Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Black History Month and Ethnic DAF Hair: A is for Afro



I haven't set aside any Black History articles yet. The month is nearly done, but I have an idea for a few short posts about the variation of hair types and styles in modern dolls and action figures. Which hairstyle screams to be covered in a "Black History" hair post? For me, that style would be the afro.

The afro is the Black hairstyle linked to assertive Black identity and pride.

So who is "representing" in this photograph? From left to right, we have Integrity Toys' "Jungle Fever" from their Monsieur Z collection, Mattel's Chad from High School Musical, Mattel's Kwanzaa Keeya, and Mattel's Tre from the Flavas. Behold the range in the different afro textures in these playscale figures. BUT all these afros are NOT as they seem. Guess which afro is a wig?

Regular Philly Collector readers will recognize the afro wig wearer. For new readers, I'll leave the answer in tomorrow's post about cornrows and 'locks.

7 comments:

Black Doll Enthusiast said...

Tre's!

dbg

Shani-boy said...

http://www.barbiecollector.com/images/socialstrata/evefiles/attachments/5/5/5/555103057/555103057_Afro-licious1.jpg

Hi! Here's a pic of my Club Afro-licious!

The dolls are from various brands. The twins up front are Janay and Cali Christie. Janay came with afro-puffs. I cut the blonde streak out of Christie's hair,then shaped it into an afro. To their right standing is redressed Cali Steven 2005 and Black Barbie. To their right is a redressed Ghanian Barbie. To her right is a redressed Jamaican Barbie.
Behind Jamaican Barbie is MOTM Nichelle headon POTW South Africa body dressed in the Todd Oldham fashion. Behind her is a character from Jem and the Holograms. I believe her name is Raya. Seated, going left is Icon's Tariq. He is the only one wearing a wig. To his left is the Af-Am Sunsational Ken. Standing to his left is a doll with the POTW head on MOTM Nichelle's body wearing a Carol Spencer Classique fashion.
The furniture in the club is a combination of My Scene Sound Lounge and the Bratz Funky Furniture.
Enjoy!

Brini said...

I love all the afros!! I do believe it is the Flava doll. I don't remember him sporting the "Micheal Jackon Fro".

Unknown said...

Hello from Spain: I like the position of those dolls touching Afro hair. I was a very creative photo. Hugs to you

D7ana said...

BDE and Brini, you know your dolls! Yes, Flavas Tre is the one with the wig. The Awards Tre came with a wig.

Far out, Shani-boy! That is one Afro-licious photo, you shot. I recognize some of those dolls. Congratulations on finding a Raya. She was the Hispanic Jem member; Shana was the Black member. Thanks for sharing.

Marta, thanks for the compliment! I get inspired by some of the lovely doll photography I see among other collectors.

RoxanneRoxanne said...

Great post! I recognized Tre's wig right away. :)

D7ana said...

LOL, yes, Roxanne! Tre has the afro wig. Dude knows he is looking fine in that afro.