Best of 2022 - Number 10 - Let The Countdown Begin

To save on shipping charges, I made the responsible fiscal decision to wait and ship my W Club Membership Upgrade dolls with other dolls arriving within the next couple of weeks.  I also postposed payment on Miss Independence Poppy Parker (the only doll I purchased from the IT "Stay Tuned" Virtual Convention) so she could catch a ride along with.  The Jamieshow Bonjour Paris line has gotten tied up in China with continued Covid problems, so those dolls are also not available for this countdown.  

So ... I haven't received a single 2022 Fashion Royalty doll that was actually announced in 2022, only one NuFace doll, one Misaki, and four Poppy Parker dolls.  All the other Integrity Toys dolls added in 2022 were either from the 2021 Obsession Convention or dolls announced in previous years.   Even though the Integrity pickings were lean, I did manage to acquire some dolls worthy of recognition this year.

Number 10 on my list is a doll that has already been reviewed: Best of 2022 Number 10 Review.  She was a 2022 W Club Lottery Doll and was in an edition size of 2000.  I was very pleasantly surprised by this doll.   She looks much better redressed.  Number 10 of 2022 is Mademoiselle Annik Vandale.

Doll Collection Cycle 2022 - Number 20 Mademoiselle Annik Vandale

One of the reasons I always encourage readers to join the W Club is the purchase opportunities offered throughout the year.  This year members were given a lottery offering for a rarely seen NuFace character, Annik Vandale.   Since her introduction in 2011, Annik has only been offered in three other versions.  

For every fault Jessy Ayala has a designer, he has about 10 strengths.  That's why I often have a weakness for his NuFace girls.  I was thrilled to win the opportunity to purchase this version and was thrilled by the production doll.

Here is a full length of Mademoiselle Annik Vandale in the box.

And a closeup in the box.

This doll came with some pretty amazing accessories.  (Photo property of Integrity Toys)

I love this handbag!  The twisted jewelry watch is out of this world!  The ensemble consists of baggy pants and over-sized matching jacket.  There is a little light blue bustier.  Which brings us to ...  I guess sometimes you just need to rip the bandage off ... so ... here is an IT promo photo of Mademoiselle IT vs. the Mattel promo photo of Model of the Moment Marissa.   

They really could be sisters!   I actually still have this Marissa on an articulated body.  She is one of my favorite versions of Barbie.   The similarity cannot be denied.   Integrity's quality, though, easily surpasses the Mattel version.

So here is a photo of Mademoiselle Annik Vandale out of the box.

And another closeup.

Although I've owned previous versions of Annik and "The Awakening" still resides here, I quite prefer Mademoiselle.  I would even go so far as to write that Mademoiselle Annik Vandale is the best version of this mold yet.  I love her in this color.  She redresses beautifully.  

Here is something more "sweet and innocent" - Annik is wearing the blouse from Coated Glamour Elyse Jolie with a Mattel Silkstone skirt.

A little more "street" look - This is a Joe Tai halter and a pair of Hazelstreet Designs denim pedal pushers.

I have wanted the slacks from the American Horror Story: Coven Madison Montgomery doll for some time.  Someone recently sold them for $20, so I was able to add them to my collection for a great price.  This is a playline Barbie top.

Mademoiselle Annik Vandale fits right in with my very favorite NuFace dolls.  She has easily solidified her place in my collection as my very favorite version of this mold.  She is a dream to redress and has so much character.  I believe this doll will continue to grow in popularity as more collectors get the opportunity to redress and post photos.  She's Number 20 of 2022 added to my collection and a real "keeper"!

The Awakening Annik Vandale - #9 of 2019

I wasn't sure about this doll.  I have owned both previous versions of the Annik Vandale mold and neither were able to find permanent spots in my collection.

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.