Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15th - October 15th

Hola! Today is the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States of America. The cultures and the contributions made to the country by Hispanic Americans will be in the spotlight from now until October 15th. Since I am not aware of any Hispanic fashion doll designers or action figure designers, I will share information about Hispanic dolls and/or action figures in my collection or that I would like in my collection. (If anyone knows any Hispanic toy designers, please share that information. Send a link or links here and I'll add them to a separate post. Thanks in advance - smile.)

These three lovely Hispanic dolls are from the 2002 Fashion Forward line that was produced by Integrity Toys and Jason Wu using Helene Hamilton's Hispanic Candi face mold. Whew. Quite a mouthful, hmm? That's my over-simplified version of this part of Candi doll history.

Note: to see catalog photos of these dolls, please click the last word here.

Fashion Forward 2002 Hispanic Candis

Ultra Chic Candi

On the Go Candi

Sublime Elegance Candi

Ultra Chic Candi's accessories


Pssst ... interested in having a Hispanic Candi of your own? Well, visit My Favorite Doll. Margaret Matsui has a Holiday Candi Toast on sale for $15.00 USD. The wine red dress with the puffed skirt alone is worth the $15.00 easily. I have the Asian Holiday Candi Toast so I know of what I speak. Gorgeous. And she comes with a bottle of champagne and two long-stemmed glasses ... doll-sized, of course.

Wait, forget I mentioned this doll being on sale. Give me time to get one okay? No, I am joking. I really don't need the dress again OR the doll again. Really. Truly.

Oh, and you might also add one or both of the International Swedish Candis. Might. I'm not twisting anyone's arm. Wink.

Webshots Photo Updates (Candi and Smartees Folders)

I've updated the Smartees and the Candi folders in my Webshots account. Click this link. I added photos of the boxes for Destiny and Nicole and the Taylor doll under Smartees. I added photos of Holiday Toast Candi and On the Go Candi under Candi.

Candi Photos in New Webshots Folder

I've got photographs of two Candi dolls in a new Webshots folder. You can see them here at Candi photos. I have a few other Candi dolls that I will add to the folder in the future.

My Favorite Doll Candi 2003, Page 34

This is page 34 of the Fashion Doll Showcase for 2003 My Favorite Doll catalog. There were two pages of Integrity dolls in this issue. The Candi dolls were on page 34; the Fashion Royalty dolls were on page 35.

The first three Candi dolls belonged to the wave Fashion Forward Collection 2003:

1. Sublime Elegance (Executive Decision)

2. More is More

3. Ultra Chic

The fourth Candi belonged to the wave Fashion Forward Collection 2002 Subtle Elegance. Please note that this page of the catalog also shows a My Favorite Doll dealer exclusive Embassy Ball Malika doll and the three Icon dolls - a Collector series of the Tariq and Janay playline dolls. (Note: Jade from the playline series becomes "Sooki" for this collector set.)

(Note 2: one series mentioned on this catalog page, the Polar Lights Collection, was never created for the market.)

Thanks to Marg of MyFavoriteDoll for allowing this page to be copied and posted here.

Integrity Candi Collection 2002, Courtesy of My Favorite Doll

I have a My Favorite Doll Spring-Summer 2002 catalog. So I asked Margaret Matsui, the president of My Favourite Doll Inc., for permission to scan certain pages from that catalog. She said yes. (Do I know good people? Oh, yes! I do.) So here are two Integrity Toys' Candi pages. Hope you enjoy seeing them.



I am fortunate to have two of the dolls on this page: the Asian Holiday Toast and the Asian International. Lovely dolls in exquisite fashions. NOT for sale.

I have two of the dolls shown on this page: Subtle Elegance (the Israeli face mold) and On the Go (the Hispanic face mold). They are also NOT for sale.



Additional Candi photos can be found on this French blog, on Frannie's blog, and of course, on Black Doll Collecting's blog.

You can still buy some of these lovely dolls on Susan's Shop of Dolls.

Thanks, Marg!

P.S. I might have to link to these pages elsewhere so that you can see the dolls better.

Integrity Candi and Janay and Storied Photos

I'm thinking about the best background for my next Janay and Candi photos. Rather than just photograph the dolls, I want to pull in the stories that I have for them. Note: some dolls, I have have no story background other than what the manufacturer provides. Other dolls and action figures have what I think of as East Philly characters and storylines. Most of my Janays and two Alysas, one Jade, one Jordan, one Alejandro, one Tariq, and one Giselle have stories. My Candis - exception is the More is More Candi - have story backgrounds, too. I'd like to work their stories into the photographs.

(Aside, I have just found the perfect figure for the oldest brother, Pierre. He's a Power Team Gunner, and he resembles the Janays and Tariq.)

Having stories for the dolls and action figures provides more fun for this collector anyway. Guess that means that I do still "play with" my dolls and action figures. Well, I confess - I like to have fun.

Uploaded Webhots Photo Folders - Candi & G.I. Joe

Today, I uploaded photos to my Webshots Candi folder and a few more photos to my Webshots G.I. Joe folder. You can find my Webshots folders here.

I have also added some photos to my Flickr account; those photographs will show in the Slideshow at the bottom of this page.

List of DAFs I Considered Asian

Aoshima/Skynet	Kelly Jackson	Lady's Mission	Series No.4
Aoshima/Skynet	Madam Ryu Reika	Lady's Mission	Series No.21
Aoshima/Skynet	Kyoko Tenryu	Lady's Mission	Series No.22
Aoshima/Skynet	Tanaka Miina	Lady's Mission	Series No.24
Aoshima/Skynet	Code Name - Mai	Girl's Mission	Series No.6
Azone Incorporated	Belinda
Azone Incorporated	Minako
Azone Incorporated	Reimy
Azone Incorporated	Reina
Hasbro	Foreign Soldier	G. I. Joe	Japanese Air Force Officer
Hasbro	Miss Fear	G. I. Joe	Dreams & Visions
Hot Toys Limited	TrueType 38 Figure: Series 3	01-Male
Integrity	Candi	Candi
Integrity	Ayumi Nakamura	Fashion Royalty: NuFace
Integrity	Kyori Satori	Fashion Royalty
Integrity	Jade, playline
Lanard	Asia	I-Girl
M &C Toy Centre	StarRunner	Hung	KC Boxing Gym
Mattel	Mulan	Disney	Princess
Mattel	Li Shang	Disney	Captain
Mattel	India	Barbie
Mattel	Indian	Barbie
Mattel	Japanese	Barbie
Petworks	Momoko
Sears Holding Corporation	Jade Princess
Sekiguchi	Momoko
Sideshow Collectibles	Michelle Yeo	James Bond
Sonokong	Sharp
Spinmaster	Hrithik Roshan	Bollywood Legends
Spinmaster	Kajol	Bollywood Legends
Spinmaster	Priyanka Chopra	Bollywood Legends
Takara	Motoko Kusanagi	Cool Girl	Ghost in Shell: Ninja-Suit Version
Takara	Princess Jun	Cool Girl	Battle of the Planets
Takara	Kaori Chan
Takara	Kisara
Takara	Lina
Takara	Meiren
Takara	Mitsuki
Takara	Moe
Takara	Rie
Takara	Sayaka
Takara	Shion
Takara	Shou
Takara	Tamaki
Takara	Uno Kanda
Volks	Kana	Who's That Girl
Yue-Sai Kan Holdings	Yue-Sai Wa Wa

Bottle Identification Help Requested

I've got this bottle that I am 98% sure belongs to my Integrity Toys Holiday Candi doll. However, I did not document this accessory so I'd like to get confirmation from other Holiday Candi owners. Is this the bottle that came with the two clear plastic long stemmed glasses and this doll? I thank you in advance for any help in this identification.

Understudy/Replacement for Toy Biz Storm

Storm

Notice how gaunt ToyBiz Storm looks. Recent rumors suggest that she may NOT leave her box to perform as scheduled. Management at the East Philadelphia Playscale Playhouse or EPPP seek an understudy for the actress. Below are their three choices: Candi, Flaunt It, and Janay. Unfortunately, the management could NOT settle on an actress. Please help them chose by voting for one of the actresses OR by submitting a photo of YOUR choice for a Storm doppelganger. Poll will be in the sidebar to the right.

Candi

Flaunt It

Janay

Photos of other actresses can be sent to d7ana (at) yahoo.com. Please send only photos you do not mind sharing online since I would like to show your photos as actress alternatives in a future post.

10 Series of Barbie Doll Alternatives, Past and Present

Barbie, Barbie, Barbie.

Sigh.

The playscale fashion doll scene seems to revolve around Barbie. Shorthand: fashion doll = Barbie. Non-collectors describe dolls not produced by Mattel or under the Barbie brand as "Barbie." Collectors compare other fashion dolls to Barbie: cheap playscale dolls are called "Barbie clones." Clone in this case is a negative. But is every playscale figure a Barbie clone? Usually, clones are cheaply made, poor quality dolls like some of the dollar store offerings. What about decent quality or even better quality playscale fashion dolls? Do they exist?

Yes, they do. Here are ten playscale doll series that "correct" or "improve" on some aspect of Barbie. They are less sophisticated, more ethnically "correct" or physically realistic, more brazen in three cases, more "intelligent," or otherwise ANTI-Barbie.

1. Ideal - Tammy the Doll You Love to Dress

2. Various companies - Sindy the Doll You Love to Dress

3. Hasbro - JEM

4. Hamilton Designs - Candi Girl / Candi (later designed by Jason Wu and Integrity Toys)

5. Get Real Girls

6. Get Set Club

7. Lanard - I-Girls

8. Smartees

9. Mattel - Flavas

10. MGA Entertainment - Bratz

EPPP Seek New Storm/Actress from Five Contenders

Update: the Management at the East Philadelphia Playscale Playhouse or EPPP sought an understudy/replacement for local actress, Storm, a ToyBiz action and fashion doll. The votes tallied for the potential Storm replacement/understudy were

Candi 13
Flaunt It 9
Janay 4
Other 3

While any other group might have chosen Candi or Flaunt It, the EPPP Management became intrigued by the additional entries, Ebony and Kida, submitted by fellow doll and action figure bloggers, RoxanneRoxanne and Ms. Leo, respectively. (Yes, the EPPP Management is almost as fickle as on-again, off-again actress Storm.) Here are links showing those new candidates:

Ebony

Kida

The EPPP Management now request your assistance again. Which of the five models do you feel should be the new face of Storm?

May Month: Bikes, Pets, and Heritage Celebrations

May first and such a lovely day. Here is a short list of some topics I might cover this month:

• National Bike Month
• South Asian American Heritage Month
• Haitian American Heritage Month
• [East] Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
• National Pet Month
• Jewish American Heritage Month

There are four ethnic groups to be featured this month: South Asian American, Haitian American, [East] Asian Pacific American, and Jewish American. What that means here is that I find dolls or action figures that I have that match those groups. Why? Because it's fun to see how extensive my collection is. And I get to see where I have gaps. And I get to do a search online to find the missing ethnic figures in playscale. Why again? Because ... because I can. Grin. I can do this for a long time. 

Moving on, this is also our national Bike month AND our national PET month. So I get to pull out my doll and action figure bikes and playscale pets. I have single bikes and one bicycle-for-two, but alas no unicycles. And I might not have any tricycles for the kiddies. Might not ... I have more stuff for the kiddies than I realize.

For a preview, I have photos of two Integrity Toys fashion dolls:

2001 InStyle Jade  #53250 30036 and

2002 Fashion Forward: Subtle Elegance Israeli Candi  #90024 

Integrity Toys' Jade

Integrity Toys' Candi

November Means Native American Heritage, Holidays and Sales!

• Native American Heritage Month
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving
• Black Friday
• SALES, SALES, SALES!
  
  
  Above I list possible topics to be covered this month. Something new I'd like to add is a theme word for the month: abundance. And how about manufacturer of the month? Integrity Toys. Think Alysa, Jade, Janay, Candi, Adele, Lukas, and T.J. for feature posts.
  

Other Hispanic Dolls and Action Figures

Below are some non-Mattel Hispanic dolls or action figures that I own. I don't have the Selena or the Ricky Martin dolls so they are not included in this list.

BBi Perfect Body Female Action Figure
Perfect Body

BBi Male Action Figure
Sargent Mendez

Chic Boutique
Chicas a la Moda Arianna

Chic Boutique
Glamour Girl Flower Power

Get Real Girl
Gabi

Get Set Club
Isabella

Hasbro
G. I. Joe

Haschel Toys
Olga Tanon

Hot Toys
Bronze TrueType Figures

Integrity
Alejandro from the Janay line

Integrity
Alysa from the Janay line

Integrity
Candi

Jakks Pacific
GirlForce Bianca

Jakks Pacific
Fashion Doll: Muneca de Mode Catalina

Jakks Pacific
Fashion Doll: Muneca de Mode Damita

Lanard
I-Girl Rio

Play Along Ltd., Division of Jakks Pacific
Chanel of the Cheetah Girls

Play Along Ltd., Division of Jakks Pacific
Dorinda  of the Cheetah Girls

Playmates Toys Inc.
Ever Girl

R&D Dolls
Susie

Woolworth's
Manuel

Yaboom
Christina Aguilera

YNU Group Inc.
Mixis Rosa

Please write if you are aware of other Hispanic fashion dolls or action figures.

Links for Integrity Toys' Janay, Alysa, and Playline Dolls

While searching links for the Integrity Male Complexion post, I found these related sites. I am excited to share them with fellow Integrity playline collectors. The Master Collector link might have been provided before. But the others, I found by checking no longer available sites in the Internet Wayback Machine. Note: all sites do not have the photos, but the text there could be useful for dates - although confirmation from other collectors helps since, sometimes, dolls shown may NOT have been produced for the market. (I'm thinking of Shalaly)

Master Collector
2002 Integrity Dolls
Beautiful doll photos with wave titles


Dolls, Dreams, and Cuddy Things (Suzanne)
2002 Dolls
Reference for doll names and year; I could not open the photos belonging to the links

2003 Dolls
Aha! Giselle and Justin Wedding Set and Not-Produced Shalaly listed

2004 Dolls
Designer kits with unpainted Janay and friends heads - kitbashers dream!


Louise Fritsch's Candi Corner
Alysa and Jade
Reference for dolls and some photos show


Happy reading! Oh and don't forget that Therese of Dolls of Color is working on a Janay database. If you have Janay or other Integrity Barbie-scaled photos, links, etc. please share. Thanks!

Top Ten DAFs of 2009: Olga Tañón at 4

Manufacturer: Haschel Toys
Series: Not applicable
Character Name: Olga Tañón
Box Year, if Noted: 2000


Why is Olga Tañón on the Top Ten list?

Her face. Okay, the doll is not traditionally pretty. Her nose is long; her mouth is wide. But just as Kajol stands out on a shelf, so, too, does Olga. I would say that none of my other dolls look like her, but one does: Mattel's Kate Jackson doll from the late 1970s. Shrug. Still, Olga provides ethnic variation. And she looks snarky-smart.



Why is Olga fourth on the List?

Limited articulation. She trumps Kajol a point because Olga's knees do bend, but otherwise, think standard Barbie twist and turn body. Since her torso is a little wider than Barbie's torso, Olga cannot wear many of the modern Barbie fashions. (The outfits do not completely close.) She may have to borrow Candi and Janay fashions. Or I might get unlazy enough to make her some outfits.

I bought Olga from Beautiful Dolls where she is available for $29.99.


Information about the human Puerto Rican singer Olga Tañón can be found on her website or on her Wikipedia page.

Final Summer Sale - Update on Items, Etc.

Fashion Fever Barbie - $15 each OR 5 for $50

Wave A
Kayla, H0651, silver net jacket, pink net skirt
Teresa, H0658, striped knee high socks, red furry vest, denim skirt

Wave B
Kayla, H0662, silver jacket, red tank, gray heather miniskirt

Wave C (This doll ONLY $10)
Kayla, pink flamingo top, pink-tan print skirt but powdery residue on doll face

Wave F
Drew, H0895, red tee w. monkey appliqué, pale blue miniskirt
Kayla, H0892, lilac jacket, orange tee shirt
Kayla, H0893, pink mini jumper, gray-green tank
Teresa, H0897, white tee shirt, mint vest, brown print pants HOLD

Wave N
Barbie, Styled by me Barbie
Wave R
Barbie MT, purple top, blue jeans
Barbie MT, pink plaid jacket, blue jeans
Drew/Skipper PJ, pink strawberry pj
Teresa PJ, black hair, pale complexion HOLD

Wave T
Drew MT, pink-white lacey dress, blonde hair

Wave U
#J1381 pale complexion, black haired Kayla?

Wave V
Barbie, pink mini dress w. painted jewel inset
Drew, apricot fur jacket, black mini skirt

#K3676 Holiday Barbie

Other NRFB Barbie and Friends for $10 EACH

My Scene Delancey Target, 2004
My Scene Chelsea Rebel Style, 2006
My Scene Madison Rebel Style, 2006
My Scene Nolee Rebel Style, 2006
My Scene Nolee Just Chillin', 2003

Birthstone Beauties: May Miss Emerald (Black) 2007
Birthstone Beauties: November Miss Topaz (White) 2007

Barbie as Veronica, 2005

Barbie Diaries Courtney, 2005

Butterfly Art Barbie, 1998
Butterfly Art Teresa, 1998

Other Mattel Dolls – Various Prices

Feelin' Groovy Barbie, 1986. MIB, $35 (Note: box opened but doll & accessories intact) HOLD
Anne Klein Barbie, 1997. NRFB, $35
Limited Edition DC Catwoman, 2003. NRFB, $80
Happy Family New Neighbors Mom and Baby, 2004. NRFB. $150
Walmart Shopping Teresa, 1997. NRFB, $15
I Love Lucy: “Job Switching” Lucy & Ethel, 2008. NRFB, $40

Grab Box of 10 Nude Barbie and/or Friends dolls all in excellent condition, $60.70, shipping via USPS Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate box for U.S. addresses included. Includes My Scene Barbies, Fashion Fever, miscellaneous other Mattel fashion dolls.

Mattel Outfits

Rocker Ken’s silver jumpsuit and silver trenchcoat, trench belt, 1 pink-silver sock, 1 pink-silver armband, pair of silver sneakers, $20
Earring Magic Ken’s net tee shirt, lavender leather vest with ring, lavender-gray slacks, and black loafers, $15

Integrity Toys Doll and Outfits

Dark Narcissus Kyori Sato, excellent condition with original dress and shoes and accessories (EXCEPT BAG), $75
Alysa wearing Purple bandana set, green teal dress, OR yellow top and white pants, $15 each
Colette’s black leather jacket, $25 (Query: does it open?)
Lukas’ black leather trench coat with detachable collar, $35

Other Dolls

Grab Box of 10 Non-Mattel Fashion dolls all in excellent condition, $50.70, shipping via USPS Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate box for U.S. addresses included. Hannah Montana, Chic Boutique, Integrity Candi, etc.

Where are the Accessories?

Where are my doll and action figure accessories? Here, there, and all around. When I am "organized," I would like them in a few designated locations.

Sometimes, they are in the doll's box. This exquisite "gold" and "jade" jewelry necklace, bracelet, and earrings set are kept with the Integrity Toys Candi doll that they belong to. Some "rainy day," I will remove them from their plastic baggie and let her wear them.

Other times, they are in containers purchased with accessory-holding in mind.















Or in doll manufacturer's packages like this Mattel box that held an Audrey Hepburn fashion.




Or in this clever, plastic rather than styrofoam egg carton. Neat huh?




I like the view from the bottom. I may get another of these to store doll shoes and sneakers.




And another place where I keep accessories is with loose fashions. Like this Sterilite bin full of some of my male DAFs' fashions.




Where are your doll accessories? Share links to your favorite sites. Thanks in advance.

Hispanic and Latino Doll/Action Figure List

Olga Tanon and Sargent Mendez

Jakks Pacific Valerie (Rosario Dawson)

Integrity Toys Street Fusion Alysa (Dealer version)

Mattel Kelly Club Tea Party Nia

Here is my list of Hispanic and Latino dolls and action figures.

ARM Enterprise

Selena Quintanilla

BBi 

Perfect Body Female Action Figure
Perfect Body

Male Action Figure
Sargent Mendez

Chic Boutique

Chicas a la Moda Arianna
Glamour Girl Flower Power

Get Real Girl

Gabi

Get Set Club

Isabella

Hasbro

G. I. Joe (various)
Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez
Carmen 'Raya' Alonso, drummer JEM
Rio Pacheco, manager JEM

Haschel Toys

Olga Tanon

Hot Toys

Bronze TrueType male figure
True Type Cuban American female

Integrity

Alejandro
Alysa
Candi

Jakks Pacific

Fashion Doll: Muneca de Mode Catalina
Fashion Doll: Muneca de Mode Damita
GirlForce Bianca
GirlForce Lola 
GirlForce Natalie (Cameron Diaz) "Charlie's Angels"
GirlForce Valerie (Rosario Dawson) "Josie and the Pussycats"
Maleficient (Angelina Jolie)

Kenya's World

Ariana* (Thanks Smaller Places for sharing this new series!)
Nicole

Kumik

Jessica Alba head

Lanard

I-Girl Rio

Mattel

Alex Russo (Selena Gomez) "Wizards of Waverly Place"
Generation Girl Ana Suarez
Barbie
ChaCha "Grease"
Barbie and the Rockers Derek
Desi Arnaz
Gabriella "High School Musical"
Jennifer Lopez
Kayla
Kelly (David's Bridal Perfect Pair)
Ken
Li'l Friends of Kelly Marisa
Model of the Moment Marisa
So in Style Marisa
Kelly Club Nia
My Scene Nia
Flavas P. Bo
Rebelde Diego Bustamante
Rebelde Giovanni Mendez
Rebelde Lupita Fernandez
Rebelde Mia Colucci
Rebelde Miguel Arango
Rebelde Roberta Pardo
V.I.P. Selena Gomez
Shakira
Teresa
Tommy (David's Bridal Perfect Pair)

Mega Star

Ricky Martin

One World Project

Prettie Girl Valencia

Play Along Ltd., Division of Jakks Pacific

Cheetah Girls Chanel
Cheetah Girls Dorinda

Playmates Toys Inc.

Ever Girl

R&D Dolls

Susie

Shindana

Disco Juanita

Smartees

Teacher Taylor

Spinmaster

Liv Daniela

Takara

Samba Jenny
Samba Kisara

Tiger Toys

A.C. Slater (Mario Lopez) "Saved by the Bell"

Totem International

Carlos, Billy's Puerto Rican boyfriend  (Thanks, Roxanne, for the reminder!)

Toy Biz

Sue Richards (Jessica Alba) "The Fantastic Four"

Woolworth

Manuel, wife and baby

Yaboom

Christina Aguilera

YNU Group Inc.

Rosa Dominguez Katz "Mixis"