Just a couple of nights ago, W Club members received news of the very first doll to be offered to them for 2015. And it is none other than Poppy Parker, making it a sneak peak into this year's line of Poppy dolls that will be inspired by the top models of the 60s, Model Scene. The surprise was that she is not just a doll - she is a gift set with three different outfits and three different heads. Yes, the quick-switch system is alive and well and makes an appearance again this year, despite the problems with last year's Loni/Poppy doll, Sabina Havoc, that had her heads wobbly on the switch neck; Integrity Toys had to replace many bodies (including my doll's). The set is called Mood Changers (fitting) and two of the three fashions are mod-inspired (with a space-age hint) while the third is more early 60s. Let's see what's in-store:

Poppy's first look is an elegant party dress in black satin with silver and black organza overlay. Glittering jewellery, a matching bolero jacket and black hose and shoes complete this "Jazzy" ensemble. Her hair is in a side swept low bun in a shade of auburn and her make-up is in smoky shades of grey. I think this is the best version of this gift-set, she's the winner hands down. I'd get her even if she was just this one single doll. Pure perfection.

The second look is a delicate lace pant-suit in a vision of sea foam. Satin trim details finish off this look on Poppy. Her side parted raven wavy hair accentuates her make-up in complementary shades of sea foam. This one looks great - it would look even better if the outfit was in white or black. This is straight from Courrèges in 1964, as you can see below (photo by Ronald Falloon):

It is also very similar to what Diane Kruger wore to the Met Gala on Monday, by Chanel. Her face looks gorgeous, even with this particular eye-shadow. She could be Meghan Draper from Mad Men on a night out.

The last look is a pale pink mini dress with silver sequin trim.Completing the look is a smashing hairstyle in a subtle shade of lilac and pink make-up making for an over the top, space age look. A Poppy with lilac hair!

She looks a bit weird in this hair colour and make up - if she was not in the gift set, I do not think I would buy her as a stand-alone doll. Which is precisely why she's offered like this.


This outfit is a Pierre Cardin original from 1969, a pink silk-crèpe mini-dress with puffed metallic trim around the hem and collar, as we can see in the photo from L'Officiel below (photo by Roland Bianchini):

Poppy Parker is a 12-inch vinyl/plastic articulated fashion doll with three fully rooted, interchangeable heads. Comes complete with accessories and a doll stand. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. Pictures of prototype shown; final production colors and textures may vary slightly. All photos (unless otherwise mentioned) and doll 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

Vanessa Perrin is one of the most coveted characters in the Fashion Royalty universe of Integrity Toys. A couple of years ago, the change of her face sculpt caused many tantrums and ignited heated discussions in fashion doll collector forums and blogs. Last year, in their annual convention, Integrity released her third incarnation: a new sculpt that looks a bit like the first one, only slightly modified. Again, some collectors loved her, some did not. But getting that sculpt on a W Club exclusive doll was something that surely pleased many happy fans of this character. Me too, as it was a way to get the new sculpt and see up close how she fares compared to her older versions.

If you read this blog regularly, you should remember that quite a while back I did a photo session with Poppy Parker as a Bride for the bridal-wear website of a dear and talented friend, Margarita. Well, apart from that one, she also runs (with her also talented boyfriend Stelios) another site called wearthistoday, which helps answer the eternal dilemma: what to wear each day of the week (for women AND men alike). I had an idea that we could run a post there, showing how to dress like a doll in real life. I started searching for a doll to use. That meant finding one that would be relatively easy to match her outfit with real-life clothes and accessories. I finally settled on Sweet Confection Poppy Parker: she looks gorgeous, photographs well and her outfit consists of separates that are easier to research than a particular dress or gown. It also fits with the aesthetics of wearthistoday. Then the real work started - doing the photo shoot first and finding the clothes that would make up her outfit and accessories translated for a real person - who should also be able to buy them on-line. After that came through, I picked lots of photos and, along with the results of my search, forwarded them to Margarita and Stelios, who made the final selection of clothing and accessories and the gorgeous layouts for the website. My guest editor appearance appeared on Friday 11th of May. Here are the layouts:

This is a photo of Sweet Confection Poppy Parker as it appeared in wearthistoday

This is the clothing and accessories we picked for wearthistoday - go to the website to buy them on-line

 This is a composition of various Poppy photographs with details of the accessories. You'll notice the coat is not in the previous layout (due to the season demands) but I found a similar one from Burberry's and one from Kippys.

They even made a layout for me as a small presentation of who I am and what I like. Thank you so much Margarita and Stelios for this wonderful opportunity to work together - loved every minute of it! And all of you reading this, check out wearthistoday - it might help you find lots of great clothing and accessories options!

Below is a selection of various photographs from the shoot. I must say this Poppy is one of the best out there. The detail and workmanship on the outfit and accessories is great, her suntanned skinned, bubblegum make up and bouncy hair look perfect and she is to die for. It was the last W Club doll for 2011.

So stylish in that coat and scarf!

In late 2008, Integrity's high end doll line, Fashion Royalty (by Jason Wu, the designer that made US First Lady's Michelle Obama Inaugural Ball dress as well as the one she is wearing on the US Vogue March 2009 cover) gave the W Club it's second doll, Bewitching Hour Luchia. Upon seeing the pre-release photos, almost everyone agreed that she was channelling Madonna's current style. When the dolls started arriving and actual doll photos started to circulate, the impression was even stronger. Luchia was never my cup of tea - she has Isha's sculpt but a Caucasian skin tone (Isha is Indian) and I did not like that one either (have only one in my collection so far). But this re-incarnation was perfection: great skin tone, perfect make up, gorgeous outfit.

The actual doll looks even better than the prototype photos. Only the hair seems a bit stiffer (especially the top part) but that is something that can be corrected - making her in fact look more like Madonna. The resemblance is uncanny, as if the sculpt was made with her in mind. The outfit she comes in is breathtaking: a black coat with big lapels (they could have been just a bit smaller to have perfect proportions) fastened with a corset like belt at the waist, that comes over a salmon pink strapless mini dress, black leather gloves, gladiator knee high boots, black stud earrings and a chain and cross bracelet. Despite the black coat, no staining was found - and none was reported by other people that received the doll.

The corset belt is decorated with studs and ties in the back with silk ribbons. The faux leather is elastic, so that makes it easier to use it. The detail is amazing and I can see this accessory matching with many other outfits. Cannot wait to see this over a white shirt.

The make up is gorgeous. Her skin tone is not the usual Luchia one, but a slightly pinker tone than her usual porcelain skin - FR called it Blush. She has prominent black eye liner, skin tone eye shadow (it IS there, just a bit shiny on the upper lids) and a brown line in her eyelid crease. Brown eye brows frame her blue eyes perfectly. The blushing on her cheeks is perfect - barely there and looking very realistic. Her lips are painted a slightly darker pink than her skin, with a wee touch of gloss, finishing the neutral look in just the right way. Nails both on hands and feet are french manicured.

The detail of the bracelet is amazing. Chrome chain and matching coin-shaped medallions, with two crosses adding the Goth touch. The faux leather gloves are elastic and slip on the hands effortlessly. Their creasing is amazing, adding to the realistic look.

The gladiator boots are incredible. The faux leather ribbons are scaled perfectly, zipping up at the back so that the boots come on the legs easily. The buckles add to the effect and they have platforms too, making the doll stand slightly higher than usual. Female Darth Vader eh?

The pink dress underneath is strapless and micro mini. The top is ruched (micro-pleated according to FR) but this is the only detail that makes it special. It is good but not amazing. It does look like something Madonna would wear in the 4 minutes video clip, so it adds to the overall Madonna effect. This doll is one of the best releases of Fashion Royalty. I hope they keep releasing more like this.