inspired by the original 1959 doll, right down to her elegant feline facial features and perfectly coiffed hair. This Collection Gold Label® edition is wearing a leopard-print dress and 'Dolly' pumps and carries the 'Bogart' tote with matching gloves. Inside the box you'll also find some miniature 'Kitty' flats, an 'I Love Shoes' tote and the brand's big cat mascot, Bruce.

"A childhood dream come true, Charlotte Olympia and Mattel collaborate on a very special collector's Barbie® doll. Taking inspiration from the original 1959 Barbie®, Charlotte Olympia styles her in a two-piece leopard print outfit with a pair of signature red Dolly platform pumps on her feet, accompanied by the iconic red Bogart leather handbag and matching leather gloves. A lady of true glamour and refinement, her hair is set in blonde retro waves and she comes with a closet's worth of Charlotte Olympia signature accessories, including the brands leopard mascot. The Barbie® capsule collection features a range of Pretty in Pink Kitty Flats, ultra-girly platforms pumps and sandals and Barbie® themed clutches for a fun and timeless flash-back look".

The box includes the doll carrying her accessories plus two additional signature pairs of shoes; the Kitty Flats and the Eve platform sandals, the Pandora clutch box complete with insert, the Banana bag, the Web fascinator, 1950’s inspired cat-eye sunglasses and a Charlotte Olympia shoebox with dust bag and polaroid. For the adult collector.

Azone have posted the new FR Nippon Collection Misaki doll (the 18th Misaki series as the site says) at their website (and Integrity on their Facebook page). It is described as '60s-style retro POP in a Ryi style. It has side glancing eyes and an asymmetrical Oriental hairstyle, while she is dressed in a colorful violet dress with embroidery at the bottom. She's really cute.

You can preorder the doll from Azone. I could not figure the day that you can place a preorder but it is either 19th of September or the day before. Contact Azone for details.

The doll will be available on September 19, 2016 at the Azone stand (no. 47) in the Doll Show exhibition. People who buy the doll at the exhibition also get an ITJ special novelty gift. Shipping at the end of October. Two dolls per person.