With the sweltering heat and unpredictable rain storms that we as Midwesterners have to deal with, it¡|s nice to know that as adults there is a new toy targeted just for us! Integrity Toys, Jason Wu and Rupaul have brought us the first ever Tranny doll. Yes, the RuPaul doll. Wu first joined Integrity Toys as a freelance designer in 1998, at just sixteen years old. By eighteen, he was named Creative Director and Partner.At the age of 22, Jason Wu is a prominent force in the toy industry.

Born and raised in Taipei, Wu began designing dolls as a child. In 1998, after winning a toy design contest, he joined Integrity Toys Inc, as a freelance designer. Within two years, Wu was named Creative Director and soon thereafter, Partner - all before his eighteenth birthday.

He now manages two labels within Integrity: Fashion Royalty and his newest venture, Produced by Jason Wu, the division responsible for The RuPaul Doll"·. We needed a celebrity who was instantly recognizable, yet not overexposed, and we didn't want to follow in the current teen pop star or reality show personality trend. We wanted someone who would shake things up in what has become a rather humdrum fashion doll industry."

There are three dolls in the collection, each encapsulating a look that defines a major stage in RuPaul's career. The first doll depicts the early 90's supermodel era that made RuPaul a household name. The doll wears a replica of the flamingo gown that was featured in the song's music video and on the album cover. It also features the ultra-glam platinum up-do that has become synonymous with the entertainer.

The second doll features RuPaul in a red vinyl body-suit similar to the one in the first Viva-Glam ad campaign. The third depicts RuPaul's current look with the release of his latest album, RuPaul Red Hot,¨ featuring the single Looking Good, Feeling Gorgeous; the theme song for the popular NBC reality show The Biggest Loser. The doll wears shredded jeans and a sexy black mesh corset with leather and tulle accents.

The dolls were sculpted to RuPaul's exact facial and bodily measurements," explains Wu. Photos were taken of Ru's face from every angle, then downsized and realized into a wax sculpture.¨

At 6'4", RuPaul towers over most female models. Therefore, The RuPaul Doll measures thirteen inches in height, two inches higher than Barbie and average-sized fashion dolls. The result, even when unpainted, is incredibly lifelike; even the dolls ears are identical to those on RuPaul.

Integrity Toys lists the targeted demographic for The RuPaul Doll"· as appropriate for all-ages. "We are targeting everyone from adult collectors to RuPaul fans to today's young children. There is no age limit for appreciating beauty," says Jason Wu.

Wu continues, "RuPaul has always been an outspoken person and an important advocate for the GLBT community. We believe it is important for our young generation to be educated and aware of all of America's diverse lifestyles. Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, Will and Grace, and The Ellen Show have brought mainstream attention to gays and lesbians. It's now time to shed light on the transvestite community. We hope our stunning dolls will be welcomed on doll shelves everywhere."

The RuPaul Doll will be available for purchase at specialty and collectible retailers around the world this summer. For more info on the RuPaul doll go to www.therupauldoll.com