The Awakening is the last to arrive from the 2018 Counter Culture Collection. Apparently, there were a lot of production problems relative to this version. A little card was included with the COA that explained some of the issues and how IT handled them.
The stone on her face is actually imbedded into the plastic. There is a warning that you shouldn't try to remove it.
The braids were created pre-production. The only problem with this is that some of the braids are VERY MESSY. One of the braids in my doll's hair was so pulled apart that I attempted to unbraid it and fix it. NOTE: This doll's head is not rooted using the knot method. While I was trying to fix the braid the strand of hair actually pulled out of the scalp - it was one long strand rooted in the middle to create two hair braids. I couldn't figure out where it popped out, so I just put it in a baggie. I also abandoned the idea of fixing braids, so be very careful with the doll's hair!
In order to root the doll's hair properly, IT had to use a more "rubbery" head. The original plastic kept splitting during production when they tried to root these braids. The flexible rubber was more pliable and easier to root. (It's probably also the reason it wasn't difficult to pull a "double strand" out.) The fact that the head is rubbery doesn't actually affect how I feel about the doll.
So ... let's get down to it. Here is a photo of the doll in the box.
And a closeup.
I have not been a fan of the gray sclera used on this line of dolls, BUT ... the method of application on this doll is phenomenal. The gray is paler, so it doesn't look so muddy. In addition, there is a small line of white that makes the eye look "glossy" and somehow rounded. The effect is great. I wish IT had used this production method on all the dolls from the Counter Culture line. It's very unfortunate that it took the last doll released in the collection to get the process down perfectly. Now IT has abandoned the idea due to the comments we all made about the earlier dolls. I really like the screening and my only complaint would the color of the lips.
Somehow I feel Annik got shafted in the accessory department. Dominique, Violaine, and Colette all came with extraordinary coats and multiple bracelets. Poor Annik had just her earrings, a ring, a purse, and a cap.
The boots are very interesting. The foot part is like a shoe, but the top is ruched. The soles are bright fuchsia!
I do like the cap with it's metal braided jewelry. It is quite well made and fits well (even though you need the two pins to hold it down over that voluminous hair). I am also impressed by how the sweatshirt/dress has the word "Awaken" on the sleeve. There are many intricate details to this doll that show a considerable amount of attention to tiny details.
Very few of my dolls hang around in their original ensembles very long. A large part of my joy in doll collecting is redressing my dolls. The search was on for something appropriate for this girl to wear. I was surprised that she could wear the Misaki Anti-Social ensemble from 2006!
The Awakening may be only representative of the Annik Vandale mold in my collection, but I think she will fit in nicely! Now how about a softer look? Maybe the shorts and top from Metamorphosis Erin?
#9 of 2019 is The Awakening Annik Vandale.
1 comment:
Your photos of Annik are perfection. You are certainly right about the sclera eye screening. I think it is going to be the collectors loss.
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