Who's that girl?

She's an international style icon with a look you can't forget. Shy, scary, musing, cute but always amazing, it's Blythe!

A star is born ...

In America in 1972, a stylish and unusual doll was created. Her name was Blythe and her moods were always changing. With a pull of her string her enormous eyes would flick over four changing colours and directions. After frightening kids nationwide, toy manufacturer Kenner stopped producing her after just a year and her big head disappeared into virtual obscurity.

Enter Gina ...

A video and television producer by the name of Gina Garan was told by a friend about a doll that looked like her, so Gina soon had her first Blythe. She had been given an old camera and she grabbed the first thing she could to test it out, she grabbed Blythe. Gina saw how the camera loved the doll, and soon Blythe was her favourite model, travelling the world together with a photographic record.

The ugly, big-headed duckling ...

In 1999 Gina was introduced to CWC President, Junko Wong, who had a look at some of Blythe's pictures Gina had with her. Junko was inspired by the look, and was soon presenting Blythe to Parco in Japan for their 2000 Christmas campaign. Blythe's appeal was immediately apparent in a country of bug-eyed characters. Blythe could be seen on TV and in print, and Gina's first book This Is Blythe came out in Summer 2000 with plaudits from the likes of David LaChapelle. Blythe fashion benefits have annually travelled the globe, with couture by Issey Miyake, Hysteric Glamour, Paul Smith, Boy George, and Chiso of Kyoto to name but a few. The fabulous Art Attack exhibition will come to Osaka in early March 2005.

Gimme gimme gimme ...

Blythe fever spread. The 30 year old dolls that had never been removed from their boxes sold for upwards of US$2,000 (she originally cost $5.96). So in 2001 the Parco Limited edition Neo-Blythe, produced by CWC and made by Takara, was released in conjunction with a photo exhibition by Gina. The 1,000 Parco Blythes sold out in under an hour.

The new girls ...

Since Parco, there have been over 40 Neo-Blythes produced with varying hair, makeup, face moulds, body types, eye colours, and wardrobes. Their release began only three years ago, but the first Neos have gained retro appeal with fans scrambling for them on auction sites. Limited edition dolls are just as expensive as the older Neos, if not more. Famous brands have leant their talents to the creation of Limited Neos, notedly Nike, Mono Comme Ca, Mitten, and most recently Milk.

Sundays in the garage ...

Unique customised dolls usually fetch more than their stock counterparts because they are one-of-a-kind. Body transplants, new hair, new makeup, eye changes and the list goes on. "I have customised every Blythe I own," says Megan Mcgaughy. "The first Blythe I did was an experiment. I tried as many things on her as I could think of. I paint, and so I thought of doll customising as another form of art. I actually find taking the heads apart quite relaxing."

Mini-Me ...

Petite Blythes are the mini versions of the 12 inch dolls, and are sought after because of their continuing originality and appeal.
"My petites live at home with me," says CWC President Junko Wong.
"I have to share my bathroom with Bubbly Blue Bunny. She takes forever in the bathtub. Fairy Girl lives with my crystals and makes my wishes comes true.

And of course I sleep with Pajama Party every night. They are my best friends and my babies. Without them, my home would be very boring."

So true, Junko, so true.

Info: www.blythedoll.com (Japanese)
• www.thisisblythe.com (English)

Text: Jared Olthof • Photos: Jared Olthof & CWC