Detroit Doll Show Brings African-American
Culture, Beauty to Life
From darker skin tones
to natural hair and other features, the dolls at this second event celebrate
Black girls and women at the Wright museum Dec. 14, 2013
Taylor
Ivana December 9, 2013
It's
not just a plaything. A doll, according to Detroit artist and author Sandra
Epps, is "a teaching tool, a reflection of who we are—our history, pride,
legacy, culture and beauty." She hopes this is the takeaway for all who
attend the second Detroit Doll Show at
the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013.
Epps, the owner of Sandy's Land—a publishing house and kids' entertainment service—hosts
this special show that predominantly features African-American dolls. Epps says
when you go to Toys R Us, it's hard to find dolls that resemble Black people.
She says that often, Black Barbie dolls, for instance, are the same White dolls
with a darker shade. Rarely do you see the textured hair or the big lips that
are unique to the race.
"I believe it is important for
women and children to see themselves in the products that they use," Epps
says in a statement. "Dolls teach children about themselves and the world
around them."
The Detroit Doll Show, which was
started to create a "synergy among doll collectors, artists, enthusiasts,
designers, women and children," will have 12 doll vendors this year and
various doll artists from Chicago, New York, Canada and Michigan.
The show celebrates different kinds
dolls with raffles, workshops, giveaways and contests—like the doll look-a-like
contest, where young girls and, of course, big kids (or serious collectors) can
dress like their own dolls. There's even a make-your-own doll station with
dolls that come in a variety of shades, from very light to dark.
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'Too Funky' and 'Peace In the Valley' by Tanya Montequt (Dolls by MonTQ)
Although fashion designer Byron Lars won't be attending the event, there will be a tribute to
him in honor of his Treasures of Africa Barbie collection. The collection,
along with his other Black Barbie dolls, showcases glamorous dolls with African
features.
Tonya Montegut, founder of Dolls by MonTQ,
is one of the event's presenters from New York. Epps says her dolls have a
unique flair about them. They are full of sass with funky boots, big earrings,
gorgeous outfits and with natural, textured hair. Terry Crawford, president of Motor City Doll Club, and Black doll expert
Debbie Garrett of Texas also will
present.
Epps says Black dolls help with
little Black girls' self-esteem, because they are able to see themselves and
relate to them. Just like the Julia Barbie doll, which came out in the late
'60s, did for girls growing up in that era. The Julia doll, one of
the first celebrity Barbies, was
created in the image of Diahann Carroll—who played Julia Baker on the self-titled
television show, Julia.
According to Epps, Julia was a
positive role model to so many girls and a reflection of Black women.
The show will be held 1-6 p.m. on
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American
History in Detroit. Admission is $5 for ages 3 and up.
For additional details about the Detroit Doll Show at
The Wright in Detroit, visit the BLAC calendar listing.
The Detroit News
Writer, Donna Terek - Monday, December 9, 2013
Detroit Doll Show Puts Spotlight on African American Collections
“I definitely
have an emotional connection to my Leslie,” says Terry Crawford. “This is
Leslie,” she says. “Say hello, Leslie.”
Fifty-three-year-old
Crawford is not talking about her daughter or her godchild. She’s talking about
one of her dolls.
Crawford of
Detroit is president of the Motor City Doll Club. On Saturday, she’ll be one of
the presenters for the Detroit Doll Show at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African
American History.
“It’s that
child-like thing that keeps us young,” she said.
“At Motor City
Doll Club, sometimes the members will say … ‘You know, she didn’t want to wear
that dress’, as if the dolls have their own personalities.” Doll collectors
“Everyone needs
a release. When you’re playing with your dolls, you’re not thinking of that
bill that’s due that you don’t have the money for,” Crawford says, laughing.
“We’re very
proud to still play with dolls. We do it every day.”
Dolls
'that look like them'
Her own history
inspired Crawford to collect black dolls.
“In the early
’60s (growing up), there just weren’t that many black dolls available.
“I didn’t even
see my first black doll until 1967, when I received a black doll for my
birthday. And it was the most beautiful doll I had ever seen, and I think part
of it was that it was a pretty black doll that looked just like me.
“And that’s
very important, that young African-American girls have dolls to love that look
like them.”
Her mother had
Crawford bring the doll out to show all her adult friends because it was so
unusual and beautiful.
“She realized
that it was really important for me as a black child to have a beautiful black
doll and not a doll that was dressed as a servant,” she said. “That had been
the history of black dolls. When they were made in the ’50s and the ’40s, they
were servants or they were caricatures — you know, really negative things.
“You didn’t have
a beautiful black doll in a ball gown (prior to the ’60s),” said Crawford. “You
had ‘Mammy.’”
She later lost
her beautiful black doll in a fire. “And to tell you how much that (doll)
meant,” Crawford said, “I think I was in my 40s and spied another one on eBay,
and I immediately purchased it. And that $17 doll cost me over $200 to
replace.”
Looking
for 'the Holy Grail'
Like all
collectors, those who collect dolls are motivated by “the search for the Holy
Grail,” says Crawford. “You’re searching for something very, very rare, no
matter what you collect ... and when you get that thing, that is just the
amazing thrill of a lifetime. It kind of makes you feel special.”
Crawford’s
experience is a striking example. She owns one of only 10 dolls known as “Opera
Diva,” which were commissioned by the Motor City Doll Club from the Madame
Alexander company.
“There are only
nine other people on the face of the planet that own this doll,” she says. “And
that is an absolute thrill.”
Detroit
show in 2nd year
Crawford will
speak on caring for doll collections at Saturday’s doll show, organized and
sponsored by Sandra Epps of Detroit for the second year in a row.
Epps’ focus —
in her children’s
books, her business Sandy’s Land
(whichthrows custom parties for kids) and now in the doll show — is self-esteem
for children, especially girls.
She learned the
importance of growing a child’s sense of self-worth when she was young. After
years of sickness, Epps was diagnosed with lupus when she was 14. “I ballooned
up to 200 pounds and lost all my hair,” she said. “Kids were very mean.”
The business
she founded empowers children while entertaining them. Sandy’s Land
orchestrates private parties that promote self-esteem through etiquette, art,
exercise and creative play and face-painting. Epps calls it “partying with a
purpose.”
But the show is
not just for kids. “It’s for all ages, Epps said. Last year’s attendees ranged
from 2 to 87 years old.
Learning
about other cultures
The doll show
will feature mostly African-American dolls, which may be an unusual experience
for some. “When you go to the stores, the majority of dolls on the shelves are
Caucasian,” said Epps, 40.
Epps encourages
mothers of all cultures to bring their children to the doll show to “relate to
other cultures,” she said.
“That’s what we
need to do as a melting pot here. We need to learn about other cultures.”
Besides
Crawford’s talk, the show will feature the documentary “Why Do You Have Black
Dolls?” by Samantha Knowles.
Debbie Behan
Garrett blogs at blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com and has written two reference
books for collectors, “Black Dolls” and “The Definitive Guide to Collecting
Black Dolls.”
Garrett will
phone in from Texas to narrate a slideshow of dolls from 1900 to today. And
there will be a lot of all things dolls: doll vendors, doll artists, doll
furniture, doll look-a-likes as well as doll give-aways and doll-making
activities for children.
The show will
feature a tribute to Byron Lars, a fashion designer for women, Barbies and
first lady Michelle Obama.
“Every little
girl plays with dolls,” says Crawford. “Some of us just don’t grow out of it.”
