Nawattakorn Sukcharn

Is Blythe doll the new Barbie?

One of the latest crazes among lovers of tokata (dolls) is a cute, big-eyed doll known as ‘Blythe’. At least it seems like all my female friends and relatives just can’t enough of them!

Fortunately one entrepreneur – Sasidhorn Yimpayak - is benefiting from the wave of interest in the dolls.
  “I never really expected to get involved in a business related to dolls, although I’ve been a fan of them for years. While they’re adorable, there are also different ways of appreciating them.”

Sasidhorn says her love for the dolls spurred her on to start the business [Manae Dolls]. However, her business has been operating for five years now, so she has been well positioned to benefit from increasing interest in the dolls.

“I began by selling Barbie dolls but we also maintained a supply of Blythe dolls. At that time the dolls and accessories were cheap, but once celebrities started promoting the dolls on TV, prices began rising amid a jump in demand,” she said.

 Due to a high degree of functionality, the Blythe doll has grown in popularity quickly among Thai teenagers. It has even been dubbed the ‘Customizable doll’ since you can wash its hair, or change its eye color – and the public seem to find it a very photogenic doll.

Many of Manae Dolls’ accessories are handmade, conforming to designs produced by Sasidhorn and her friends, while others are imported. The store stocks a large variety of clothes, earrings, hats, necklaces, and shoes, along with just about every kind of furniture you can imagine.
“The clothes and wigs are inspired by what we see on the internet or in magazines, while earring and bracelet designs are inspired by women’s everyday styles.”