This 6-minute, 21-second video by Urban Street News, circa 1990/1991, covers the roll out of Mattel's Shani Collection. In addition to creating this post for the video, it is now embedded in my previous post about Shani dolls.
Black Doll Collecting by Debbie Behan Garrett @blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com
Monday, September 11, 2017
Urban Street News: The Shani Story
This 6-minute, 21-second video by Urban Street News, circa 1990/1991, covers the roll out of Mattel's Shani Collection. In addition to creating this post for the video, it is now embedded in my previous post about Shani dolls.
I am a Black-doll enthusiast, doll historian, freelance writer, author of The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls; Black Dolls: A Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion; and The Doll Blogs: When Dolls Speak, I Listen. Founder and curator of DeeBeeGee’s Virtual Black Doll Museum at virtualblackdollmuseum.com Please visit and become a contributing patron. Black dolls are my passion, my drug of choice. They renew my spirit!
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Great video! It was nice to see Envogue! I use to love that group! For some reason, I did not recall Nichelle's hair being twisted. I have them in a container somewhere. Arsenio was interesting. He seemed to think that there was always black dolls. He evidently does not have sisters. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI loved Envogue, too, GG. Arsenio was so out of touch to think the Shani line was the first Barbie. I was embarrassed for him when he said it. I am glad you enjoyed it. I thought it was well worth sharing.
Delete90s nostalgia at it's finest! But also an interesting bit of doll history. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, jSarie. This video was a nice blast from the past including the intro song, Escapade, by Janet Jackson.
Deletedbg
Thank-you. It's great to see all the effort that went into creating the line.:D
ReplyDeleteI wish it was still active but then again, now the entire Barbie line seems to be more inclusive so it isn't as necessary as it once would have been.
I was startled a bit when I saw the women holding the Shani dolls that resemble them. I guess Mattel wasn't kidding when they said that life size models would be at fashion shows.:)
You're welcome, Maricha. It seems that Mattel spared no expense in their attempt to make this line a success. I appreciate their efforts to promote this line and the coverage it received from Urban Street News.
DeleteIn 1991, I had just begun collecting and was not at all interested in Barbie or any other fashion or playline dolls (artist dolls were my focus). In 1991, my daughter's doll playing years had also ended. It was between 1998-2001, during my time as a commissioned eBay seller for someone who had the Shani dolls I own now that I acquired mine. By that time, I had begun to reach back and add a variety vintage dolls to my collection with a focus on dolls made during my own childhood.
dbg
I love this! I first heard about Shani watching a TV fashion show we had on cable here that was from Canada I think that featured RuPaul in a segment on the Shani doll launch. I was trying to track it down as it was on YouTube a little while back. I'll keep my eye out.
ReplyDeleteOh I would love to see the RuPaul segment on the Shani doll launch. I did a brief search on Youtube but couldn't find anything. If you ever find it, please share the link.
Deletedbg