Material Archive

Miller Goodman's Playshapes: The Perfect Children's Toy

 
 








As a newly minted auntie to my dear nephew Alek, I am still navigating through the rich and complex world of understanding children's toys. There's just so much to choose from and so many routes to explore. For my money, any toy that puts learning and the child's creativity center stage is ideal. Miller Goodman's Playshapes is one of the most lovely block sets I have come across yet. Beautifully crafted, the set yields endless charming possibilities. There's even a Flickr group where users can post new configurations. If you're in the TDot, buy yours at Magic Pony!

Andrew Yang's Dolls of Anna Wintour & Grace Cottington

I have a Courtney Love doll that I just love – it's a bit rougher than these "couture" versions but the idea as a whole amuses me.
These dolls by Andrew Yang are so fun – but if he had wanted to be a bit more accurate with Grace, he would have left off the eyebrows! ;-) See the whole collection here.
 

Barbie, meet Don Draper

Oh, looks like Joan went on a diet...hmmm.

I realize that Mattel was working off of their stock molds when creating these dolls but perhaps they should have considered one important point before deciding to default to their standard sizes – the allure of Joan in particular to their audience. I'm willing to bet that her character is one of the most beloved on the show not only for her amazingly strong character but also for her beautiful and realistic hourglass shape. She represents me and most women I know the most faithfully and is without a doubt the Barbie I would have been most inclined to buy. But, because the doll so clearly doesn't do her justice – it sort of ruins the whole effort a bit. A shame really considering how fun they are. Slated for release in July. Read more here.

I did a doodle of my old Nintendo pocket DK

 

Where has this great insight gone?

I can't stop looking at these Lego ads from 1981 over and over again – I love them so much. Why? Because I feel like I don't see this type of dialogue anymore. It feels like toys today are so rarely this gender neutral. It feels like feminism and girl power have been been distorted and morphed in to something disingenuous and opportunistic that resembles Paris Hilton and the Pussy Cat Dolls.
Walking in to a Toys R Us recently, I was overwhelmed by the oppressive and dominating themes of girls' toys centered around grooming, shopping, cooking, caring for baby and being a provocative Princess. It made me wonder if the deeply sexist world portrayed in Mad Men that I marvel at weekly on HBO is really that distant.
Yes, I too played with Barbies when I was wee and pink certainly played a large role at that impressionable age too, but there were other choices as well. I played with Lego, Star Wars figures, video games, science kits, board games, art supplies, books and had a bicycle and a skate board.  And although I did like the idea of having an invisible jet like Wonder Woman, being a "sexy princess" never factored in to my plans.
This dominating "pinkafication" of all things female feels alarmingly regressive and unapologetically sexual. In addition to little girls like Suri Cruise wearing high-heels, (you can now buy them for your baby too), everything for moms, teens and young girls alike seems geared towards a more mature, sexed-up, celebrity and material obsessed culture. Even Dora, who should be dressed as her name suggests, as an explorer, has recently veered into Bratz territory. Tween Dora is now a sexy version of her former self, with longer hair, slender legs, short dress, jewels and ballet slippers – not exactly all-terrain wear.

Christian Louboutin for Barbie

 

Already sold out of of course but here's the link.

Barbie Shoes

Source unknown

Manga Karl Lagerfeld

" Karl Lagerfeld may be larger than life, but he says he's flattered to be a Tokidoki. The Italian maker of Japanese-inspired collectible figurines has immortalized the designer in vinyl - 10 inches tall.

Mini Karl comes decked out in a skinny black suit, rhinestone-studded tie and belt, and don't-mess-with-me sunglasses - all from his K Karl Lagerfeld Collection. Tokidoki, created in 2005 by artist Simone Legno, will create only 1,000 figurines. Priced at 129 euros, or about $190 at current exchange, they will be distributed at Tokidoki flagships in New York, Milan and Los Angeles and select specialty stores for holiday retailing, with Colette getting the exclusive launch next month. Mini Karl will also appear on T-shirts in next spring's K collection."   Via WWD

A Good Oeuf

 

 

Designed by a husband and wife team based in New York, Oeuf produces some truly adorable items for baby that make you wish they were available in adult sizes. I'm loving the plush guitar!

Zippity zip!

I think this is quite possibly the sleekest little toy car I have ever seen. The Constantin B is designed by the always intriguing Nika Zupac.