Sindy-pendent
Relaunch of classic doll brings her up to date as six different 2020s career girls
IT’S tiny handbags at dawn – Barbie’s UK rival Sindy is back with a new look for the 21st century.
British toy company Kid Kreations is relaunching the famous brand and the dolls will be stocked in Sainsbury’s and Argos. The original fashion doll was first created by toy manufacturer Pedigree in 1963. She was a moulded plastic girl next door, a more wholesome British rival for the American doll with the unfeasibly long legs and tiny waist. Sindy was based on another American doll, Tammy, even borrowing her marketing slogan: “The doll you love to dress.” Her name was chosen from a street poll of young girls and spelled Sindy to make it more distinctive. According to Pedigree, she was all set to enjoy the 60s. The first dolls went out to stores with a marketing booklet that said: “Sindy is the free, swinging girl that every little girl longs to be. Sindy has sports clothes, glamour clothes, everyday clothes — a dog, skates, a gramophone — everything... Every genuine Sindy outfit is a child’s dream come true.” But like so many women of that era, it did not all go smoothly for Sindy. The original dolls went out of production in 1997, although various models have been revived for the collectors’ market. Now she is back with a glow up and a younger look. Out of a range of six, one has dark skin and long black curls, and two others have pink or blue hair. Her features resemble the LOL dolls that are currently popular. Here we compare the original Sindy to the new one.
FAMILY
Sixties Sindy was so successful that she soon spawned an entourage. Her boyfriend, Paul, was launched in 1965, followed by her little sister Patch in 1966. Soon Sindy and Patch had friends – Vicki, Mitzi, Poppet and Betsy. They all contributed to Sindy being the best-selling toy in the UK in 1968 and 1970.
The new range is launching with six dolls, all called Sindy, with different looks, outfits and career set-ups.
DOMESTIC LIFE
A huge part of the original Sindy’s commercial success was based on her lifestyle accessories. Barbie did not get a campervan or a working shower until the 80s, while Sindy had furniture, cars, horses and even a three storey townhouse. These were all marked with her logo – a golden S in a heart – and came with an incredibly detailed range of tiny dishes, foodstuffs, brushes, combs and other miniature items. Her life may have been glamorous but that did not mean she didn’t need a top-loading washing machine, ironing board and even a toilet. The new range of dolls don’t have bathroom suites or garden benches. Instead they have a website with videos and print-outs so fans can make their own beauty salon.
ICE OUTFIT Skating Sindy doll from the 1960s