On the Road with Anouk

Back in 1967, Anouk, by Nav Sikand, took a solo road trip. These vintage shots document her fun times.




Grand Prix 
Well, Anouk did not race, but she still looked the part in HillCrestBarbies' fab jumpsuit.




Chateau
A derelict castle! Did Anouk invest and restore it? In "Mon Tricot" from Series 4, she considered the possibilities.




Au musée
A little art gallery found. But it was Anouk in her Criscrash sheath who was the real work of art. Cap by Maryann Roy.




Cocktails
In LizRetros' take on Balenciaga, Anouk enjoyed un petit vin to celebrate her outing. Gloves by Rosina Haskell. 


Resources for readers:

La poupée mannequin Anouk

HillCrestBarbies

LizRetros

Rosina Haskell

Close toYou

Why do birds suddenly appear
Every time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you

Why do stars fall down from the sky
Every time you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you

"(They Long to Be) Close to You"by Burt Bacharach/Hal David

Dedicated to Anouk: Series 3!































Anouk: Series Three by Nav Sikand! 
Contact: Nav Sikand

A Hopeful Type of Girl

La poupée mannequin Anouk continues to expand her world of fashion and fun. Her creator, Mr. Nav Sikand, shared news of her "Series Three" with Dolldom and we could not be happier to present the new and very fashionable "En vacances" collection. The concept is that Anouk, a French girl, in high school in London, is on her first tour of Europe and the clothing and doll designs are meant to evoke the glamour and excitement of her life.

Mr. Sikand explains: "Anouk "Series Three", while continuing in the classic tradition of Anouk as a re-imagining of a 60s toy, also sees a significant updating of the doll. Her sculpt and production remain the same, but her facial screening is very different. Her brows have been darkened and extended considerably. The blues of her eyes are more contrasting. The major change is her mouth, which is a much darker and vivid fuchsia pink. Anouk also has a Bardot-esque pout, giving her a slightly sultry look. Though she remains the charming gamine that all of her fans love. Anouk has two new hairstyles and hair shades: a side-part do and a top-knot ponytail and a new raven black and a platinum blonde with silver highlights. "Series Three" also marks the return of the long-haired Titian Anouk, absent from "Series Two". The black dolls also now sport the new raven shade." 

As for Anouk's message, Mr. Sikand adds: "I feel that in these turbulent times in which we live, there is something very important and appealing about things that remind of a simpler and relatively easier time of life. I try to project this optimism through Anouk and the context in which I present her."

Dolldom agrees that dolls like Anouk can bring enjoyment, solace, and delight to those lucky to collect them.

For more information, please visit Anouk's blog or contact Mr. Sikand.


Nothing like being on vacation. Anouk enjoys her tour of Europe!


"Rome" #0044 is a darling dress. Her rose heart necklace adds a sweet touch.


Time to enjoy nature and a delicious lunch al fresco and capture nature with her camera!


"Pique-nique" #0039 will be fantastic for a day at the ocean too!


Grand monuments from times-gone-by!


In "Sortie" #0045, Anouk is both elegant and comfortable.


A little maritime fun!


"Vacances" #0042 comes with binoculars and white cat eye sunglasses with blue lenses.


Mountain air!


"Helsinki" #0040 with its turtleneck and tights keeps Anouk warm and stylish.


City explorations!


"Cherbourg" #0037is a grand set comprised of coat, dress, and ever so delicate yellow hose and gloves.


Daytime elegance!


"Lycée a Londres" #0041 is classic 1960's style. Anouk is very fond of her silver necklace.


Sophistication in faux fur! Anouk is an animal lover!


"Frissons de Moscou" #0038 is another winner offering options for play and display.


Côtes du Rhône for all!


"Cocktail" #0046 is a must for any occasion requiring black!


Sparkling evening!


"Berlin" #0043 will take Anouk from theater to boîte de nuit!


Miniatures galore!



For more information, please visit Anouk's blog or contact Mr. Sikand.

She Came by Time Machine

Doll collectors worth their salt have always dreamed of jumping on a time machine to travel in time. For that type of travel would facilitate the enjoyment of a much coveted doll. For those who wish for dolls of days gone by, especially the very hard to find ones, the proposition of time travel becomes even more seductive.

But thanks to Navdeep Sikand (AKA Virgin-Archer) there is no need to leave to present to acquire a doll from the past, because his doll Anouk is not only vintage-inspired but also created using vintage methods of doll manufacture. From her illustrations, marketing, packaging and clothes, Mr. Sikand has made sure that Anouk is authentically vintage in feel. She is intentionally naive, with basic posing ability, make-up and rooting patterns.



Mr. Sikand spoke to dozens of factories and found one in Spain that still had the machinery of the period, used the same mold making process, and most importantly, would sculpt the prototype by hand. The end result could not be more aligned with the ideal as Anouk captures the allure and style of the 60s with her clothes, hairstyles and make up.

Produced with a uniform make up and 2 hairstyles, a long wavy style with partial ponytail and a short stylish bob with bangs, Anouk is offered in three different variations. Cote D' Azur Anouk is primarily a tribute to Palitoy Britt, Marie and Gail dolls who were friends of the successful Pippa doll. Marie was French and from Provence and Britt was Scandinavian. But they were both sporting very deep suntans, Britt with starkly contrasting pale blonde hair, a striking image that fascinated Mr. Sikand as a child, even more so when Malibu Francie debuted.

Being of Indian heritage himself, and considering how popular black dolls are, the artist knew that an Ethnic Anouk would be de rigueur. For the white dolls it was important to offer variety, which is why they come in four lovely hair shades (ash Blonde, Champagne blonde, brunette and Titian) with long and short hairstyles.

Mr. Sikand hopes that Anouk will draw out the excitement and fond memories that vintage dolls evoke. As the exclusive photos illustrate, it's not possible not to think that Anouk has been transported from the 1960s. Or could it be that a Mr. Sikand came across a warehouse with all the unsold stock of a never released doll called Anouk?

For more information on Anouk, be sure to follow her blog, join her Facebook group and visit her boutique. To acquire your very own Anouk, Mr. Sikand will sell the remaining dolls on eBay under his seller name navsikand2bvj. You may also contact him directly at navsikand@aol.com.

May Anouk's fashion show begin!


Hot Afternoon! A champagne blonde Anouk wears her sparkly maillot de bain  under Liz Retros' fabulous terry cloth robe and a vintage straw hat.



Mod in the Morning. Titian Anouk goes for an early morning walk in Poppy Parker She's Not There coat and a cap borrowed from Poppy's boyfriend Chip!



Instant Classic. Ethnic Anouk wears Capri, one of her debut fashions, and a glittery cap by Maryann Roy.



En voyage! A brunette Anouk travels in style in a Rosina Haskell dress, cape, and kerchief set. 




Erudite. Professor Anouk (Titian ponytail version) delivers an important scientific conference in her Trotteur suit.



Disco! An ash blonde Anouk dances the Watusi in Mod Barbie's Silver Sparkle.



Gayest Parisienne! In Marirose's delicate beaded bubble dress, Ethnic Anouk with ponytail is an enchanting presence at the cocktail party.


Grand Gala. Cote D' Azur Anouk (restyled by Mr. Sikand) hosts a fundraising ball in a Doris Day-inspired suit designed by Juliet Whorton for Dangerousdames Lounge. Bracelet by Joy Jarred.



First Dance. Ethnic Anouk models Marirose's take on Barbie's Junior Prom.


Opera! Opening night calls for all-out glamour. Ethnic Anouk (restyled by Mr. Sikand) wears her golden column dress and a jeweled pin - a family heirloom, of course.



Robe de marriage! The show finalizes with a romantic look (Poppy Parker's Wedding Belle) modeled by an ash-blonde Anouk.



For more information on Anouk, be sure to follow her blog, join her Facebook group and visit her boutique. To acquire your very own Anouk, Mr. Sikand will sell the remaining dolls on eBay under his seller name navsikand2bvj. You may also contact him directly at navsikand@aol.com.