tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post4487796682244799487..comments2024-03-28T11:41:16.501-05:00Comments on Black Doll Collecting: The Marvelous World of Shani and Her FriendsBlack Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-14781886305700206092020-06-01T10:57:42.079-05:002020-06-01T10:57:42.079-05:00Just wanted to enlighten you with small facts. My...Just wanted to enlighten you with small facts. My mom's patient Katti invented this doll because of me! I AM SHANI THE BARIE DOLL. In 1991 I met her in Atlanta and she asked my name. I told her my name is Shani but I hate it bc there is no barbie doll or keychain in my name. So she told me I will invent a barbie whi looks just like you. U deserve it bc ur name is special. That's hie Shani was inventedAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03173500986623330567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-75570747485802558602017-10-28T16:46:32.648-05:002017-10-28T16:46:32.648-05:00It makes perfect sense to want to know your dolls ...It makes perfect sense to want to know your dolls or to even create personalities for them. I had not thought about whether or not my dolls want to know me, but it does make sense. If they have to be in my presence for the duration that I desire them to be, I'm sure they'll eventually know me, whether they want to or not. :-)<br /><br />dbgBlack Doll Enthusiasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-74532344976918680722017-10-28T13:25:40.601-05:002017-10-28T13:25:40.601-05:00I remember how pleased and excited I was when I sa...I remember how pleased and excited I was when I saw these dolls hit the shelves at Walmart! I had just gotten out of my big adult doll collection resurgence (hit me at the end of the 1980s, and I bought red headed Midges and Steffie mold dolls at Toys R Us and ChildWorld), and then finally, after three or four years of naked self-indulgence, said, "No More Dolls for a While...". When I saw these dolls, they made me happy, even though I was not in buying mode at the time (too poor---downsized from a job, then got another for less pay), but I mentally bookmarked these dolls for the future. I liked their faces so much more than nearly all the other AA fashion dolls that had been on the market, and I loved how they had different skin tones, the way people do! Since that time, I resurged in late middle age to collect again...and have many of these head mold dolls. Just love 'em. My thing with dolls is: personality. I have to want to "know" that doll, if that makes sense. I found these ladies wanting to also know me...if THAT makes sense!Eklectic1https://www.blogger.com/profile/05664037132783743841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-37569723548933948102017-10-01T09:27:27.229-05:002017-10-01T09:27:27.229-05:00This video confirms that Mattel called in the heav...This video confirms that Mattel called in the heavyweights to promote the Shani line. It is unfortunate the line did not remain around longer. <br /><br />Thanks for the reminder on Nichelle's name origin. That trivia had escaped my memory while writing this post.<br /><br />En Vogue was one of my favorite 90s groups. I had read about the dissension amongst members which led to Dawn Robinson's departure. <br />Black Doll Enthusiasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-82348272218035623962017-09-30T18:24:28.813-05:002017-09-30T18:24:28.813-05:00Thanks so much for this post!!
I have always, al...Thanks so much for this post!! <br /><br />I have always, always wanted to collect the Shani line ever since I learned they existed back in the 90s. It's also great have a better understanding of what was included across the line. Fascinating to see how much weight Mattel put behind the line. It's odd to think that with all that fanfare and what seems a really proactive step into the African American market it would be easy 2 decades later (up until very recently) to level criticism at Mattel of lack of diversity in their doll lines. <br /><br />All three dolls are gorgeous, trivia; Kitty Black Perkins named Nichelle for Nichelle Nichols of Star Trek fame which I though was pretty cool. Yes, Debbie you have definitely reinvigorated my desire to have the Shani dolls in my collection!! Love them. 😍😍😍<br /><br />Oh and En Vogue...does it get any better 🎶. As an aside I was just reading up on the group I never realised how bad the dynamic between members there was at the time right up until today, such a shame because even that little clip of them singing live definitely shows us how good they were!! Julius Maloneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08006134062866647709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-61659411042776202132017-09-24T18:46:13.162-05:002017-09-24T18:46:13.162-05:00I'd like to send you the catalog photos that I...I'd like to send you the catalog photos that I've scanned from the 1991 JC Penney and Sears Christmas catalogs. The dolls pictured in them are probably prototypes, as they are a bit more elaborate than the Shani World of Beauty dolls that were actually released. You can email me at skipperc@zoomtown.com<br />Maryskippercollectorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00879839553080884379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-28572065597968768362017-09-09T09:32:30.647-05:002017-09-09T09:32:30.647-05:00You're welcome, D7ana. I have the Avon Barbie...You're welcome, D7ana. I have the Avon Barbie that uses the Nichelle face. She's been used far less frequently than Asha, Asha, Asha. <br /><br />:-)<br /><br />dbgBlack Doll Enthusiasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-8462244128589020732017-09-06T09:11:00.345-05:002017-09-06T09:11:00.345-05:00Thanks for sharing your lovely collection. I alway...Thanks for sharing your lovely collection. I always liked Asha and Nichelle. Asha has gone on ... and on ... and on, lol. I can still find new versions of her to like. Nichelle's face mold has also been used for some Black Barbies - the 101 Dalmatians Barbie and the Avon Barbie in the yellow jacket. D7anahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15497306465109590188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-58863567639630269902017-09-06T06:07:15.040-05:002017-09-06T06:07:15.040-05:00Thank you, Inka!
dbgThank you, Inka!<br /><br />dbgBlack Doll Enthusiasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-45120579066639652962017-09-06T04:21:27.927-05:002017-09-06T04:21:27.927-05:00Shani lovelly!Shani lovelly!Inkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09033543493357559672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-35469791156366902232017-09-04T18:53:42.402-05:002017-09-04T18:53:42.402-05:00I received the second email, Maricha and sent you ...I received the second email, Maricha and sent you a reply. Thank you again!<br /><br />dbgBlack Doll Enthusiasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-5248129726469831112017-09-04T17:15:49.386-05:002017-09-04T17:15:49.386-05:00No, that's not the one. I'll send you anot...No, that's not the one. I'll send you another one :)<br /> I'm using the blackdolls@sbcglobal.net email.Marichahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00295287855690799143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-51072777376102137622017-09-04T16:39:58.224-05:002017-09-04T16:39:58.224-05:00It's good you still have them, GG. I'm su...It's good you still have them, GG. I'm sure they were fun to redress. <br /><br />dbgBlack Doll Enthusiasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-46170201925094621752017-09-04T16:37:46.677-05:002017-09-04T16:37:46.677-05:00Hi Maricha,
Those convertible fashions were and s...Hi Maricha,<br /><br />Those convertible fashions were and still are rather innovative and useful. <br /><br />I just checked my email and saw a list of dolls for sale from someone who indicates they are downsizing. I have not sent a reply. Would that be the same email?<br /><br />dbgBlack Doll Enthusiasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-70621789153241179452017-09-04T16:10:18.814-05:002017-09-04T16:10:18.814-05:00The Shani dolls were the first dolls that I redres...The Shani dolls were the first dolls that I redressed early in my years of collecting. I have most of these dolls packed away. They will always be one of my favorite face molds.Georgia Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12161464262175993611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-18461431216142106692017-09-04T15:49:54.833-05:002017-09-04T15:49:54.833-05:00Thank-you for sharing your pictures and informatio...Thank-you for sharing your pictures and information. What an interesting line. The dolls are beautiful but those convertible fashions are what caught my attention. It's already hard to make clothes so making them gimmicky is really going all out:)<br />Debbie, please check your emails I sent you one that must be in your spam folder about some dolls you may want to check out :)Marichahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00295287855690799143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-89693119773288739892017-09-04T12:51:16.467-05:002017-09-04T12:51:16.467-05:00Thank you for sharing this information, Viktor!
d...Thank you for sharing this information, Viktor!<br /><br />dbgBlack Doll Enthusiasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-3523997619727038792017-09-04T10:25:08.641-05:002017-09-04T10:25:08.641-05:00the Shani face was used for one of the Barbie Birt...the Shani face was used for one of the Barbie Birthday dolls 2016...<br />Mosko Boskohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09265750204579051118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-52526096350442336622017-09-04T02:52:31.304-05:002017-09-04T02:52:31.304-05:00The Shani line was Epic, RM1987. We saw Nichelle ...The Shani line was Epic, RM1987. We saw Nichelle a couple of years ago when Mattel released the college/university cheerleaders on nonarticulated bodies. I don't recall, however, seeing the Shani sculpt since the Asha African American Collection Special Edition of three dolls.<br /><br />dbgBlack Doll Enthusiasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047557606653771556.post-36258393149244739052017-09-04T02:11:21.429-05:002017-09-04T02:11:21.429-05:00This line was epic. I hope maybe we'll see th...This line was epic. I hope maybe we'll see the return of the Shani and Nichelle heads in the Fashionistas line, since that line appears to be bringing back old molds anyway.RagingMoon1987https://www.blogger.com/profile/05939289410300171844noreply@blogger.com