PORTER INTERNATIONAL Figures

PORTER INTERNATIONAL celebrating it's 10th year has 4 PREMIUM OFFERINGS for it's (getting even larger) fans.... and crossing into the TOY COLLECTOR fans, too! Am doubly in trouble as I am both a fan of the BRAND and of course, VINYL TOYS!!!

Came across the first figure a couple of months back in MEN's UNO magazine.... now I cannot read Chinese so I did not know that the HELL it said.... only the month (I presumed!) that it would be released... SADLY, I missed out on that released - it came and went so fast I was told by employees from a few different PORTER INTERNATIONAL shops I visited all over Taipei.... armed with the photo of it in my iPhone...LOL... Am sure a biiiiig part of it was it's cuteness.... whether you like the brand or not - this is on UBER CUTE offering: it is of the PORTER BELLHOP LOGO in a very cute 3D form... and 6 inches in height!!! And as if rubbing SALT to the WOUND, at one of the shop, there was one displayed - see photo on the left - needless to say it was just that, for display only.... and no amount of begging was good enough to be able to buy it... Alas, the BOSS is also a collector of VINYL TOYS and this one is for his own collection already! Boo Hoo...

So I was giving up on this, but in passing I mentioned it to Juliana and she reminded me to try Sue - always GREAT at finding stuff on Yahoo Auctions, Taiwan... so I dropped her a call and Lo and Behold, the same day she found me one.... at a price pretty much what they sold for when first released - SCORE!!! She even did better than me... she researched it right away and found a PRESS EVENT LAUNCH ARTICLE about the figures - with photos of the collection.... THANKS SUE!!!

4 Taiwanese Models dressed as the figures...

The first of 4 Limited Edition, released back in JULY/AUGUST, sold in the shops for NT$980 (US$30) - or for $480 (a little less than US$15) with a Purchase.... the 2nd one will be released in October, I was told.... got myself on the wait list already and am really HOPING not to miss out on this one.... his is one collection really worth keeping....

Porter, If You Please!!!

Seems like everywhere I turn, buses, magazines, movies, tv , etc..., I see this ICONIC LOGO.... Even Manila just opened up a Porter Shop in Rockwell!!! Porter is already a FAVE LOGO way back when, during the countless treks to Japan - but it was just one of those Designer Labels that was ALWAYS TOO PRICEY -until now....

I remember seeing and admiring them in Japan number of times... but I always OPT for COMME CA DU MODE, clothing & accessory - for financial reasons... hehehehehe... But the recent resurgence of the Porter Brand in Asia, especially here in Taiwan made me take notice once more.... and boy, am I glad I did... the prices have come down considerably... Am told that Reatil in Japan is still quite HIGH - but the Brand has made a separate line for the Global Market and they have made them affordable... and from what I see - they really are!!!

Though not usually permitted, I talked the good folks of Porter International @ SOGO Department Store in Taipei, into letting me snap a few shots of their boutique... check them out - am sure you will fall for them, too!!!

COOL SELECTIONS: Stylish & Available in a Variety of Colors!!!
CURRENT AD seen all over Taiwan - Buses, Mags, Newspapers.

SOGO Shop Photos Here

And Be Sure to Check Out the wewly operational, Porter Pop Up Shop @ Rockwell - Manila Philippines - if you happen to be in the neighborhood... right next to another fave of mine, Fred Perry!!!