... So Where Can I Buy One of These Jamieshow/Owensu Muses?

It just so happens that my countdown coincided with the latest release promotion for Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Time & Timeless.

My favorite dolls from 2024 were the Daphne and Thea from the Legend capsule.  Both sculpts appear in the Time & Timeless line with new faces.

First, we have Time & Timeless Daphne

And here is Time & Timeless Thea

Also as part of this line was a new version of Sakura:

And a new sculpt was unveiled, a doll of color named Leomie:

Each doll is sold nude with a stand, extra hands, and a wig cap.  The cost for each is $475.  Here is a promo photo of the dolls in the 12 ensemble options.

Ensembles range from $175 - $225.  This line was heavily influenced by John Galliano designs.  Here are four of the looks I love.  

Here is one heavily influenced by Alexander McQueen.

The order deadline is midnight, January 2nd, 2025.  If you just happen to have a little Christmas money burning a hole in your pocket, you can't go wrong purchasing one of these ensembles since they also fit other 1:6 scale fashion dolls like Integrity Toys Fashion Royalty/Nuface, Dominion Dolls, etc.  Do yourself a favor and at least visit the site and look at the photos.  They are phenomenal.  Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Time & Timeless Collection for Sale

Best of 2024 - Number 2 - Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Legend Collection

 Jamieshow designer OwenSu has this unique way of taking a theme that could easily become "cliche" or "costumey" and making it classy, unexpected, and couture.   Previous examples are his Go East and Enchantment collections.   He did it again in 2024 with the Legend theme, representing mythology.    Here is my review of this collection when it landed:  Review of Jamieshow/Owensu Legend Collection .

One of the ways Owen accomplishes this feat is with the accessories included in the ensembles and available for purchase separately.  Dresses could be worn with or without head dresses and armor.  Some of these ensembles were just beyond regular design.  The fabrics were opulent.  Add to this some of the most beautiful dolls produced in 1:6 scale and you get a stellar collection.  Here is one of the new face molds introduced in the Legend line, Daphne, wearing Look 5 (without armor).

And a close-up so you can see this incredible face!

Here is the other new character and collector favorite, Thea, wearing my very favorite ensemble, Look 13, with armor and headdress.  

And a closeup without the headdress.  

Best of 2024 - Number 2 is Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Legend Collection.

Best of 2024 - Number 4 - Jamieshow/Owensu Muses La Vacanza Collection

I realize that, in many ways, it doesn't seem quite fair comparing Integrity Toys products with Jamieshow/Owensu Muses.  Both companies produce beautiful 1:6 scale collectible fashion dolls.   An Integrity Toys doll's edition is usually hundreds, sometimes even thousands,  whereas Jamieshow/Owensu has been producing less than 150 of each version of theirs.  In addition, the price points for each line are significantly different.  Jamieshow/Owensu dolls are resin, strung ball-jointed dolls that are hand finished.  They come nude and can cost twice the price of their dressed IT counterpart.  Even so, Muses and IT dolls are displayed side-by-side in my collection.

Since I struggle a little comparing them for my countdown, I do not include individual Jamieshow/Owensu doll versions.  Instead I list Jamieshow/Owensu placements as production capsules.  Otherwise, I would have nine slots filled just by this brand's dolls.

I reviewed the next line of dolls in March of this past year: Review of Jamieshow/Owensu Muses La Vacanza.  There were four female and two male dolls in this collection, with an additional 12 female ensembles and four male ensembles. Also available to purchase were eight female and four male accessory packs.   This collection really broke my bank account, and the line sold out quickly following production and offer of "leftovers".

Included in this collection was the first ever Jamieshow/Owensu doll sculpt with an open mouth.  She quickly became a collector favorite.  Here is a full length photo of my favorite female and male from this collection wearing La Vacanza ensembles. 

Representing Number 4 in my Best of 2024 countdown is Astrid and Dusan from the Jamieshow/Owensu La Vacanza Collection.

Best of 2024 - Number 5 - Redefined Luxury Kyori Sato

The next doll in my countdown was one of the last to be reviewed in my blog (See: Redefined Luxury Kyori Sato ).   As I mentioned earlier, one of the key factors in selecting dolls for my countdown is "playability".   Few things in doll collecting have more playability than a great giftset, and Redefined Luxury was a FANTASTIC giftset!

Each piece of this wardrobe is meticulously crafted with a keen eye for detail.   Personally, I believe this is the best produced Integrity Toys (IT) product in years.   It also doesn't hurt that IT resurrected one of my personal favorite molds, Kyori Sato 1.0, and gave it a refreshed look.   Although this giftset was based on Ginza Kyori Sato from 2004, it is elevated and actually exceeds the original.

There is so much to love about each part of this giftset and it's been great fun trying the ensembles on other dolls.  To illustrate my point, here is one of my favorite Jamieshow/Owensu Muses, Enchanted Lilly, wearing the evening gown.

Best of 2024 - Number 5 is Redefined Luxury Kyori Sato.

Best of 2024 - Number 6 - Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Versailles Collection

Where IT has had a disappointing year with production dolls outside the convention, another doll line had three collections land in 2024.   Words really do not do justice to Jamieshow/Owensu Muses.  You have to truly experience it to understand the sheer decadence and quality.

In 2024 Jamie/show Owensu produced a split collection called Versailles.  The first half was "Mademoiselle" and the second part was "Let Them Eat Cake".   I have already reviewed this collection on my blog:  Review of Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Versailles I & II .

There was so much to love here!   The wigs, the boots, the jewels, the dolls.  Instead of including all these dolls in my countdown, I chose one to represent the line.  My favorite Versailles doll, wearing my favorite Versailles wig, in my favorite Versailles ensemble.   

Best of 2024 - Number 6 is Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Let Them Eat Cake Eileen.  Owen truly captured the opulence of this fashion trend.

Collecting Cycle 2024 - Jamieshow/Owensu Legend Collection

The Jamieshow/Owensu Legend Collection arrived earlier this past month.  Every time a box from this group arrives it is like Christmas and birthdays all rolled into one!  I like to take my time and savor every moment of experiencing the sheer decadence of these collections!

There were four dolls in this collection, but I only ordered the two new characters.  The first doll I chose to release is called Daphne.  Here is the Jamieshow/Owensu promotional photo of her in stock.

This doll just truly checks all my boxes.  When she arrived, I decided she needed a more vibrant wig color.  The great thing about Jamieshow/Owensu Muses is that it is so easy to change their wig style and color.  Collectors are offered interchangeable wig caps in a variety of colors and styles.  In this collection, the wig style the dolls came with were offered as separate purchases.  There were four colors; Daphne's wig color is Bronze and Thea's is platinum.  It was also offered in pumpkin and black.  I wanted to try Daphne in something more modern and chic.  Here she is in a Van Oscar Met Gala gown.

I do love this so much!  She looks like a modern Rita Hayworth!  Another great thing about collecting Jamieshow/Owensu Muses is that the Facebook Fan Page is very active.  It is so much fun to see how other collectors style their dolls.  Another collector posted a photo of Daphne in a silver wig - the converse of my idea of going with a vibrant color. I couldn't believe how beautiful she was!  Next step ... silver wigged Daphne wearing Look 11 from the Jamieshow/Owensu 2021 Dangerous Love collection.  (The wig is from Instagram member Maovi92.)

This doll is just extraordinary.  Her faceup works with every color wig.  I don't know how this line keeps improving, but they just get better and better.   Collecting Cycle 2024 - Number 24 is Jamieshow/Owensu Legend Daphne.

The second doll I ordered turned out to be one of the most popular Muses ever created by this designer.  Here is the Jamieshow/Owensu promo photo of Legend Thea.

Those eyes are remarkable, aren't they?   Again, based on another collectors' styling choices I chose to put her in a different JS/Owensu wig cap in Bronze color.  She is wearing Look 7 from the JS/Owensu Bonjour Paris 2022 collection.

Collecting Cycle 2024 - Number 25 is Jamieshow/Owensu Legend Thea.

As you can tell, the dolls aren't the only items I love from this production team!  The ensembles are just incomparable.  The designs, construction, fabrics, accessories.  Everything is just out-of-this-world amazing!   Here is the JS/Owensu promo photo of the Legend collection showing all the ensembles.  

I have been disillusioned by other fashion doll manufacturers for several years now, even before the Covid pandemic.   The quality control is all over the place and the quality often suffers due to quantity of merchandise produced.  JS/Owensu Muses are produced in edition sizes less than 150.  The faces are actually painted by hand.  The bodies are blushed by hand.   The ball-jointed bodies are resin. Again, collectors have to pay for this quality.  Each doll currently retails at $475 (which is more than double their plastic counterparts).   These dolls were introduced in Winter 2019 with a delivery date of late spring 2020.  The original price of the dolls was $425 (they have increased $50 since that time).  The original ensembles from the Premier Collection ranged in price from $150 - $200 (the upper end of the Legend collection pushed $250 which is another $50 increase).

Even though the luxury is substantially higher than other fashion doll brands (ensembles often cost as much, or even more, than most Integrity Toys dressed dolls), collectors seem to be willing to pay it.   To offset the expense, each ensemble comes fully accessorized with jewelry, footwear, purses, and often hats/headpieces.  But the cost is quite prohibitive of purchasing entire lines.  Here is where this collector has to exercise some serious self-restraint or she would be in the poor house.

From the 16 ensembles offered in the Legend fashion capsule (12 female and 4 male), I only allowed myself five of them.   Since Thea and Daphne were busy modeling ensembles from earlier collections, I decided to try using some of my Muses that I have struggled bonding with.  

The least expensive ensemble from this Line was Look 1.  Its retail price was only $125.  It came with this wonderful resin breastplate that looks like wings.  Here is Go East Sakura modeling.  This is the first time I have liked this Muses girl.  

Next up is one of my very favorite looks from Legend, Look 12.  The silk is so soft and beautiful.  The draping is just crazy good!  Here is Summer Kisses Ginnie modeling.

Then we have one of my favorite Muses, Dangerous Love Valentina, wearing one of my favorite Legend ensembles, Look 5.

Another doll that I've always been unsure of in my collection is Go East Bella.  I decided to put her Daphne's stock dress and accessorize with an IT Meteor crown and designer earrings.  I think she really pulled this off beautifully.

That leaves the two ensembles that I most looked forward to from the Legend collection.

First I have to give credit where it is due.  I stole this idea from my doll friend Lorraine.  Legend Look 11 needed a little something extra to tie it in with the theme of the rest of the collection.  This ensemble came with a narrow tube-top-like bra in the same fabric as the the skirt.  The resin bra is from Etsy seller Little Janchor.  With tax and shipping it was less than $35, but it totally elevated the whole look.  It is being modeled by one of my new favorites, Let Them Eat Cake, Eileen.  The ensemble even came with the cat as one of the accessories.  How cool is that!  

The last ensemble is one I am saving for my countdown later this year.  There is no doubt in my mind that it will be included with Thea modeling it.

I don't know how they continue doing it, but Jamieshow/Owensu Muses just keeps getting better and better.   I know the edition sizes have risen in response to the crossover collectors from other lines.  Once you experience the luxury of these dolls, the decadence of the ensembles, and the wig cap system, it's hard to go back to anything less.

Collecting Cycle 2024 - Number 2

Doll friends are great!  This hobby wouldn't be enjoyable without someone with whom you can share your passions.  

In 2022, I was seduced into the world of collecting male dolls by Jamieshow/Owensu Muses.  I thought my girls should have guys around for photographs; I never thought the male dolls would be able to establish their own corner of my collection.

When the Muses Bonjour Paris line made its made into collectors' hands early last year, I realized I missed an opportunity for a male that was actually quite striking.  I regretted not adding him to my collection when I had the opportunity and he has become quite popular.   A good friend offered him to me NRFB recently.

When he arrived, I was so excited.  It has been fairly cold this winter, and I had been waiting for just the right model for my favorite Integrity Toys homme ensemble, Thrill Seeker from 2006.  

Here is the second doll added to my collection in 2024, Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Bonjour Paris Aiden.

And a closeup, just because he is so handsome!

Battling 12" Doll Companies - November Collecting Capsules

 Last Saturday, November 11, Integrity Toys had its 2023 virtual doll convention.  The designers, Alain, and Carol Roth got together in Las Vegas to present the 7 Deadly Sins collection.

In August, W Club members received a teaser for this collection when it was offered the opportunity to purchase Sweet Temptation Tulabelle True. Here is the promo photo of this doll.  (All photos of 7 Deadly Sins dolls are the property of Integrity Toys- IT)

This doll sold to W Club members for $165 + S&H.   It was a made to order doll, so every W Club member got the opportunity to purchase one for each of their memberships.  She was an easy choice for me.  I really liked the ensemble very much and the doll is quite attractive.  Here is a closeup.

The 7 Deadly Sins virtual convention was shown live through a link to a youtube channel.  If you missed the live event, you could watch the video at your leisure.   The first event was at lunchtime.  During this session, there were four dolls presented.  All dolls were sold through a "right-to-buy" lottery through the W Club.   

Chris Stoekel designed the East 59th Street doll for the convention representing the sin "lust".  The name of the doll was Deepest Desire Della Roux.  

I really like the use of the Victoire Roux sculpt as a half sister named Della.  I own earlier versions of this sculpt and wasn't compelled to enter the lottery.  Edition size 600 with a price of $165 + S&H.   

Next up was Vaughan Sawyer's Monarch male doll representing sloth.  This is Leisure Lounge Paulo.

Edition size was 500 and the price was $175 + S&H.   He is a handsome guy, but I'm not impressed with the ensemble.  This was a pass for me; however, I do find his faceup and hairstyle quite interesting.

David Buttry then presented the ever popular Poppy Parker line contributions.  There were two.  The first represented Envy.

She is called Turning Green Poppy Parker.  The price was $165 + S&H and the edition size was 1000.  This hairstyle has been used a couple times in the past.  It's not a bad looking doll or ensemble.  It just didn't excite me.  I passed.

The second Poppy represented Greed.  She is called All For Me Poppy Parker.  Editions size was also 1000 and the price, again, was $165 + S&H.  

I actually liked this doll quite a bit, especially all the accessories, but I didn't enter the lottery.  She just didn't seem special enough to me.  I am not a fan of bangs on dolls.

In between the lunch presentation and the dinner presentation, W Club members received an e-mail for Bonus accessory packs.  There was a Poppy Parker and Fashion Royalty shoe pack that was limited to an edition size of only 300 and cost $90 + S&H.  (I thought this edition size was ridiculously low since the packs were actually quite great; I anticipated high demand for these).

Here is The Gathering Poppy Parker shoe pack.  I was very tempted to enter for this one.

And the Fashion Royalty/Nuface shoe pack was called Sinful Seven.

The ensembles were limited to 500 pieces each and cost only $75.  These were extremely popular.  

The Poppy Parker Devilish Fashion pack was wonderful in bright red.  

And the Fashion Royal ensemble was called Garden of Excess.

Look at these shoes!  I loved everything about this fashion pack.  

So much fun to mix and match!  Yes, this was my favorite thing from the whole virtual convention.  Yes, I entered the lottery, and I am excited to share that this is coming home to me!!!

The second video brought us the main collecting lines for Integrity Toys.

Jessy Ayala shared with us his representation of Wrath with Erin Salston.  Edition size 1000, price $175 + S&H.  This doll turned out to be the most popular from the 7 Deadly Sins collection.  

Erin Salston is one of my very favorite NuFace sculpts, and  24k, Metamorphosis, and Heiress are three of my very favorite NuFace dolls.  Had this doll been blonde or even natural red hair color, she would have been a "must have" for me.  Unfortunately, I don't care for the fantasy hair color, so I passed.  And again, those bangs!

There were two offerings for Fashion Royalty.  The first, representing Vanity, is a Dark A-Tone, brunette Isabelle Alves called Glorious Vanity.  She cost $180 + S&H with an edition size of 1000.  

I really wanted to love this doll.  Truly I did.  I may wind up chasing her down on secondary market after production photos show up from collectors.  For now, something held me back from entering the lottery.  (EDIT:  After collectors started posting photos of this doll, I totally caved.  However, I had to be very selective to find one with a good hairline.  Quality Control seems to still be having a problem with these exposed hairlines; I've seen some pretty bad examples which is so sad for such a lovely version.)

The final doll of the collection represented gluttony; Delightful Indulgence Dania Zara has an edition size of 1000, cost $180 + S&H.  

The ensemble looks so much better as just a sheath.  

I was tempted.  For some reason this doesn't look as much like a floral pattern as a pattern of aquatic life to me.  For some reason I see fish and turtles when I look at it.  Isn't that crazy?  I already have a Dania that looks similar in my collection, so I passed.  Maybe someone will sell the sheath on secondary market at a reasonable price.  (EDIT:  Again, this doll was a total surprise post production.  I like dolls with elaborate hair.  I like the Dania Zarr mold.  I was able to pick this dolls up as a "takeover" on the W Club for actual cost plus shipping.)

So ... what are my feelings.  I also hate to review a collection without seeing photos post production.  For some reason, a lot can change between promo and production doll presentation.  I have ordered a doll that I really loved from promo photos to only find myself lukewarm when I had her in hand.  I have also skipped purchasing a doll to find myself feverishly seeking it on secondary market.

The 7 Deadly Sins dolls are nice.  They are attractive dolls.  Unfortunately, I feel disappointed though.  This collections reminds me so much of my feelings from the Obsession Virtual Convention.  The designers interpreted and produced dolls that weren't what I expected.  The 7 Deadly Sins is an amazing theme!  I was expecting truly over-the-top designs pushing the envelope.  Like so many collectors that have been with IT for many years, I was anticipating character backstories to be represented in the topics.  Where is Natalia as Envy - I mean her jealousy is the root of the rivalry with the dueling cosmetic companies.   Kyori's feud with the Perrins would have made her the perfect character for wrath.  And why oh why wasn't Agnes there as either vanity, gluttony, or greed.  Another missed opportunity by IT designers and a disappointment for many collectors.

I know a lot of collectors had been saving money for this collection in anticipation of some amazing dolls.  Many collectors have expressed how let down they were.  I've read on social media many comments from collectors that they migrated over to another 12" doll line that had just released its 2023 Fall/Winter collection.  On November 10, Jamieshow/Owensu released their promo for the Muses Legends Collection.    

Of course Muses are quite a bit more expensive than Integrity Toys dolls.  They are made of resin with hand blushed ball-jointed bodies.  The faces are handprinted.  They do not use stencils like IT.  Each face is completely painted by hand so they are almost like OOAK dolls.  They come with simple ensembles, but there are several Fashion Looks available in each collection.   Here is what the Muses were offering.  (And since these dolls are made-to-order, there was no silly lottery to enter for the "right-to-buy" them.  That means there was no anxiety or disappointment involved in your purchase.)

Here are the dolls.  Each retails for $475 + S&H.  Collectors pay a 20% on pre-order and the balance when the collection is ready for shipping.  (It's usually a few months, so collectors  have time to save up.)

First up is a new Muses character, Legends Daphne.

Next is another new Muses character, Legends Thea.

The third female doll is the second release of a very popular sculpt, Legends Eshe.

There was one male doll, Legends Gabriel.

The dolls come bald with a separate wig cap.  The stands are amazing.  They have shoes, an ensemble, jewelry, and dressing hands.

Also included with the collection was sixteen different complete ensembles.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Look 6 for the males (does anyone else see the rockstar Prince here?  (Price $175)

Look 9, $175.  How about Alexander McQueen for Givenchy?

Look 11, $225

Look 12, $225

Look 13, $250

In addition to the ensembles, there are foot wear choices, headpieces, wig caps in various styles and colors, armor.  Just so much to choose from.  This collection can viewed by clicking on the following link:    Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Legends Collection.  The pre-order window is open until midnight, November 20.

Integrity Toys has been noted as stating that they do not consider Muses a competing brand.  They have relied on the devotion of their collectors for almost two decades now.  They are constantly adding new collectors crossing over from Mattel (Barbie).  I remember how I felt when I purchased my first IT dolls.  I was a little nervous about spending more for Fashion Royalty dolls than Barbies.   But the quality made it so worth it.

I got the same feeling when I purchased my first Muses after collecting IT dolls for over 15 years.  I was nervous about the price, but the quality is so worth it.  

I have read posts on social media by several collectors who will be buying their first Muses doll from the Legends collection.  A lot of 12" collectors have already discovered the quality of the ensembles and have started cross collecting.  I don't know if Muses is competition for IT, but I do know that I spent $75 on the 7 Deadly Sins Collection.  My pre-order for Jamieshow/Owensu Legends was approximately $2400.   I know where I am spending my doll budget.  I didn't put in my pre-order until I saw the 7 Deadly Sins offerings.  Had there been a Natalia, Kyori, Agnes, Adele, or Vanessa the numbers may have been different.