The Fashion Royalty luncheon was held on Friday, with a very special guest: Veronica Webb. One of the top models of the 90s (as much as I like her I would not use the term supermodel for her), she gave a nice interview to Carol Roth and after it posed with the attendees and had an autograph session too. Below is one of her 90s photos from French Vogue, in her signature quirky style...

...and here she is this year posing for the ad campaign of Sophie Theallet. She's still got it:

As in all events, there were two dolls featured, a centerpiece and a gift doll. Let's check them out.

As the W Club started later than usual in 2016, it affected the pacing and schedule of new doll releases. This past weekend was the second unveil of the year, after the first with the Poppy Parker collection early this summer. This one included the Fashion Royalty collection, arguably the most important one of Integrity Toys, plus the My Little Pony (MLP) franchise collection and a couple of ITBE 16 dolls. This event was a live webinar presentation, unlike the previous one which was done through emails. The presentation was done by Carol Roth, W Club founder, assisted by Alain Tremblay, but without the Fashion Royalty designer, Vaughn Sawyer, who was in China attending production procedures. The team was completed with Jesse Ayala for the MLP line (more for that in the relevant post). They also mentioned that the collection was based on a concept worked by Jason Wu and Vaughn together. Jason will also be making an appearance at this year's Integrity Toys convention in Chicago and Alain said that if anyone is still interested in attending, to contact him at the company email - there may be a few places available.

As was expected, the Fashion Royalty collection generated a lot of talk and probably raised more questions than it answered. The main one was the new decal eye (hybrid eye as IT names it, meaning the actual eyes are water slide decals and the eye make up is painted with stencils as before) process that some of the dolls are now using, which begun, without the buyers knowing about this, with the upgrade Vanessa club doll and the IFDC Dasha/Annika doll. I will make a separate post about this so will not elaborate further here. As you will see reading on, the dolls that have decal eyes from this collection have it in their specifications.  Most are available to pre-order (with Natalia and Elyse already sold out at most dealers) while Vero, as a basic doll (a much welcomed return of the Close Up dolls), will be available later in the year through IT Direct.

How I saw the collection "A Delicate Bloom" as a whole? I was again underwhelmed, much like with the Poppy Parker one. While it looks nice and coherent, with some gorgeous details and dolls, it is not what I was expecting based on the Vanessa upgrade doll and her delicate, intricate outfit, hairstyle and accessories, that all the dolls would have a similar styling and aesthetic. And while the intense colours and lack of black (much to the joy of several collectors) did stay the same, the rest were severely lacking. I know many people loved it and that is good, but I was waiting to see something entirely different. Another thing that raised a lot of noise was the lack of non-caucasian dolls. With the exception of the asian Kyori, the rest of the dolls are caucasian, even the Latina Natalia has the FR White skin-tone. And no, the so called Hungarian skin tone is not ethnic, just a slightly tanned variation. It is a bit weird coming from this particular company, especially considering last year's gorgeous darker skinned dolls and their popularity. More about how I see each doll below.

Old Hollywood meets new Hollywood in this year's convention collection. It features key characters of the Fashion Royalty, Nu.Face and Poppy Parker collections dressed for various movie roles. While the Poppy Parker and core FR characters are wearing more retro inspired looks, the Nu.Face dolls are wearing modern versions of some of these looks. Each doll is limited to 600 pieces per style and comes complete with a doll stand.

Beautiful Poppy Parker doll. I like the dress, although I'd prefer a thinner trim and bow. It reminds me a lot of Chanel. Have no idea which film it is referencing (the hairstyle looks late 60s) so if anyone can give us a clue, please feel free.

Chip makes an appearance (with his new sculpt) on Poppy's side. The blue tinted glasses are too contemporary for old Holywood glamour but he looks elegant in a sporty way. More British than US. Unfortunately, there is no belt under that jacket, he does sport a big signer ring though.

One of the three best dolls in the entire convention is this Agnes. Channelling Marlene Dietrich, she is perfection. She actually has three outfits if you count the extra one given as a registration gift. Simply gorgeous. What's painfully obvious. No one (and no company making dolls yet) can make a proper top hat in doll size.

This is a Marilyn Monroe outfit made by William Travilla, from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I was certain that Vanessa would have been picked to channel Marilyn and I was spot on. Pity she does not have the hat and leopard beauty bag. I love the cuff and earrings.

This was one of the most popular dolls of the collection. Natalia shines in an impressive black gown with embroidered ton-sur-ton overlay and silver jewellery. her smoky eyes and pale lips add to the impact. The gown reminds me a lot of the Going Places Vanessa gown (a convention doll from The Royal Life event) but in a simpler cut.

Giselle in a short, gamine hairstyle is a great idea and I love the suit that goes with it. I'd rather see high heeled sandals with it though, instead of the short boots. Is she channelling Julie Andrews in Victor Victoria? I love her make up too. She has stud earring but she wears a watch (much like last year's Adele and Elise) and a ring.

Beautiful red haired Erin, in a nice panelled jagged hemline dress with fur bomber jacket. And red boots! And two rings! Which film character is she?

Note: The dolls shown are prototypes and final versions 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.