Before You Buy Large-Sized Fashion Dolls

Tyler is a fashion designer for a contemporary fashion house. Tyler has modern fashions, and is perfect for the collector wanting a doll showcasing the best of modern couture and casual wear. Tyler also "vintage" outfits in her Theatre de la Mode collection. Other characters include Esme (African American) Sydney (older) and Mei Lei (Asian). Tyler, like Gene, has patterns available for sewing.

Gene is the longest-reigning large-sized collectible fashion doll. Introduced in 1995, there are many versions of Gene, plus characters such as Madra Lord (her rival), Trent (male) and Violet Waters (African American). Gene is the perfect fashion doll for collectors who appreciate costumes of the 1940s and 1950s, and for collectors who are fans of classic movies, since Gene is a "movie star."

Alex has more of a "dolly" feel than some of the other fashion dolls, because the head of the doll is a bit larger than the heads of some of the other dolls. Alex has a lovely, contemporary wardrobe. Other characters include Paris (African American) and Jade (Asian). The clothing is very detailed, as is most Madame Alexander clothing, and the dolls are getting full-articulation this year.

Eve by Susan Wakeen is also a doll with a contemporary feel and look. Eve's story places her as a fashion photographer. Cassie is an additional "younger" doll in the line. Eve has more of an "ingénue" look than either Gene or Tyler (some collectors think she is a good choice for a younger-looking doll or slightly younger collector).

Brenda Starr has received a complete update in 2003! She is now being produced by Robert Tonner. Her vinyl is sleeker, she's thinner (including in the face) and her clothes will show off the best of 1940s fashions, using deluxe and beautifully scaled clothing. The first Brenda dolls haven't yet reached stores, so we'll have to see how Brenda fits in with her longer-term competitors this year.

Kitty is slightly larger than most of the other fashion dolls profiled here, at 18". This makes Kitty ideal for sewing--the larger size is easier for some seamstresses to handle. Additionally, Kitty is another fashion doll with a lovely ingenue feel. Kitty wears both modern and vintage fashion, but I think that Kitty shines in her vintage wear. Another great fashion doll from Robert Tonner.

Very hip, very young, with teen-age fashion at the forefront, the Seventeen dolls are new from Ashton Drake this year. Designed by Robert Tonner, the dolls are in the spirit of Seventeen magazine which has been a favorite of young teenage girls for generations. A great choice for an older child or teenage collector, as well as the older collector who enjoys younger fashions.