Who's That Susie?

Anyone recognize the Susie in the photo below? The photo itself once was part of a PhillyCollector header. 

Can't recognize her? I'll tell you then: this Susie is the Los Angeles Luxe doll created for the 2006 Barbie Convention. She has long straight dark auburn hair and brown eyes with painted eyelashes.  She's shown wearing her original fashion, a gunmetal gray bolero jacket and a gunmetal gray halter midi dress. Does anyone recognize her now?

Mattel Fashionista Ryan Shows Marx Sindy Breakfront, Place Setting

Fashionista Ryan shows the Marx Sindy Breakfront from 1978.

Would you like to reproduce this table setting? See how on this page.

A Bike Post Inspired by Vanessa or Posing Requires Patience

Okay, these are NOT my best photos. I almost left them buried, but I had such fun reading Vanessa's bike post, I caved. Here is the backstory: I took 3 figures and 2 bikes out - just in case I had the chance to photograph them outside. I live in a big city. I was going to Center City for a meeting. And I seriously thought I might have 10-15 minutes uninterrupted and unseen when I could take photos of a doll and 2 action figures riding a bike. Ha! You can throw that out again - ha!

No chance in Center City. Too many people out and about. Sigh. Might as well go home. Took the train for consolation. Got off the train and inspiration hit. Maybe I could do my photo shoot here? The outdoor light was bright and clear. It wasn't too hot. There is a grassy area that would make a great scene. I could set the bikes up as if they were going through the Park. If I slowed down and let the other passengers move off to go about their business, I would have the scenic station to myself. Again, ha!

I was the last off the train. Walked slowly towards the exit, then paused to open my bag. The passengers seemed to have dispersed. Whew. Now is my chance. I whipped out R&D Susie and one of the M&C Toys Power Team guys and the Mattel My Scene Jammin in Jamaica bicycle for two. I tried to set them on the bicycle. Okay, I needed them to squat a little and hold onto the bicycle handles. They wanted to do anything but that. Their feet did not fit into the foot holders. Okay, granted, his feet were too big to fit in them. Her feet were the right size though. Feet in? Now to pose the rest of her just so. Almost there - she is half on the bike. He seems to be straddling his seat. I prop him onto the bike seat. He falls off his perch. I go to pick him up, she falls down. I take a deep breath and try not to growl. Leave those two sprawled atop the bicycle.

Mai. She's a little poser, Mai is. Real trooper. Oh boy did I forget how contrary she can be to pose? Her feet will turn backwards after you think you have her set right. Very loose jointing she has. Sigh. So when I finally set her feet going in the right direction, I did not notice that her hands had turned to an impossible angle. Until after I took the photograph. Sigh. This is NOT a scene from a zombie film. Come on, work with me, Mai. Squat a little to fit the single bicycle. You posed for me before - you and NuFace Lukas - ah, but Lukas is not here. Mai has ornery all over her face.

Then I had the sensation that someone was watching me. Or maybe I saw a movement on the periphery. I looked up. An unknown man was looking at me. I was less alarmed that an unknown man was looking at me than I was pissed that some nosey parker was spying on my directing. And my directing was not going well. My actors and props refused to cooperate. I was getting tired and antsy. God forbid my family or a near neighbor walk by. I would NEVER hear the end of it. "You embarrassed us."  "Why do you do these things?" Groan. Could I not have just a few minutes on a clear, sunny day?

Nope. I could not. I glared at the nosey parker and moved my wayward figures to a different spot. Took a few quick photos. Because I was going to have something to show for my efforts. Only I knew I had better end my photo session before nosey parker brought in reinforcements. "See - that's the woman torturing dolls. Lock her up." Sigh.

Here are three photos from that session.

A Cycling Nightmare

Susie: I'm not built for this. Terry: Just chill, babe. See? No hands.

Mai: She should have brought Lukas. I don't like this outfit. Who's ornery?

Jumping Jamming Jiving June 2014

We had a flash mob in East Philly today. See the photos below and read the transcript of the comments that were a.) understandable and b.) safe for young ears.

Male Dolls and Action Figures Celebrate

Transcript: Whooo hhhhooo! 'Bout time! Our turn, baby! Let the dudes out! It's a man's world ... Yo bro! Yahoo! Sports, we want sports! Papa's got a brand new bag. Rock 'n roll.

Sigh.

Otherwise, June first was a lovely day. A lot warmer than May first, but still a sunny day. Will I address any topics this month - besides the ones overdue from last month? (Like the rest of my Asian American dolls and action figure lists and photos and some other themes from May. No, I am not giving them up until next year.) You bet. These are some June themes that I might merge with doll and action figure posts:

Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month

African-American Music Appreciation Month

National Caribbean-American Heritage Month


Entrepreneurs "Do It Yourself" Marketing Month

Father's Day

Juneteenth

Gay Pride Month

and not least of these tributes:  International Men's Month

I will share dolls and/or action figures that fit these themes. If you have relevant links - dolls or figures that match, let me know. I'll include your website if the figures are playscale and the site is "work safe."

The South Asian American DAF Heritage Post

Possible Bollywood Extras shown in photo above: top, Mattel Juliet; right, Mattel Amazing Nails Kayla; bottom, Mattel Flavas Party Tika; and left, Lanard I-Girl Sahara.

Isn't May "Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month," period? With the adjective Asian referring to people from both South and East Asian countries? In the U.S.A., yes. So why am I breaking the list into two sections? To see what I can see. I assume that because I have more East Asian dolls that possibly, there are more East Asian dolls available. Let's start with the South Asian list - as listed - to test that assumption. Note: please share any South Asian heritage, playscale dolls or action figures that I have missed here. (Thanks in advance ;-D)

Countries falling under "South Asia" include India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka: for a complete list, see the World Bank website. Dolls in this post lists have heritage from those areas.

Aside: I need to ask your indulgence on a small matter. I have cheated: some dolls listed are not ALL based on American citizens. I confess to stealing English, Irish, and other citizens to provide greater representation. Why does that matter? Well, this is an American ethnic heritage month, but here I am bogarting dolls and characters outside of the United States. Sigh. I warn you in advance though.

INDIA

Funskool 

Miss India Sindy 1996-2005        
Additional Sindy



Integrity Toys

Isha
Malika
Poppy Parker 




Leo Company (with Mattel)


Expressions of Barbie 
Barbie / Ken / Skipper sets




Mattel


Barbie I Can Be [a] Movie Star - Katrina Kaif 2010
Dhoom Barbie 2014
Dhoom Ken 2014

Diwali Barbie 2006
India Barbie 1982       

India Barbie 1996       

India Barbie 2012       

Princess of India Barbie 2000



MGA Entertainment

Bratzillaz Back To Magic Illiana Honesty


One World Doll Project, Inc.

Dahlia (to be released Fall 2014)


SpinMaster

Priyanka Chopra 2006
Kajol 2006
Hrithik Roshan 2006
Shah Rukh Khan 2006
(None of these actors are American.)



YNU Group

Mixis Bollywood Outfit - Bright colored tunic, palazzo pants, and tailored dupioni shoes
2 Mixis dolls not yet on the market have Indian heritage. Bios and photos on FB Mixis Jr.

PAKISTAN

Hasbro

Zayn Malik 
(Mr. Malik has English-Pakistani heritage.)

SRI LANKA 

Vivid Imagination


Siva Kaneswaran 
(Mr. Kaneswaran has Irish-Sri Lankan heritage.)

Additional Reading

South Asian Dolls (larger scale)  

For Dennis Rodman Fans ...

This past Saturday, I would have attended the International Black Doll Show and Sale, but it did not happen this year. Sigh. I mention that Show because that was the first and the only time that I saw a Dennis Rodman doll. That Dennis Rodman wore a wedding gown. Moving on - to avoid offending any DR fans out there who read here - there is a new Dennis Rodman figure by Storm Toy Collectibles. 

Storm Toy Collectibles makes collector quality action figures. You can read about them on their website or like them on their Facebook page.

This figure is bigger and articulated unlike the doll Dennis. Even if you have no interest in Dennis Rodman, you might want to check this figure out. The approximately 35 mm figure has 10 different hair sculpts, 11 interchangeable palms, a long fur vest, gold pants, flag briefs, a muscular body build, sunglasses, and other incredible, well-made accessories. The price is as you would imagine - "up there," lol. His pre-order cost is $214.99. Postage is $43.00 (not included in the pre-order/sale price). But you would have an extraordinary figure and accessories for that cost. 

Me, I am NOT a fan - I am not/was never a sports enthusiast. Sports interrupted my soap operas back when I watched them. Hurray and enjoy to those who are sports or Dennis Rodman fans!

Takara Jenny Friends Who Are Staying

I am late on sharing my ethnic American doll posts. I don't want to re-hash the same lists so I am trying something different this year. You'll see the results soon. In the mean time, here are some Takara Jenny friends who represent some of my Asian fashion dolls. Many of you will recognize Takara as one of the Japanese toy manufacturers who worked with Mattel to promote the sale of Barbie in Japan. These are some of the Takara girls I want to keep and why.

I have below one Kisara, two Linas, and one Meiren who fall in this category. Let's start with Firefighter Kisara from the Calendar Girl: The Uniforms of History series from 2002.

Takara Calendar Girl Kisara

Kisara is one of my favorite Jenny friends. So although I was tempted to NOT open her box, I opened her box. (Insert wry face.) The plastic around her head is intact. She has not yet been removed from the box. I wanted you to see here as close to NRFB as possible minus the glare on the box.

Takara Calendar Girl Kisara close up

I love the coloring of this Kisara. She's got an ivory complexion against chocolate brown hair, brown eyes, and a dark rose lip color. I like the costume, too. It is an antique fireman's uniform. I would feel anxious if I were putting out fires while wearing something that billowy, but I like the colors, the way the fabric drapes, and the smooth texture. That's why - unfortunately for her - I still have her in that outfit although I *know* that it has stained her body. All that dark cotton. Yes, we *know* without looking. Sigh. But I really like this doll, her outfit, and the overall look.

Next up: Lina, another of my favorite Jenny friends.

Takara Chinese Lina, Jenny's older friend

Takara Licca Club 67 Lina

Two wise Lina dolls. Lina is an older friend of Jenny. Don't you think that she looks as though she understands how and why people act the way they do? My Linas both have Jenny 18 bodies. (Jenny 18 bodies are a little taller and more buxom than the basic Jenny 17 bodies.) 

The first doll with glossy black Princess Leia-style braids is called "Chinese" Lina. No, I did not give "Chinese" Lina that title: that is her description. She wears her original fashion, a pink brocade qi pao gown. It looks great on her - so I have been reluctant to find something else for her to wear. 

The ash blond Lina doll is from the Licca Club 67 series. Licca Club 67 are/were special order dolls: I contacted a dealer and let that person know that I wanted that doll. This Lina wears a My Scene Barbie outfit that I thought looks great against her dusty pale coloring. What I like about her coloring is that it looks as though she were a brunette who dyed her hair a blond color that does not exist in nature. Takes moxie to dye your hair that kind of color. I redressed her in that outfit years ago and re-boxed her to protect her from dust. Her original outfit was a white, one-piece knit swimsuit.

The last doll to be discussed today is Meiren.

Takara Brown Box Meiren

She's got a lovely red-brown hair color, warm brown eyes, and a pink-peach complexion. When I first saw her, I did not like this doll. She looked like a snoopy Chatty Cathy. Notice those big, round, all-seeing eyes? Then I realized she didn't look malicious. She looks curious and eager to share whatever she has learned whenever that's convenient. Like now, ha ha. Meiren has become one of my favorite Jenny friends. The Kisaras and the Linas have quieter looks, but for liveliness, you can't beat Meiren.