Two months ago, I had mentioned Mattel's That's So Raven doll. I had decided to use that body for Mattel's Festivals of the World Carnival Barbie. I was happy that the Raven doll body is rounder than most Barbie bodies. That difference made me wonder. Was the Play Along Galleria Garibaldi's doll body different, too? Guess what? It is. The Play Along Galleria's doll body is heavier than the basic Play Along fashion dolls.
Let's start with the Mattel Raven: her legs and torso are shorter and wider than that of this belly button bodied Fashion Fever Barbie.
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| Mattel That's So Raven doll (l) and Fashion Fever Barbie doll (r) |
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| Back view of Mattel That's So Raven doll (l) and Fashion Fever Barbie doll (r) |
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| Side view of Mattel Fashion Fever Barbie doll (l) That's So Raven doll (r) |
Let's see Raven with other Mattel teen dolls closer to her height: Raven is heavier than Generation Girl Mari and hobbit-bodied Rebelde Lupita.
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| Mattel That's So Raven doll flanked by other Mattel dolls: Generation Girl Mari (l) and Rebelde Lupita (r) |
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| Back view of Mattel That's So Raven doll between Generation Girl Mari (l) and Rebelde Lupita (r) |
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| Side view of Mattel That's So Raven doll and other Mattel dolls: Generation Girl Mari (l) and Rebelde Lupita (r) |
The Play Along Galleria Garibaldi's doll body has more contrast to the basic Play Along doll body. Her painted-on underwear is different: Chanel on the left wears a white bikini bottom while Galleria wears embossed pink briefs.
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| Front view of Play Along Cheetah Girls Chanel (l) and Galleria (r) |
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| Back view of Play Along Cheetah Girls Chanel (l) and Galleria (r) |
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| Play Along Cheetah Girls Chanel (l) and Galleria (r) in profile |
What about the two Ravens, side-by-side? Do you think one better resembles the actress, or do both fail in that department?
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| Profiles of Mattel Raven (l) and Play Along Cheetah Girl Galleria (r) |
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| Front view Play Along Cheetah Girl Galleria (l) and Mattel Raven (r) |
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| Back view Play Along Cheetah Girl Galleria (l) and Mattel Raven (r) |
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| Side view Play Along Cheetah Girl Galleria (l) and Mattel Raven (r) |
Me? I think that the Play Along doll has a slight edge in resemblance. I appreciate her heavier frame, but I like the bendable arms and the complexion of the Mattel doll better. However, my Carnival Barbie will be getting that body. The Mattel Raven head mounted on a new body will become another character. Though lovely on her own, the Mbili-faced doll does not resemble the actress at all. That is my opinion.
I'd love to read your reaction. Please share them in the comments ;-)
