There are always room for more dolls in the world. This is my motto, and I'll stick to it.
I like this doll. Mostly. I don't generally feature dolls on my blog that I DON'T like, so there you go. I'm intrigued by her, at least, and wanted to devote a post to her. I don't have this doll, but I'm seriously thinking of getting one. She might be the only adult doll in creation who has short little legs like I do! Also, she's nicely articulated (invisible joints in the elbows and knees, as well as joints in the wrists and ankles), and the $25 price is surprisingly low considering this is not a hugely mass-produced doll.
She's the Lammily doll, by artist Nickolay Lamm. She first got attention as a crowd-funder project, and is now officially in production. The first dolls will begin shipping in a week! (Nov. 28, 2014, according to the web site.)
At first, I had an issue with wishing her body was a teeny bit skinnier. I think it's because Lammily's biggest selling point is that she's supposed to be an "average"-sized 19-year-old. But what is "average" for that age? My body looks like this now at age 40-something, but when I was 19, I was skinnier than this girl. Of course, there are plenty of 19-year-olds with bodies like this doll's, too, and I sure as heck don't represent everybody. Never have, never will.
Perhaps it would have been better if Lamm hadn't assigned an age to her, since then she could be any age we wanted her to be in our imaginations. If I'd had to guess her age, I would have said "late 20s," not 19.
Anyway, she's cute and personable, and looks like she'd be fun to play with, with her articulated elbows and knees. The creator has even come out with separate fashions for her, which will be available in January.
The box art (left) is exquisite, by the way!
*Photos are the property of the creator and are used with permission.
this is a great post Dollypanic, finally a balanced take on Lammily! I was really bored by all the Lammily vs. Barbie thing! I like the idea of the crowdfunding and the result looks pretty good. I agree with you, she doesn't really look 19 but definitely late 20's. But in the end, who cares? I can't wait to read your review of her.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I was reading another blog (I won't mention the name) that has spent the past week tearing Lammily apart in every way possible, and I don't think the doll OR the creator deserve that. They seem to have taken offense to the way he's marketed the doll thus far, and not to the doll herself, interestingly. I think he's managed to rub some people the wrong way because of the Barbie comparison and because of calling this doll "average-sized." I've seen hundreds of new dolls come and go over the years, and it's rare for people to get their hackles up about a doll like the way a few people are reacting to Lammily. (Technically, Lammily is the name of the company, not the doll's name, but the artist hasn't actually named the doll yet so I'll call her Lammily.)
ReplyDeleteI've also seen this doll get a lot of support, too, though, and know of several people who have already ordered her. I think the doll should be supported (if you like her, that is) because it's a fairly nice doll, not because of the marketing or message. I really couldn't care less about politicizing the doll, comparing her to Barbie or sending some sort of social message. I only care if the doll looks good and looks like she'll be fun to have.
My daughter (who is about to turn 7) likes Lammily, and she doesn't care that Lammily is supposed to be "average." She just thinks it's a cute doll who happens to look a bit like the women in her family (me and my mother and aunts). I think that's the real bottom line: Whether children like the doll for what she is on her own, not for how she can be compared to other dolls on the market.
Well, I did it. I ended up ordering her tonight. When I wrote this post, I hadn't made my mind up yet as to whether I was going to order her, but I decided to do it. I think what tipped me over into buying her was imagining how she would look customized with a nose piercing. LOL! I know, I'm crazy, but it seems like she'd be fun to customize. So, I guess in a few weeks I'll be doing a thorough review of the actual doll. *Hugs*
ReplyDeletetrzymam kciuki za podróż tej sympatycznej a ciekawej panienki
ReplyDeleteczekam, aż się pojawi w Polsce, gdyż od pierwszej sekundy
zapragnęłam móc ją ubierać, fotografować i oczywiście innym
pokazywać ile w niej radości, optymizmu i wdzięku <3<3<3
After being on the fence about her, I ordered her, too, Sydney. What ended up tipping the balance was that they are offering so many outfits for her right away. Given that she has different proportions than other dolls, that is an absolute necessity for enjoying her. That is one of the problems I have with the Prettie Girls line -- too many dolls and no outfit packs, and they can't wear any of Barbie footwear, and only some of her clothing. That was also one of the main problems with the Stardoll line. I hope they add a "glamour" outfit or two (perhaps she could go to the operat in Vienna or Milan), some party/club outfits, and clothing for all seasons (skiing in Switzerland, swimming/surfing in Hawaii, rainy day spring outfit, going to a college football game, etc.).
ReplyDeleteYou are spot on that there is room on the doll shelves for all kinds of dolls, and though I love Barbie (as long as she is articulated!) and Fashion Royalty, I hope that any doll that is fun and well made can be successful.
The confirmation I received upon ordering her (and pre-ordering the clothing and marks) stated that she should be here in a week or two, so I'm eagerly waiting to see what she is like in person.
Thanks for the good column on her!
Hiya. I just read on the web site that all the pre-order dolls for the crowd-funding people have already been mailed out, and any doll ordered after mid-November will start being mailed tomorrow (Monday, Dec. 1, 2014). Yes, I am SO GLAD she'll have some outfits! I've noticed that the outfits have velcro though, not snaps. I'm a bit spoiled on snaps and hooks, since I'm used to Fashion Royalty and Tonner dolls. Well, Lammily is a play doll, so I guess velcro is to be expected.
ReplyDeleteI really like a couple of the outfits, and don't like a couple of the others. I'm planning on getting at least two of the outfits, and I'll sew for her, as well.
I've always wondered why the more expensive Barbies don't have articulated elbows and knees? You can get that type of articulation in the cheaper Barbies, but not the expensive stunners. It's the main reason I don't buy them, although I've been tempted to get an expensive Barbie so I can swap her body with something articulated. LOL.
27 1/2" inseam here! Still, I'm not exactly interested in a Lammily. I have about all I want of dolls in her size range.
ReplyDeleteHmmm....I agree with your comment about children wanting the doll because she looks like a family member. If Lammily had a medium skin tone and black hair she would definitely look like my Mother.
ReplyDeleteThough I like this doll, I am curious as to why she has stretchmark stickers avaliable when she's only 19. I mean...I know there are a lot of teenage Mommas out there, but still.
I know that sometimes people can get stretch marks from being overweight, but STILL, she aint' THAT overweight.
LOL. I know, right? I think the stickers are kind of silly, myself, so I didn't order them. They just seem sort of gimmicky. I think my daughter (who just turned 7) would like most of the stickers, but she wouldn't even know what stretch marks are.
DeleteThe stretch marks do seem out of place, but maybe someone's Family had a baby, so they'll use them as a teaching device. ;-)
DeleteFrom the pictures I've seen, it's easy to tell they are stickers and do seem gimmicky, but I couldn't resist ordering them to see what they are like in person.
A note about shorter adult fashion dolls- as someone with the same issues, I came to love the Flavas dolls Kiyoni Brown and Happy D from the early 2000s. While their playline was a flop, these ladies are shorter, but with more adult features. They're adorable. I've bought a few for OOAK use.
ReplyDelete