A few days ago we were notified by D7ana, that the LIV dolls are being discontinued, at least for 2013. You can read her post here.
I searched the internet to see if I could get the story behind the 'discontinuance'. No luck. I did find out the story behind the new doll line, La Dee Da. It was designed by a teenager and her three best friends. This new doll is along the lines of the extremely popular Lalaloopsy doll. I don't personally own any of the Lalaloopsy dolls, but I have been amazed at their popularity with the adults. So I can see why Spin Master wanted such a doll. I still don't understand why they can't do both LIV dolls and La Dee Da dolls. Just like I couldn't understand why Mattel couldn't do Stardolls and the Basics. I guess it all boils down to money. Maybe they are reserving the right to create LIV dolls in the future. Maybe they are busy creating some fantastic new rendition of the LIV doll. One can only hope.
In the meantime, I wish them luck with the new doll line. First because it's from a teen designer, and second because the more money they make, the more they have to spend creating fashion dolls and accessories.
I searched the internet to see if I could get the story behind the 'discontinuance'. No luck. I did find out the story behind the new doll line, La Dee Da. It was designed by a teenager and her three best friends. This new doll is along the lines of the extremely popular Lalaloopsy doll. I don't personally own any of the Lalaloopsy dolls, but I have been amazed at their popularity with the adults. So I can see why Spin Master wanted such a doll. I still don't understand why they can't do both LIV dolls and La Dee Da dolls. Just like I couldn't understand why Mattel couldn't do Stardolls and the Basics. I guess it all boils down to money. Maybe they are reserving the right to create LIV dolls in the future. Maybe they are busy creating some fantastic new rendition of the LIV doll. One can only hope.
In the meantime, I wish them luck with the new doll line. First because it's from a teen designer, and second because the more money they make, the more they have to spend creating fashion dolls and accessories.
TORONTO and LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Spin Master Ltd. is turning the fashion doll aisle from ordinary into extraordinary this fall, with its Rowdy, Shouty, Chic fashion doll line, La Dee Da™, a stunning fashion doll line where everyday things inspire unexpected fashions.
La Dee Da™ is an outrageous fashion label created by a talented New York City teen named Dee and her three best friends, Tylie, Cyanne and Sloane. While attending design school in the city, these over-the-top designers always go for the bold, whether its shakeup makeup, fierce outfits, or crazy purple curls, La Dee Da™ invites real girls to create, imagine, and express themselves through a new kind of fashion play that is "Dee-lightful!"
Targeted to girls aged six to ten, La Dee Da™, delivers a unique new combination of fearless fashions, fabulous accessories and activity booklets complete with the girls' back story and "do it yourself" activities.
"We are thrilled to launch our exciting new fashion doll line, La Dee Da. La Dee Da is about a teenage fashion designer Dee and her super talented BFF's. You will be blown away by their incredible imaginations and over-the-top looks", says Nicole Perez, VP of Marketing, Spin Master. "La Dee Da encourages all girls to design their world and turn ordinary to extraordinary."
In addition to the retail launch of La Dee Da, the brand will extend into the digital space with interactive content on LaDeeDaGirls.com and innovative apps for the iOS platform. Girls can participate in the adventures of Dee and her friends with e-Stories for the iPad. The website invites them to follow the stories and design ideas of the La Dee Da girls, create designs of their own, play games, and more. Games will also be available on iPhone and iPod Touch so you can play them wherever you go!
Line extensions and accessories include DEE Signature Doll, Sweet Party Collection and World Trip Collection and Fashion Design Sketchbook, Le Bun's Closet and Studio Fashions will all be available in August at leading retailers and specialty stores throughout the U.S. and Canada, and online atwww.LaDeeDaGirls.com. Dolls retail at $19.99 MSRP ($24.99 MSRP in Canada); accessory items range from $5.49 to $12.99 MSRP.
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| Image Courtesy of Spin Master by way of TheToySpy |
So we say goodbye to the LIV dolls, at least for now. Until I see something that says they are officially discontinued, I will hold out hope for their return, perhaps in an improved form.
It's nice that Spin Master has used the creative talents of a teen to create this new doll line. However, none will reside here.
ReplyDeletedbg
DBG - None will reside here either, but then I don't have Lalaloopsies or Monster High dolls either. I applaud them to branching out. I still don't understand not doing LIV dolls, too.
DeleteI don't have any of the others you mentioned either, Vanessa. Typically, I prefer dolls that look like real people (unless they are vintage when the trend to make them look people-like was basically non-existent).
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This might explain why LIV stuff is on sale on the TRU website.
ReplyDeletejustjay - Yes, the LIV dolls have been showing up deeply discounted ($4 - $7) for some months now. Target did a clearance in the stores and on their website several months ago. I wish Big Lots would get the message and discount theirs. They have the largest stock I've seen on actual shelves.
DeleteI really loved their bodies. I finally got my Marisa doll from Mattell.com yesterday. I love her. I put her on a LIV body, I think an older Alexis body before she was o dark. I swear Alexis got darker as the newer versions came out. Anyway I don't understand why they get rid of things that adult collectors seem to love. (i.e. Basics line) Anyway I will have to make sure I get all the shades that the bodies come in before they become hard to find.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering Vanessa, what do you do with all your LIV heads??? LOL
mrscarissa - Congrats on Marisa. I have an older Alexis body, but I still preferred her on the Daniela body. I need a dark Alexis body for my newly acquired Christie. She is part of the college crew and I like the LIV bodies for them. All of my LIV heads are in a little basket. I have to admit, just over the past couple of weeks, I have really started liking the big headed dolls. I think it's been all the talk about the MyScene dolls. I LOVE Madison. I have several MyScene dolls and have never wanted to sell them. This morning I put a MyScene doll next to a LIV doll and thought, if I had the time, I would do a whole story series just using big headed dolls. Alas, I don't have the time.
DeleteI'm so sad at this news. Liv dolls were a great resource for clothes and bodies. I'm sorry to see them go!
ReplyDeleteVita Plastica - This did have some really nice clothes and accessories. I will miss those. I just spent some time this morning looking at my LIV playsets and doll sets that are still boxed. What a shame we won't get the cool little unique accessories they were famous for.
DeleteI don't own any liv, but I do love their fashions and complements and I'll miss them. I'm afraid these are too slim to fit Barbie...
ReplyDeleteRossetti - I use my LIV clothes for my Barbies. They fit just fine on most of the dolls.
DeleteWell there heads are cute, the heads of these La De Da dolls. Hopefully Liv just might make a comeback!
ReplyDeleteVerona - This new line has the potential to do very well. I am basing that on the success of Lalaloopsy dolls, the Lati and Pukifee dolls, etc. Those really big head, small body dolls seem to be particularly popular out of the states. I hope they come out with separate clothes packs. My young girls would love some of these cute little clothes.
DeleteI was never a huge fan of the liv dolls myself but the clothes snd accessories were amazing and you could get them in colors other than pink. So this is saaad news. I agree with you. Why cant they carry both?! Oh well, nothing I can do about it. Thanks for the heads-up.
ReplyDeletePriya - Do you mean, "thanks for the big heads-up"? LOL!
DeleteI read about La Dee Da Dolls on DollPlanet several months ago, but I didn't know, that they were supposed to take the place of LIV dolls. I'm also not a fan of LIV dolls and don't even have any LIV clothes or accessories, but it was nice just to know that Barbie sized non-pink furnuture was available in Moscow, not on eBay only.
ReplyDeleteDukasha - Seems kind of strange they would not do LIV dolls, too. The response from the customer care rep at Spin Master said no new LIV dolls in 2013, according to D7ana. So maybe they are reserving the right to make a resurgence in the future. I have a ton of LIV dolls and accessories, but admittedly I never bought anything from that line that wasn't on sale. Were most adult collectors like me? If so, their bottom line probably took a hit.
DeleteThanks for this additional information, Vanessa. I saw the big heads and mentally ran out of the room, lol. That's nice that Spin Master is helping young designers. (Being nice here ;-P) If this appeals to some young people, great for them and for Spin Master.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're right - no new dolls for 2013 does not mean no more Liv ever. (Brightening.) And I have to confess, most of my Liv products were sales items. Squinting to concentrate ... hmmm ... yes, ma'am, probably all of them. So I can't fuss as much as if I had carried the line.
Thanks again, Vanessa, for the links and for mentioning me, and for giving a broader look at the new doll series.
D7ana - I just happened across the information as I was looking for "why the discontinuance". Knowing it was a teen designer lessened the blow a bit. I am really happy for her. We, adult collectors really need a company that caters to us. I think it is a viable business. If you can get one company to do it, others would probably follow suit. There are so many of us. Even if it was a small company that became a subsidiary of one of the larger companies. Or, it could be a small division within the company itself. Can you imagine? I wonder if they have adult consultants they converse with. Sounds like a job for a well versed collector, who is tied into the doll community. (Hint, hint) I would offer to do the job, buy my cup runneth over already.
DeleteI wouldn't really compare these to Lalaloopsy dolls. They remind me more of big-eyed, big-headed dolls like the old Diva Stars and even Blythe.
ReplyDeleteTM - Blythe! I couldn't think of their names. Definitely like the Blythe dolls.
DeleteLiv Dolls are being "archived" according to Spin Master. Doll sales are competitive and they could not stand up to those of Mattel and MGA.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/Atamaii/status/170157034191339520
Frank - Thanks for the information. I figured it was money related.
DeleteWell, La Dee Da...just kidding. ;) I am sad to see the Liv dolls go as well. I hope they do revisit the idea of making them again or new and approved. I'm also with you on the whole Basics and Stardoll thing. I'm still scratching my head at the fact the Basics line being pulled shortly after creating males. They didn't even see how far they could have gone with that. It would have been HUGE to create a Basics 2.5 with articulation. Ugh, these toy companies are something else.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Tracy - I know. They were on to something with the addition of new men. I am hopeful they will bring them back, too. I'm not sure how well the Stardoll venture is working for them. Someone should have been smart enough to say we can not introduce these dolls with these bodies. They needed to come out the gate with articulated bodies to give that line a better chance.
DeleteIt's very FUBU related, i.e., for us by us, much like the idea behind SIS. I'm all for enterprising women. However, I'm no ones target consumer because if I buy anything from the line, as you know, it will have to be on sale.
ReplyDeleteMuff - We have give you the middle name "Clearance".
DeleteI don't think teens designed the doll'backstdolls backstory is that they are supposed to be teens who design fashions. The La Dee Da fashion label. They're cute but I don't see myself buying them. Blythe is the only big-headed doll that I can stand. :)
ReplyDeleteRoxie - Thanks for visiting and thanks for your comments. I don't know how the La Dee dolls are doing since their release. I haven't bought any, but I've enjoyed seeing them in the stores. They are cute.
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