Reya Light Featured on Blythe Fashion!

Just  a week or so ago I got a flickr mail from Anne Torres of "Blythe Fashion" a blog about handmade Blythe clothes which was started in 2008. She asked if she could use some images of mine from my Blythe Warmers etsy shop in a blog entry she was working on showcasing not only the ponchos I knit but also having a discussion about the lack of Black Blythes used on etsy shops to showcase handmade Blythe fashions.

This of course spirals naturally into a conversation about Black and Brown Blythes in general and why in spite the large demand and high sales of Heather Sky the one "tanned" Blythe, Takara has ever manufactured, there is still no talk of making an actual, identified "Black Blythe." The discussion of my customizing my first Black Black Blythe, Reya Light carries over into how this reflects a need in the Blythe community expressed by many other other collectors in their own Black Blythe customs.

It's a very brilliant piece and Anne makes a lot of very intelligent points about the tensions between the fantasy of Blythe dolls and the reality that plays into how they are manufactured and identified by both companies and those who collect them. I am really honored to be featured on this blog and I definitely recommend reading it.

Blythe, for me is one of those wildly enigmatic hobbies that exemplify what happens when play, fantasy, craft and reality intersect and I think Anne's blog entry frames this phenomenon exceptionally.  I believe it has the potential to create a larger narrative around this hobby than has perhaps been considered before. At least I hope so.

Skin Trade

Itroducing CWC Exclusive Neo Blythe Manuheali'i Paradise Girl !

Summer is finally here and we are ecstatic to give you some exciting news!
Hawaii's famous fashion brand Manuheali'i has collaborated with CWC to create an exclusive Neo Blythe!
She will be called "Manuheali'i Paradise Girl"!!

Manuheali'i is not only known in Hawaii but all over the world, starting in 1985, Manuheali'i 's use of color and unique print designs are so distinct to the brand and to the land of Hawaii.
People who wear their clothes look like they are wearing the beautiful nature of Hawaii.
Even a slight variation of color can dramatically change the look of their garments. We are bringing the wonderful fashion and image of Hawaii with this sun kissed Blythe!
Hawaii lovers will sure be excited about this Blythe!

Manuheali'i Paradise Girl is the most stylish girl in Hawaii!
Coordinating her accessories and clothes she just bought, she is off to the city and to the beach for another aloha day.
She has a long one piece dress with a halter neck.
The stylish cut of this dress gives Blythe a sophisticated look.
Manuheali'i 's original Coral Reef print combines a light green and brown pattern to give a tropical and earthy feel.
Put on her gold hoop earrings and she's ready to go!

Her second outfit is a different feel with a patterned one shouldered top and denim shorts.
Her one shouldered top has a rubber strap through the neck to keep the top in place.
This shirt has Manuheali'i 's original print for Ki Nehe.
Orange, red, and vibrant colors radiates from this Paradise Girl!

Her shorts are cool, white denim and she wears white beach sandals.
Don't forget her sunglasses and she's ready for a fun day in Hawaii!

She has long dark brown, wavy hair parted to the side. Her skin type is like "Heather Sky" and her face type is Radiance.
She has brown eye shadow, red cheeks, and tan lips.
Her eye chips and eyelashes are all special as well!

Please check back to www.blythedoll.com to see the final design!

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On flickr one the most rampant discussions of excitement over this new Blythe Doll center around her questionable complexion. People want to know if she is as described, as dark as Heather Sky who, lets face it, is really not that dark, but as the darkest Blythe doll ever manufactured, she has become the standard by which to measure any other dark Blythe Doll Takara and CWC releases. Which is kind of sad but no less fascinating. I myself flipped when I saw her although I have to admit to being just as excited about her amazing stock as about her skin color. It seems kind of crazy how color starved we doll collectors are. I mean I guess that's where all this customization comes into play. Not only are we color starved in doll land but also individuality starved.

I must say though, that while it is easy enough to do anything from dye Blythe's hair, carve her lips, give her beauty marks, tattoos, gaze correction, and all kinds of different hair, it doesn't have quite the same impact or social commentary as changing her color does. Much as I love Blythe and dolls in general, politics never seem to be too far behind when it comes to color in this country, but my fascination lies in discovering the things that Blythe collectors do in spite of this because it is different than what I have ever seen people do with any other doll I know of.