DOLLS

MasterPiece Dolls’ May collection made its debut on the company’s website May 4. MasterPiece introduces a new group of limited-edition dolls every three months. The 10 dolls in the new group range in height from 29 inches to 43 inches.

Say the words “Integrity Toys,” and gorgeous and haute glamour girls as depicted by the likes of the company’s AvantGuard and Fashion Royalty brands come to mind. Cutting-edge fashions, daring face-ups and hairstyles, to-die-for heels that ooze sexiness—these are a few of the ingredients Integrity Toys collectors have come to crave and expect from the design team led by fashion design superstar Jason Wu.

DOLLS magazine has recognized the legen­dary Helen Kish this year with its 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award. The Gala Awards Breakfast, where Kish was honored, was held Oct. 2, 2010, in Winston-Salem, N.C. at the 2010 Doll Teddy & Bear EXPO. Kish, with more than 30 years of dedication to the craft, astonishing genius as an artist and major success to her credit, was without a doubt the ideal pick for this year’s winner.

One of the most exciting aspects of being a doll collector is that owning a doll can help you escape your daily woes, your everyday travails. Less costly than an airplane ticket, easier to book than a cruise, a doll is a vehicle for transporting us to different mind frames and unfamiliar terrain.

When “Gene Marshall” made her debut in 1995, it sent shock waves through the doll-collecting community. Her ascendancy from “obscurity” to “mega stardom” was akin to the breakout screen roles that launched Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren or Audrey Hepburn from mere film supporting-player to gold-plated superstar. It was an unveiling that trumpeted a message, loud and clear, through the ranks of adult aficionados: Here was a doll that was designed to be unboxed, undressed and unleashed. It was a revolutionary concept, and the doll world has never been the same.

DOLLS writer and photographer Chris Varaste visited Mattel headquarters in El Segundo, Calif. He met with Mattel designer Bill Greening and Melissa Terrick in marketing to talk about the brilliant new line, Barbie Basics. Without further ado, we bring you the special interview the three conducted among themselves.

California

Florida

Marl & B Inc.

Illinois

Gigi's Dolls & Sherry's Teddy Bears

Pennsylvania

Mary T's Doll House
1625 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd. Unit C
Altoona, PA
(814) 949-2907
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Washington

Bearzabout

Ontario

My Favourite Doll Inc.

Australia

Japan

Barbie in Chiba: BIC Co. Ltd.

Once upon a time, girls played with dolls and boys played with action figures. For the gen-X and millennial generations, however, that gender division has been erased. Whatever you call them, pose­able character figures with detailed costumes are essential for pop culture collections. Fans want accurate images, authentic gear and lifelike movement.

After introducing her first vinyl collection 22 years ago in 1986, legendary dollmaker Annette Himstedt has made the decision to cease production. The combination of using increasingly higher quality materials through the years, resulting in increased production costs, and the downturn in the economy, are key factors in Himstedt’s decision.

Hildegard Günzel’s Latest Dolls Fill our Hearts with Joy

Hildegard Günzel has done it again. Celebrating 35 years of dollmaking this year, the German artist’s creations continue to smile and jump and laugh and take us to where the livin’ is easy.