Ndanaka is from the Rainbow Nation Sibahle Collection |
Ndanaka is a 13-inch all-vinyl vanilla-scented doll that represents a person with vitiligo. "Vitiligo is a disease that causes the loss of skin color in blotches. The extent and rate of color loss from vitiligo are unpredictable. It can affect the skin on any part of your body. It may also affect hair and the inside of the mouth. Normally, the color of hair and skin is determined by melanin." [Mayo Clinic]
Photos were taken with clothing removed to illustrate the areas of Ndanaka's pigment loss
Only one ear is affected. |
After seeing the Kickstarter campaign for Ndanaka, I knew she was a must-have for me. Ndanaka, which means "I am Beautiful " in Shona has brown stationary eyes with applied upper eyelashes and painted eyebrows.
Her 4C, densely rooted black hair is styled in a pulled up Afro puff which is accented with a hair band made from fabric that matches the colors of her peplum top (white, orange, brown, and turquoise animal print). An orange tulle skirt, white undies, and pink shoes complete her arrival outfit. Normally, Ndanaka is dressed in a buyer's choice of pink, yellow, or orange tutu dress that has a one-shoulder top. When my order was placed, the company was out of the doll's standard clothing. I was given an option of choosing the Rainbow Nation yellow, orange, or pink tutu dress. As shown, I chose orange.
This animal print jumper fits Ndanaka well. |
Ndanaka's shoes are shown before and after they were painted white. |
Because the pink shoes clash with the orange fashion, I painted Ndanaka's shoes white.
The white shoes are a better complement to her fashion. |
In this final photo, Ndanaka poses with her sister, Zuri, who represents a girl with albinism. Across the board in all aspects of life, representation matters. Dolls are no exception. Everyone needs to see themselves in the dolls they play with and/or collect. Ndanaka, Zuri and the other dolls under the Sibahle Collection brand address the need for dolls for everyone.
The Sibahle Collection of dolls can be seen under the Shop Dolls link of their website.
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I love that doll! I wish other companies would follow this example and also give us dolls with vitiligo.
ReplyDeleteHello Monstercrafts,
DeleteIt would be wonderful if other companies would be as inclusive.
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Wow, this is simply wonderful and the dolls are positively adorable! I've known a few women with this condition. One was a student of mine in Paris back in the 90's who did not cover it up. And of course, people stared at her because it is rare to see people with vitiligo there. Fast forward..there is a French fashion brand who hired a model with vitiligo which worked really well with the colorful clothes they sell. I am so happy to see a doll that also embraces and celebrates this different kind of beauty
ReplyDeleteChantelle Brown Young aka Winnie Harlow is a Canadian fashion model who has vitiligo that she does not cover. I have seen an OOAK doll made in her honor.
ReplyDeletedbg