Fashion Dolls 101

~ Looking for something cute? Check out Barbie Minis at Dollar Tree for $1.25. ~  OK. Mattel got me. I found these adorable mini Barbies with varying body styles. At first I just got the three Caucasian figures with the more basic body styles. Then I went back for the black one and the chubby one which were the last two on the shelves at my local Dollar Tree.  .For just $1.25 at Dollar Tree, I should have bought them all, because I might have missed one by waiting.  I couldn’t wait to take them out of the package, and I immediately bought them a $1.25 tropical plant to pose with— Money well spent!  Then I ended up at another Dollar Tree 60 miles away a couple of days later, and what did I find? All the minis I said no to before plus some cute Monster High minis   So I grabbed the black one in the yellow dress and one of the Monster Highs and now I am kicking myself for not getting the heavy-set blonde (I thought I already had that one) and the odd one with ...

 It’s May 29 and Michael’s is already advertising Halloween—Lemax Halloween that is. The Halloween ad showed up in an email from the craft store chain today   “Psst … Get exclusive Lemax Spooky Town pieces EARLY” was the headline of the Michael’s advertisement in my e-mail this morning.  Michael’s, I like your stores but MAY is too early to be promoting Halloween!!! Really, just stop it. May is the time to promote spring, summer and patriotic decor. Put the spooky stuff down until fall. That is all. 

  It’s summertime! Do you know where your gnome is? Dollar Tree has summer gnomes in stock  I saw two styles: a teal gnome in a blue striped cap with goggles, flippers, and a silly floatie, and a purple gnome with a blue floral cap with sandals and a surfboard   These gnomes are cheaper-made than the previous holiday gnomes but still kind of cute in a whimsical way. I was able to remove the floatie and flimsy breathing apparatus from the teal gnome and I like him much better now. I plan to make him accessories over time to suit me   It would be nice to be able to display them with the patriotic gnomes for Memorial Day and other patriotic holidays, but to me the new ones look a bit cheaper. However, thethe patriotic gnomes look cheaper than the Christmas gnomes which have knitted caps.   Still, I like the sandals and hippie look of the purple gnome, and I may remove his surfboard and accessorize him myself, too. For $1.25 I can afford to experiment!  Intere...

Our recent article about Hello Kitty’s anniversary reminded me that Ty issued a collection of little girl fashion dolls in 2010 called Li’l Ones, along the line of Mattel’s little Kelly Club dolls. One of those dolls was a Hello Kitty Li’l Ones doll dressed in Kitty’s signature pink with the Hello Kitty logo on her pink sweatshirt and a miniature Hello Kitty figure as the doll’s toy. The doll comes with a pink hair brush, and pink tennis shoes to match her outfit.  Related: Hello Kitty on the Cover of Time Hello Kitty Celebrates 50 Years of Cuteness  Sanrio Introduces New Hello Kitty Products at Toy Fair Hello Kitty -- More than Just Dolls for Valentine's Day 

If you thought nutcrackers were just for Christmas, Michael’s would disagree! The craft store has a small selection of patriotic nutcrackers out on its shelves just in time for Memorial Day .  Dressed in both camo and formal attire, the formal nutcrackers hold the American flag. They only come on one height, two styles and two skin tones.  Also on display are these cute patriotic cloth animals dressed in their red, white and blue stripes.  Michael’s has other patriotic figures for sale, from gnomes to everything else. So if you need the perfect patriotic figure for Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4, Veterans Day, or our nation’s 250th birthday, you know where to go!  Related: The History of Memorial Day: Sacrifice and Remembrance Faith of Our Fathers: Quotes from America’s Founding Fathers America Indebted (Memorial Day Poem) Patriotic Trivia Fire up the Barbie (doll) for Memorial Day - National Barbie Collecting Examiner

   ~  #TransPotato Responds to Winning Fashion Dolls 101’s Woman of the Year Award for 2025 ~ Here is the follow-up you have all been waiting for— #TransPotato’s response to winning the prestigious  Fashion Dolls 101 Woman of the Year Award for 2025 .  #TransPotato originally responded here : “What an amazing ride this has been! Just think, 41 days ago I was a porn addicted vegetable with male bits and now I am a beautiful biological Woman of the Year! I’m filled with 🏳️‍⚧️ joy! Thank you Fashion Dolls 191!” Then a day later he posted this stunning image of himself posing with a Woman of the Year Award:  I wish we HAD sent him an award, but I am glad he found one that suited him! Congratulations again, #TransPotato, on winning the Fashion Dolls 101 Woman of the Year award.  Born a humble vegetable with male bits, you are not only a stunning and brave biological woman, but you are an inspiration to us all! We will keep our eyes PEELED for your next po...

M any magazines and organizations award women their prestigious Woman of the Year Awards , usually in the spring, to honor females who have broken glass ceilings and contributed significantly to their respective industries, regions, etc.  But a recent trend has been to name MEN as “Woman of the Year,” as long as they wear a dress and call themselves a women.  Males Winning Woman of the Year In 2014, Time awarded their “Woman of the Year” award to Roderick “Laverne” Cox. Glamour Magazine also manawarded their 2014 “Woman of the Year” honors to Cox. Other men who have walked away with Woman of the Year awards include:  Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner, Richard/Rachel Levine  ( USA  Today)  and Dylan Mulvaney.   See  “Men Named Woman of the Year”  for more. Fashion Dolls 101 Names 1st  WOMAN OF THE YEAR With all the attention on men stealing women’s awards, we thought it was time we jumped on the bandwagon and started giving out our own “Woman of the Y...

II. Modern Era (2000–2025) The 21st century brought major shifts in culture—and Barbie. With competition from Bratz and later social media influencers, Mattel was forced to adapt quickly, transforming Barbie into a modern, tech-savvy, and socially conscious brand. Part three of a three-part series   Key Characteristics Increased diversity in race, body types, and abilities Digital and cinematic expansion Cultural and political consciousness Most Popular Dolls Barbie Fashionistas (2009–present) A landmark line that introduced dolls of various body types, skin tones, hair textures, and disabilities, including dolls with vitiligo and prosthetic limbs. Presidential Barbie (2016) Featured an all-female presidential ticket in partnership with She Should Run, reflecting growing conversations around women in politics. Barbie Shero Series (2015–present) Honored real-life women such as Misty Copeland, Frida Kahlo, and Rosa Parks. These dolls sparked both praise and...

  The Evolution of Barbie: A Cultural Mirror from 1980 to 2025 Since her debut in 1959, Barbie has reflected and influenced cultural trends, gender norms, fashion, and even political shifts. Between 1980 and 2025, Barbie experienced a dramatic evolution—from a global pop culture icon to a modern, sometimes controversial, symbol of inclusivity and branding brilliance. Let’s explore this journey across two key eras. I. Pop Culture Phenomenon Era (1980–2000) The 1980s and 1990s marked Barbie’s ascension to superstardom. These decades saw her become a fixture in millions of homes worldwide while reflecting the decade’s flashy fashion, corporate branding, and a growing global presence. Key Characteristics Emphasis on glamour, careers, and international diversity Explosive growth in themed and collectible Barbies Strategic licensing and merchandising Most Popular Dolls Black Barbie (1980) The first African-American Barbie with distinct facial features and a bold afro ...

  To commemorate Mattel’s 80th anniversary in 2025, this three-part series explores the history of the Barbie doll, a cornerstone of Mattel’s legacy, dividing its story into three main eras: the Early Years (1959–1980), the Pop Culture Phenomenon (1980–2000), and the Modern Era (2000–2025). Each part highlights the most popular dolls, key factors behind Barbie’s success, and significant controversies, contextualizing Barbie’s role in Mattel’s growth as a global toy giant. Founded in 1945 by Harold Matson and Elliot Handler, Mattel’s innovation peaked with Barbie’s 1959 debut, making her an ideal lens for this milestone. Part 1: The Early Years (1959–1980) – Barbie’s Birth and Mattel’s Rise Introduction Launched in 1959, Barbie, created by Ruth Handler, transformed Mattel from a small toy company into an industry leader. Debuting at the New York Toy Fair, Barbie redefined dolls by embodying a...