Blythe (doll)

For the Blythe is a doll that was originally introduced by the U.S. toy company Kenner in the U.S. market in 1972.

Your primary distinguishing feature are their oversized eyes that can change color and the line of sight through a mechanism at the back of the doll. However, precisely these eyes seem to have been the reason why Blythe became a shop keeper, because many children complained after a short time already have nightmares, caused by the giant eyes of the doll. Therefore, the production was stopped after only one year. Only for doll collectors, she was known in subsequent years as a curiosity.

1997, however, the American photographer Gina Garan attention to them, as she receives the doll from a friend, because this means to recognize a certain similarity between Blythe and Gina. Thus Blythe is the first motive that Gina Garan used to test their new camera, the result they so convinced apparently that she takes after Blythe on their trips and everywhere photographed. As the boss and founder of artist agency Cross World Connections (CWC ) in December 1999 provides the Blythe photographs by Gina Garan, she immediately recognizes the potential for Blythe in Japan and leads them to their long-standing clients Parco (Japanese shopping chain) before. For the Christmas 2000 campaign by Parco Blythe stands out even then many famous actresses and debuting on television in a fifteen -second stop-motion animation commercial.

Blythe remains until the summer of 2001 Image Girl for Parco. In 2000 also the book " This is Blythe " by Gina Garan, in which they published the photos of Blythe that she made during her travels appear.

Blythe was in Japan a complete success and the prices of old second-hand Blythe dolls almost exploded. 2001, the first Neo Blythe was manufactured by Takara in cooperation with CWC, which was completely sold out on the first day. To date, about 50 Neo Blythe's were produced, and 60 Petite Blythe, the mini version of the Blythe doll. Furthermore, there are many subsequent articles, such as handbags and clothing with Blythe - print, books and others.