Tokyo a la Mode. Web Magazine for Japanese Fashion and Urban Culture

Big-Eyed in Japan

By Bobby / Jan 14, 2006
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Blythe is a dress up doll for grown up girls.  Design an outfit, make it and dress her up.  She won’t complain.  Pose her and take her picture.  She’ll travel anywhere.  Then post her picture with your creation on the Internet – Blythe has fans all around the world.

image source: http://www.thisisblythe.com

Created in 1972, the Blythe doll might have remained in the annals of toys that never took off, that is until she was resurrected in Japan in 2000 when the doll was chosen for an ad campaign for Parco, a Japanese department store.  You can read a history of the Blythe doll and the two amazing ladies responsible for the craze, Gina Garan and Junko Wong, at http://www.thisisblythe.com and http://metropolis.japantoday.com/tokyo/582/feature.asp.

Part of the fun of dressing up Blythe is showing her off.  Blythe exhibits and gatherings have popped up at some of the coolest stores and galleries around the world such as Spiral in Tokyo and Magic Pony in Toronto.  Last year, the Behind Blythe exhibition visited several North American cities.  Check the www.thisisblythe.com site for future dates.

If you are in Tokyo, make sure to check out Junie Moon, a boutique in Daikanyama devoted to everything Blythe.  Gallery LELE is located right behind Junie Moon and features doll dress exhibitions and other art shows.  At Junie Moon, pick up your own Blythe doll – or you can always find one on eBay – then make her a fashionable outfit or two.  Who says playing dress up is just for little girls?

Check out these links for more information:

http://www.thisisblythe.com
http://www.blythedoll.com/index-e.html

Behind Blythe Exhibition 2005 Schedule

Magic Pony, Toronto
Apr. 30-May 25

Beans, Vancouver
June 4–30

Super 7, San Francisco
August 6-27

Rotofugi, Chicago
Sept. 17–Oct. 16

Compound, Portland
Nov. 3–30

Robot Love, Minneapolis
Dec. 9–Jan. 6