Last year the FR 16 line got a major revamp that paid of in an exciting way. Not only it had a new face/character in Hanne Erikson (that proved to be quite successful) but also got people interested again in the series after some ho-hum releases that did not quite live up to its status as Avantguard replacements. This year the dolls are again incredible and one of them takes the whole collection one step further. But more below. Vaughn Sawyer worked wonders with the collection and also said that they are trying out an kind-of-airbrushed effect on the eye-shadow. They look terrific. As last year, there is again one Anais, two Elsa Lin and two Hanne Erikson dolls.

Anais McKnight looks totally different from her incarnation last year. In elegant, slightly understated daywear, with nice accessories and great face paint. She is a fully articulated 16-inch vinyl fashion doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. A doll stand is included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

Whereas Anais changed look completely, Elsa looks so much like last year's Hot Blooded doll - with a beehive. Yes she is gorgeous and yes I was this close in ordering her. But I already have her almost twin from last year so I did not. I love the outfit too. The doll has such a 60s elegant vibe. She could have made an appearance on Mad Men. Elsa Lin is a fully articulated 16-inch vinyl fashion doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. A doll stand is included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up. 

The second Elsa doll is quite different in her face paint from all the other Elsas but the outfit is like a rehashed version of the Hot Blooded one - same colour, asymmetry, fur detail. What a gorgeous face - and those eyes! Great accessories as well. Elsa Lin is a fully articulated 16-inch vinyl fashion doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. A doll stand is included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

This is easily the best FR 16 doll ever released, reminding me so much of the Avantguards (but more refined) and also a tamed version of Sybarites. All elements combine to make one great doll, from the hair colour (which mixes silver and platinum) to the face paint to her outfit and accessories - although a ring is sorely missing for this price range. Well done Vaughn and Jesse. This is the one I am getting and I am so happy about it. Hanne Erickson is a fully articulated 16-inch vinyl fashion doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. A doll stand is included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

So what do you think of this FR 16 release? Tempted to finally enter the larger doll world? Let me know in the comments.

Please note that the dolls shown are prototypes and the final production dolls, colours and fabrics may vary slightly. Note that these are all 16-inch tall fashion dolls and are not in 1/6 scale. 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

Later then every other year, Integrity Toys unveiled four new collections of dolls this past weekend to the members of W Club through a webinar presentation. The event was not without its problems; many people, including me, were not able to see the photo slides of the dolls, were instructed to log out and back in again which resulted for many in a message saying the webinar is full. That meant no live presentation - we had to rely instead on other members that posted screen caps on the club forum. The company apologised profusely and promised to take the matter up with the software maker. I am not too familiar with the mechanics behind such presentations but I guess that when you organize such a large, worldwide event on-line, things can go bad really fast and also it is good to have immediate access to IT people supporting the event so that they can fix such problems in real time. The dolls are available to pre-order now so get in touch with the dealers from the IT list ASAP.

The collections will be presented on separate posts here in the blog, with a fifth one dedicated to the event doll. Let's start with the first group presented, which is a new brand for Integrity Toys: the Katy Keene collection.  These are dolls based on the iconic comic book character Katy Keene and her fashionable friends from Archie Comics. David Buttry presented this collection and said they were inspired by the comics and the related paper dolls produced throughout the years. I was very thrilled to see these incredible fashions and gorgeous faces until I saw that all dolls have Color Infusion bodies. This means that they cannot share fashions and shoes with most of my other dolls. I also think that this is the wrong type of body for this era. I believe that the dolls would look better with either the previous Fashion Royalty body (the tall one with the large bust) or the Victoire body, so that they could exchange fashions and accessories with her, since their eras match. I do not know the reasoning behind the body choice but it made me not order any doll. Otherwise, they look amazing. The detail in the clothing is fantastic and the face paints and hairdos are perfection. On to the dolls:

So who is Katy Keene? A character created by Bill Woggon, she has appeared in several comic book series published by Archie Comics since 1945. She is a model/actress/singer known as America's Queen of Pin-Ups and Fashions. The readers were encouraged to submit original drawings of outfits and accessories for her and her friends to wear, as well as designs for cars, homes, interiors, etc. These designs were used in the comics with credit given to published submissions. Many issues featured paper dolls of Katy in various costumes. After a 20 year hiatus from the 60s to the 80s, the character was revived, was retired again in the early 90s and re-introduced in 2005 as a high school student. I am glad I am not alone in noticing an eerie resemblance of Katy Keene and Katy Perry. Writer Donna Dickens of Hitfix.com wrote an article in April 2014, suggesting pop star Katy Perry had based her entire fashion persona on the character. The story generated enough Internet buzz that Perry actually issued a statement to Rolling Stone Magazine saying she in fact did not base anything about herself on Keene, although jokingly acknowledged the coincidences. Well, sorry Ms. Perry but the resemblance is too strong to have me convinced. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Lucki Red Lorelei is  Katy's best friend. She is a superstitious redhead, also a model, and wears green as it is a lucky colour, as well as accessories shaped like a horseshoe or a four-leaf clover for the same reason. She is stunning and apart from being beautiful, also wears quite an intricate suit - and green. If you want to sell me something, paint it green. She has the Jem sculpt from the Jem and the Hologram line. If she was on another body I would have snapped her up. Lucki Lorelei.is a fully articulated 12.5-inch vinyl fashion doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. A doll stand is included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

Katy's rival in her career and love life is the wealthy and snobby blond Gloria Grandbilt - the name is a take on the socialite Gloria Vanderbilt. She's the blond of the trio and what a gorgeous doll, again in a perfectly detailed suit the colour of rubies. The doll uses the Tilda Brisby/Roxy sculpt - and to good effect, looking better than any previous incarnation. Again, if she was on another body, I would get her too. Gloria Grandbuilt is a fully articulated 12.5-inch vinyl fashion doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. A doll stand is included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up. 

The third doll presented is the protagonist of the line. She is using the Rapture sculpt from the Jem line. This particular outfit was picked from a paper doll; it was shown in the webinar and it is almost an exact copy down to the accessories. Katy Keene is a fully articulated 12.5-inch vinyl fashion doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. A doll stand is included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up. 

Since she was revived in the 80s, David thought it would be a good idea to have an outfit based on that era. Very Nolan Miller/Dynasty like (hence the doll name), it could have easily appeared in the series, worn by Joan Collins. Look at the jewellery! Katy Keene is a fully articulated 12.5-inch vinyl fashion doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. A doll stand is included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

So this is actually a gift set with a good price. She has two dresses, a coat and lingerie, with two gorgeous pairs of shoes - the beige ones are to die for. And does she look like that other Katy or not? Katy Keene is a fully articulated 12.5-inch vinyl fashion doll with fully rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. A doll stand is included as well. For adult collectors ages 15 and up. 

So what do you think about this line? Let me know in the comments. I am certain that if it is a success, we will also see the men in Katy's life: the red-headed boxer K.O. Kelly, his rich blond rival Randy Van Ronson and their 80s replacements, the Latino airline pilot and talented dancer Ramon Ramirez and the Arnold Schwarzenegger parody Arnold Horsenlegger. She also had a sister, simply called "Sis" that could also make an appearance. People in the webinar asked about other Archie characters entering the line and David said it would of course depend on the success of the line.

Please note that the dolls shown in the photos are prototypes and the final production dolls, colours and fabrics 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. KATY KEENE is a registered trademark of Archie Comics. ™ & © 2015 Archie Comic Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used Under License.

The last of the three lines presented this time was Fashion Royalty Classic. Vaughn Sawyers said that this was a capsule collection (which for me screams that more FR are coming later in the year) harking back to the roots of Fashion Royalty. Jason Wu wanted a slightly retro vibe for the line, to make it look like the very early Veronique and Adele dolls, while still keeping it slightly modern. Even the doll screenings are referencing looks of early dolls. For me this was a strong and coherent collection, with great dolls which, while not looking remotely alike, manage to give a definite unified vibe. And yes, the retro element is evident, as are the references to older dolls. The price of the dolls is now $20 US higher than last year's collection, with seemingly nothing to justify it. Later on at the Q&A section, we found out that the tan discolouration issues (green hands on tan dolls) was addressed and solved (I submitted the question about this issue), so new dolls should be fine. Also Nadja was confirmed as making an appearance and also Misaki fans were glad to find out that that line will also be making a comeback this year.

Dania Zarr is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with blond fully rooted hair that is done up in a luscious classic FR ponytail and she has hand applied eyelashes. Dania is dressed in a black pinstripe dress, accented by a hand-beaded collar and cinched at the waist by a narrow patent leather belt. To complete the look, there is a luxurious faux mink shawl, a bright red contrasting hand-bag and black heels. Doll stand is also included.

Probably the best doll of the bunch (excluding the event doll, you will see why), this version of Dania shows once more the versatility of her sculpt. The different screenings her face gets always make people wonder if her sculpt is changed. It happened last year and it happened again this time. Still the same sculpt but oh so different.

Jordan is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with thick dark berry rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. She comes in a cocktail dress wrapped in a long faux fur stole. The look is complete with an olive colored bag, matching pumps, opera length faux leather gloves and a gold jewellery set. Doll stand included.

I will probably regrett not getting this one but the price hike made me more conservative in buing this time. She is a gorgeous doll, with the same skintone she came in last year (called A-tone). Colour-wise, she reminds me of Style Renaissance Adele but in earth tones instead of smoky ones. The dress is amazing.

Anja is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with brunette hair and hand-applied eyelashes. She is wearing an ice-blue gown with over sized bow detail at the waist. The look is finished with an intricate crystal neck piece and earring set, long black lace gloves, a black satin pocket purse and patent leather pumps. Doll stand also included.

This version of Anja brings to mind Eugenia Spectacular Spectacular, although Vaughn said that she is a nod to Paradise Veronique. The gown is too plain for me - all that volume without anything special but the exquisite shade of blue. 

Kesenia is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with stylized fully rooted jet black hair and hand-applied eyelashes. She wears a red cocktail dress cinched at the waist by a narrow matching belt and topped by a contrasting black wool fitted coat with a bow detail at the waist. A tan handbag, coordinated pumps, gold earrings and a single gold bracelet complete the look. A doll stand is also included.

Great new version of Kesenia in jet black hair (first time on her) and again the Japan skin tone. She looks great here but not that much that I would want to add her to my collection. Her outfit is interesting but nothing more.

Her make up is too orange-y for my taste. Great hair - but I think it is time that Kesenia gets a new length, she has been done in long hair for ever. I'd love to see her (and other dolls) in sharp, geometric bobs. Her accessories are nice. Great shoes.

Korinne is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with rooted light brunette hair coiffed in a sleek low ponytail and hand-applied eyelashes. She is wearing an intricately detailed pink top and delicately embroidered ton-sur-ton black skirt. Accessories for this look include a delicate flowered cloisonné necklace with matching earrings and a patent leather handbag with matching pumps. Doll stand also included.

This is the first Corinne I really like as a doll. But the fashion has been done in different version in past dolls and I already have two full black skirts - one embroidered from Agnes Dressing The Part and one from Agnes Festive Decadence. So it's a pass.

Her make up and hair colour look great and complement her fashion. I love the necklace with the various shades of pink. And those eyes! The bag is TDF.

After the presentation of the three lines, it was time for the event doll unveiling. We all knew, from the previous event, that this one would not be a lottery but available for every one to order. It was a big surprise to see a second Dania appearing, but her look makes her so different from the other one, it is like a completely different doll. 

Item #91319
Irresistible
Dania Zarr™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
2013 W Club Online Event Doll
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US
Limited Edition Size: TBA
Estimated Ship Date: Mid to Late Summer 2013


Dania Zarr is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with long, gloss blond fully rooted tresses and hand-applied eyelashes.  She wears a black faux leather top with an over sized shawl collar, her looks is complete with a rose necklace, gold and stone earrings, tan spectator pumps, fishnet stockings and a matching handbag. Doll stand also included.


This is the best doll in the whole event. I love almost everything about her. Colouring, late eighties-style fashion, accessories. She is like a combination of Diamond Society and Going Public Eugenias.


She has a beautiful make up, with smoky eyes and pale mauve lips, platinum hair and tan skin tone. Vaughn said that he wanted to do something with a portrait collar and combined it with leather which came from the current Jason Wu real fashion collection. The only miss is the rose necklace, which again I think is tacky. The earrings though are great. Necklace, bag and pumps are just like Jordan's, only in different colour. And actually they look like the Daphne bag and Dovima shoes shown when entering the official Jason Wu website, minus the point d'esprit lace overlay. She's a keeper. The edition depends on how many club members order her.


So that was the second Integrity Toys on-line presentation for 2013. Three strong, solid collections, each with their own style and fans, with a variety and quality that has something for everyone. Can't wait for the next one!


Older FR doll reference links from the LBX List website. Please note that the photos are of prototype dolls and subject to changes and modifications. For adult collectors ages 15 and up. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2013 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission