Before the Countdown Starts ...

This will be the 15th "Best of" countdown for me.  I started them in 2011.  With my collecting interests migrating more and more away from Integrity Toys and fewer IT products being sold at retail, it's becoming quite difficult to do these countdowns.  If I wasn't a member of the W Club, there wouldn't be a countdown at all because I never add enough dolls from other brands to fill all the spaces.

I have sworn off purchasing dolls on secondary market from scalpers.  I refuse to give someone else my hard-earned money for a doll I missed.  If I can't get the doll for original price or close to it, I don't need the doll in my collection.  This is a very difficult rule to follow, but I have definitely made peace with it.

Which leads me to one doll that is an obvious omission in my countdown.  All Poppy Parker versions this year were sold through W Club as either right-to-buy offers or lottery opportunities.  The only exclusion to this was the live Anniversary party, but collectors had to enter a lottery for the chance to attend the Anniversary celebration.   I didn't win any of the Poppy lotteries, and I only have one W Club Poppy Parker, Pink in Perfection, that made its way into my collection.  It pains me that one of the most prolific characters in my countdown (having won the Number 1 spot twice in the last 10 years) will not be mentioned in my 2025 countdown.  There may have been some lovely versions, but I only include dolls that I have actually added to my collection.

There is one honorable mention this year.   After 10 years of selling the Made-To-Move dolls, Mattel has FINALLY realized there is a very serious adult collector market for these bodies.  I can't believe it took so long!!!

In 2025, Mattel introduced the "You Create" Basics line, using made-to-move bodies in different skin tones and shapes.  The bodies were created with a head-switch peg so collectors could change heads as they wished.  There were three skintones in this first series, each with three different head molds and three different body shapes.  There were three mix n match black ensembles with shoes.  In addition, they made the dolls bald, so they could trade the wigs that were included.  Talk about A LOT of playtime!  Unfortunately, the cost of these collections was $99 each.  If a collector waited until the holidays (starting in November), many of these sets were available for as much as 50% off.  Here is the photo used when Time Magazine awarded them a Best of 2025 honor.

Here is a photo I took of the tan skintone box that I purchased from the sale:

In addition to these three giftsets, the 2025 Barbie Basics Series 1 were five other dolls that came with the same head switch systems.  

This is a promising advancement in the Mattel Made To Move line and I hope it continues.  Honorable Mention definitely goes to the You Create Barbie Basics line.

I Spoke Too Soon - Collecting Cycle 2025 Numbers 24 - 27

When I finished with my last post, I breathed a big sigh of relief because it looked as if I was going to finish the year strong with more dolls leaving than arriving.  That great feeling lasted all of a New York minute!

It turned out that a doll I had forgotten that I pre-ordered from overseas came in stock and shipped out.  I have been a HUGE fan of the Integrity Toys Misaki line since it debuted in 2006.  Even though some of them have moved on to other homes, there are still a good many in residence here.  Somehow IT decided that 2025 marked the 20th Anniversary of Misaki with a silver version of the first doll in the line, Tokyo Here We Go/Tokyo Here We Go - Mauri (although 2016 was the 10th Anniversary Tokyo Here We Go 3 in blue and there was a 2009 pink version Amelie "Revisited: Tokyo Here We Go"). This version has beautiful platinum hair and big brown eyes; I couldn't resist her.  

Collecting Cycle 2025 - Number 24 is My Hearts Belongs to Tokyo Misaki.

Apparently, the clog in the Integrity Toys production pipeline has been cleared.  Another shipment of dolls came in earlier this month and included a doll I had pre-ordered.

Collecting Cycle 2025 - Number 26 is Optic Gold Nadja Rhymes.

Integrity Toys had an online convention in November this year.  There were several "made-to-order" items that W Club members could pre-order and a few wonderful lottery items as well.   The theme was "La Cirque Cabaret".  For some reason it reminded me of the underground circus performers in the Batman Returns movie.  The only doll that interested me was one for which I own every version of the mold.  I won the lottery for the opportunity to purchase her and those lottery dolls were also in the same IT shipment.

Collecting Cycle 2025 - Number 27 is Clownesque Nadja Rhymes.  I have seen this doll with the twisted ponytails released and she looks phenomenal.

Which brings me to my last doll I expect to receive this calendar year.  Some doll friends can get you into really big trouble.  But it's the best kind of trouble.  I truly admire the Russian doll line, Dominion Doll.  They are difficult to obtain but are the highest quality available in 1:6 scale.   My friend does a lot of business with this designer and was given a preview of his last special OOAK collection, Urban Denim.   I absolutely fell head-over-heels for one of the dolls in the collection and my friend was able to broker a purchase for me.

Collecting Cycle 2025 - Number 28 is OOAK Dominion Dolls Urban Denim Kim.

I don't expect any more dolls this year.  I guess it's time to proceed with my Top 10 Countdown.

Muses - 5th Anniversary Collection - Pre-order Open Now!

To celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the re-imagined JamieShow Muses line, the designer, Owensu, has produced a phenomenal capsule of high-end couture!

Here is the promo photo showing the ensembles!  Photo property of Jamieshow/Owensu.

There were ten complete Looks offered in this collection.  All of them are formal.  As much as I love the Muses line (and if you follow me, you know that I do), I was slightly underwhelmed with this collection.  Owen's designs for the Time & Timeless and Masterpiece collections set the bar very high for future purchases from me.  Although Muses items are quite elevated in comparison, I can't help but see Silkstone and Integrity Toys items that are similar:  Silkstone Gala Gown, IT Pink Perfection Poppy Parker, various Monogram ensembles, FR Spectacular Spectacular ... to name a few.

Since I don't own Spectacular Spectacular and it only fits the older, tall FR body any way, my pre-order included Look 5 and Look 10.  Everything is beautiful, but I couldn't justify ordering color variants of a similarly styled gown at $300 each.  I don't usually have criticisms for Jamieshow/Muses but this collection seemed rushed and under-designed compared to the last few.  As a five year Anniversary Celebration, I definitely expected more.  Unfortunately, it pales in comparison to the  Premier Collection that inspired it.

There were no Accessory Sets included in this capsule.  Wigs included three regular magnetic skull cap designs based on previous issues and two hand-made new couture hard cap offers.

As a nod to the first five characters from the Premier Muses Collection, Jamieshow/Owensu chose to offer newer versions inspired by the originals.  Here are the promo photos of the 5th Anniversary Muses dolls posted by Jamieshow/Owensu placed next to their Premier inspiration conterparts (photos of Premier dolls borrowed from Muses Dolls Reference Site.)

First up is 5th Anniversary Sasha.

It's super easy to see the inspiration here.  The dolls are actually so similar it's almost difficult to justify the $475 (plus taxes and shipping) cost of adding the Anniversary version if you already have Premier.   Again, I am going to complain about the dolls being sold with a repetitive wig choice.  I thought they had stopped doing this with Legends.  It's one of the things I most appreciated about the Time & Timeless, Masterpiece and Wild At Heart dolls.  They came with newer wig styles, sometimes the ones offered separately in the collection.   I think this will be the fourth center-parted long silver wig in my collection.  C'mon guys you can definitely do better than that!  Especially at these prices.

Here is the gal that started it for me five years ago, Eshe.

Again, the inspiration is apparent; however, unlike Sasha, there is enough difference to justify purchasing the Anniversary edition even if you have the Premier one.  Love the red lips!  Easily going into my cart.

Next up is Ginnie.

I'm confused by this one.  I don't see any resemblance at all.  Premier is gorgeous, but I must say there is something special about the Anniversary edition.  Another easy purchase choice.

There is only one version of Lilly in my collection, Enchanted, and she is one of my very favorite Muses girls. 

I'm really not a fan of pencil-thin eyebrows.  I think the anniversary version completely pales in comparison to Premier and I fail to see any inspiration at all.   Anniversary Lilly reminds me a lot of Go East Sakura.  She will probably redress beautifully, but she's not in my pre-order.

The last Muses in this collection is Nicole.

I'm not sure what to write here.   I hope those who love her truly enjoy having her in their collection.  How's that for being diplomatic?  Again, I only have one version of Nicole in my collection, Summer Kisses, and it looks like she will continue to be the only version in my collection for the time being.

Whether you are new to Muses and curious or have been with them since the Premier release, it's worth going over to the website and checking them out.  You will definitely find something you love.  (Remember that the ensembles fit most other 1:6 scale fashion doll bodies!)  Here is the link to make it a little easier:  Jamieshow/Owensu Five Year Anniversary Collection .  The pre-order window has already started and ends December 22.  Collectors pay 20% deposit on their order and are billed the balance with the collection is ready to ship.

So what do you think?  Share your opinions by leaving a comment.  I would love to hear other collectors' thoughts!