I’ve been kind of thinking, looking at how they gave Skelita a completely different body mold then everyone else, how Jina, Robecca and Operetta have different boobs and or body detail, along with Howleen and Nefera’s body heights. I don’t get why Mattel can’t make a plus size doll. There’s…
As much I would love a plus size doll, I can really see from a business standpoint why that won’t happen. Robecca, Jinafire and Operetta have bigger busts and slightly larger hips (not sure about Robecca but I know Jina and Operetta do) is to compensate for their markings. Honestly, I don’t know why they have to widen them to make room for the indentions, but I guess it’s not unfathomable.
Nefera and Howleen’s body differences are mainly height, while Nefera’s limbs are a lot thicker and her waist isn’t as curved. It’s hard for any of the other girls’ clothes to fit her, which is why she hasn’t had any more dolls probably. Which is also why there won’t be a plus size doll. As fashion dolls, their entire shtick is dressing up and exchanging outfits. When you have one doll that doesn’t fit any one else’s clothes and fashions have to be especially made for her, it kind of loses its point and that one character will lose a lot of attention business wise (it happened to Nefera!).
Like I said, a plus size doll would be amazing, but costs and limitations just won’t allow it. And we have to face it, Mattel is a very greedy company.
You’re very right about the kind of uproar it would cause too. When it comes to dolls, there just isn’t a middle ground. If they’re skinny they’re promoting anorexia but god forbid they be thick and be promoting an ‘unhealthy lifestyle’. Society truly is messed up when it comes to body shaming.
When you consider that size 14 is the average size for women in the US… For people to be in an uproar about a chubby doll promoting an unhealthy lifestyle would be hypocritical and rediculous.
However…
I recall a plus-sized magazine going out of business a few years back. They reasoned that their second attempt at a magazine for plus-sized women failed because “people don’t want to see fat people”. And that even plus-sized people didn’t want to see people their size! I was appalled cause I LIKED seeing clothes in sizes that would fit me! But this seems to be the way the media thinks, in terms of what we want.
This was like 10 years ago.
Nowadays look at what sells. It really seems like its a matter of whether things are cute/different/new. Bratz were huge for a second, but then started to peter out so they created Moxie Girls. Liv was kinda cute (I think they’re a little creepy) and different but I read that they aren’t doing well now, either. There was a doll called “happy to be me” - an alternative to Barbie, but she was discontinued within a year I think. They never really created fashion packs so NOTHING fit her. And, she was just not as attractive as some fashion dolls. None of these really have the Barbie sized proportions (though they are still really thin), though they are done up with big eyes, and are relatively regular looking compared to glamorous Barbie. They even have the Only Hearts Club, which look like- normal? I guess- enough girls but they sit on the shelves. (Sad huh? That moms won’t buy or kids won’t ask for something that looks- normal?)
Monster High is cute/new/AND different. If you think about the amount of design and detail thats put into them, a heavy Monster High girl would be adorable AND new! Look at the Emily doll, she’s friggen goregeous! Plus, there is already a fan base that would buy her like crazy (Come on, tell me you wouldn’t buy two or three and customize the shit out of them?) I think down the line, there will be a high enough demand for one that they may actually come through for us. If she came with enough clothes she’d be worth a few dollars more.