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.

Tiana's Car - Out of the Ordinary

At first glance, I crinkled my nose at Disney's Tiana's Car. The colors: purple and green. I don't like purple for cars. I have a lime green Volkswagen bug that I LOVE. The VW has a hippy dippy "feel" to it. But I do not like purple for cars. So I would have dismissed this car based on that aspect. Then I looked at it again.

What if it were repainted, I mused. The lines were different. Roadster instead of a standard car. So it has some mushy, icky little green hearts on it. I could fill those in or alter them so that they were round ....

Soooo .... this is next on my vehicle list. Once I have completed Operation Downsize. Maybe I will paint it tan, this roadster. I'd like a tan car.

Fashion Fever Barbie and Friends for Sale

Below are photos of the Fashion Fever dolls I am selling. Surprisingly, most of them are blond Barbies. (Joke - smile.) The text below includes the doll name, model, wave, outfit description, and price - not including postage. Minimum order $30.00. No returns.

Barbie Fashion Fever Wave B 27084 20896
Black pinstripe jacket, turquoise-silver knit top, faded jeans with magenta top stitching. $10.00

Barbie Fashion Fever Wave N - Styled by Me 27084 34555 H0644
Pink-taupe-white-black print shirt; tan miniskirt; black suede belt; denim sparkled cap; dusty pink wedge-heeled boots. $15.00

Barbie Fashion Fever Wave R - Modern Trends 27084 33808
Gray-taupe-pink tweed on white jacket; white name midriff tee; navy jeans w. pink floral applique on left thigh; pink boots. $10.00

Barbie Fashion Fever Wave R - Modern Trends 27084 29702 H0644 J1326
Purple spangly top; pinstriped faded jeans w. floral cornucopia on upper left leg; silver chain belt w. heart lock; silver dagger earrings; purple sheer w. iridescent sprinkle plastic handbag; purple platform sandals. $10.00

Barbie Fashion Fever Wave V 27084 29737 H0644
Peachy pink mini dress w. purple trim at hem; painted on purple-lime-pink necklace painted on doll's chest and back; bronze plastic handbag; bronze spike heels. $10.00

Barbie Fashion Fever Holiday 27084 40589 K0841
Red net over silver dress; silver fox "fur"; red platform heeled sandals; tiny red plastic bag. $20.00

Barbie Fashion Fever 2006 line 27084 44745
Tiered pink knit mini dress; white purse. $10.00

Barbie Fashion Fever 2007 line 27084 48621
Black bolero jacket w. puff sleeves; pink w. black dots blouse; black capris w. pink polka dots; pink flats w. black polka dots. $10.00

Drew Fashion Fever Wave V 27084 29740 J1413 0900BHL
Peach fun fur jacket; black pleather w. lace overlay and black fur hem mini skirt; black plastic knee boots. $25.00

Kayla Fashion Fever Wave V 27084 29738
Pale magneta fur coat with a silvery-pink snakeskin cinch belt; lilac ankle boots; silver bead and amethyst necklace. $15.00

Raquelle Fashion Fever 2006 line 27084 44747
Black sequined midriff top; black denim mini skirt; black knee boots; black iridescent cloth handbag. $10.00

Teresa Fashion Fever Wave B - Asian Fruits 27084 19171
Pink floral on white top; fuchsia net topped skirt; white cuffed knee boots; translucent pink messenger bag. $30.00

Ken Fashion Fever 2006 line 27084 44748 K8411 K8421
Light gray pullover with pink-multi graphic; black messenger bag; distressed blue jeans; russet flat shoes. $15.00

Kurt Fashion Fever Wave S Modern Trends Collection 27084 29707 H0644 J1331
Olive-beige multi print long sleeved shirt; distressed black jeans; black boots; neck ornament. $15.00

Drew Fashion Fever Wave B - Asian Fruits 27084 19170
Yellow-green top; pink floral skirt; black oversized mailbag w. silver straps; black-gray watch; green cuffs; huge platform pink-white-red boots; silver bead necklace w. aqua teddy bear head. $30.00

Drew Fashion Fever Wave C 27084 20899
Fuchsia short sleeved cotton jacket; pink-white floral patterned top; pink satin knickers; pink topped, cream platform sandals; pink floral bento box. $10.00

Any questions, please ask. Thanks for viewing.

For Sale February 2012

Model	Name	Price
Happy Family Dad & Son	Alan and Ryan	$30.00
Barbie Millicent Roberts, 1st	Barbie	$25.00
Bead Blast	Barbie	$10.00
Best Model: Monte-Carlo 2006	Barbie	$30.00
Birthday Wishes Blue 2005	Barbie	$25.00
Butterfly Art	Barbie	$10.00
City Style	Barbie	$10.00
Elektra of Marvel Comics	Barbie	$8.00
Fashion Fever Wave V	Barbie	$10.00
Fashion Fever Wave B	Barbie	$10.00
Fashion Fever Wave R - Modern Trends	Barbie	$10.00
Fashion Fever Wave R - Modern Trends	Barbie	$10.00
Fashion Fever Wave N - Styled by Me	Barbie	$15.00
Fashion Fever Holiday	Barbie	$20.00
Fashion Fever 2006	Barbie	$10.00
Fashion Fever 2007	Barbie	$10.00
Feelin' Groovy (Billy Boy)	Barbie	$20.00
Festival of the World: Chinese New Year	Barbie	$30.00
PomPom Divas Fly Girls	Barbie and Teresa	$18.00
Generation Girl	Barbie	$18.00
Fashion Model Collection: Highland Fling	Barbie	$25.00
Hip	Barbie - AA	$8.00
Hip	Barbie - AA	$8.00
Doll of the World: India	Barbie	$25.00
Birthstone Beauties: May	Barbie	$10.00
Birthstone Beauties: June	Barbie	$10.00
Birthstone Beauties: November	Barbie	$10.00
Movie Star (British version)	Barbie	$20.00
My Graduation 2004 (Mi Graduacion 2004)	Barbie	$20.00
DorW: Polish	Barbie	$10.00
Pretty Flowers	Barbie	$8.00
DotW Princess of Ancient Greece	Barbie	$30.00
DotW Princess of Holland	Barbie	$15.00
Radiant Rose	Barbie	$30.00
Fairytopia Sparkle Fairy (Blue)	Barbie	$10.00
Pop Icons Veronica	Barbie	$10.00
The Island Princess	Barbie	$10.00
Target Special Edition Halloween Party	Becky	$9.00
Cali Guy	Blaine	$15.00
Li'l Friends of Kelly	Chelsie	$5.00
Barbie Diaries	Courtney	$15.00
Rebelde: Elite Way School Set	Diego and Roberta	$18.00
Fashion Fever Wave B - Asian Fruits	Drew	$30.00
Fashion Fever Wave C	Drew	$10.00
Fashion Fever Wave V	Drew	$25.00
Disney: High School Musical	Gabriella	$15.00
Rebelde: Elite Way School Set	Giovanni and Lupita	$18.00
Wedding Day	Groom	$15.00
Fashion Fever Wave V	Kayla	$15.00
Target Special Edition Halloween Party	Kelly	$9.00
Beach Fun The New Look	Ken	$10.00
Cali Girl	Ken	$10.00
Fashion Fever	Ken	$15.00
Fashion Fever Wave S Modern Trends	Kurt	$15.00
Li'l Friends of Kelly	Marisa	$10.00
Candy Glam	Nikki	$9.00
Holiday Party	Nikki	$10.00
Teen, Friend of Skipper	Nikki	$20.00
My Scene Chillin' Out	Nolee	$15.00
My Scene Masquerade Madness	Nolee	$15.00
Fashion Fever	Raquelle	$10.00
That's So Raven	Raven	$30.00
Rebelde Concert Outfit	Roberta Pardo	$12.00
Disney - HSM3 Senior Yr: Grad.	Ryan	$12.00
Cali Girl	Summer	$10.00
Butterfly Art	Teresa	$10.00
Fashion Fever Wave B - Asian Fruits	Teresa	$30.00
Top Model	Teresa	$20.00
Wal-Mart Shopping Time	Teresa	$8.00
Target Special Edition Halloween Party	Tommy	$9.00
Tree Ornament: Mistletoe Kisses	Tommy	$9.00
Generation Girl	Tori	$20.00
Minimum order $30.00	No returns	Postage not included

More Ethnic Representation in Upcoming 2012 Dolls

At My Barbie Doll, you can see a photo of the 2012 Black Barbie ... I Can be President doll. That presidential candidate doll seems to have the Desiree head mold. You will also see listed that the Barbie I Can Be series includes Hispanic and Asian dolls as well as the Black and the White dolls. Shades of 1999 when several ethnic dolls existed! Wow.

Scroll further down and you will find new Fashionista Wardrobe dolls - one of whom, Teresa, will be using the Summer head mold. These sets seem to be composed of a doll and about 4 outfits. A doll I suspect is the Fashionista Wardrobe Nikki appears on the Entertainment Earth website. Similar offerings are the new Fashionistas Clutch - Wave 2 dolls and a Fashionista Wardrobe that seems to have TWO bars for hanging clothes.

And do not forget to check Doll Genie and Angelic Dreamz.

Note: ASMZine's site didn't have much for Barbies and was difficult to upload for me this year.

New Teen Bodies: Disney VIP Dolls

I don't have any of these Disney V.I.P. dolls yet, but I wanted to point them out as having articulated bodies AND heads that I would relocate onto larger bodies. However, I do think that there is something muscular about the thighs on these dolls so you might want to consider them for your characters who participate in running track. Nice thing about that is that there will be more body variation.

What about the larger heads? I'd see if any My Scene doll bodies would work with those heads. Or possibly even one of the action figures? I like the Rocky and the CeCe faces although I would probably "fix" the eyes so that they didn't look so very cartoony.

Pizza and Chocolate Enough? T.J.'s Valentine 2012

Love is NOT in the air for Integrity Toys' T.J. this year.

She had an argument with [No]Angelus.

She had a disagreement with Trevor.

She passed a modeling assignment with Lukas.

She informed the Power Team guys that football had and always would bore her.

She outraged Naomi when she confessed that she had "lost" the Whitney Houston tapes ... although she had a vague recollection that the loss occurred sometime in the morning ... just before the trash trucks pulled off.

The lost tapes was the final straw for many of the East Philadelphians because Naomi then complained to anyone who would listen that T.J. was too insensitive. Naomi-in-grief could be difficult, but Naomi-incensed-by-cruel-intolerance would madden anyone in hearing distance. So T.J.'s fans, friends, foes, and even those who barely knew her, gave her the cold shoulder.

So T.J. spent her Valentine's Day 2012 sitting on a loveseat and eating a Van Doll's pizza, a carton of popcorn, and a box of Godiva bought with her own money. She had pizza and she had chocolate and last year's set of The Closer dvds. So T.J. had a nice enough Valentine's Day after all.

Olmec Naomi and Mattel Kiddies

Naomi (Olmec) felt depressed about the recent deaths of Don Cornelius and Whitney Houston. So she decided to do something to cheer herself up: she would hold a quickie beauty pageant for the youngest African American girls. First, she found her favorite 80s songs. Now this was real music. And she could teach those little divas how to execute her favorite dance moves ... 

Now check out her favorite green tube top and her favorite red-green-black plaid slacks and matching cap. A little chilly for this season but cheery all the same. How could a sister feel down when she wore such a cool outfit? This was dressing like nobody [else] could.

The contestants are from left to right: Kianna, Darla, Deidre, Carrie, Betty, Keeya, Rashida, and Doe. Naomi's set up a separate poll to share her pageant. You are welcome to vote for your choice for Little Miss 80s Revisited 2012.

Flipping Francie's #1291 Check This Outfit

I am showing an inside seam and the wear side of Francie's vintage outfit, #1291 Check This to show that the original seams are intact and that no repairs were made to this fashion.

This outfit and another vintage Francie outfit are on sale at eBay under Philly_Collector.

It's a lovely navy-white checked maxi dress with yellow chiffon trim along the top of the bodice, at the empire waist, and at the hem. It has thin navy-white spaghetti straps to hold it up. The fabric is still crisp and clean although the "leather" flowers have fallen off 2 spots on the dress as has the single flower on the yellow chiffon scarf. All of the flowers are included with the dress and the scarf.

The other outfit is an excellent condition, #1275 Bells, the red-white and red-blue floral print top and pants from 1967.

Teasing Twilight Fans

I visited Terri Gold's blog to read her post about the new Twilight dolls.  Yes, Edward and Bella. Shudder. Mr. Ghastly and Ms. Quantum Whine. I still whimper in my sleep from the memory of the first Twilight movie. I haven't suffered so since I tried to read a Barbara Cartland romance. Shudder. Bleech!


Terri mentions the deadly dull duo as being "the dead and the soon to be dead." The problem is that they both keep popping up. Dead and soon-to-be-dead. Sigh. I mean, come on. Where are their manners? Someone ought to tell them that dead means dead. Shush and finito. The End.


No ... some people never learn a lesson. My suggestion? Let's get some stakes going and some Vampire Slayers out. Evil - read "desperate" - cackles emerge. Sorry. I couldn't resist ... the gown does look lovely. And there will be a "special" DVD package coming out February 11, 2012.

Introducing Playscale "William" for Downton Abbey Fans

Any Downton Abbey fans present?

I confess, I watch it Sunday evenings, but I don't web crawl for updates about it. I enjoy it although it is not, say, Dr. Who. (Nor is it the best organized program I have ever seen.) It does have some elements I like: British accents, countryside views, period dress, and my Beau.

Excuse me? D7ana is dating an actor from Downton Abbey?

No. Not at all.

One of the Downton Abbey characters, William the footman, looks like my Handsome Beau doll bought from Standard Doll Company sometime in the late 1970s or the early 1980s. Here are two photos of Beau:

"Handsome Beau" stands 11.5" tall. On the back of his head below his hair, are two embossed lines: the top reads "19©G3", the second line reads "GRANT PLASTICS." He has no other marks on his body.

Well, Downton Abbey will be on soon so I'm going to finish this post now with this question: do you watch any series that you recreate in your play scale world?

Where to Find [Older] Liv Bodies

Given the recent articulation reductions in some Liv doll lines, some Liv fans might wonder, where can we find the better Liv bodies?


Walmart and Ross Dress for Less still have some of the earlier Liv lines. Walmart has them at $6.90 while Ross has them at about $7.99. Pretty decent prices for flexibility.