Let's Make It An Even 10

Since separating from longtime U.S. distributor George Gonzalez (formerly Angelic Dreamz), Jamieshow/Owensu (JS/OS) has a lot to prove to collectors right now.   When it was announced this relationship would be dissolved, fans of Muses (12") and Glam Dolls (16") experienced quite a bit of anxiety.  The parent company and production facilities are in Asia, so there was a lot of worry regarding the current tariff situation affecting shipment costs.

JS/OS made several announcements on social media that they would absorb the tariff charges and include free shipping on all orders over $1800.   In addition, they wouldn't be collecting state sales tax since their home office was outside the U.S.

As the old saying goes, the proof is always in the pudding.  Since I saved quite a bit of money on sales tax and shipping, I was able to add an additional two wigs and another ensemble.

When the package arrived, I was very impressed with how everything was collated into smaller boxes to help protect items during shipping.  This was probably the best shipping I've ever seen on any product.  The devil is always in the details and Jamieshow/Owensu has a reputation for paying extreme attention to those pesky details.

I'm not going to lie, when the Wild At Heart collection was advertised last year, I was less than thrilled.  Although Taylor Sheridan (creator of modern American western series including Yellowstone, 1883, 1923, Landman, Dutton Ranch, Y:Marshalls, and The Madison) is realizing a great deal of success right now worldwide and has reignited the world's interest in The American West, this fashion aesthetic is not a favored of mine.  Fortunately, OwenSu had the foresight to design the collection based on incredible couture fashions from the past decade or so.

Here are the promo photos from JS/OS:

Here are some of the fashion inspirations for the ensembles that I purchased:

Look 15 was from Elie Saab 2025 but Owen gave the ensemble more contrast with richer colors:

Look 14 is spot-on Christian Dior Fall 2007:

Look 13 - Another Dior but designed by Galliano in 2011 - instead of blue, Owen went with cocoa colors (which actually were seen on a different ensemble in this collection)

Look 7 is yet another Dior:

And ensembles I did not purchase:  

Look 8 was almost an exact duplicate of Dolce & Gabanna 2010:

Look 12 is a direct reference to Ralph Lauren:

Look 2 is Chloe 2024:

Look 6 continues the nod to Dior (Spring/Summer 2010 Collection):

This just goes to show how accessories can completely change a designer's concept.  Add cowboy hats and boots and you have Cowboy Couture!   Although the Wild At Heart (WAH) theme didn't speak deeply to me personally, the WAH models totally stole my heart.  There were two new characters and reissues of two other JS/OS models.  Three of them have side glances (which I have been begging for) and one has freckles!  I was so happy I was able to resist many of the looks because my budget was totally ate up with the collection of models!  I had to have all four!  And the couture wigs this time around were amazing!  

Collecting Cycle 2026 Number 7 is Jasmine (Last seen as Garden Party 2024).  This time she has a side glance.  She is wearing Couture Wig 3 in Ash White and Ensemble Look 14,  She is the most dramatic from the group.

Collecting Cycle 2026 Number 8 is Camille.  This is the third version of Camille.  Previous incarnations were 2023 La Vacanza and 2024 Let Them Eat Cake.  This time we have a gorgeous amber-eyed side glance.  Camille is probably my favorite from the collection.  She is wearing Couture Wig 2 in Berry Sangria and Look 13.  (The crop is from a Barbie Silkstone ensemble)

Collecting Cycle 2026 Number 9 is new model Evelyn.   Another fantastic side glance.  She has on Couture Wig 1 in Blonde and Look 7.

Collecting Cycle 2026 Number 10 is new model Larissa.  She is very popular with collectors due to her freckles.  I was running out of WAH ensembles and it has been so hot here in the south, that she is ready for the pool. She is wearing Masterpiece Wig Cap 3 in Bronze and Garden Party Look 14 with a different purse and a hat by Mattel.   She reminds me of a young Celine Deon.

My very favorite ensemble from WAH was Look 10 which I added later.  It definitely has Chanel vibes.  Moments of Joy Valentina volunteered to model it with Couture Wig 2 in Silver Cloud (probably my favorite couture wig ever produced).

For not being a fan of western wear, I wound up with four dolls, five ensembles, and eight couture wigs.  Had I not been selling off older IT dolls, I would've had serious budget concerns!  Owensu continues to dominate the 1:6 doll world with incredibly designed and produced fashions.  And the dolls just keep getting better and better.  Sadly there is less and less room for IT girls around here and those staying are being narrowed down to my favorites of the favorites.  

Hopefully, we will continue to see the same shipping quality and financial considerations from JS/OS.  As the future seems quite uncertain, we can hope for the best.  And the best is what we've come to expect from this group.  Unfortunately, I can't keep bringing them in four at a time!

Number 6 of 2026

Although Fashion Royalty (FR) officially debuted in 2001-2002, I only started collecting in 2004 after I saw Diamond Dusted Veronique in FDQ.  Fashion doll collectors quickly jumped on the bandwagon, and it got to the point that you had to have a good relationship with a dealer if you ever wanted to acquire these dolls outside of convention.

In 2006, the W Club was established, offering exclusives as another avenue for collectors to purchase these little works of art.  There really wasn't anything like them on the market since Barbie had ruined its base with overproduction of "Collectible Dolls".

Even though FR debuted in 2001-2002, the parent company, Integrity Toys (IT), had been selling playline dolls through major retail stores since 1996.  The earlier dolls were an attempt to provide little girls and Fashion Doll collectors with dolls of color.  

For 2026, IT decided to celebrate their 30th Anniversary.  They wanted to use their original character, Janay, but decided to give the sculpt another tweak.  (It had already been revised once in 2014, and later became part of The Industry line.)  In this round, they decided to make Janay a FR doll and create a version of a fan favored ensemble, Dania Zarr's Tweed Couture from The Supermodel Convention in 2016, which was inspired by the 1997/1998 Autumn/Winter Dior Couture Collection designed by John Galliano.

Here is a photo of the 30th Anniversary box:

There's no doubt that Alain Tremblay knows how to market packaging!  It is a lovely box.  Included with this doll was a storycard portfolio that the earlier and newest story cards fit.

Here is my photo of the doll inside the box:

Janay was offered through the W Club to its members for $199.  The promo photos were gorgeous!  The doll came with a plethora of accessories.  (Photo by IT)

Instead of a skirt under the jacket like Tweed Couture, there is gown and IT included a lovely bustier with the accessories.  Also, they veered away from the drab gray color and went full on Chanel white and gold tweed.  YOZERS!  (Photo by IT)

Here is a photo of my Janay out of box.

And a closeup.

This doll is a wonderful example of what IT is capable of producing.  The ensemble is incredible and will get a lot of redress here.  I quit collecting duplicates when I decided I needed to reduce my collection, but this is one production doll that deserves a NRFB in addition to a displayed version.  Mother of Pearl Janay is easily one of the best dolls to come out of IT in years and joins my collection as Number 6 of 2026.

SIDE NOTE:  I know it's silly, but I'm a fan of RuPaul's Drag Race and have trouble not seeing Angeria Paris VanMichaels when I look at this doll.  LOL!

Number 4 and Number 5 of 2026

It has taken me a long time to come to terms with what has been happening with Jamieshow/Owensu Muses this spring.

Anyone who has been following this blog knows my love for the Muses line.  It significantly took over my collection during the past five years.   The Facebook Fan Page was my very favorite spot on social media.  It was positive, creative, and supportive.

I guess all good things eventually must come to an end.   Due to a series of very unfortunate events which I have chosen not to comment on, the U.S. distributor and the owner and the designer of Jamieshow/Owensu have decided to no longer be affiliated.  

This has caused quite a bit of anxiety with collectors since the new online storefront operates out of Asia, and all future collections will be shipped directly from China.   With shipping regulations in a constant flux, collectors are worried about tariffs and taxes imposed on their shipments.  Jamieshow/Owensu have assured buyers that they will cover those charges in their shipping, so items will arrive without delay or additional charges.  

The last collection shipped directly through U.S. channels was one of the very best offered to date; it was called The Masterpiece and the fashions were inspired by great works of art.  I reviewed this collection last spring:  Jamieshow/Owensu The Masterpiece Collection Review .  I received my shipment in April.

I purchased two dolls from this collection.  Here is Masterpiece Astrid wearing Look 9 and Rococo Mademoiselle Couture Wig Style 2 in pink.  She is Number 4 of 2026 added to my collection.

Dare I say that she is my favorite version of this mold?  I think she just might be!

Next up is a new mold/character, Celeste, wearing Masterpiece Look 3 and Summer Kisses Wig 5 in pink. Celeste is Number 5 of 2026 added to my collection.

I shamelessly purchased several ensembles.   Here is Bonjour Paris Anya wearing one of my very favorites from this collection, Masterpiece Look 8, inspired by Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting.

Although I purchased several other ensembles, I really wanted to show Birth of Venus, Look 11, being worn by Moments of Joy Grace.

The quality of these ensembles are truly next level.  It's what keeps me coming back and makes me optimistic for the future of Jamieshow/Owensu.  

W Club 2026-27 Registration is Officially Open Until March 24

Although I now spend the majority of my doll time with another line, I can't pass up the opportunity to renew my W Club membership (I've been a member since 2006 and have the first year's membership pin to prove it).

Since Covid19 and the disruptions to production and shipments over the past few years, very few Integrity Toys (IT) dolls have been offered through their retail sales partners.  Collectors are faced with either getting their dolls directly from IT through the W Club or through secondary market.   Personally, I don't like giving my hard earned money to scalpers, so I prefer to spend the $50 membership fee to join the W Club each year.  

When you join the W Club, you get lottery opportunities for exclusive dolls and at least five dolls produced for W Club members only.   When you join, there are "upgrade" dolls offered that you have the option of adding to your membership purchase.  Each doll costs $175; you pay a $30 deposit and the balance (plus shipping, taxes, tariffs) when the dolls are ready to ship to collectors.   

I usually get at least one of the upgrade dolls each year I join.   The administrators of the W Club are smart enough to offer three dolls from three different IT lines so there is something for the different collecting tastes.

One of the things I really like about IT is that their designers are quite creative when it comes to offering skin tone variations among their characters.   That is one creative suggestion I have for Jamieshow/Owensu - Jamieshow/Owensu characters stay the same skin tone in every iteration; it would be refreshing to see them change up the skin tone offerings.

This brings me to the Fashion Royalty upgrade doll for the 2026-27 W Club Registration year.  Vanessa Perrin 1.0 is one of the most popular molds ever produced by IT.  In 2014, Vanessa was offered for the first time as a black doll in the A-Tone skin variation.  As she was produced in a limited edition of only 300 dolls, she is quite the grail.   I was blessed to win the W Club lottery opportunity to purchase this girl and she has been in my collection for many years (her body was switched to a Faces of Adele giftset body so she can wear all of the latest fashions).  Here is a photo of my Second Skin Vanessa Perrin.

The W Club registration Vanessa Perrin is called Soleil and comes in beautiful bright yellow clothing.  She, too, is in the A-Tone skin tone.  Here is the IT promo photo of Soleil Vanessa Perrin with all her accessories.

Although I already have Second Skin, I believe I will be upgrading my membership to include Soleil.  Her straight hair will be easy to manage and she will redress beautifully.  Not to mention that yellow is not a common color in the doll collecting community.  I'm excited to add these items to my dolls' wardrobe.

The NuFace upgrade offering is another fan favorite, Nadja Rhymes mold 2.0.  This doll truly illustrates the creativity in offering a doll in various skin tones, having been produced in nine different skin tone variations from very pale Cream all the way to the deepest Nubian.   Nadja Rhymes 2.0 is one of my very favorite IT molds, and I own every variation of her in my collection.   Here is the IT promo photo for Sakura Season Nadja Rhymes.

Although her hairstyle reminds me a great deal of Polarity and Like No Other, her skin tone is Hungarian like Fit To Print.   Since NuFace dolls' bodies fit Jamieshow/Owensu Muses ensembles perfectly, I see a lot of redress opportunities in this doll's future and I look forward to adding these clothing items to my girls' closet.

The last upgrade offering is one that we almost always see at W Club registration, Poppy Parker.    One of the biggest Poppy Parker grails is Day Tripper from 2012. Day Tripper has a beautiful sassy platinum blonde flip hairstyle and has freckles.  This year's upgrade Poppy is very similar to Day Tripper.   Here is the IT promo photo of Off We Go! Poppy Parker.

This will be first time in many years that I have actually purchased all three upgrades.   If you are interested in joining the W Club this year, here is the official link:  2026-27 W Club Registration. There are some great videos and more detailed photos of the doll offerings.  I'm sure you will find it difficult to resist all of them!

Share your opinions below to help your fellow collectors make their purchase choices!

  

Easy As 1, 2, 3

It's hard to believe that it has been five weeks since my last blog entry.  I promised myself I would get better at posting, but it's been sort of quiet on the retail doll collecting front.   

First, I would like to thank everyone who participates in this blog.  It truly encourages me to keep doing this.  

With Valentine's Day coming up this week,  Jamieshow/Owensu Legends Thea borrows Integrity Toys 2004's Red Blooded Woman Kyori Sato's gown and fur but combines it with the jewelry and hairpieces from Integrity Toys 2007's Veronique Perrin's Photo Realism. The wig cap is Jamieshow/Owensu Go East Style 2 in black.

In January I received my first doll of 2026.  I had pre-ordered this doll from an online retailer several weeks ago and she just got shipping in January.  

Collecting Cycle 2026 - Number 1 is Integrity Toys Misaki Neo Wave.

The next dolls were just received from Integrity Toys' most recent shipment.

The first was one of the four dolls in the Modern Muse Collection offered to W Club members through a lottery opportunity.  I entered for this doll because we don't see a lot of nice denim offered by IT, so I really wanted this business casual ensemble with all the accessories.  When she arrived, I was so glad I got her because she is gorgeous.  The makeup and hair just work so week with the sculpt.

Collecting Cycle 2026 - Number 2 is Integrity Toys Fashion Royalty Shopping Suite Elyse Jolie.

The next doll was also offered as a W Club lottery and represents a new sculpt/character for Fashion Royalty.  We get another Perrin system with an open mouth smile; this time wearing a version of a Jason Wu original.  Photos do not capture the beauty of this particular doll.  She's extraordinary in hand.

Collecting Cycle 2026 - Number 3 is Integrity Toys Fashion Royalty Constellation Anais Perrin by Jason Wu.

We are off to a slow start this year and I hope we can truly limit the number of girls joining my collection.  The first three are a great start!