Monday, September 28, 2015

Georgette Taylor Doll Designer

Ms. Taylor is the Detroit Doll Show 2015 Doll Legacy Award Receipent. She was the Co-Founder of Big Beautiful Dolls, Inc. the first full-figured 12 inch Fashion Dolls. The Dolls included Dasia (African American), Dawn (Caucasion) and Dena (Latina).



 
Georgette Taylor is the founder of the I AM Beautiful Doll Company... dolls that inspire you to love you. I AM Beautiful is an offshoot of Big Beautiful Dolls, formed in 1999 with Audrey Bell-Kearney.

Her love for dolls started many years ago when her father bought her a collection of four International dolls. It was exciting for her to see how differently they were dressed to reflect the cultures they represented. She was inspired to learn more about where they came from and started her belief that although we are different, we are basically the same people, regardless of our origins. This little collection, albeit at a later time, spurred her into collecting other dolls, beginning with the Byron Lars Dolls.

From her love of dolls came the partnership with Audrey Bell-Kearney that created the Big Beautiful Doll Company, adding a missing dimension to the fashion doll world.

The plus sized dolls they developed “were created to represent a previously missing part of the fashion doll world, that of full figured girls and women” stated Ms. Taylor.

This new doll company opened many doors and started many conversations about body size, acceptance, and love of self for young girls and women, who had never seen an image that depicted them favorably. Women were proud to share this new image with their daughters.

Ms. Taylor’s role in Big Beautiful Dolls has given her the opportunity to speak to many women about the importance of seeing a truly representative image of themselves through a medium that was (and is) an important part of the lives of young girls and women…dolls! She believes that it is important to see yourself represented positively in all aspects of your world. Deep inside, it is unavoidable to feel that you are not seen as important when you do not see positive images of self; this can have a profound effect on how you see and love yourself.

Ms. Taylor has been featured in various magazines such as Heart and Soul; Doll World; and Contemporary Doll Collector. She has also appeared on television on Good Morning Texas, Insights, and Positively Texas. She was included in panel discussions such as Barbara Whiteman’s Black Doll History Lecture (at the African-American Museum in Dallas, Texas) and many more expos and showcases.

Ms. Taylor continues to remain true to her passion for helping women to love who they are, as they are, through her connection to her Big Beautiful Dolls; and now, the I AM Beautiful Doll Company. She plans to keep the conversation about loving oneself, and being empowered. The new line of dolls will help stress personal empowerment, and love of one’s body, mind, and soul.

When she is not creating new dolls, she is also Director of Content Management for Hertube TV, the #1 Digital Lifestyle TV Network for Women; focusing on women’s strengths and passions by providing a platform  for the distribution of tv shows, films, and video tutorials through the Hertube network.

Tara Michener - Guest Blogger

Tara Michener is an author and Counselor who works tirelessly to educate the public about bullying and to eradicate it. She's an advocate of Self Love and a woman who inspires others to live happy and healthy lives. These are her words:

Snuggles, Wendy & Tashanda Rhonda all have something in common…me. They were my first examples of beauty, my best friends and they each shared many sleepovers with me. They also were my favorite dolls. I learned how valuable Wendy was when I lost her at the playground one day. My dad and brother scoured our neighborhood and knocked on many doors trying to find her. I cried thinking that I would lose the tall dark skinned depiction of a little girl. She had two braids and a beautiful face. She made me feel pretty just by being in my arms and as a short four year old we were about the same size. When they brought Wendy home I gave her a big hug and a middle name. I decided that she should be named after the nice receptionist in the doctor’s office. Her name became Wendy Nancy. I had a middle name why shouldn’t she?
As an author of children’s books I realize that my imagination, creativity and love for telling stories began in my childhood play with dolls. As a therapist I also realize that they set a foundation for my self-esteem, my ability to nurture and practice empathy. I got to practice my social skills with my dolls and model the example that I saw around me using them as props. Knowing what I know now dolls are priceless tools to young people.      
I was excited last year to be able to be on the panel with so many wonderful women at the Detroit Doll Show. The event was a wonderland for imagination, beauty and esteem. When we think about the role that dolls have played in the lives of our young people we cannot discount the role that they played in history.  Every child should have an opportunity to see themselves reflected in the face of a doll. Everyone should know that they too are capable of being a model for a beautiful playmate for a small child. Every child should know that they are worthy.

www.taramichener.com