Collecting Cycle 2024 - Jamieshow/Owensu La Vacanza

Similar to Integrity Toys, Jamieshow/Owensu Muses dolls are premiered prior to production.  The actual number of items pre-ordered determines how many dolls and ensembles will be made.  There were three strong capsules previewed in 2023.  The first arrived to collectors in March and was called La Vacanza.  There were two new versions of previously released characters, Ginnie and Natalie.  There were also two additional females representing new molds/characters.  

This time around the dolls were packaged wearing spa ensembles.  Each doll came with a terry cloth robe, turban, cute little mules with bows, a pair of dangle earrings, and a pair of sunglasses. Also included was a Jamieshow stand, dressing paddles, a cleaning sponge, and a wig cap.  The retail cost of each doll was $475.

One these girls is actually the first Jamieshow/Owensu Muses doll to feature a mold with an open mouth.  Her name was Astrid.  Here are Jamieshow promo photos.

This doll falls into a younger looking category than most of the Muses dolls.  She looks fresh and more like an Integrity Toys NuFace character.  In addition to the four female dolls, there were twelve ensembles offered in the La Vacanza line.  Here is Astrid wearing the full Look 5 ($175).  I am showing it from behind so you can see how nice the attached bow is placed off-center.

And a closeup of this beautiful face!  She is wearing La Vacanza Wig Cap 2 in pink.  Collecting Cycle 2024, Number 9 is Jamieshow/Owensu Muses La Vacanza Astrid.

The shoes for Jamieshow Muses are a perfect fit for Integrity Toys Fashion Royalty and Nuface dolls.  Although many of the Jamieshow/Owensu ensembles will fit both Fashion Royalty and NuFace, the fit may be a bit snug on Fashion Royalty.  They are a perfect fit on NuFace.  This allows the dolls to share wardrobes.

The second new character mold is called Camille.  Here are her promo photos from Jamieshow.

Here Camille is wearing LaVacanza Look 1 - $200 (which is my very favorite ensemble from this collection and looks like it was based on a produced design by Chanel).  

A closeup.  The wig is La Vacanza wig cap 3 in platinum.  Collecting Cycle 2024, Number 10 is Jamieshow/Owensu Muses La Vacanza Camille.

This doll is probably one of my very favorite molds ever offered.  She is like a cross between Lauren Bacall and Michelle Pfeiffer.  However ... when La Vacanza was released I had just finished binge watching Emily in Paris.  I picked up on the fact that the La Vacanza line was based on European fashions and there was a female character named Camille and a male character named Gabriel.  Here is a photo of Camille Razat the actress who plays Camille in Emily in Paris.  Is there a resemblance?

NOW, I bet you are wondering about Garbriel, right?  Here is the promo photo of the male La Vacanza character Gabriel.

And a photo of actor Lucas Bravo who plays Gabriel in Emily in Paris.  Again, I believe there is a small resemblance.

Even though no other La Vacanza characters are listed by name, the second male character, Dusan, definitely reminds me of Lucien Laviscount who plays Alfie.  

And here are Jamieshow/Owensu's promo photos of Dusan.

When this dolls started showing up in post production photos, I was fortunate enough to get one in the "leftover" sale.  When the staff of Jamieshow places their order for a capsule, they "pad" the order a little. After all collectors have received their orders and any quality control issues have been handled, Jamieshow releases the "leftovers" for sale on their website.  That is a wonderful way for collectors to pick up something they missed in their preorder.  

Here is Dusan wearing Jamieshow/Owensu Look 13 (there were four looks for the guys included with this capsule - Look 13 retailed for $225).  This is such a modern look and is designed immaculately.

How about a closeup of that handsome guy?  Collecting Cycle 2024, Number 11 is Jamieshow/Owensu La Vacanza Dusan.

The Jamieshow/Owensu Muses "leftover sale" is still available on the website  Jamieshow/Owensu La Vacanza Leftover Sale.  Some of the dolls haven't sold out yet and a couple ensembles can be purchased as well.  These items go pretty quickly after collectors see post-production photos.  I have been sitting on my hands to keep from hitting the purchase button on Gabriel myself!

Collecting Cycle 2024 - Number 8

Almost every year, Jason Wu personally designs an Integrity Toys doll(s) based on one of his original human sized couture garments.  This has been going on a very long time.  Please correct me if I am wrong, but it may have started with 2007's Spectacular, Spectacular Eugenia Frost and morphed into the Monogram line of dolls.

These dolls are always very sought after and become grails over a period time.  They are produced in limited editions.  Collectors lose sleep waiting for these dolls to go live on retail sales sites.  

Three of these dolls were produced in 2022: Bride Spring 2020 Alyssa,  Spring 2021Aymeline, and Winter 2021 Aymeline.  For some reason these have not been as popular with collectors as previous editions.   You can usually find Bride Spring 2020 Alyssa around, or even below, retail price.

I have been stalking social media and e-bay for the Winter 2021 Aymeline ensemble for several months.  You can't imagine my joy at finding the NRFB doll for about 30% off retail price!  I jumped on this deal!

Collecting Cycle 2024 - Number 8 is Winter 2021 Aymeline:

Integrity Toys Did It Again - Collecting Cycle 2024 Numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7

My first collection post from last year dealt with a tidal wave of dolls shipped by Integrity Toys at the beginning of January.  Guess, what?  Integrity Toys produced another tidal wave of dolls at the beginning of 2023.  This is hard on collectors.  I mean, it's right after Christmas.  With the economy in the state it is in (and don't tell me there isn't a problem - anyone who shops for groceries knows how much it hurts at check out).  

First out of the gate was the six dolls from "The 2022 True Collection" previously knows as "The Industry".   Fortunately, I had only preordered one doll from that collection, although I have been eyeing "Drop That Ish Tate Tanka" on secondary market.   

Collecting Cycle 2024 Number 3 is Very Necessary Hollis Hughes.

Here is a closeup.  Personally, I believe she is the most versatile of The 2022 True Collection.  I even like her better than her first version.  It doesn't hurt that she comes with an ensemble and accessories that can be mixed and matched with a lot of different things in my dolls' wardrobes.  She was an easy choice and the production doll was quite good.  Kudos to Integrity Toys on this doll!

As a "teaser" for the 2023 Integrity Toys online convention, 7 Deadly Sins, W Club members were offered a special opportunity to purchase a doll from The True collection.  I love this mold and jumped at the opporutnity.   Collecting Cycle 2024, Number 4 is Sweet Temptation Tulabelle True.

I'm glad I opted for this doll; it helped my decision not to purchase the Big Love Tulabelle True version from The 2022 True Collection.  Again, nothing was spared in designing this ensemble and accessories.  Integrity Toys is definitely putting some weight behind this line. Here is a closeup of this lovely face!

Late last year, Integrity Toys previewed their "Moments" Fashion Royalty collection.  Like their re-imaginations of NuFace dolls, this production focused on three previously released versions of dolls.  These dolls were offered through a W Club lottery opportunity.  From the three choices, I only entered for one.  (Even though I wasn't a fan of Sensational Soiree Agnes Von Weiss, her post-production photos are exceptional).  Collecting Cycle 2024, Number 5 is Pink Glam Adele Makeda.  Adele Makeda mold 2.0 is one of my very favorite Integrity Toys dolls and the ensemble is an amazing pink variation of Legendary's Miami Glam Kesenia Valentinova.

A closeup of a very lovely face.  This doll will be redressed often as she has a very versatile hairstyle and faceup.

After the 2022 Curated event, the new Fashion Royalty character, Binna Park, was offered in a pink variation of her blue Curated Modern Renaissance gown.  (Here is the link where I reviewed the original version when I added her to my Collecting Cycle 2022: Modern Renaissance Binna Park )  This time she had red hair and blue eyes.  

I see a lot of potential in this character (it was originally Nuface Ayumi Nakamura mold 2.0).   I look forward to future versions as Modern Renaissance is actually quite outstanding.  Just look at this face.  Collecting Cycle 2024, Number 6 is Modern Renaissance Pink Variation Binna Park.

It's almost like you can't have a blog entry of a collection of dolls without representation from Poppy Parker!  I almost passed on this version for the very reason I now love her so much.  She looks like a blonde version of Miss Independence.  Although the ensemble seems more modern to me, I love it.  Collecting Cycle 2023, Number 7 is Suited For Travel Poppy Parker.

And a closeup of this simple and lovely faceup.

Had I purchased everything that was shipped at this time, it would've amounted to 12 dolls and one ensemble.  That is just too many dolls to request payment for at one time.  And it was right during the Integrity Toys Dolly Days announcements for pre-order deposits, the new version of the Refresh and Renew trunk (to be reviewed soon) and the last two W Club offerings.   This is too much of a financial burden on collectors.   Shame on Integrity Toys for not spreading all of this out in a more manageable way.   I was overwhelmed by the five dolls I received during this time and passed on all the Dolly Days offerings except the trunk.   

Collecting Cycle 2024 - Number 2

Doll friends are great!  This hobby wouldn't be enjoyable without someone with whom you can share your passions.  

In 2022, I was seduced into the world of collecting male dolls by Jamieshow/Owensu Muses.  I thought my girls should have guys around for photographs; I never thought the male dolls would be able to establish their own corner of my collection.

When the Muses Bonjour Paris line made its made into collectors' hands early last year, I realized I missed an opportunity for a male that was actually quite striking.  I regretted not adding him to my collection when I had the opportunity and he has become quite popular.   A good friend offered him to me NRFB recently.

When he arrived, I was so excited.  It has been fairly cold this winter, and I had been waiting for just the right model for my favorite Integrity Toys homme ensemble, Thrill Seeker from 2006.  

Here is the second doll added to my collection in 2024, Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Bonjour Paris Aiden.

And a closeup, just because he is so handsome!

The Arrival Of A Grail

A few years ago, there was a Flickr Tag Game going around where collectors were posting a collage of their most sought after fashion pieces.   These were grail ensembles or specific clothing items, not actual dolls.  One of mine showed up recently for sale at a fantastic price.

A lot of the earlier Integrity Toys clothing doesn't fit the new FR2 bodies; the shorter dolls' clothing from 2002-2005 is a harder sell than the taller ones 2006-2012.  The FR2 torso is longer, the waist, hips, and thighs are thicker, and the breasts are smaller.  Many of the sheaths work.  A lot of the gowns fit.  Even the blouses may be alright.  But most pants and shorts are a definite "no go".   Due to this problem, you can sometimes pick up some earlier at great prices.

I have found that a lot of these items can be worn by the East 59th Street gals, but some clothing items actually look quite good on Poppy Parker when she has the high heeled lower legs.  (Even the shoes fit!)

I couldn't imagine my luck when someone posted the pants and blouse from Optic Verve Agnes Von Weiss (2009 edition size 300).  I have wanted these pants and that blouse ever since I sold the NRFB giftset six years ago.  It was my only regret about letting the giftset go.

My favorite Poppy Parker from 2023, Golden Glow, was more than willing to model.

Here is the full length photo, so you can see how nice the ensemble looks on the Poppy body.

And here is the closeup of that little siren ....

I got to cross off this ensemble from my grail list.  There are only two left.  One is a rarer Randall Craig ensemble and the other is the lingerie from Modern Comeback Blonde Veronique.

Loving 2024!  We are off to a great start!

REBOOT - 2024 - Collecting Cycle 2024 Number 1

Maintaining this blog helps me keep up with my collecting habits each year.  When January rolls around, I always get anxious about looking back over the previous 12 months of spending and selling.

I honestly try to keep my collection manageable, but it's not easy.  I'm sure many of you reading this entry feel the pain as well.   

In 2023 I managed to re-home 36 dolls.  Things seem to be shifting in the doll collecting community lately.  Sellers are finding other means for connecting with buyers through social media.  It is getting more difficult selling on e-bay.   Merari has established itself as an alternative as well.  I feel good that I was able to sell what I did with the current economic climate and shifting interests.

Unfortunately, I added 46 dolls in 2023, which was ten more than left.   The lion's share of these were Integrity Toys dolls.   I discovered Dominion Doll this year though a great doll friend.  I hope to add more of these high quality resin ball-jointed girls, but they are quite expensive.  My love for Jamieshow Muses has only increased in 2023 as has their production of quality dolls and ensembles.

The only good news is that I have seriously limited the purchase of dolls on secondary market.   Another good thing is that Integrity Toys has started producing dolls in larger quantity which has seriously affected after-market resell prices.  The majority of my secondary market dolls were purchased as "lottery takeovers" at original retail cost!   If you take away W Club exclusives, I only purchased three dolls as secondary market prices and two of those were actually less than the original retail prices!  I can feel good about that.

Last year, 25% of the new dolls I purchased were received in January.  That was quite overwhelming.  Fortunately, there has been only ONE doll purchase so far in 2024.  This doll was purchased retail through a U.S. seller, Fabric Friends.

One of the main reasons I purchased this doll is that it represented the last doll in this line to be designed by Mark Tinkey, who has since resigned from Integrity Toys.   Here is a full length photo in the box:

And a closeup!  I am usually not a fan of fantasy hair colors, but I am totally smitten by this cutie (there's something Wednesday Addams about her)!  Collecting Cycle 2024 - Number 1 is Frills & Kills Misaki.