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The Story of Design a Friend Dolls: Chad Valley's Aussie Favourite

The Story of Design a Friend Dolls: Chad Valley's Aussie...

DesignaFriend is an 18-inch doll line marketed under the historic British brand Chad
Valley, whose doll-making history stretches back over a century. This guide traces Chad Valley's early felt-doll craftsmanship through to DesignaFriend's 2011 launch and its arrival in Australia via Big W in 2021.

The Story of Baby Annabell: Zapf Creation's Interactive Baby Doll

The Story of Baby Annabell: Zapf Creation's Interactive ...

Baby Annabell was launched in 1998 by German toy company Zapf Creation, built
around the idea of a soft, cuddly companion rather than a gadget-heavy toy. This guide traces her history from Zapf's 1932 founding, through her sound-detecting debut, to the increasingly interactive versions that followed.

The Story of Götz Dolls: German Quality Since 1950

The Story of Götz Dolls: German Quality Since 1950

 Götz is a German doll manufacturer founded in 1950 in Rödental, starting from
handmade papier-mâché dolls and growing into a major family-run doll maker. This guide covers its pioneering artist-doll reproductions, its role manufacturing the first American Girl historical dolls, and its modern play-doll range.

The Story of Corolle Dolls: French Craftsmanship for Little Hands

The Story of Corolle Dolls: French Craftsmanship for Little ...

Corolle is a French doll brand founded in 1979 in the Loire Valley, known for soft-bodied
baby dolls, faces inspired by real children, and a signature vanilla scent. This guide traces the brand's history, its age-and-stage range, and the international recognition it's earned over more than 40 years.

The Story of Disney Dolls: A Princess Heritage Almost 100 Years in the Making

The Story of Disney Dolls: A Princess Heritage Almost 100 Ye...

Disney dolls have been a beloved part of childhood for nearly a century, beginning with the first Snow White doll in 1937 and evolving into today’s detailed Princess and Animators’ Collection dolls. With familiar characters, built-in stories, and beautifully designed outfits, Disney dolls continue to inspire imaginative play across generations. Understanding the different doll sizes helps owners choose the right clothing and accessories, while gentle care - such as avoiding heat, cleaning carefully, and protecting dolls from sunlight - helps preserve them for years. Whether treasured as a play companion, keepsake, or family heirloom, Disney dolls remain a special connection between storytelling and childhood memories.

The Story of Götz Dolls: German Craftsmanship That Lasts Generations

The Story of Götz Dolls: German Craftsmanship That Lasts Gen...

Götz Puppenmanufaktur is a German doll brand with over 75 years of craftsmanship behind it. Founded in Bavaria in 1950, Götz helped shape the modern doll industry and even produced the original American Girl dolls. Known for quality, durability, and beautiful design, Götz dolls are made to be loved by children and treasured by collectors for generations.

The Story of Wellie Wishers: Five Friends With One Big Wish

The Story of Wellie Wishers: Five Friends With One Big Wish

This blog tells the story of American Girl’s Wellie Wishers, a doll collection designed for younger children that focuses on friendship, kindness and imaginative play. It introduces the five original characters and their unique personalities, explains how the range was created for ages four to seven, and highlights the books, TV series and accessories that bring their garden adventures to life. The article also explores what makes Wellie Wishers special, from their durable design and diversity to their focus on empathy and being a good friend.

The Story of Paola Reina Dolls: Spanish Charm in Every Detail

The Story of Paola Reina Dolls: Spanish Charm in Every Detail

This blog explores the story behind Paola Reina dolls, a Spanish-made brand known for its handmade craftsmanship, beautiful details and signature vanilla-scented vinyl. It highlights the different doll collections, including Las Gordis, Las Amigas and Mini Amigas, while showcasing what makes Paola Reina special: hand-painted faces, high-quality materials, diverse designs and a strong connection to traditional Spanish doll-making. The article also explains sizing and why these dolls are loved by both children and collectors around the world.

The Story of Our Generation Dolls: Quality Without the Big Price Tag

The Story of Our Generation Dolls: Quality Without the Big P...

This blog shares the story of Our Generation dolls, the affordable and high-quality 18-inch doll range created by Canadian toy company Battat. It explores how the brand grew from its early Collectors Lane Kids dolls into a worldwide favourite, offering children detailed characters, meaningful stories, diverse designs and an impressive range of accessories. The article highlights what makes Our Generation special, including its accessibility, quality craftsmanship, inclusion of boy dolls, and compatibility with popular 18-inch doll clothing.

The Story of Journey Girls: The Travelling Friends Who Captured Aussie Hearts

The Story of Journey Girls: The Travelling Friends Who Captu...

Discover the story of Journey Girls, the much-loved 18-inch dolls that became a favourite for Australian families through Toys R Us. From their travel-inspired themes and diverse characters to their affordable quality and collectible outfits, this nostalgic guide explores why Journey Girls remain treasured by kids and collectors alike — and how to find the perfect clothes to fit them today.

The Story of Australian Girl Dolls: An Aussie Original

The Story of Australian Girl Dolls: An Aussie Original

Created in Australia for Aussie kids, Australian Girl has been loved by families for more than 15 years. Founded by grandmother Helen Schofield, the brand was created to offer high-quality dolls that reflect real Australian children and lifestyles. With their soft cuddly bodies, premium hair and trademark thong sandals, each Australian Girl doll is designed to inspire friendship, adventure and imaginative play.

The Story of Baby Born: The German Doll That Changed Playtime

The Story of Baby Born: The German Doll That Changed Playtime

Baby Born is the iconic German doll that changed playtime with realistic features like drinking, crying and using a potty. First launched in 1991 by Zapf, it quickly became one of the world’s most popular interactive dolls.

More than 25 million have been sold worldwide, with the range now including smaller dolls, siblings, pets and accessories. For over 35 years, Baby Born has inspired imaginative and nurturing play for children everywhere.

The Story of American Girl Dolls: How They Started and Who's Who

The Story of American Girl Dolls: How They Started and Who&#...

American Girl began in 1986 with dolls designed to look like real girls and bring history to life through storytelling. Each 18-inch doll came with books, unique characters and meaningful adventures that children could connect with.

Over time, the brand expanded into historical, modern and Girl of the Year collections loved by families worldwide. 

Today, American Girl is known for combining imaginative play, learning and timeless dolls treasured for generations.

The Story of Cabbage Patch Kids: From Hospital Nursery to Toy Legend

The Story of Cabbage Patch Kids: From Hospital Nursery to To...

Cabbage Patch Kids became one of the world’s most famous dolls after sparking the toy craze of Christmas 1983. Created by Xavier Roberts, each soft cuddly doll was designed to be “adopted” rather than bought, complete with a unique name and birth certificate. More than 40 years later, Cabbage Patch Kids remain a beloved childhood classic.

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Blog posts

A Second Doll Wardrobe at Grandma's House

A Second Doll Wardrobe at Grandma's House

The doll goes to Grandma's most weekends, and half the wardrobe ends up living there anyway. This guide covers why a deliberate second set beats packing every visit, keeping it small, storing it somewhere the child can reach, giving the grandparent the sizing details, refreshing it at birthdays, and why the spare set should stay at the house rather than travelling back and forth.

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Buying Doll Clothes Online: How to Read a Listing Properly

Buying Doll Clothes Online: How to Read a Listing Properly

Most disappointing doll clothes purchases were predictable from the listing. This guide covers why the doll in the photo tells you very little, insisting on measurements in centimetres rather than 'fits most', checking exactly which pieces are included, reading the fabric description for stretch, checking the fastening type before buying, and confirming the returns and fit policy before you order.

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Velcro, Snaps and Zips: Fixing the Fastenings That Give Up First

Velcro, Snaps and Zips: Fixing the Fastenings That Give Up First

The fabric usually outlasts the fastening on a doll outfit. This guide covers cleaning hair and lint out of velcro, closing velcro before washing so it stops damaging everything else, replacing a worn velcro tab in a few minutes, backing snaps with interfacing so they stop pulling through, when to give up on a doll-scale zip, and checking fastenings every wash.

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Traditional and Cultural Dress for Dolls: Doing It Properly

Traditional and Cultural Dress for Dolls: Doing It Properly

A doll in the clothing of a child's own heritage is one of the simplest ways to make that heritage ordinary and present in daily play. This guide covers starting with the family the child belongs to, asking relatives for the details rather than guessing, why one accurate element beats a whole approximate outfit, treating it as clothing rather than costume, being careful with ceremonial dress that is not yours, and storing the finished piece properly.

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