Future Bound Luchia

Future Bound Luchia
Photo property of Integrity Toys.
Used by permission

With this blog post, we get to what very well could be my biggest learning experience in doll collecting -- Future Bound Luchia. This version of Luchia was released in June 2009, as part of the Future.Perfect Collection. She was one of four basic dolls in the collection, each with a Limited Edition of 1200 worldwide. Each retailed for $79.99.  The other dolls in the basic collection were Aerodynamic Vanessa Perrin, Heat Seeker Natalia Fatale, and Bionica Jordan.  Luchia’s outfit consisted of a black spandex t-shirt and leggings, a black faux-leather corset with grommets, dark metal rhinestone earrings, and short, black boots with red soles. Vanessa’s fashion was identical, except hers came with short yellow boots with black soles. Natalia and Jordan’s fashions were the same, except white instead of black, and came with blue boots with black soles, and red boots with black soles, respectively. Probably the most remarkable thing about this collection is that it marked the introduction of the “handspeak” system -- Integrity’s newest innovation, and one that maintained their position on the cutting edge of fashion doll design.  

Delia, in Jazz Age Josephine Baker's robe.
Photo by Divafan. All rights reserved.

When I say that Luchia was a learning experience for me, it is because I didn’t exactly fall in love with her and have to have her.  I had just started collecting, and could not get my hands on new dolls quickly enough. FB Luchia was being sold by someone on one of the boards who was selling off his entire collection, and she was cheap. And when I say “cheap,” I mean she was inexpensive, relative to the other dolls I was finding listed on the secondary market.  I’m quite sure I got her for right about retail, give or take a few bucks. I am by no means a fashionista -- I shop at Brooks Brothers, after all, and this “edgy” fashion was pretty foreign to me. I was originally attracted to Fashion Royalty because of their retro-glamorous look, so I was’t exactly sure about this collection...they did not look like the other dolls I was acquiring.  But I didn’t dislike her...I thought she was pretty, in a dramatic, over-the-top sort of way; and I loved her platinum ponytail and her face mold.  Which brings me to something else that I had just learned about back then -- repainting.  And my thought was, that for the price I got her for, I could have her lip color changed, and her eye makeup softened without feeling like I was buying a doll twice...  And so I did.  Off Luchia went, to Vin Trapani, for my very first repaint. Vin really helped Luchia be more in line with what my idea of “beautiful” was, at the time. And he did such a fantastic job on her, there is still no denying that she is stunningly beautiful!

Delia, wearing Gwendolyn's Treasures.
Photo by Divafan. All rights reserved.

Collecting Fashion Royalty has educated me quite a bit on fashion, and helped me broaden my tastes as I’ve been exposed to more.  At this point, I look at Future Bound Luchia’s original face with newfound appreciation.  

I learned even more through Delia/Luchia in preparing to write this blog.  As I stated earlier, I really didn’t understand her original look, or how it “fit” with other Fashion Royalty dolls.  So I did some research.  What I discovered, is that I should have trusted that Integrity is always on the cutting edge of fashion, whether I’m aware of it or not.  In 2008/2009, most of the major fashion houses included black lipstick paired with stark fashions in their collections. Also, most of the major, upscale cosmetics companies introduced black/dark lipsticks in their lines, and without exception, they sold out. Once I learned all that, the look of these dolls made perfect sense to me.  I guess I just needed some perspective. 

YSL Fall 2008 Paris show, 2009 Chanel lipstick ad, 2008 Dior ad.

Ilene Kristen, as Delia Reid
Ryan Ryan Coleridge Crane
from ABC's Ryan's Hope

As soon as Luchia arrived back home from Vin’s, I opened her box, took her out, and fell in love. She reminded me of one of my favorite soap characters, Delia Reid Ryan Ryan Coleridge Crane, from Ryan’s Hope, as portrayed by Ilene Kristen, and so she was named.

Delia, wearing Femme du Monde.
Photo by Divafan. All rights reserved.

Delia wearing BIC Exclusive, Royale Material. 
Photo by Divafan. All rights reserved.

Delia, wearing Femme du Monde.
Photo by Divafan. All rights reserved.

Delia, in Jazz Age Josephine Baker's robe.
Photo by Divafan. All rights reserved.

Delia wearing "Animalia" by
Gwendolyn's Treasures.