The 18in dolls that look just like their owners are more wholesome than Barbie, and they have an empowering message for young girls, too
Barbie, the doll that every feminist knows would fall over if she were a real woman, has taken a knock. Not only did a self-confessed "business Barbie" lose last week's Apprentice final, but now sales of the plastic princess are losing ground to a more wholesome rival.
Barbie's global sales fell 12% in the past three months, while American Girl sales jumped 14%, making it by far the most successful doll currently on sale in the US. Both brands are owned by the toy juggernaut Mattel.
Is this cause for celebration? American Girl was dreamed up by the fabulously named teacher Pleasant Rowland in 1986 as a way to portray different ethnicities and aspects of American history. Each doll had a little book that dealt with topics such as race, poverty and even child abuse. Since being taken over in 1998, the company has expanded across America; in its shops, girls can pick dolls that look just like them, with matching outfits.
My London Girl first opened in Westfield shopping centre in 2011 and there is a clamour for more: Mumsnet hosts questions such as "where can I buy one in Manchester?" Despite this global expansion, nothing quite prepares you for the 5th Avenue flagship store in Manhattan – a warehouse-like space dedicated to versions of the doll in 54 different colourways and ethnicities. There are sporty dolls (the Girl of the Year doll in 2012 was McKenna the gymnast), bespectacled dolls and wheelchair-using dolls. The average American Doll owner spends an estimated $500 (£328) per doll on accessories, including furniture, clothing, movies and magazines. Children can take their dolls to the American Girl hair salons and cafes, and even get their ears pierced. A friend's 10-year-old went in to spend some birthday money – "Every girl in her class has at least one," said my friend.
These 18in mini-mes provide some solace to parents worried about Barbie as a role model, with her skimpy outfits and dubious sexual politics – not least because the lesson is that you can look just as you are and still make shedloads of money. Reported by guardian.co.uk 17 hours ago.
Barbie, the doll that every feminist knows would fall over if she were a real woman, has taken a knock. Not only did a self-confessed "business Barbie" lose last week's Apprentice final, but now sales of the plastic princess are losing ground to a more wholesome rival.
Barbie's global sales fell 12% in the past three months, while American Girl sales jumped 14%, making it by far the most successful doll currently on sale in the US. Both brands are owned by the toy juggernaut Mattel.
Is this cause for celebration? American Girl was dreamed up by the fabulously named teacher Pleasant Rowland in 1986 as a way to portray different ethnicities and aspects of American history. Each doll had a little book that dealt with topics such as race, poverty and even child abuse. Since being taken over in 1998, the company has expanded across America; in its shops, girls can pick dolls that look just like them, with matching outfits.
My London Girl first opened in Westfield shopping centre in 2011 and there is a clamour for more: Mumsnet hosts questions such as "where can I buy one in Manchester?" Despite this global expansion, nothing quite prepares you for the 5th Avenue flagship store in Manhattan – a warehouse-like space dedicated to versions of the doll in 54 different colourways and ethnicities. There are sporty dolls (the Girl of the Year doll in 2012 was McKenna the gymnast), bespectacled dolls and wheelchair-using dolls. The average American Doll owner spends an estimated $500 (£328) per doll on accessories, including furniture, clothing, movies and magazines. Children can take their dolls to the American Girl hair salons and cafes, and even get their ears pierced. A friend's 10-year-old went in to spend some birthday money – "Every girl in her class has at least one," said my friend.
These 18in mini-mes provide some solace to parents worried about Barbie as a role model, with her skimpy outfits and dubious sexual politics – not least because the lesson is that you can look just as you are and still make shedloads of money. Reported by guardian.co.uk 17 hours ago.