We’re long overdue a feature on Blythe Dolls, but until we do one, let’s take a look at some modern-day dolls influenced by Blythes – the Gina Girl dolls.
They were designed by photographer Gina Garan of This is Blythe fame, in collaboration with Australian artist Christina Gordon and with a nod to Blythe and 60s big-eye artist Lee and a nod to the 60s era for the outfits too.
Poor Sid – died before the big money came in and still making plenty of cash beyond the grave for someone – with products like this Sid Vicious doll.
This 12-inch figure is described as wearing a "perfect realisation of the Sex Pistols lead guitarist’s stage costume". Actually he played bass (after a fashion). It comes with a leather jacket, the bass, black sunglasses and for some reason, interchangeable hands. Sadly, no syringe, bags of brown powder or add-on Nancy.
If it did, it might have been worth the hefty asking price – $189.95 (around £95).
Sindy was the British alternative to Barbie, conceived by Pedigree Toys in 1962 and becoming a best-seller that’s still in production today. And if you head over the BA website, you can find a range of retro Sindy dolls dressed in British Airways’ air hostess uniforms from the 1950s to the 1970s.
There’s a choice of dolls for each era. The 1950s dolls wear the BEA (as it was) uniform, the 1960s dolls wear a replica of the shift dress worn by BOAC hostesses in 1967 (for flights between New York and the Caribbean) along with the more traditional uniforms of the era, while the 1970s doll wears the BEA uniform worn just before the merger of BEA and BOAC, forming the BA of today.
Each doll retails for a reasonable £12 each and is sure to be a collectable of tomorrow.
Looking for the perfect gift for the Mod in your life? You need the Mod Monkee.
Sadly, he’s not dressed in a parka or tonic suit- and he’s not got the haircut or a decent record collection either. What he does have is a target t-shirt, along with a target-branded box for a home.
Classic novelty gift territory – and at £12, not that expensive either.
More quirky toys, this time these fantastic Wall Dolls by Mia Hansen.
Looking not unlike something out of a vintage cartoon, the real selling point for us are the Pringle sweaters on the Ari Cat dolls – extra bonus retro marks there. Also available are the female Numi Girl dolls and if you want to spread a bit of love around, the Love Birds.
All are available in a range of colours, stand at 7.5 inches tall and retail for $30 (around £15) online.
Find out more at the Mia Hansen website
Yes, we’re back on the Lego – this time, in association with Paul Frank, they’ve created this Lego makeover case.
Yes, it’s got the novelty of a Lego man on the front – but there’s more – the Lego man has removable hairdos, so you can change his style when you get bored. Other than fit, it’s a fairly standard case, good for your pens, pencils, make-up or any small items.
Sized at 9 inches x 4.4 inches, you can pick one up for $26 (around £13)
Find out more at the Fred Flare website
