Best of 2021 - #1

First, I know that my countdown reflects my personal taste.  There are many of my collecting friends out there that would not agree with my choices.  That's okay!  The world wouldn't be so wonderful if we all liked the exact same things all the time.

I went back through the history of my blog (starting all the way back to 2010).  This will be my 12th year reviewing dolls that have been added to my collection.  Here is a list of the top dolls.

2010   -  Regal Estate Agnes Von Weiss

                 Smoke Signals Dania Zarr

2011   -  No Reservations Kyori Sato

2012   -  Glam Addict Giselle Diefendorf

2013   -  After Tonight Eugenia Frost

                 Midnight Star Elyse Jolie

2014   -  Montaigne Market Elyse Jolie

2015   -  Rare Appearance Dania Zarr

2016   -  Poppy Parker

2017   -  Queen of Everything Agnes Von Weiss

2018   -  Adoration Eden Blair

                 Afterglow Lilith Blair

2019   - Poppy Parker Fashion Week Style Lab

2020   -  The Enchantress Nadja Rhymes

In the past eleven years, the top spot has been shared by two dolls three times.  It has been given to a line of dolls twice, both times Poppy Parker.   The list includes 4 specific Nuface Dolls and 8 specific Fashion Royalty dolls.  The top spot has always been held by an Integrity Toys product.  

Maybe it's my frustration that the W Club and IT management teams refuse to do anything about the degree of scalping, maybe it's the constant quality control issues, maybe it's my disappointment at being unable to get a convention ticket when others are getting as many as six or more tickets and selling everything on secondary market.  Or it could just be a combination of things.   For the first time, in 2021 I went looking for an alternative to IT dolls but still in 12".

When Jamieshow Dolls first introduced the new Jamieshow/Owensu Muses line in December 2020, I had spent all my holiday money on Legendary Convention Dolls (having to pay secondary market prices).   I didn't get to preorder anything from the Premier Collection.   I was okay with that.  

When the dolls and ensembles starting arriving in April, I couldn't get over the photos being posted.  I joined the Facebook Jamieshow Muses Group.  It turned out there were a few leftover items after everything was shipped to buyers.  There were five characters in this group and 14 ensembles.  I was able to acquire my favorite character Premier Eshe.  After waiting several months, I was able to get Look 7 (my favorite ensemble).  Yes, it even came with a crown!  There is gold threaded embroidery and little silk flowers and bead work applied by hand.  There are LAYERS and LAYERs of tulle built into the underskirt in shades of pale tiffany blue and cream.   

This is just a whole different level of doll collecting.  (She is wearing her original wig cap.  NOTE:  Jamieshow/Owensu Muses have skull caps with magnets.  That way you can interchange different wigs, and there have been well over 100 offered.)  Here is a closeup Premier Eshe.

Following the Premier line, Jamieshow/Owensu Muses released the Summer Kisses Collection, six more dolls (four were different screenings of Premier characters and the other two were new "twins").  There were also 18 ensembles.  I acquired five of the dolls this time and six of the ensembles.  These ensembles were less formal than those in the Premier Collection.

In July, there was a very special luxe edition of gowns and headpieces called Queen's Palace.  These were pricey, but I allowed myself my favorite gown, Sovereign , the headpiece, and the accessory set.  Here is Summer Kisses Sasha wearing the ensemble.

I can't get over the feel and design of this.  The fabrics are expensive.  The beadwork is exquisite.  This is just breathtaking work!

In October, there was another lineup, Dangerous Love, which included four more female dolls listed (two previously released sculpts with different facial screenings and two new characters).  There were also four male dolls.   There were 25 total ensembles.  This was truly doll overload.  The ensembles were a mix of everything.  No collector went away disappointed.   I purchased three dolls (one male!) and six ensembles.  These items are expected later this winter.

Just in time for Christmas, we got the Enchanted Collection.  Four previously released females and two previously released males made an appearance with new faces.  There were very luxe clothing options playing to the idea of Fairytales.  I ordered only one female and five ensembles.  These aren't expected until about mid-spring.

So Jamieshow/Owensu Muses is responsible for bringing back great joy in doll collecting.  Everything is so elevated.  I don't have to fight scalpers.  George and everyone at Jamieshow is so free with their time and so kind to collectors.  They listen.  They make me feel appreciated.  

I reviewed the Jamieshow/Owensu Muses line on my blog already (Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Review ).   I just wanted to share what made these dolls and their ensembles deserving of my Number 1 Spot of 2021.   

Best of 2021 - Number 1 was, without reservation, easily given to Jamieshow/Owensu Muses.  I hope you enjoyed this review and countdown.  Here are Sasha and Eshe to wish everyone a Happy New Year 2022!

Best of 2021 - Year in Retrospect

 ... Which doll could possible be taking the top spot?   I know everyone is complaining about this being the "leanest" doll year from Integrity Toys.  Even though there were only small mini-collections of some main doll lines, collectors received a lot of options this year from IT.   Especially if you were a W Club member.  

In addition to those FR2 dolls already listed in the countdown:  Siren Silhouette Korinne Dimas (Best of 2021 - # 10 ), Enamorada Natalia Fatale (Best of 2021 - # 9 ), Mothership Dania Zarr (Best of 2021 - # 4 ), Sovereign Adele Makeda (Best of 2021 - # 3 ), and Malibu Sky (Collection Addition #35 ) there were some very strong contenders for my Top 10 spots.  In 2021, I received:

Neo Look Adele Makeda

Wicked Narcissism Eugenia Frost

Such A Gem Dania Zarr

Bijou Elyse Jolie

Legendary Status Agnes Von Weiss

I didn't have a convention ticket for 2020, so I didn't get the opportunity to purchase the Color Variation Legendary Status Agnes Von Weiss (she would've been a very strong contender); however, Malibu Sky seems similar somehow, so I'm not stressed and not going to pay secondary market prices for this doll.  (Photo property of IT)

I also didn't purchase Smoke and Shadows Vanessa Perrin (mold 3.0/2.0).  She reminded me a lot of Secret Garden Eugenia.  Besides that I already have Violet Obsidian Vanessa from the 2020 convention.    (Photo property of IT)

If you are counting, is it possible that we actually received twelve FR2 dolls this year?  Not to mention some conventioneers received four additional FR2 dolls prior to January 1.  And if you added the two Jason Wu Net-A-Porter dolls, that would make a grand total of eighteen FR2 dolls!

If NuFace is your passion, in addition to Billion Dollar Baddie Alejandra Luna (Best of 2021 - # 6 ),  Wild Feeling Rayna Ahmadi (Best of 2021 - # 5  ), and Natural High Lilith Blair (Collection Addition #11 of 2021 ), there were four extremely strong dolls shipped to collectors in 2021.

Charmed Child Ayumi Nakamura was the third doll added to my collection in 2021 ( Collection Addition - #3 ).  Unfortunately, I couldn't bond with this doll and sold her.

Fit to Print Nadja Rhymes.  I don't know how I missed reviewing this doll??  For that matter all the upgrade dolls were missing from my Collection Addition list!   And I thought I had come out just about even!   Guess not!   This is a very beautiful doll.

Then there was the 12th doll added to my collection in 2021, Pretty Reckless Rayna Ahmadi (another gorgeous NuFace girl reviewed in my blog Collection Addition - #12 of 2021.

And finally A Fashionable Legacy Violaine Perrin.  

If you add the four Obsession Convention dolls, that means collectors had the opportunity to add eleven Nuface dolls this year.

Could the #1 spot belong to Poppy Parker?  This would be the third time that's happened in my blog.  

Including Beach Babe, we got:

Undercover Angel (Collection Addition #5 )

Sugar and Spice (Sort of a tribute to Grease).  Please forgive the paper towel; it was put there to prevent staining from the black collar to the platinum hair.

Holiday at Home Ginger Gilroy

Pink Lemonade

And two IFDC dolls.  Marvelous Masquerade

Lounge Siren

Then there were eight additional members of the Poppy Parker line offered at the Obsession Convention (Obsession Convention Poppy Parker  ).  Sixteen members of the Poppy Parker family could've been added to your 2021 collection.

I did a blog entry about the eight East 59th Street offerings (East 59th Street Dolls of 2021 ).  Add Black Ice Victoire Roux from the Obsession Convention and there were nine of these dolls.

In addition to the two Open Edition Keeki Adaeze dolls, we also saw the following in 2021:

Coming Out Navia Phan (Collection Addition #9 of 2021)

Showing up at #10 of Collection Additions is Every Woman Zuri Okoty

There was also a lottery version of Navia Phan, Enigmatic Re-invention, that I didn't pursue.  (Photo property of IT)

That means we had five Meteor dolls this year.

Last, collectors got two offerings of Misaki.

Beast Girl 

And Retro Girl (photo by IT)

If you purchased all these dolls plus the four Jem dolls, you would have increased your collection by 65 dolls.  There were plenty of choices to include in a Best of 2021 Top 10 list.  That seems like a lot, but 10 years ago, 2011, Integrity Toys produced 122 dolls for collectors.   That's almost double the dolls they put out in 2021.  

... So is my #1 of 2021 hidden somewhere in this post?  Did I pull another fast one and group some dolls together?  Did I decide to give #1 to a well-represented doll line?  ... Or could it be something else?

Best of 2021 - #2

This is going to be an odd blog entry.  My second place position for Best of 2021 isn't going to an individual doll or even a specific doll line.  Best of 2021 - #2 goes to the Integrity Toys Open Edition dolls that were introduced this year.   

This was a concept that was long overdue - make dolls in batches and sell them to everyone.   While we're at it, let's include dolls from each line!  And to make things even better, produce the dolls as Basic Editions with minimal packaging.   Then sell them for $99 each.  And to put the cherry on top, let's give them beautiful screenings and hair!  Bloody brilliant!!!

The first dolls offered were from the East 59th Street line.  Pin-Up Allure Victoire Roux is a raven haired doll.  She showed up as #6 of dolls added to my collection this year.

At #7 on my list of additions was her twin Summer Glamour Victoire Roux as a fiery redhead.

Sadly, these dolls were offered before the East 59th Street line became popular with collectors (which seemed to happen after the Dolly Days and Traveling In Style dolls were released).  IT decided to retire these dolls from the Open Edition line and have announced they will be replaced by something different.  I am thrilled that I was able to get them at retail.  They are quite beautiful in hand.

The next doll released as an Open Edition represented the NuFace line.  She is Natural High Lilith Blair and I reviewed her earlier this year as my Doll Addition #11 of 2021 .  This doll is nothing short of spectacular and has become very popular with collectors.  Since Lilith is supposed to be a twin anyway, I have two of this doll so I can have one rerooted.  And it didn't break the bank!

The next two dolls were released at the same time.  Malibu Sky Agnes Von Weiss was an instant success (she was reviewed as Doll Addition #35 of 2021).  The IT server broke when this doll was offered.  This is a truly grail worthy version of a very popular mold.  

For some reason Beach Babe Poppy Parker didn't receive the same reception.  I didn't think I would like this doll, but real life photos convinced I made a mistake not ordering her.  I got her in the second production round; she is one of the most interesting versions of Poppy Parker released so far.  I love her!

I do not collect the Meteor line (at least I am still making that claim).  The following photos are property of IT:

First there is raven-haired Slay All Day Keeki Adaeze

And her blonde counterpart Still Poppin' Keeki Adaeze.

I applaud Integrity Toys for this bit of marketing genius and putting beautiful dolls in the hands of loyal collectors at an affordable price.    (At posting time, the only Open Edition doll available for purchase directly from IT is Still Poppin' Keeki Adaeze.   Keep checking the Integrity Toys website as they advertise availability as shipments arrive.)  For collectors who like to display their dolls NRFB, this line probably isn't for you, but for collectors like me, who like to redress their dolls, this is just doll nirvana.   This whole concept, with such special versions of the dolls, was truly worthy of Best of 2021 # 2 - Integrity Toys Open Editions.

Best of 2021 - # 3

Strangely, the last doll received in 2021 is actually my very favorite Integrity Toys (IT) doll of 2021.   

I decided to limit my purchases from the IT Obsession Convention.  I promised myself I would not spend more than $300 on secondary market for any doll.  I also promised myself that I was only going to allow myself to buy a maximum of 5 dolls from the convention collection.  It turned out this was much easier than I expected.

When this doll was revealed, she was my second "must have" doll from the convention.   I knew this doll was going to be more phenomenal than her promotion photos.  I wasn't wrong.

This doll arrived just before Christmas and totally shook things up.  I finally received a doll this year that lived up to standards established by IT.  They have set such a high bar for themselves that it is difficult for them to keep producing dolls at that level.  It's caused quite a bit of frustration with their followers.

Here is a photo of Sovereign Adele Makeda in the box.  

Kudos to Alain for the packaging design on the convention collection.  It feels very expensive and decadent.

A closeup photo.

Here is the IT photo of the accessories.  The only thing I would change about this doll would be the purse.  I think it looks and feels less expensive than the rest of the ensemble; that is a minor criticism.

This doll is extraordinary right out of the box.   There has been a lot of complaining about the coat on this dress.  It actually feels and looks quite luxe in real life.  There is some beautiful gold embroidery with beadwork sewn into the pattern.  The fabric has a nice textured feel.  The coat closes in the back!  This is one amazing ensemble.

This doll is a knock out! 

This is a great example when IT pays attention to the little details.  When you take the coat off, you see the  beautiful design work on the side of the dress and can appreciate the fabric used.

There is something very sensuous about Sovereign Adele Makeda.  I love this doll's face.  I love this doll's hair.  I love this dolls' ensemble and accessories.  I even love the skin tone.  This doll is just perfect from head to toe.  (And for some reason she remind me of Pamela Sue Anderson.)  Once again, Adele Makeda stole the convention!   Best of 2021 - # 3 is Sovereign Adele Makeda.

Best of 2021 - # 4

The following doll was already reviewed this year.  She was the fourth doll I added to my collection in 2021.  Here is the original post: Additions to My Collection 2021 - #4 .

Again, we have another doll that was exclusive to the W Club.  Were you a collector of Integrity Toys dolls and not a member of the W Club, this was a very lean year for collecting dolls!  The Integrity Toys Convention sold out to members of the W Club (and this year there was a record breaking 1300 tickets).   There was only one FR2 doll offered for purchase to the general population in 2021!

Mothership Dania Zarr has the most spectacular ensemble ever created by Integrity Toys.  If you are a label hound, this doll is definitely for you.  The boots are based on a design by Tom Ford.  The visor is from an Alexander McQueen collection.  The coat comes from the House of Balenciaga.  The belt is a Dior design.  The metal corset is iconic and from the collection of Thierry Mugler.

In my personal opinion, this was the wrong doll for the ensemble.  Mothership Dania Zarr looks matronly to me.  The minute she arrived I decided she was going to be my Cruella Deville and I sold my Fashionably Ruthless giftset.  Here she is wearing an R&D Exclusive ensemble.  I actually prefer Mothership Dania Zarr like this.

The ensemble just needs to be on a more sensuous and youthful looking doll.  Here it is on French Kiss Vanessa Perrin. Sort of a Farrah Fawcett a la Logan's Run sort of vibe.  Better?  

Primarily due to the outstanding ensemble, Best of 2021 - # 4 is Mothership Dania Zarr.

Best of 2021 - # 5

Sometimes a collector will purchase a doll because they really like the ensemble (even if they don't like the doll).  And sometimes a collector will buy the doll in spite of an ensemble.  

When Wild Feeling Rayna Ahmadi was previewed as a W Club exclusive in 2020, I knew I would be purchasing this doll.  Rayna Ahmadi is the only doll for which I own all versions that been publicly offered.    I love this sculpt.  

Here is Wild Feeling Rayna Ahmadi in the box.

And here is a closeup.  Her face is definitely her "money maker"!

This was sort of a mini-giftset.  There was a little skirt, a cool coat, and two pair of shoes.  This mini-giftset cost $175.  (Accessories photo property of Integrity Toys)

I hate to admit it, but this is probably my least favorite NuFace ensemble ever produced by Integrity Toys.  I'm hoping I can use pieces as separates and combine them with other things in my doll wardrobe.  Here is a photo of Wild Feeling Rayna Ahmadi right out of the box.  

I didn't think it was possible for a doll to experience moose knuckles/camel toes.  As a female I'm pretty sure I know Rayna's "wild feeling" is from wearing those pants and they make a cream for that!

That top is just wrong on every level.  I couldn't even bring myself to put the skirt on her.  Here is the full ensemble.  The coat is the saving grace here and, more than anything, for the simple reason that it covers everything else.

I love Rayna Ahmadi.  And I really love Wild Feeling Rayna Ahmadi.  I envisioned her "wild feeling" a little differently.

I was excited to find that the  “American In Paris” ensemble cape from the IT Obsession Covention Poppy Parker Style Lab was made from the same fabric used for the boots and bra from the 2020 Legendary Convention Meteor Mischievous Keeki Adaeze.  I paired 2016 Polarity Nadja Rhymes’ skirt with 2014 Gloss Convention Giselle Diefendorf’s blouse, bra, and hose.   I like her better dressed like this!

This doll is just super beautiful; probably one of the most beautiful Nuface dolls produced.  Best of 2021 - Number 5 is Wild Feeling Rayna Ahmadi.  (Wearing Sister Moguls leather top)