What Barbie's friends and rivals look like: Manga heroine, Muslim woman and other fashion dolls from different countries

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

One Barbie doll is sold every second in the world, hundreds of thousands of collectors are ready to shell out big money for limited and vintage Matell creations, and the blonde fashionista herself has become a real symbol of modern culture. But she was never alone - all over the world, starting from the 1960s, there are more and more of her competitors … or future girlfriends? Some of them disappear as soon as they appear, while others threaten to oust the impudent American woman from the regional markets …

Cindy - British rival Barbie from the 90s

Cindy by Pedigree Toys is perhaps the most famous of European fashion dolls. She appeared in 1963 and quickly acquired family, friends, an extensive wardrobe and numerous pets. Unlike the glamorous beauty Barbie, Cindy was positioned as “the girl next door” - simple and sweet. Cindy was Barbie's main rival for several years, in the 70s at home she became even more popular than her American "sister". Moreover, it was Cindy who first acquired a variety of accessories, furniture and a dollhouse, which significantly influenced the position of Barbie in the European market. In the late 90s, Cindy's first global redesign took place - she began to look even more like Barbie. Mattel has tried to combat this. After another lawsuit, the producers of Cindy adjusted her facial features, making it as unlike the creation of Mattel as possible. In the future, the right to issue Cindy passed from one company to another, for several years it disappeared altogether from retail, but invariably returned.

Pedigree Toys initially took feminist criticism of "fashion dolls" and parental concerns about the aggressive look of modern toys early on. In the 2000s, after the license returned to the creators, Cindy went through another metamorphosis, during which she rejuvenated by several years and began to simultaneously resemble her retro version and a modern teenage girl. And in general, she is much less like a "fashion victim" than other fashion dolls.

Forever young Likka-chan

In Japan in the 60s, there was also a version of the Barbie. Her name was Likka-chan, and in her native country she enjoyed no less popularity than European and American counterparts, which did not correspond to the aesthetic views of the Japanese. Likka looks younger and more tender, and there is no obligatory cheerful smile on her face. In any of its versions - the design of the doll inevitably changed, and with each new version Likka grew younger, eventually becoming eleven - she looks like the heroines of the manga of the corresponding period. In addition, the Takara brand sought to move away from imposing romantic relationships on girls. Likka-chan, of course, had boyfriend friends, but they were bound exclusively by platonic feelings.

Fukushima Prefecture has a theme park and museum dedicated to Likka-chan. Most of the visitors (and generally Likka-chan's fans) are people over thirty, including men. A video game is dedicated to her, she has a detailed biography and even profiles on social networks. Likka loves pink, Anne of Green Gables, travel blog, and has a passion for cooking.

Momoko - the face of modern Japan

Another Japanese woman on this list is the adorable Momoko doll, which has won the hearts of European, American and Russian collectors. She has delicate features, a well-designed body with movable hinges, exquisite outfits … The brand that launched Momoko - PetWORKs - was engaged in the development of computer games and conceived it as a kind of souvenir.

But after a series of redesigns, Momoko quickly became incredibly popular. She is usually dressed like a modern Japanese fashionista, but models are produced in a traditional suit or spectacular evening gowns. However, female admirers - and admirers, since men often buy fashion dolls in Japan - often come up with outfits, accessories and interiors for her.

Soviet and Russian "Barbies"

There were analogues of Barbie in the USSR. One of the most famous was the brainchild of the Krugozor plant - Veronika. The idea appeared in the late 1980s, but then the sketches of the sculptor Vladimir Politaev were indignantly rejected by the art council. Only in December 1991, Veronica appeared on the shelves. Just like Barbie, Veronica had everything - her own house with furniture, outfits and a lover named Vladislav. Veronica appeared in front of customers and in the national costumes of the peoples of Russia. She did not have complex hinges and flexible arms, but her face was painted by hand, her hair was stitched with high quality, and there were no rough seams and adhesions on her body. In addition to Veronica, there were other fashion dolls - for example, Christina, Natalya and Nastenka, created at the Ogonyok plant.

Today Veronica and other domestic Barbie counterparts are collectibles. There are clubs of their fans on social networks, including the Russian-speaking community @bela_russian_fashion_dolls VKontakte.

Fulla is the Islamic rival of the Barbie who conquered the world

In Muslim countries, the American Barbie meets with a certain rejection. In the Middle East (and now in Russia), a doll by Fulla (translated as “Jasmine”) from the NewBoy Design Studio brand, more in line with the image of a devout Muslim woman, is in great love. Its development began in the late 90s, when the sale of Barbie and similar dolls was banned in Saudi Arabia.

In 2003, Fulla achieved incredible sales figures in Iran, Jordan, Egypt … as well as China and even the USA. This doll is a teenage girl who wears hijab and abaya and devotes a lot of time to her studies and family. For Fulla, prayer rugs, multi-colored scarves and accessories are produced as part of the Islamic requirements for the appearance and lifestyle of women. Unlike Western colleagues, Fulla has no boyfriend. But the more mature Islamic fashion doll Jamila is married and has two children successfully.