For some reason, poor Dominique Makeda seems to have a very rocky relationship with collectors.
The Integrity Toys (IT) Nuface line was introduced in 2006, the same year that Fashion Royalty moved to a taller body. IT has a habit of trying to squeeze the most juice from every mold they've ever used, so at the 2009 Iconic Convention, IT decided to introduce a new Nuface character using the Josephine Baker mold and called her Evening Glow Dominique Makeda. Similar to the relationship of Giselle Diefendorf and Agnes Von Weiss, Dominique was supposed to be related to the Fashion Royalty character Adele Makeda. (Photo property of IT)
There was not a lot of love for this doll. Most collectors did not like her at all. The Josephine Baker mold didn't realize any popularity until the Vaughn Sawyer workshop doll at the 2010 Dark Romance Collection. The mold was produced as a white doll with platinum hair that had a very uncanny resemblance to Lady Gaga. (Photo property of IT)
The mold has only been used once since that time, again as a white doll, as 2015's Cloudscape Dominique Makeda. (My Photo)
In 2010, IT introduced their FR2 body and launched a line that eventually replaced the regular FR dolls. Dominique Makeda received a serious makeover (new mold) and made several appearances in 2011. (Photos property of IT).
Left to right: Impossibly Beautiful, Grand Gesture, Rare Appeal, each produced in an edition size of only 300. They represented more mature versions of Dominique Makeda and were quite popular with collectors.
When IT decided to abandon the FR line and switch characters over to FR2, it was decided that the Nuface line should receive a similar change so the dolls could share wardrobes. The Nuface2 line was launched at the 2014 Gloss Convention and Dominque Makeda (mold 2.0) finally found a home as a Nuface2 character with Tantalizing. (My photo)
Dominique Makeda made it into the mainline in 2015 as Electric Enthusiasm. (My photo)
Neither Tantalizing nor Electric Enthusiasm were as popular as the FR2 girls of 2011. For some reason, the 2015 Cinematic Convention version, Evening Blossom, also has never been very popular. Evening Blossom is actually a personal favorite and has often been referred to as the Rhianna doll. (My photo).
Evening Blossom redresses beautifully and I believe she is one of the most under-rated dolls ever produced.
It was around this time that another NuFace character, Nadja Rhymes, received a mold makeover. Collectors have gone crazy for this version of Nadja and she is a much favored NuFace character. This sort of put Dominique on the back burner. Evening Blossom remained my only version of Dominique Makeda until a friend recommended the 2018 Counter Culture Nirvana version. This is another doll that is seriously under-rated; just look at those gorgeous eyes. I was able to buy her on sale from a dealer. (My photo).
Fortunately, IT designer Jessy Ayala wasn't willing to give up on Dominique Makeda. In 2019, he gave us a W Club lottery version called My Essence. This doll received lukewarm attention but has steadily climbed on the secondary market. (My Photo).
That's a little history of Dominique Makeda. Which brings us to the topic of Number 5 added to my collection in 2022.
It has become a tradition for the W Club to sponsor a luncheon at the IT Conventions. For an additional fee, attendees receive one NuFace doll and the opportunity to purchase a second one. Since 2021 was the second year that IT has had a virtual convention, the W Club announced that all W Club members would be offered the opportunity to purchase the W Club Event ticket. Remembering that 2018 gave W Club attendees Afterglow Lilith Blair and Public Adoration Eden Blair, and 2017 gave them Natural Wonder Rayna Ahmadi and Wanderlust Giselle Diefendorf, W Club members purchased tickets in bulk (to the tune of 2700).
The theme for the 2021 IT Convention was "Obsession". Collectors had super high hopes for this collection. You cannot imagine the disappointment when the dolls revealed represented designer interpretations of what people obsess about: military and sports. The W Club Event doll was Adrenaline Rush Adele Makeda.
It's been a very long time since I have seen such an uproar from collectors. Some individuals were not very kind in their comments about this doll. The IT team even went on the offensive and publicly stated things like "We don't try to produce an unappealing doll on purpose" "We often try to give collectors something they don't even realize they want".
It seems designers gave collectors something they didn't want. A lot of W Club members with multiple memberships had purchased several dolls in speculation of being able to sell them on secondary market for a profit. They were quite angry when they realized this doll wasn't going to be popular. Collectors were selling Adrenaline Rush below her retail amount.
I actually like this doll quite a lot; she ticks off a number of boxes for me. The ensemble is actually quite well made. My doll's hair flocking is very good and she has a lovely face. However, the proof of any doll to me is the redress potential. Here is my interpretation of the doll. She looks more FR2 than Nuface to me, but I'm alright with that.
At least for now, she will remain in my collection. (I will have to find some different hands though.) Number 5 added to my collection in 2022 is Adrenaline Rush Dominique Makeda.
