After the initial excitement of discovering that the SiS dolls are now reality, the analysis and critique of the dolls begin.
Um… firstly the faces… they are not new! Now, I love the Mbili face mould but I was hoping for different new ones or even a revisit to old ones that are no longer used…
Mbili Face Mould
For those who remember the first “African American” doll series of Shani and her friends, you would know that these dolls each had their own face mould. The series even included a MALE doll! The little sister dolls in the SiS series are just standard Kelly dolls in brown plastic.
Shani Face Mould
In fact I still believe that the Shani dolls are one of the prettiest dolls made by Mattel and that is one face that hasn’t been seen around for a long while…
Nichelle Face Mould
Nichelle-II Face Mould
Even if they were too lazy/went over budget, any number of past African American doll head moulds could have been used. Does anyone else remember that whole fuss over a supposed new face sculpt that was supposed to be used on the Bathing Suit Then & Now 50th Anniversary doll? She ended up with the Mackie face sculpt, which is a lovely face in its own but not exactly new.
Aside from all said above, I personally think the SiS doll outfits are really cute and fun 
Those are mostly just my own thoughts, please feel welcome to share yours by posting a comment!
Doll fans and collectors also hope that these dolls will be sold outside of the USA too… and judging by the number of hits on this blog from European countries, AA dolls are very much desired outside the USA.
