Saturday, March 30, 2024

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!



Tuesday, March 19, 2024

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: