Watch out Barbie, cause here comes Fulla!
Creator,NewBoyDesign Studio, which is based in Syria,introduces the new and improved version of Barbie. Launched in November 2003, Fulla is the new doll every girl is obsessed with. She is the best selling doll all over the region and was named after a type of jasmine that grows in the Levant. But why is every parent preferring Fulla over Barbie?
Unlike her Western rival Barbie, Fulla is a character that every Islamic child can relate to. Mohammed al-Sabbagh, an employee at Space Toon says: "Fulla is one of us but Barbie is still a stranger,". This is one of the many reasons that not only every child, but every parent, loves Fulla. She is modest and Conservative and her top priority is to respect herself. She always follows her "Arab values" and"respects her mother and father". You will never see her wearing a revealing bikini like Barbie, not to mention showing her leg or arms. Fulla's trademark color is "Fulla pink", which is often the tone of her long coat which she wears over her black Abaya or white head scarf. Although she does share some similarities with Barbie, such as her height(11 inches), and proportions, she is not your average blue eyed blonde doll. With her thick black hair and large dark eyes, she is easily separated from the stereotypes Barbie is portrayed with.
I think that the idea of having a doll that shares the same culture and values as you, is an excellent step forward. There are so many different religions and cultures that many children are not familiar with. Having different dolls that express different values would be a great idea to show kids the diverse and multicultural community that we live in.
Creator,NewBoyDesign Studio, which is based in Syria,introduces the new and improved version of Barbie. Launched in November 2003, Fulla is the new doll every girl is obsessed with. She is the best selling doll all over the region and was named after a type of jasmine that grows in the Levant. But why is every parent preferring Fulla over Barbie?
Unlike her Western rival Barbie, Fulla is a character that every Islamic child can relate to. Mohammed al-Sabbagh, an employee at Space Toon says: "Fulla is one of us but Barbie is still a stranger,". This is one of the many reasons that not only every child, but every parent, loves Fulla. She is modest and Conservative and her top priority is to respect herself. She always follows her "Arab values" and"respects her mother and father". You will never see her wearing a revealing bikini like Barbie, not to mention showing her leg or arms. Fulla's trademark color is "Fulla pink", which is often the tone of her long coat which she wears over her black Abaya or white head scarf. Although she does share some similarities with Barbie, such as her height(11 inches), and proportions, she is not your average blue eyed blonde doll. With her thick black hair and large dark eyes, she is easily separated from the stereotypes Barbie is portrayed with.
I think that the idea of having a doll that shares the same culture and values as you, is an excellent step forward. There are so many different religions and cultures that many children are not familiar with. Having different dolls that express different values would be a great idea to show kids the diverse and multicultural community that we live in.
here is an advertisement shown all over Arabia to promote Fulla
"Fulla". No Date. Online Image. nettavisen. Jan 10. 2008
O'Loughlin, Ed. Fulla Has the Mid-East Doll Market Covered. 23 Dec. 2005. 10 Jan. 2008
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