Saturday, November 29, 2014

New Desi Barbie, Kiyaa Celebrating Girlhood

Looking for a new Desi (Indian) fashion doll? Welcome Kiyaa, the newly touted Indian counterpart to Barbie, created by Hima Sailaja Theerdala. The former software engineer and present entrepreneur created Kiyaa to represent Indian looks and values. Kiyaa is a sixteen-year-old, "girl-next-door type." While the doll's height is not explicitly stated, she does look Barbie-sized in the photos I have seen of her online. Kiyaa is presently up for pre-order from the entrepreneur's new design house, Shel Studio, which also offers designer fashions for children. Price? 698 rps ... magic of xe.com translates to $11.21 USD.

Would I add a Kiyaa to my collection? Yes. Once I have thinned my present collection. I am waiting to hear if Shel Studio will ship to the U.S.A. If there were a limited issue of the dolls, I would leave them for their intended audience, Indian children. If they were religious icons, likewise. But mass produced, playscale, fashion dolls? I am in that line.

Anyone reading this post have a Kiyaa doll now or plan on getting her? Do write and share the link to your photos. I LOVE new dolls. 
Mattel Indian Barbie
Competition comes to Mattel's Indian Barbie
at

9 comments:

  1. billa's dolls and fashionsNovember 30, 2014 at 10:57 AM

    Kiyaa looks lovely, I really like her fashions!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownNovember 30, 2014 at 11:59 AM

    Hello from Spain: I agree with you. This Barbie is fabulous. Keep in touch

    ReplyDelete
  3. Doll CrazyNovember 30, 2014 at 3:07 PM

    Although she is very pretty, I would like to see more variety in skin tone.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anderson's All-PurposeNovember 30, 2014 at 4:57 PM

    If she were relatively easy to come by, I'd be interested - if only because she looks refreshingly grumpy! Not every doll needs a big Superstar smile IMO.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MuffNovember 30, 2014 at 10:07 PM

    I agree with Anderson, that doll seems decidedly grumpy. Maybe she's not quite the "obedient daughter, caring sister and a wonderful friend" as the website suggests. If that's the case, then I would want one, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  6. CarricktersDecember 1, 2014 at 5:46 AM

    It's nice to see new faces and alternatives to Barbie.

    ReplyDelete
  7. D7anaDecember 1, 2014 at 1:36 PM

    Hi Billa's Dolls and Fashions, Marta, Doll Crazy, Anderson's All-Purpose, Muff, and Carrickters.

    @Billa's Dolls and Fashions - I agree. Lovely doll and lovely fashions.

    @Marta - actually, Kiyaa is not a Mattel Barbie; her creator would like Kiyaa to become the Barbie-figure of India.

    @Doll Crazy - one article mentioned that the company will create darker dolls if the pale ones sell well.

    @Anderson's All-Purpose - same here. And yes, I avoided saying it, but I agree with you and Muff. Kiyaa does look grumpy. Very refreshing.

    @Muff - what I love is that there will be stories where Kiyaa scolds her peers. So appropriate for that sourpuss face, lol. My dolls and action figures are rolling their eyes at me.

    @Carrickters - oh, yes. We can never have enough new faces. And Mattel needs the competition.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Vita PlasticaDecember 20, 2014 at 9:05 PM

    This doll is so special to me. When I was 21 or 22, I walked into a Toys R Us for a completely different reason and saw this beauty. I bought her on a whim and she began my 1/6 scale obsession. Beautiful doll and the quality of her hair is ridiculous. (in a good way)

    ReplyDelete
  9. D7anaDecember 20, 2014 at 10:13 PM

    Hi Vita Plastica (Dani)! That 2nd edition India Barbie would launch a doll collection. Glad the photo triggered a happy doll memory for you.

    ReplyDelete