Best of 2022 - Number 1

So, we finally made it.  Thank you to my followers for staying with me for this countdown.  

It doesn't take much digging to figure out that 36 dolls were added to my collection this year.   Six of those are not eligible for my countdown because they were purchased secondary market and were actually produced and received by collectors in previous years.  The four Jamieshow Muses girls, two male dolls, four Mystery Date Poppy Parkers, Varsity, Desert Dazzler, Wildflower, and Mademoiselle Annik have already been listed.   That only leaves sixteen contenders and ten of those were from the 2021 Obsession Convention; even though the virtual convention took place in late 2021, the majority of these dolls got delayed in shipping until 2022. 

With the economy in such a bad spot and budgets being tight, a lot of collectors are seeking the most bang for their buck.   That's why the last four spots in my countdown were all dolls/doll lines/manufacturers that provided collectors the most fun for their investments.

The doll that brought me the most joy in 2022 was purchased from a new doll friend.  He only collects IT Hommes but got a ticket for the Obsession Convention.  He sold his female dolls at very reasonable prices; selling the gifted dolls for appx 1/3 his convention ticket price.  From all the Obsession Convention dolls this year, this doll was easily my very favorite.  The giftset was phenomenal with so many accessories and mix and match possibilities.   I reviewed this doll earlier in 2022  Collection Cycle 2022 Number 4 .  

This doll is just gorgeous and redresses so well.  She's not just my favorite doll of 2022, she is probably my very favorite version of the Vanessa Perrin 3.0 mold.  She is "pretty in pink" in an Andymy fashion for New Year's Eve celebrations.

Number 1 of 2022 - A Doll's Life Vanessa Perrin.  

Collection Cycle 2022 - Number 21: MVP Rayna Ahmadi

So, it's the end of August and attendees (and W Club Members who participated) finally received the last doll from the Integrity Toys Obsession Convention.   The event took place on December 3, 2021; it only took 8+ months for the doll to make it through production and shipping, but who's counting?

Here is the promo photo from Integrity Toys (for those who may have forgotten what she looks like):

I do not plan to continue the discussion about Athleisure wear and the theme "Obsession" - that horse has definitely died.  Here is a closeup photo of the doll in the box.  

I had to turn her head this way for a good shot because my doll's head looked a little "lopsided"??!!!  I've read that a few collectors are having this same complaint.  Even though IT dolls are produced by hand, they do have an "Assembly Line" type of production.  I used to think the numbered Certificate of Authenticity was important until it was reported at an IT Convention that the heads were "thrown into a barrel" after forming.  Then the hair rooter pulled them out one by one for rooting, to just throw them into another barrel.  Next, the person doing the facial screenings pulls them out of the barrel one at a time and throws them into another container after the screening dries.   It seems like quite an arduous task that takes several different employees to complete.  I guess it's fairly easy to see how quality can suffer.  It also emphasizes that the Certificate 001/??? may just as well been the last doll through the process as the first.  Add to that the ridiculous number of dolls being sold by IT family members on e-bay without Certificates of Authenticity and they just seem valueless.

Although not a new problem, the head reforming can be completed by warming the head with a heating pad.   When the head is "pliable", just use your fingers to hold the head in the correct shape until it cools.  It's doesn't take long.  Here is a photo of my doll before the correction.   

To me, it looks like she has a toothache on her right side.  Once I saw it, I couldn't "unsee" it.  Out comes the heating pad.  

Now, this is speculation and I don't believe IT has confirmed, denied, or even addressed the issue publicly, but I agree with a few other collectors who have surmised that IT has changed the rubber formula for doll heads.   This doll's head actually warmed up much quicker than other dolls' heads that I have heated in the past.  I was also surprised by just how pliable the rubber actually was!  That could explain the "toothache" syndrome on this doll.

Here is a photo of the doll after I changed her head shape a little.

Now for my personal opinions:   

This photo of the accessories is the property of Integrity Toys.  

I'm not sure there is anything truly spectacular here.  We've seen these sunglasses multiple times; the frame tint may be a little different and more coppery though.  I was excited to get the watch in a gold tone (after receiving it in silver with Mademoiselle Annik).   The rings are simple, the earrings look like little pieces of jewelry chain molded onto earring backs.  I'm just not sure of this purse in the least.  It looks like a "granny purse".  It just doesn't go at all.  I would've loved a gym bag!  

MVP Rayna Ahmadi is one of the first IT Nuface dolls to be produced with the flat feet already on the doll.  The 2020 Off Duty Collection and Varsity Alejandra come with flat feet, but they were produced with regular high heeled feet in place.  I really wish there had been an alternate pair of shoes for the heeled feet like they did with Off Duty.   I may be going against general opinion, but I do NOT like these orange shoes at all.  Even though they are well designed and constructed, they just look odd on the doll.

Here is the redressed doll in full length.

I LOVE the hair color.  It is advertised as "Copper", but it looks like a blend and has a heavy dose of black.  I do not mind the style except for one little detail.   I am not a fan of the hair "tendrils" on the sides of her face.  DO NO LIKE THIS - PLEASE STOP!   To remedy this, I used a needle with thread and tied them back behind her head.  Fortunately, my doll's hairline looks pretty good and there is plenty of hair with a very long length.  With the correction to the "tendrils" and a good hairline, I think the hair on this doll is very nice.

I am a HUGE fan of the Rayna Ahmadi mold.  I am proud to say that I own every version produced for the public.  She reminds me of Angelina Jolie.  I think she could be a relative of Poppy Parker.   For some reason, she always gets the best iris coloring.  This doll's makeup is no exception.  She's just an extraordinary looking doll and the faceup is amazing on this wonderful Japan skin tone which is just luminescent.  This dolls truly glows.

The ensemble is questionable.  The oversized jacket with deconstructed edges at the shoulder looks like the sleeves have been detached.  The fabric is nice, but the effect of the coat just doesn't translate to this scale.  I really like the football pants - the colors make me have a hankering for candy corn for some reason (as does her manicure).  The standout piece from this ensemble is easily the bodysuit.  It is actually an incredible clothing piece and will get lots of use in my collection.

Let's redress a little.  I decided to put her alternate legs on without the ankle joint and change out the pants and shoes with Mademoiselle Annik. 

Much better, don't you agree?  I think MVP Rayna Ahmadi will be around for some time.  She's a very nice, unique version of this mold and is Number 21 added to my doll collection of 2022.

Best of 2021 - # 3

Strangely, the last doll received in 2021 is actually my very favorite Integrity Toys (IT) doll of 2021.   

I decided to limit my purchases from the IT Obsession Convention.  I promised myself I would not spend more than $300 on secondary market for any doll.  I also promised myself that I was only going to allow myself to buy a maximum of 5 dolls from the convention collection.  It turned out this was much easier than I expected.

When this doll was revealed, she was my second "must have" doll from the convention.   I knew this doll was going to be more phenomenal than her promotion photos.  I wasn't wrong.

This doll arrived just before Christmas and totally shook things up.  I finally received a doll this year that lived up to standards established by IT.  They have set such a high bar for themselves that it is difficult for them to keep producing dolls at that level.  It's caused quite a bit of frustration with their followers.

Here is a photo of Sovereign Adele Makeda in the box.  

Kudos to Alain for the packaging design on the convention collection.  It feels very expensive and decadent.

A closeup photo.

Here is the IT photo of the accessories.  The only thing I would change about this doll would be the purse.  I think it looks and feels less expensive than the rest of the ensemble; that is a minor criticism.

This doll is extraordinary right out of the box.   There has been a lot of complaining about the coat on this dress.  It actually feels and looks quite luxe in real life.  There is some beautiful gold embroidery with beadwork sewn into the pattern.  The fabric has a nice textured feel.  The coat closes in the back!  This is one amazing ensemble.

This doll is a knock out! 

This is a great example when IT pays attention to the little details.  When you take the coat off, you see the  beautiful design work on the side of the dress and can appreciate the fabric used.

There is something very sensuous about Sovereign Adele Makeda.  I love this doll's face.  I love this doll's hair.  I love this dolls' ensemble and accessories.  I even love the skin tone.  This doll is just perfect from head to toe.  (And for some reason she remind me of Pamela Sue Anderson.)  Once again, Adele Makeda stole the convention!   Best of 2021 - # 3 is Sovereign Adele Makeda.