Pat, I really no nothing about the doll market, but I do know the larger 16" dolls are really catching on. I think it's not because of their size but because of the quality of the fashions, the details, the accessories & props. I think if Mattel wants to compete with these dolls, they should give us less variety, but better quality fabrics, more detailed designs, etc. I think they are on the right track with the silkstones. I really don't want to collect the 16" dolls, but I am really tempted because the styles and quality of the fashions are just breathtaking. Mattel needs to quit throwing poor quality stuff at us. For instance the new Marilyn Monroe doll. Her face is really awful and the dress was a big let down. They could of done much better. I know that there are a great deal of collectors who were going to buy this doll and decided against it when they saw her. I hope they have new surprises for us at Toy Fair in the Barbie line, because what I have seen so far is less than inspiring. The designs were not imaginative or intriguing. Mattel doesn't know when to quit, how many Rapunzel dolls or Swan Lake's do we need. I say to Mattel - dazzle us and give us quality! Well, that's my two cents worth, LOL.
Kathy in Florida ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat Brown" nqsqurtz@staffnet.com To: candichat@dolls.de Sent: Friday, February 01, 2002 10:45 AM Subject: OT: Toy Fair Predictions?
Randall, describing his doll collecting coming in spurts made me think
about
the upcoming Toy Fair. Why? Because I think for the past couple of years the doll market has been in a slump--a lot of other Randalls have been spurtless, LOL! But there have been dolls that have managed to keep us
all
still collecting a little, like the Franklin Mint vinyl portrait dolls.
Are there any of you on the List who might like to hazard any guesses what you think doll makers might be trying to do to get collectors eager to
buy,
again? Do you think larger dolls are the wave of the future or do you
think
the larger dolls may be proving to be a hazard to a doll company's bottom line? How do you think 11.5" dolls will have to be marketed to consumers
to
stay competitive, given the huge selection of this size doll? Regards,
pat
Brown ----- Original Message ----- From: Randall C Herman randall90@juno.com To: candichat@dolls.de Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2002 5:52 PM Subject: OT: other fashion dolls
My collecting seems to go in spurts. For a while
I was all into buying more Dawns and I finally found the new playline dolls and now I seem to be moving into the bigger fashion dolls, which
is
completely involuntary. LOL. I have no where to put them!