Alyrenee's Copious Spare Time

Just realized I completely skipped talking about the Poppy 'lunch' dolls.  I was so not interested in them so I nearly forgot. Both girls are very pretty....but I don't do brides and don't really do lingerie either.  The bride doll itself is really pretty though and Ginger in the strawberry blonde is also cute.  I passed on the Bride doll to another collector at cost.  I traded Ginger's outfit for the Milan poppy fashion (squeeee!) and will likely be trading or selling the doll as well.  As for other news, the Palm Springs Collection obviously did not materialize this year but will hopefully appear in 2022. As a result, there were no new research looks presented for what they next collection would be. However,  there was mention of another big project that David has been planning for some time and something pop star related.  Sort of vague. Many are speculating that we might finally get a trunk for poppy (I MEAN COME ON ALREADY) and/or maybe get a trun...

Yves St Laurent & Marisa Berenson I set time aside this morning to do a 2021 recap and then realized that I never finished covering the convention. Le sigh. It has been a month...and a year.  During the virtual convention, I was out of town doing dress rehearsals for a dance performance at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, NC.  So I was viewing convention shenanigans on Saturday either in a hotel on my iPad or on my cell phone. Then arrived back to roll into finals week at the university where I work and then holidays fa la la. Hence my lackadaisical blogging.  So here is the old news, for what it is worth... So lately my fashion interests have been very 1970s skewed.  I think, in part, this is because the fashion in the 70s has a great deal of retro inspiration in it but with modern updates.  The 'bohemian' flapper looks of Biba come to mind. Bill Gibb had some really swell 70's kaftans meets the Renaissance vibes. Halston was serving up 1930s sl...

 Carol's "eating workshop" began with the usual sharing of the rules and a new request for people to not yuck each other's yum. I appreciated that as, in general, I turn off the comments for any presentation so I don't have to see that nonsense and tend to block W Club users that just trash what other like.  It is fine to disagree and voice that opinion...but some people just have no class. Here is a run down of the information shared: The design talk commenced then with Vaughn Sawyers, Jessy Ayala, David Buttry, Chris Stoeckel, Alain Trembley, and Carol Roth. They all shared their IT "origin stories". Mark  is going back to Misaki. Excited to see it. Vaughn's obligatory 'pipeline supply chain issue' explanations.  David -Future of Poppy Parker...she will time travel back and forth...modern twist on vintage. Jessy- Working on new characters (in response to a question about more Asian representation) Chris - Victoire's husband...not in th...

While the Convention Welcome Doll knocked me out, the convention collection was a bit of a mixed bag.  THE WINNER FOR ME. The Victoire is KILLER. I adore Mugler and this is a must have for me. The East 59th dolls are always gorgeous and have amazing details, construction, and design inspiration. Chris Stoeckel killed it and really brought something new here. I am going to cry if I don't get one in the lottery. Also...the photos are great for this doll. I am in love. I am thinking the pink jacket is going to pair nicely with the pieces from the Victoire heist outfit...that had all the black pieces...from Gloss convention maybe? Victoire Roux Is Obsessed with Surrealist Art! 1950s top-model Victoire Roux channels her own personal Obsession for modern art and beauty, as she pays homage to her friend and fellow French citizen, famous surrealist visual artist Man Ray! Wearing an original creation by Integrity Toys designer Chris Stoeckel, this truly unique doll features a special ...

  Finally!  The boring blonde blah streak is broken. While many were hoping for a Nubian tone poppy...designer David Buttry has given us the closest thing in the Dark A-Tone shade.  I think she looks divine.  I especially appreciate the added bonus of heeled and articulated ankle lower legs with shoes to boot.  The fashion is yummy and the quality looks great. The dashiki-style dress features a zipper up the back, a removable belt, embroidery, and beading. The jewelry is nice (I believe it is the same set seen on one of the Brazil dolls but in a new colorway). I also like the hair style and the neutral, uncluttered makeup. (Thankfully no bright pink lips!).  ICE BUCKET! Tutti Frutti! Tongs! I mean...I am sucker for the little accessories.  Even though I currently have little to no room to display this kind of nonsense. I do so love miniatures and someday... SOMEDAY... I will have the space to have wee dioramas. It is a moral imperative. The only thing ...

  Designed by David Buttry this time.  It has been quite the Misaki drought. Oh, and this one is soooo cute. But alas, she proved super tricky to obtain.  I do love Misaki and wish we had more options to get her at better prices.  For most, she ended up being close to $200 plus shipping.  While I love her...I am not sure I loved her for $200.  I think she is sold out at most places but I might sit on my hands and see if I can snag her later on. 

Well, Dolly Days has come and gone...as have the available dolls.  It is getting to be a bit of a bloodsport lately trying to secure pre-orders.  There is a disheartening number of people who seem to be in it for the flipping.  I keep thinking about what that kind of thing did to the comic book market in the 90s. I doubt the same will happen here with Integrity dolls...but I do wish people would stop with the speculating and just buy what they like. As I have mentioned before, karma is real. That sort of behavior is also harmful to the market in the long run.  I gave up on Integrity dolls about 11 years ago because I found the whole thing too stressful for words but then Jem and the super fun style labs at convention pulled me back in. Collectors are already being priced out by the Integrity's rising prices. But they are also having to fight for dolls on the secondary market when things sell out in less than an hour from the dealers. Or, they lose out on a lottery on...