Fisimi Dolls: The Barbie of China

The blonde hair and unrealistic body type of the US’s iconic Barbie doll has long been a source of frustration for many parents who wish there were more multicultural options for young children to play with. Noticing the prevalence of foreign dolls on the market, Ju Xia and her team at the Shenzhen Aphrodite Co Ltd set out to create a doll that would reflect the distinct cultural heritage of China. With the idea of creating a doll for each of the 56 Chinese ethnic groups, Fisimi dolls were born. Each doll involves extensive research as well as consultations with traditional craftsmen who help to create miniature molds of cultural jewelry and accessories.

Due to the sometimes extensive and varied kinds of traditional costumes, Ju and her team decided to only consider the most common garb and leave further exploration and research up to individuals themselves. Outside of the 30 ethnic Chinese dolls and 26 more on their way, the dolls can also be found in modern outfits dressed as a flight attendants or brides in Fisimi’s Fans Limited Edition. Each doll costs between RMB 1,000 and RMB 3,000 and “demonstrate [the] culture and also the spirit” of China, says Ju.

To read more about Fisimi dolls, check out the China Daily article here.

 Photo from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-07/26/content_11047778_3.htm.