Workshop Poppy Parker
One of the many benefits of going to convention is the opportunity to participate in a workshop. This year I learned how to do some minor face paint adjustments and restyle hair. I found the workshops both informative and just plain fun. One of the additional perks of the workshops is that you typically can purchase a special doll to use as practice in these workshops. I was able to secure a spot in the Poppy Parker hairstyle class with Matt Sutton so I was able to purchase one of the Poppy Parker workshop dolls and I ADORE her. I did not play with her hair in the class like many of the others because I just felt she was perfect as is. I liked how Integrity Toys handled the workshops this year as well. They set up the actual classroom spaces to be first come first serve but made 300 workshop dolls available to those who wished to just purchase the doll. It seemed like most people were happy with that…if they didn’t get into the class, they could at least get the doll. I believe most if not all of the extra workshop dolls were available for purchase in the sales room too. The Poppy Parker workshop dolls sold out first on sales room day ( you lucky dogs at the front of the line!) . The photos will tell you why 
Tropicalia workshop Poppy Parker and Dream Teen Poppy Parker in Envied and Passionate Monogram dresses. Chair was a gift to all convention attendees.
Note: You don’t need an elaborate background to have an interesting backdrop. Sometimes the boxes themselves can be interesting and fun.
Tropicalia…The Inspiration
Every year after convention, there are a few of us ( myself included) who rouse ourselves from the post convention doll hangover and ask the question “ I wonder what fashions inspired this years collection?”. If you have asked yourself this question, you are in luck. I was strolling through Flickr the other day and happened upon a fashion super sleuth. Their Flickr ID is JL998 and they have graciously given me permission to republish their photos here. Thank you JL998!! ** for more information on how to see more of their photos see below in this post**
It would appear that this years Tropicalia convention Imogen gift set was inspired by Anthony Vaccarello’s 2012 Spring RTW show.
And Collette and Erin from the convention collection appear to have been inspired by Mr. Vacarello’s designs as well
It would also appear, according to JL988’s super detective work, that Prada’s 2012 Spring RTW line was another big influence in this years convention collection.
I need to spend more time figuring out how to turn my swimsuits into ball gowns 
It also occurs to me that I need to be paying more attention to this years just finished Spring RTW fashion shows! Perhaps the seeds of next years convention inspiration have already been sewn( pun intended). For more photos of JL889’s super fashion sleuthing visit their flickr at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64796926@N06/with/8049519162/#photo_8049519162
Tropicalia Visits the Studio
The convention collection, convention doll and gift set doll are en route to Inside The Fashion Doll Studio but in the mean time…I did have a few dolls that came home with me and I was itching to pull out the camera and try out something the very talented photographer Deron Daniels shared with me at convention.
From left to right:
Place de Vendome Victoire
Saint Tropez Victoire
Lemon Crush Loni Lawrence
Escapism Elise Jolie FR2
Deck chair was gift given to convention attendees 
A Big “Thank You” !!!
I returned late yesterday from my “Tropicalia” adventure and besides an extreme case of dolly overload, I feel overwhelmed with an intense gratitude for the experience. Firstly, I am very grateful to the entire Newsom family and the Integrity Toys team for a most excellent convention. This is only my second Fashion Royalty convention and I was amazed again this year by the warmth and generosity of the people who run it. They make a point of greeting you by your name and making conversations. I was sitting in the hotel lobby waiting for my shuttle to the airport and one of the Newsom family made a point of coming up to me and asking if I had a good time and wished me safe travel. That’s some nice folks right there. I love that the designers are right in the middle of things. You see them everywhere at convention. Jason Wu is there at the last banquet and accessible while he chats with collectors and has pictures taken. It’s just way cool.
Secondly, I wanted to express how very touched and humbled I feel that people took the time to comment via flickr or blog, come up and greet me at convention and send emails. I just feel down right verklempt that so many are reading the blog and watching the flickr photos AND are willing to verbalize it. I am more grateful than you will ever know and it is a huge {Hug} for me. Just wanted to say that {Sniff, sniff}
Lastly I just wanted to express how very happy I was to meet some of my fellow bloggers, make new connections with other collectors and have the opportunity to meet some folks whose work I really, really admire.
Group {{Hug}} 
Tropicalia–A Photo Recap of the Gifts from Integrity Toys
These are the items conventioneers receive as part of their convention ticket purchase . Some of these items were given at events for which there was an additional charge ( ie WClub luncheon)
There were some 1/6 deck chairs , blow up pool chairs and Jem earbuds given as well but I don’t have pictures
** photos are property of Integrity Toys**
Wrap-ture
Anja™ Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive Table Giveaway
Lemon Crush
Loni Lawrence Basic Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive Table Giveaway
In Step
16" Doll Shoe Pack
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive Table Giveaway
Shoe Win
12" FR2 Doll Shoe Pack
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive Table Giveaway
High Point
Vanessa Perrin Convention Welcome Kit Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive
Fame by Frame
Imogen Dressed Doll Convention Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive
Tropicalia–A Photo Recap of the Centerpiece Dolls
These are very limited edition dolls ( edition size typically around 200) that are available for purchase to a couple of people at each table.
**Photos are property of Integrity Toys**
Force of Nature
Agnes Von Weiss Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive Table Centerpiece
Sea Breeze
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive Table Centerpiece
Sheen Siren
16” Elsa Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive Table Centerpiece Doll
Escapism
Elise Jolie™
FR: Squared Dressed Doll
2012 Troplicalia Convention Exclusive Table Centerpiece
High Profile
Eugenia Perrin Frost Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive Table Centerpiece
And this one was a doll available for purchase at WClub luncheon. She was not a table centerpiece but was an exclusive to the convention attendees.
Saint Tropez
Victoire Roux Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive
Tropicalia–A photo recap of the Convention Collection
When this posts, I will be flying over the Midwestern United States on my way home to Seattle, WA. I have shared a few of these photos already but I figured It wouldn’t hurt to put it all in one big post. Integrity Toys has sent out all the promotional photos for the convention dolls so I figured I would do a recap.
** Photos are property of Integrity Toys**
Haute Société
Véronique Perrin Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive
Main Event
Adèle Makéda Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive
Peak Season
Kyori Sato Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive
Sweet Victory
Natalia Fatalé Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive
Hot Dots
Poppy Parker Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive
Lady in Red
Erin S. Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive
All White Now
Collette D. Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive
Infallible
Dasha™ FR2 Dressed Doll
2012 Tropicalia Convention Exclusive
Tropicalia–Day 3.03
The Von Weiss Royal Gala. We were all excited to see what doll went with the dress we received at registration.
It was Vanessa! And another tweaked face mold one at that. This is a facemold that has its fair share of controversy. The beloved original face mold was retired (rather abruptly) and a new face mold was revealed. Many Vanessa collectors objected strongly and last year at convention an original Vanessa on FR2 body was offered for purchase at WClub luncheon. The convention giftset doll was supposed to invoke a more original face mold feel. You will have to ask an original Vanessa face mold aficionado if Integrity hit the mark. I think she is beautiful.
“High Point” Vanessa
The centerpiece dolls were stunning at the event.
“High Profile” Eugenia
We were all hopeful that everyone would get a chance to purchase them…but alas….no. 
I was not lucky enough to win the chance to buy but our lovely table hostess Hilda did get one and she is going to let me photograph her. You are the best Hilda!!
We had a fabulous dinner (the food was really quite good the entire convention)and then it was time for the convention doll reveal. Jason Wu took to the stage and showed us……
“Frame by Frame” Imogen
She came in a really cute circular travel case too.
Now this was a curious convention doll. First of all, she looks more like what one would expect as a gift set convention doll …notice the three compartments that would have been perfect for the three meal events we had. I would have expected the Vanessa doll to be the convention doll. Makes me wonder if this was the original plan. This was definitely grounds for some speculative discussion in the hours after the final dinner. I am not sure about Imogen yet. In the box, she is just not inspiring me. I have, however, seen some stellar photos of her deboxed by Shuga (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shuga-shug/8038060307/in/contacts/) and they are showing me her potential.
The last fun piece of information released last night was the destination of Integrity Toy’s 2013 convention.
We are going to L.A. people!!! They released the dates this morning..October 31st-November 2nd at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, California. More information will be available in Spring of 2013.
Tropicalia–Day 3.02
Went to a very informative and fun hair styling class by Matt Sutton. So often in life a class can be elevated by the people you get to take it with. I was lucky enough to take this class with some of my table mates Jenny and Deb. They took a good class up to a stellar class with their humor and willingness to have fun.
Lisa joined us for the last bit as well….
Now people…that is a fun group of ladies!!
In Matt’s class we learned how to tie the perfect bow. It’s not as easy as it seems! We also learned how to do the cutest hairstyle on our Poppy doll.
After Matt’s class, it was time to go to the WClub lunch. I think this was the best doll lunch I have ever been to….I will explain. We walked in and saw the most gorgeous centerpiece doll on the table.
Escapism Elise Jolie FR2
My first thought was….”who am I going to have to kill to get this centerpiece doll?”. I am not proud of that thought but I am being honest LOL! I absolutely loved her! They asked us to count off numbers so they could draw to find out who won the right to purchase her and I’m thinking “ Who am I going to have to kill if I don’t get picked”….yes I really need to see someone about this doll addiction of mine. Then…they tell us we can all purchase if we want to. YES!!! I don’t have to kill anyone!!!! So happy to be bringing this lady home.
Then..they brought Chris Stoekel up on the stage. He is the designer for Victoire. Hilda and I suddenly pay more attention to what is going on up on the stage. They show pictures of new Victoire.
Saint Tropez Victoire Roux
**Pictures are property of Integrity Toys**
As I pull out my cell phone to let me dealer know I WANT HER, they tell us we can all purchase one if we want. AHHHHHHH! We also received the most amazing box of FR2 shoes sets I have ever seen. They even came with their own little white shoe bags. Heaven!
BEST doll lunch EVER!!
Here is the accumulation for lunch alone.
More photos on my flickr. Final Gala dinner is in a few hours where the convention doll will be revealed. I have absolutely no idea who it will be. I was sure it was going to be Agnes but we already had her as a centerpiece doll. They just love to keep us guessing. There may be a convention gift set as well. Doll overload here I come!! 
Tropicalia–Day 3
By the time this posts, I will be well on my way into the day. The schedule today looks like this.
I am headed to a hair class with the fabulous Matt Sutton and then will be having lunch with the rest of the WClub members. That should be fun. Look for photos first on my flickr or wait for the afternoon report. 
There was an event yesterday that I did not sign up for but I wanted to share some photos. There was a tea party held for the 16 inch doll collectors yesterday and they received a fabulous shoe pack.
** pictures are property of Integrity Toys**
And an even more amazing centerpiece! I will not collect 16 inch dolls..I will not collect 16 inch dolls….I will not collect 16 inch dolls…..
16 inch Sheen Siren Elsa
I saw her in person folks and yep..she is even better in person than in these photos. I will not collect 16 inch dolls…..I will not collect 16 inch dolls…..
Tropicalia–Day 2.03
I hit my wall last night hence….no post. I simply had to sleep when I finally got back to the room so sorry for the delay on that. What I wanted to post photos about last night was the raffle and competition room. Here are the directions convention goers had for dioramas this year.
“Diorama Design Competition:
This year since Agnes is in control of her own land, show us some of the crazy buildings she has had built on Tropicalia! Do you want
to show us her palace? Or perhaps the extravagant beach house she built for her special guests? Maybe the huts that the villagers
who work for her live in or the crazy market place she would like tourists to shop at? The sky’s the limit; all we ask is that you keep it
“Tropical”! Only Integrity dolls allowed in the displays, but props from other companies are allowed if needed. We are not putting a size
limit to your diorama, so have fun!! Dioramas at past conventions have been some of the most interesting we have ever seen, let’s go
crazy this year!”
And here is what people came up with 
There was also a fashion design competition.
Doll Fashion Design Competition (Advanced Category):
This year the Fashion Royalty Characters have been invited to a giant extravaganza on Agnes Von Weiss’ brand new tropical island
for a giant fashion bash and exotic vacation. Agnes went all out to dazzle her guests, had a giant palace built and went all out on
everything down to the most minute details.
For the Advanced Fashion Challenge this year, create a custom FR or Integrity Toys dolls representing one of the guests at the party.
Remember, this is a really high-end couture affair! Everyone wants to impress Agnes so that they can get in a little on the success that
Von Weiss International has become and so everyone is trying their hardest to impress! For this category, any Integrity Toys doll is
allowed. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity and theme/content. We will be looking the doll as a whole, so hairstyle, outfits
etc etc. Face paints are optional and will not be taken into consideration.
Doll Fashion Design Competition (Beginners/Intermediate Category):
Agnes is one of the most eccentric socialite that there is and everything she does needs to be out of this world. For the
beginners/intermediate category, create one of the equally eccentric and bizarre characters Agnes has hired to serve at her big
fashion bash on Tropicalia, her island in the Pacific. Are they sideshow attractions? Do they act look and act like Rococo era servants?
Just how wild are they? Show us what kind of performance art Agnes wants from her staff at the palace…. The weirder the better!
Let’s get creative! For this category, any Integrity Toys doll is allowed. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity and
theme/content. We will be looking at the fun factor behind each entry. Face paints are optional and will not be taken into consideration.”
Last but not least, there was the raffle room. One of the most popular items were the OOAK Integrity Toys dolls. A Beautiful Eugenia:
A Stunning Anja:
And a jaw dropping 16 inch Freja:
There were many other tempting dolls to put your tickets in for as well.
Tropicalia–Day 2.02
Wow! How did it get to be 3:30PM already?!! Time has traveled at warp speed for me today. I attended a very informative repaint workshop done by Cindy Lorimer . She was a very good speaker and was very organized so I feel like I learned a fair bit. Right after the workshop, I decided to reshoot some of the collection dolls ( photos on my flickr) and then it was on to the Poppy Parker Luncheon.
Here is the doll that graced the center of each table. “Sea Breeze” Poppy Parker
Dag!! I already won my right to purchase so I was out of luck for this Poppy. Half of the table got one of these lovelies and it was really fantastic to see the large group of Poppy lovers at our table have the opportunity to take these home. Happy people all the way around 
. David Butry took the opportunity to tell us about his inspiration for upcoming Poppy parker design and it is…. 1964-1965 World’s Fair. How fun!!
Can’t wait to see what Integrity anf Mr. Butry has in store for Poppy and us next year! David Butry also shared that Poppy will have a new friend. Her name is Loni Lawrence and yes…we ALL received one. She is soooooo adorable!
More from the raffle room and competition room in this evenings blog post.
Tropicalia–Day 2
I am up early and this will be the day
There may be some raffle room time in there as well before the Poppy Parker Luncheon as the Style lab will be kind of busy….may wait until later for that one. I will try my best to update the blog just like yesterday. I am loving this new Eyefi to IPad setup. It allows me to upload photos so much faster and easier then before. I can be sitting in line or at a banquet table and be uploading photos to my flickr at the same time…cool! Now…if only Apple would play nicely with Microsoft and transfer my photo files to my laptop faster and easier, life would be fantastic. A girl can dream.
On a side note, I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing a good thunderstorm yesterday. I grew up in the Midwest United States and we would have these massive thunderstorms. When I moved to the Pacific Northwest of the United States roughly 20 years ago, I said goodbye to that experience. We just don’t get good thunderstorms in the Pacific Northwest. It was so fantastic to hear and see one again. It approaches quickly…
And after some hearty lightening and thunder, it’s gone.
I better run…I’m off to class to learn how to do a little repaint work. 
Tropicalia–Day 1.03
Dinner was a festive affair with a really good meal and a whole table full of fun people. Can’t ask for any better than that…well maybe a doll or two….and we had that too. The fun mood was set by colorful décor as we entered the ballroom.
The centerpiece doll was “Force of Nature” Agnes…which I won the right to purchase. Yipeee!
We also received a fabulous Anja doll, Jem earbuds and two 1/6 Tropicalia deck chairs as gifts.
Which brings the total accumulation for the day to…
I’m thinking I need a bigger suitcase 
Tropicalia–Day 1.02
So…after my morning cup of Joe…it was off to the races. I went in search of registration and the place to pick up my workshop dolls. I signed up for two classes.
Here is what we received in our registration bags. It looks like we may be getting another giftset this year!!! The accessories are GORGEOUS!
After Registration, it was time to get in line and wait for the sales room to open.
Many choose to view this 4-5 hour wait ( some people were reportedly in line since 4AM!! ) as a time to socialize and visit with friends. There is a general party like atmosphere and today the time went incredibly fast for me because I was able to spend time with some of my favorite people like…
OOAK artist Matt Sutton and Hilda of Bellissima Couture
Some people are very productive with their time in line and they work on table gifts and fill out raffle tickets
But not me….I just talked….the entire time LOL! Oh and took and uploaded photos to my flickr account. While we were waiting, Integrity Toys put the convention collection on display
Haute Société Véronique Perrin Dressed Doll
Main Event Adèle Makéda Dressed Doll
Peak Season Kyori Sato Dressed Doll
Sweet Victory Natalia Fatale Dressed Doll
Hot Dots Poppy Parker Dressed Doll
Lady in Red Erin S. Dressed Doll
All in White Now Collette D. Dressed Doll
Infallible Dasha FR: Squared Dressed Doll
More closeups are on my flickr.
In our registration packets, we had a coupon for one “Place Vendome” Victoire Roux. Hooray!! When I saw her…my jaw dropped. I couldn’t buy this lady fast enough!
And the running total so far is….
And we have not even gone to the first dinner event yet. More later on that.
Tropicalia!!
Tomorrow, or today depending on where you are in the world, I am flying to the Fashion Royalty extravaganza that is convention. This year’s theme is Tropicalia and if you want a really good explanation of what that means and perhaps the inspiration for this year’s convention go to Shuga Shug’s blog. She has the most fantastic write-up on “Tropicalia” http://www.shugashug.com/2012/09/25/tropicalia/
I am taking my trusty point and shoot and hope to be able to upload photos quickly with my cool eyefi/IPad set up. I hope to be blogging every night just like last year but cut me a little slack if I don’t. A girl has to sleep too. Be sure to follow my flickr for photos as I go through the day. You can find my flickr by clicking on the photo to the right. It should take you right there.
Wish me luck as I wind my way through security in a few hours. 
F.R. Convention 2012 is Open for Registration!
Oh yah baby!! Integrity Toys has opened up the link to register for the 2012 Fashion Royalty Convention. I went to my first one last year and am soooooo going again this year. WClub members had a few days to preregister but now the link is open to all comers. If you want more info, feel free to check it out at
http://www.integritytoys.com/page/events/latest_events
Feel free to visit my blog posts from October 2011 to see and read about some of the happenings from these conventions. If you are a Fashion Royalty collector, you cannot beat the camaraderie and amazing stuff to be had at these conventions. As far as endorsements go from me…you won’t get better than that LOL!
FYI..Registration is limited to 450 . Last years registration filled up within 3 weeks so If you want to go, I would recommend signing up sooner rather than later.
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 