LiLiLuitton
Jem Collection - Gwendolyn "Graphix" Snyder
At a recent concert for Jem and the Holograms' Pretty in Pink World Tour, the paparazzi set forth a media blitz for the sugary Pop princess and her entourage, which included: the Holograms, Rio, Anthony Julian, Video Montgomery, Danse, Astral, Régine...and a mysterious face that appeared in the distance. The fans roared in utter hysteria and the high-tech cameras flickered in unison as photographers, fashion designers and Hollywood reporters gathered side by side in the concert hall to get a word or two from the superstar musicians. Jem was accosted by twenty different photogs who began asking twenty different questions, chief among them: “WHO'S THAT GIRL”? Then one handsomely Black, tall photographer zeroed in on the mysterious figure and asked her name. The artist slowly turned her head to the camera in a sly manner, blew a kiss and said one word...“Graphix!” Many people have never seen or heard of this Cali native and that's because she has laid low...until now! Three things are for sure about this wealthy valley girl. One, she's an amazing graffiti artist. Two, her taste for wild fashions. And last, her famous tag on all the elaborate artwork that she's created for countless singing groups and solo acts! A gifted artist with an eye for up-to-the-minute trends in art and fashion, Graphix lives for creating award-winning album covers and caters to each of her favorite Pop/Rock/R&B bands, particularly Jem and the Holograms! Her breathtaking designs for their latest concert, in South Africa, garnered her several international awards abroad. She's also a giving soul and enjoys helping in any way she can, for example, her collaboration with Danse Dvorak on some outrageous art designs for Haven House's 4th Annual Special Benefit. Another unknown fact about this tanned beauty is that she had experienced great success very early in her career, when she conceived and designed the front cover for Missing Persons 1982 New Wave album! Time has passed (seven years to be exact) and she's kept up with what's in, designing concert posters, album covers and merchandise for a slew of acts, like Sean Harrison, Johnny Deacon, Lena Lerner, the Blue Bloods, the Leatherettes, Taps Tucker's comeback album, Nefertiti Nikki, Kimber and Stormer's sophomore album, the Space Cadets, the Fifth Avenue Boys, New Edition, the Downtown Boyz, the Limp Lizards and the Stingers! In fact, it was Ms. Lena Lerner who enlisted her to design her lavish “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?” world tour, in late '86. And boy, oh boy, did she go all out for that particular assignment. She literally lit the stadium's walls with cutting-edge art that glowed in the dark! Ohhh, and how could her associates and fans forget the mega concert she styled and designed for Luna Dark, in late '87?! Luna was billed with musicians Samantha Fox and Jody Watley for their “Exotic Escapades” world tour, and all three musicians were in debt to Graphix for her impeccable work! She even designed a line of leather and lace embroidery bottle-holders for Luna’s perfume line, “Lush.” Few have met her and immediately pegged her as a snooty, well-to-do snob, even the Misfits who have been known for trashing her good name over creative differences and copyright issues. And though Graphix exudes a good-natured, kind soul, she will not hesitate to set someone straight or strike back, which is exactly what she did one Summer evening, in 1987, at Misfits Headquarters, when Pizzazz started an argument with her over a single can of Aqua Net hairspray! The talented artist couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably at the site of Pizzi’s flat hairdo, and admitted how much it resembled a chunk of cotton candy. It was then that WWIII broke loose. As the screaming grew, the thudding multiplied, eventually leaving Pizzazz picking all her expensive makeup, lashes, designer heels and some outfits from out of the tub Gwen filled with bleach! She then planted the cranky rocker on her derrière as she began to sashay to the elevator, never to be seen again by the Misfits. So it’s quite understandable that she would grow exhaustingly annoyed when it comes to setting the record straight on whether or not she's a Misfit. And you better believe that nothing brings her more joy than incinerating those who assume they KNOW her, because she belongs to NO ONE, and is her OWN boss! At this point, it's probably a good idea for the Misfits and the Stingers to steer clear, for they have met their match, and she's one helluva force to be reckoned with!
First and foremost, I would like to express my appreciation to Integrity's Design Team for their creation of Graphix! I am extremely grateful to ALL involved, and I am totally over the moon for this doll! To be completely honest, I wasn't sure if they were going to create her at all. It was clear from the start that even so much as a notion from Integrity Toys for Graphix would require an abundance of optimism and hope. Guess it all paid off in the end because here she lies in her box draped in her signature (prototype) outfit, eagerly awaiting to strike a pose alongside her friends and foes! One might ask, “Why do Jem fans care about a doll that never existed in the first place?!” Aaah! Such a typical question with an extremely simple answer. You see, technically, Graphix DID EXIST! She has a brief bio and actually advanced to the prototype stage, both of which were created in 1988. The fact that she happens to be the only character in the entire Jem Bible who never made it to the show is all well and true, but, nevertheless, she's in the Jem Bible! I think most Jem fans feel that because of her absence from the show that she's unimportant. Some may even consider her to be a flash in the pan, but such an attitude will never change the fact that she was once conceived, written and named simultaneously! Her moniker and background bio has remained in our hearts and minds for several years now. So the arrival of this W Club Exclusive is indeed a celebratory moment for a vast majority of Jem fans everywhere! Now, as I'm sure we all know, this is the last year of Jem and it feels like the end of yet another era. Integrity Toys' Jem has accomplished more in this decade than ever expected! She (counterparts included) has sold better than she did in the ‘80s, and she's also surpassed the third year mark that her show reached in its heyday! Integrity's Jem has even had more staying power than the 2015 film itself, of course. In my opinion, Jem has conquered her revival in the new century, and boy did she come strutting through with a vengeance!
As of this moment, though, it's all about Gwenny-Gwen! The aesthetic was taken into high consideration for this doll. If you take a minute to examine her you'll notice the dedication put forth to create a more modern resemblance from her ‘80s prototype doll. I mean, it's all there but with a slight twist! The second I removed the lid to her box I noticed her tan skin. My attention was then directed at her hair color, which blends flawlessly with her Hungarian skin tone! One thing I must confess is my discontent with the color spots in her hair. I just wish that we were given the option to somehow apply the colorful spots (or streaks) ourselves. Yet and still, that doesn't take anything away from the golden blond color that Integrity created! She's definitely an Orange County girl through and through! Integrity made sure to stay true to what little details they had for her makeup, especially with the art designs on both sides of her face: blue and yellow zigzag shapes on her left cheek, and several small black and white squares alongside the right side of her eye. The full appearance of her face, again, matches perfectly with her original prototype creation, her cool blue eyebrows included! Graphix is a professional illustrator; a colorist, and excels at drawing/designing, so it would come as a huge surprise if she didn't have the raw talent to create wonders with her makeup! The evidence of her artistic capabilities shows, starting with a wash of yellow eyeshadow, in “Preppy Professional”, all over her eyelids and on both brow bones. She remained somewhat consistent with the colors, slightly switching gears to her burnt sienna eyeshadow, in “Loco-Motion”, and creating a thin, sharp wing in the creases of her eyelids, then lining her lids with black “Rag Doll” eyeliner, and brightening the bottom lash lines with her blue “Orinoco Flow” eye pencil! There are many characters who I've inducted into my personal Hall of Fame for winged-out eyeliner (Jem, Kimber, Régine, Clash, Rapture, Pizzazz, Stormer and Jetta) and Graphix is top queen! Minx has been appointed runner-up lol! Gwen loves to plant a smooch on her autograph pictures after signing them, and when she does, her lips are usually painted with red “Kiss Me Deadly” lipstick. And her fingernails are often finished with red hot “Pyromania” nail polish! Ok! Now, where must I start regarding her outfit?! The Design Team definitely went with a more suitable approach compared to her ‘88 doll, and I greatly appreciate it! Didn't she wear shiny vinyl-like material for that photoshoot?...LOL! I have always had a feeling that there's a deeper backstory regarding the idea and style for her outfit, but I wouldn't know for sure. Anyway, it's elaborate, yet peculiar...busy...loud...and I LOVE IT! Gotta admit that the new material is delicate to the touch. It stretches and separates the design prints on the shirt and pants, both of which are dipped in a pool of multi-colored zigzags, triangles and long rectangles—I know, I know, it's a mind-scrambler! And you can't tell her that she's not blazing in her red, snake-skinned mini skirt with a side slit! Well, maybe Aja has something to say about it! I love her red hoop earrings and bracelets, too! With Graphix, it's really all about the color red, and that's why I get such a thrill when gazing at her in my cabinet. The Design Team never fails when it comes to the heels and boots for this particular collection. This is also true with Graphix's tall heel-boots! They are gorgeous and a tad easier to apply than Minx's, but as equally smooth and fitting as Bad Kimber's! Her fire engine, red-colored designer heel-boots are the latest news in Jem world as they set her apart from the pack and look highly unique! I also love her matching red portfolio with her name in black and white shapes on the front! Before viewing her product pictures, I wasn't sure what Integrity had planned for her main accessories. I just knew that a video distorter was out of the question lol. However, I have always envision at least one can of spray paint, and here we have three different colors: green, pink and orange! Graphix doesn't mind providing samples of her artwork and she's brought along a few to share. And that pretty much sums up the Integrity Toys W Club Exclusive on Ms. Snyder. The shock and reality of this doll is all too real. What a joy and relief to finally have her!
Graphix now exists! This talented artist stands under a spotlight that burns bright. She's business savvy, self-sufficient, a bit of a nonconformist, totally underrated and overdue! Gwendolyn “Graphix” Snyder is a monarch, dammit! 👸
Jem Collection - Gwendolyn "Graphix" Snyder
At a recent concert for Jem and the Holograms' Pretty in Pink World Tour, the paparazzi set forth a media blitz for the sugary Pop princess and her entourage, which included: the Holograms, Rio, Anthony Julian, Video Montgomery, Danse, Astral, Régine...and a mysterious face that appeared in the distance. The fans roared in utter hysteria and the high-tech cameras flickered in unison as photographers, fashion designers and Hollywood reporters gathered side by side in the concert hall to get a word or two from the superstar musicians. Jem was accosted by twenty different photogs who began asking twenty different questions, chief among them: “WHO'S THAT GIRL”? Then one handsomely Black, tall photographer zeroed in on the mysterious figure and asked her name. The artist slowly turned her head to the camera in a sly manner, blew a kiss and said one word...“Graphix!” Many people have never seen or heard of this Cali native and that's because she has laid low...until now! Three things are for sure about this wealthy valley girl. One, she's an amazing graffiti artist. Two, her taste for wild fashions. And last, her famous tag on all the elaborate artwork that she's created for countless singing groups and solo acts! A gifted artist with an eye for up-to-the-minute trends in art and fashion, Graphix lives for creating award-winning album covers and caters to each of her favorite Pop/Rock/R&B bands, particularly Jem and the Holograms! Her breathtaking designs for their latest concert, in South Africa, garnered her several international awards abroad. She's also a giving soul and enjoys helping in any way she can, for example, her collaboration with Danse Dvorak on some outrageous art designs for Haven House's 4th Annual Special Benefit. Another unknown fact about this tanned beauty is that she had experienced great success very early in her career, when she conceived and designed the front cover for Missing Persons 1982 New Wave album! Time has passed (seven years to be exact) and she's kept up with what's in, designing concert posters, album covers and merchandise for a slew of acts, like Sean Harrison, Johnny Deacon, Lena Lerner, the Blue Bloods, the Leatherettes, Taps Tucker's comeback album, Nefertiti Nikki, Kimber and Stormer's sophomore album, the Space Cadets, the Fifth Avenue Boys, New Edition, the Downtown Boyz, the Limp Lizards and the Stingers! In fact, it was Ms. Lena Lerner who enlisted her to design her lavish “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?” world tour, in late '86. And boy, oh boy, did she go all out for that particular assignment. She literally lit the stadium's walls with cutting-edge art that glowed in the dark! Ohhh, and how could her associates and fans forget the mega concert she styled and designed for Luna Dark, in late '87?! Luna was billed with musicians Samantha Fox and Jody Watley for their “Exotic Escapades” world tour, and all three musicians were in debt to Graphix for her impeccable work! She even designed a line of leather and lace embroidery bottle-holders for Luna’s perfume line, “Lush.” Few have met her and immediately pegged her as a snooty, well-to-do snob, even the Misfits who have been known for trashing her good name over creative differences and copyright issues. And though Graphix exudes a good-natured, kind soul, she will not hesitate to set someone straight or strike back, which is exactly what she did one Summer evening, in 1987, at Misfits Headquarters, when Pizzazz started an argument with her over a single can of Aqua Net hairspray! The talented artist couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably at the site of Pizzi’s flat hairdo, and admitted how much it resembled a chunk of cotton candy. It was then that WWIII broke loose. As the screaming grew, the thudding multiplied, eventually leaving Pizzazz picking all her expensive makeup, lashes, designer heels and some outfits from out of the tub Gwen filled with bleach! She then planted the cranky rocker on her derrière as she began to sashay to the elevator, never to be seen again by the Misfits. So it’s quite understandable that she would grow exhaustingly annoyed when it comes to setting the record straight on whether or not she's a Misfit. And you better believe that nothing brings her more joy than incinerating those who assume they KNOW her, because she belongs to NO ONE, and is her OWN boss! At this point, it's probably a good idea for the Misfits and the Stingers to steer clear, for they have met their match, and she's one helluva force to be reckoned with!
First and foremost, I would like to express my appreciation to Integrity's Design Team for their creation of Graphix! I am extremely grateful to ALL involved, and I am totally over the moon for this doll! To be completely honest, I wasn't sure if they were going to create her at all. It was clear from the start that even so much as a notion from Integrity Toys for Graphix would require an abundance of optimism and hope. Guess it all paid off in the end because here she lies in her box draped in her signature (prototype) outfit, eagerly awaiting to strike a pose alongside her friends and foes! One might ask, “Why do Jem fans care about a doll that never existed in the first place?!” Aaah! Such a typical question with an extremely simple answer. You see, technically, Graphix DID EXIST! She has a brief bio and actually advanced to the prototype stage, both of which were created in 1988. The fact that she happens to be the only character in the entire Jem Bible who never made it to the show is all well and true, but, nevertheless, she's in the Jem Bible! I think most Jem fans feel that because of her absence from the show that she's unimportant. Some may even consider her to be a flash in the pan, but such an attitude will never change the fact that she was once conceived, written and named simultaneously! Her moniker and background bio has remained in our hearts and minds for several years now. So the arrival of this W Club Exclusive is indeed a celebratory moment for a vast majority of Jem fans everywhere! Now, as I'm sure we all know, this is the last year of Jem and it feels like the end of yet another era. Integrity Toys' Jem has accomplished more in this decade than ever expected! She (counterparts included) has sold better than she did in the ‘80s, and she's also surpassed the third year mark that her show reached in its heyday! Integrity's Jem has even had more staying power than the 2015 film itself, of course. In my opinion, Jem has conquered her revival in the new century, and boy did she come strutting through with a vengeance!
As of this moment, though, it's all about Gwenny-Gwen! The aesthetic was taken into high consideration for this doll. If you take a minute to examine her you'll notice the dedication put forth to create a more modern resemblance from her ‘80s prototype doll. I mean, it's all there but with a slight twist! The second I removed the lid to her box I noticed her tan skin. My attention was then directed at her hair color, which blends flawlessly with her Hungarian skin tone! One thing I must confess is my discontent with the color spots in her hair. I just wish that we were given the option to somehow apply the colorful spots (or streaks) ourselves. Yet and still, that doesn't take anything away from the golden blond color that Integrity created! She's definitely an Orange County girl through and through! Integrity made sure to stay true to what little details they had for her makeup, especially with the art designs on both sides of her face: blue and yellow zigzag shapes on her left cheek, and several small black and white squares alongside the right side of her eye. The full appearance of her face, again, matches perfectly with her original prototype creation, her cool blue eyebrows included! Graphix is a professional illustrator; a colorist, and excels at drawing/designing, so it would come as a huge surprise if she didn't have the raw talent to create wonders with her makeup! The evidence of her artistic capabilities shows, starting with a wash of yellow eyeshadow, in “Preppy Professional”, all over her eyelids and on both brow bones. She remained somewhat consistent with the colors, slightly switching gears to her burnt sienna eyeshadow, in “Loco-Motion”, and creating a thin, sharp wing in the creases of her eyelids, then lining her lids with black “Rag Doll” eyeliner, and brightening the bottom lash lines with her blue “Orinoco Flow” eye pencil! There are many characters who I've inducted into my personal Hall of Fame for winged-out eyeliner (Jem, Kimber, Régine, Clash, Rapture, Pizzazz, Stormer and Jetta) and Graphix is top queen! Minx has been appointed runner-up lol! Gwen loves to plant a smooch on her autograph pictures after signing them, and when she does, her lips are usually painted with red “Kiss Me Deadly” lipstick. And her fingernails are often finished with red hot “Pyromania” nail polish! Ok! Now, where must I start regarding her outfit?! The Design Team definitely went with a more suitable approach compared to her ‘88 doll, and I greatly appreciate it! Didn't she wear shiny vinyl-like material for that photoshoot?...LOL! I have always had a feeling that there's a deeper backstory regarding the idea and style for her outfit, but I wouldn't know for sure. Anyway, it's elaborate, yet peculiar...busy...loud...and I LOVE IT! Gotta admit that the new material is delicate to the touch. It stretches and separates the design prints on the shirt and pants, both of which are dipped in a pool of multi-colored zigzags, triangles and long rectangles—I know, I know, it's a mind-scrambler! And you can't tell her that she's not blazing in her red, snake-skinned mini skirt with a side slit! Well, maybe Aja has something to say about it! I love her red hoop earrings and bracelets, too! With Graphix, it's really all about the color red, and that's why I get such a thrill when gazing at her in my cabinet. The Design Team never fails when it comes to the heels and boots for this particular collection. This is also true with Graphix's tall heel-boots! They are gorgeous and a tad easier to apply than Minx's, but as equally smooth and fitting as Bad Kimber's! Her fire engine, red-colored designer heel-boots are the latest news in Jem world as they set her apart from the pack and look highly unique! I also love her matching red portfolio with her name in black and white shapes on the front! Before viewing her product pictures, I wasn't sure what Integrity had planned for her main accessories. I just knew that a video distorter was out of the question lol. However, I have always envision at least one can of spray paint, and here we have three different colors: green, pink and orange! Graphix doesn't mind providing samples of her artwork and she's brought along a few to share. And that pretty much sums up the Integrity Toys W Club Exclusive on Ms. Snyder. The shock and reality of this doll is all too real. What a joy and relief to finally have her!
Graphix now exists! This talented artist stands under a spotlight that burns bright. She's business savvy, self-sufficient, a bit of a nonconformist, totally underrated and overdue! Gwendolyn “Graphix” Snyder is a monarch, dammit! 👸