Twin Towers Backdrop

Janay Princess Delight by Integrity Toys, 1999

In remembrance of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001,  and the survivors of the World Trade Center (WTC) attack, Janay Princess  Delight by Integrity Toys, 1999 is shown in her original box that has a backdrop of the Twin Towers.

Janay is Integrity Toys' first 12-inch fashion doll.  This particular doll uses the original Janay head sculpt.   She is dressed in a black velour gown with a silver cape and silver high-heel shoes.  Princess Delight Janay wears a silver ring and a rhinestone choker.  Her black hair is styled in an updo.  She has painted brown eyes.  Other versions of Princess Delight Janay were made, the same doll dressed in red or blue gowns.  Another (deluxe version) was made wearing a variety of gown colors (red, blue or black) that came with an extra knee-length silver dress.

Little did Integrity Toys know that within two years after the various versions of Princess Delight Janay were produced, the Twin Towers in New York would be destroyed on September 11, 2001.

The original World Trade Center complex in March 2001 is shown. The tower on the left, with antenna spire, was 1 WTC. The tower on the right was 2 WTC. All seven buildings of the WTC complex are partially visible. The red granite-clad building left of the Twin Towers was the original 7 World Trade Center. In the background is the East River. (Photo and caption from Wikipedia.com).

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Fashion Icons Janay

Integrity Toys Fashion Icons Janay, 2003

Sought and found!  Integrity Toys Fashion Icons Janay from 2003 has now been marked off my wish list.  She is as lovely as I expected.  No words are necessary to describe her beauty.  I will allow the photos to illustrate this.

She is gorgeous!

Janay shows off her Kool-Aid red streaks as she engages her beau.

Fashion Icons Tariq is happy Janay has arrived, too.

The lovely faux leather-clad couple pose for one final photo.

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This Janay (head) Chose Kara

Still on my Janay kick (gotta have more of her, that is) which began earlier this year, I purchased another Janay head on eBay.   Her facial screening is somewhat reminiscent of another Janay that has been either elusive or too pricey for me (Fashion Icons Janay).  The auburn hair used on this Janay is long and curly whereas Icons Janay has darker, shoulder length, straight hair.  

Recently ShopMattel.com discounted their remaining stock of Baby Phat So In Style dolls to $8 and change.  I ordered one each of Kara, Marisa, and Grace because of their articulated bodies.  These are not the best in articulated bodies, but for under $9 each and free shipping using BARBIE25 at checkout, I figured, why not?  

Baby Phat Kara holds what will eventually be her new head, the lovely Janay.

Between So In Style Grace and Kara, Kara's complexion is a closer match for Janay; so Janay and I chose to debox Kara and use her articulated body.  Instead of removing Janay's neck prong, I pushed it inside the head, which may or may not have been a good move.

After removing Kara's head, I discovered her loooong neck prong.   Unfortunately, I also discovered that the large circumference of the SIS neck prevents the Janay head from fitting snugly. 

The length of the neck prong created a gap between the head and neck.

I made several failed attempts to create a snug and sturdy fit:

I shortened the prong. This closed in the gap between the head and neck, but the head wobbled around with even the slightest movement of the doll.

Wobble-wobble-wobble

 Stuffing the Janay head with polyfil didn't take up the slack.

Polyfil-stuffed head.

Next, I enlarged the hole in Janay's head by shaving away some of the vinyl with a knife.  Even with the slightly larger neck hole, I had to push the head down onto the neck of the body more than desired to remove the wobble completely.  Janay is a little short-necked as a result.

Janay tries on her new body and sunglasses for size.

Until I decide to dress Janay in something different and/or find a more suitable body, she will wear Kara's Baby Phat fashion.  The gold earrings I made for her will probably remain a staple.

Gold dangle earrings camouflage Janay's short neck.

The moral to this story is:  the articulated SIS bodies are not the best choice for Janay heads, but we are making Kara's body work.  

*~*~*

An image of an SIS neck is not included, but Roxanne's Dolls has an informative doll head removal post that might be useful for those who plan to re-body or add a body to a doll head. 

D7ana of the blog, A Philly Collector of Playscale Dolls and Action Figures, recently updated her Janay and Friends board on Pinterest.

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African Legends Tariq, Janay, and Nakia

African Legends, Janay, Prince Tariq, and Nakia by Integrity Toys ©2003

After African Legends Prince Tariq arrived earlier this year deboxed and missing his accessories, I began a diligent search for the two hopeful women vying to be his bride:  African Legends Janay and Nakia.

Janay arrived a couple of months prior to this post with Nakia the last one to arrive.

Made by Integrity Toys with a copyright date of 2003, their story from the back of the box is as follows:

African Legends

The tale of the two sisters

When the king decided that it was time for his son Prince Tariq to select a wife, a message was sent to all the nearby villages with the happy news.  Proud fathers from all over were invited to introduce their daughters to the prince; however, every citizen of the Serengeti agreed that old Barumba's daughters were the most beautiful they had ever seen.

Janay, the kind and generous sunshine girl was everyone's favorite in the running, but all knew too well that her evil twin sister, Nakia, although equally enchanting, was self-centered and devious... She would certainly do anything to win the Prince's heart, even cast mysterious spells that only she knew the secrets to!

Who will be the chosen one?  You decide!

It will be a difficult decision.  Which one do you think Prince Tariq will chose?  

Closeup of African Legends characters

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When these dolls entered the market in 2004, I was not interested in owning either.  At that time, few playscale (11-1/2- and  12-inch) dolls piqued my interest.  I also did not particularly care for Janay's head sculpt.  As collectors, we sometimes see dolls in a different light years after they enter the market. Now I think Janay and her twin sister, Nakia, are gorgeous. They have such perfect facial bone structure.

During the hunt and chase for them, I had hoped to find this trio for their original price or not far above.  That is exactly what happened. 

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Which Body is Best for IT's Janay?

Janay head ©2001, Integrity Toys (IT)

Can anyone recommend a fully articulated body best suited for this Integrity Toys Janay?  I am not sure if I should stick with IT or will another manufacturer's body work well.

I prefer full articulation over partial.


Before the doll arrived, on-hand body possibilities included Integrity Toys Reese#1 or Monsieur Z Jungle Fever, Baby Phat Kara, or Rock Star Kenya (last choice). Complexion-wise, Baby Phat Kara is the best match.

Odd head connector

The head connector is what's throwing me off.  What would the loop connect to or do I not have to use this particular connector?

Any and all suggestions are welcome!

Thanks in advance!

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