What's Up With That? - Number 39 of 2023 Collecting Cycle

The last time Integrity Toys collectors got together for a convention was prior to Covid 19 at the 2019 NY Fashion Week Convention in Baltimore, Maryland.   I actually attended that convention and am very glad to be blessed to have the experience.   All conventions since that time have been on-line, including the 2023 7 Deadly Sins scheduled for this weekend.  

To test the waters for in-person meetings, Integrity Toys held a "Pop Up Event" this summer in Washington DC.   There was a W Club lottery for tickets for this one-day event.  There was also a mini-collection entitled "Curated".  Here is how the Pop Up Event was described in IT's own words:

"Curated", an exclusive in-person unveiling event, hosted by Integrity Toys has just ended and we are thrilled to bring you this short informational recap of the stunning works of art that were masterfully created by the Integrity Toys design team!

Attendees got to view these masterpieces in a chic gallery setting. Then, after the gallery viewing, at a nearby second location, the attendees got to shop, nibble on appetizers, and mix and mingle. To finally be back together in person was priceless!

Since there were no room sales, salesroom, classes, or style lab, I decided to sit this one out.   Like many other collectors I watched from the sidelines as information was made available.  The curated dolls were:

Representing NuFace: Mixed Media Thiago Valente.  This is the second time we've seen this sculpt.  Last year's Monsieur Thiago was very popular with collectors.  Many people who know the designer, Jessy Ayala, commented on this doll's likeness to him personally!   LOL!  It really does look a lot like Jessy.  

For Poppy Parker fans, there was Silver Cloud Poppy Parker.  According to designer David Butry, this dolls was inspired by Andy Warhol Muse Edie Sedgwick.  

It was refreshing to see a representative from the Meteor line!  This is Behind the Curtain Zuri Okoty.  I really like the ensemble a lot.  It included a skirt so you could change out the pants for something more formal.  

Fashion Royalty, representing IT's mainline, had two dolls revealed.  Classically Surreal Isha Kalpana Naryanan.

And Modern Renaissance Binna Park.  This mold was actually used for Nuface model Ayumi Nakamura 2.0 (released in only three, very sought after, versions).  

I've been asked by several collectors how I felt about this event and the dolls represented.  Since I was unable to attend the event, I don't feel it appropriate to print my personal opinions.  I know attendees were broken up into two groups to manage time; one group's experience seemed different from the other's.  Apparently there was a lot of waiting outside in the sun for one group and individuals were complaining that the venue was part of a bowling alley?  I have some doll friends who attended that had a wonderful experience, especially in that they got to visit with other collectors face-to-face for the first time in three years.   I had other friends who expressed disappointment.   Although each of these dolls are quite nice, I didn't feel compelled to own any of them NRFB.  I'm not sure how I would've felt had I paid for airfare and hotel accommodations for an event that only offered five dolls.  If you were local, it may have been worth the registration.  

I did pick up a nude Binna Park at an extremely reasonable price.  I think she redresses quite well and I am pleased with adding her to my collection..

Number 39 of my 2023 Collecting Cycle is Modern Renaissance Binna Park.

More Muse-ing-s : Collecting Cycle 2023 Numbers 36, 37, and 38

My father worked in furniture design and building his entire life.  When I first got married and moved away from home, he gave me some very sage advice, "Always buy the best you can afford; always wait until you can afford the best."  He explained that you really do get what you pay for and the cheaper an item is, the quicker you will be replacing it.   It is better to save your money and get better quality because it will last a long time and cost you less in the long run.

I think of this advice whenever buying furniture, appliances, and even cars.  It has served me well.   So, it only seems that I should carry this philosophy over into my doll collecting.  Collecting Integrity Toys products replaced collecting play line dolls.   (Don't get me wrong, I find myself needing a quick fix every now and then when I'm at a department store, but they no longer hold the same place in my collection.)  When Jamieshow/Owensu introduced their Muses line, I couldn't quite get fully on board because the price was so much more than IT dolls.   But once I received my first Muses, I could hear Daddy's words of wisdom whispered in my ear.  Simply put, the quality truly is quite a bit better.

Last year, I was tempted into purchasing my first Muses male doll.  He even made it into my year end Top 10.  I thought I was choosing the best male doll from that collection until collector photos started showing up.  I regretted missing Dangerous Love Daniel.  Recently, a collector sold me his below retail and even included an ensemble from Enchanted.   How could I resist?  Apparently, I didn't!

Number 36 of Collecting Cycle 2023 is Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Daniel.  Isn't he handsome?!  See why I had to add him to my collection?!

I recently posted about another Jamieshow capsule, Go East, where I purchased five female dolls (and I may have failed to mention that I also purchased nine ensembles and two accessory gift sets):  Jamieshow/Owensu Go East .

So when the subsequent collection, Moments of Joy, was advertised, I had to show some restraint.  Fortunately, there were only three female dolls included in this capsule.  One of these was a new character mold, Valentina.   Here is the promo photo of Valentina.

She is just as unique and beautiful in person.  Here she is wearing IT's 2011 Only Natural dress and hat.   I love how these dolls pose sitting down!  The wig is from an artisan on Instagram named Marga. 

And a closeup showing exactly why Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Moments of Joy Valentina became Number 37 of Collecting Cycle 2023.

The other dolls were new versions of Lan (I had just purchased her from the Go East Collection) and Grace (I already had Summer Kisses with lavender eyes and Enchanted, one of my very favorite Muses ever produced).  I thought I could easily pass on both, but that Grace just wouldn't let me be.  She haunted my dreams!    Here is the promo photo of Grace.

This doll is just remarkably beautiful.  Here she is wearing Look 4 from the Enchanted Collection.

Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Moments of Joy Grace is Number 36 of my 2023 Collecting Cycle.

Although I passed on Lan, collector photos prove that she is quite beautiful as well.  If she should ever show up at a reasonable price on secondary market, I might have to get her. 

Surely though, there can't be that many more dolls coming to my house in 2023, right?