Sindy Doll Magazine ISSUE 24 | August 2023 | £7.95
THE SINDY SET MEET-UP 5 WAYS TO WEAR YOUR SARONG DORIS & BUDDY'S FLING!
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Hello Dolls! Welcome to the August issue of Mam'selle! A mini magazine for Sindy doll lovers, fans and collectors. We hope you're having a splendid summer and taking some time to enjoy the longer and warmer days. Sit back with a summer cocktail and see behind-the-scenes at our debut The Sindy Set doll meet-up held in London in June. We hope to organise many more - watch this space. Until next month dolls.
editor x
Mam'selle I S S U E
24 Sindy Doll Magazine: Contents 05 Sindy Social Scene 06 The Sindy Set London 22 Photostory 25 Living with Sindy 30 Dear Sindy...
>> Cover Outfit: Design by MCreations Paris www.etsy.com/shop/MCreationsParis Please do contact us with any submissions, Ad's or, to be featured dresslikeasindy@gmail.com
32 Travel with Sindy 34 #VintageSindy
MAM'SELLE MAGAZINE | 3
JOLLYDOLLYSHOP @ J O L L Y D O L L Y S H O P
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JollyDollyShop
SINDY SOCIAL SCENE Top Nine: our favourite Sindy Snaps this month from The Sindy Set Meet-up ...
1. @dresslikeasindy | 2. @the_minimalist_sindy | 3. @sindy.Is59 4. @ftloveofdolls | 5. @sewist53 | 6. @dinky_dolls 7. @dollsabouttown | 8. @sharingsindy | 9. @thesmallpretender MAM'SELLE MAGAZINE | 5
Special
THANK YOU TO MATTHEW @DOLLSABOUTTOWN FOR BUILDING THE DIORAMAS FOR THE SINDY SET
A SINDY DOLL MEET-UP L
ondon. June 10th was circled in our diary. Why? Because this was the date that was set for the debut doll meet up hosted by The Sindy Set. There is always lots of talk of meeting up,
coffee dates, and the like, but life well it gets in the way. You have to just do it! That is, set the date - and hope the dolls will come! And, come they did. Once a location was booked, the guest list came in thick and fast. It really was happening... Train tickets were booked, fun was planned, dolls were getting dressed, and we were all ready to come out to play. For one day some like-minded women - and men would meet.
The Sindy Set is a place for Sindy doll fans, lovers and collectors to catch up, meet in real life, and most importantly have some good old-fashioned Sindy fun. Most of us know each other online, have met at other dolly events, or chat on Facebook and/or Instagram daily - but nothing beats a IRL meet up, does it? The Sindy Set hopes to be a wonderful opportunity to make some new friends and meet all those Sindy's we see on our daily scroll. >>
Images kindly used with permission from: Pedigree Toys & Games Ltd., The Little Sindy Museum, Rachel Godfroy-Scott & Anne Zielinski-Old
Krystal and Sunday were hard at work organising the first ever The Sindy Set Meets Sindy doll meet-up in London. They were packing up and sending out the information leaflets, tube maps and lunch menus to help the guests find their way and see the plan of the day.
Getting organised...
8 | MAM'SELLE MAGAZINE
A SINDY DOLL MEET-UP London Doll Meet | Saturday 10th June 2023 Krystal and Sunday got to work preparing for The Sindy Set debut meet-up. They designed and printed some leaflets full of useful information like the timings, venue address, and what to bring along. They also included a lunch menu, a London tube map and a plan of the day. This meant everyone would be up-to-date with the details, and hopefully make them all feel at ease about meeting lots of new people. The girls also did a great job organising the ticket payments, the food pre-orders, the goody bags, and the quiz sheets. They also helped pack up the clothing and accessories for the Sindy shopping table. Phew.. @jollydollyshop getting ready to attend & @sewist53 packing her travel bag for the train to London
A little red, white & blue packing by @stylemysindy
The Sindy Set London Doll Meet | Saturday 10th June 2023
M
atthew from @dollabouttown kindly made two sets for us all to photograph our Sindy's. One was a London Underground train station with a white subway tile backdrop and some fab posters - including adverts for Mam'selle. It was the perfect setting for Sindy with her tube map. The other set was a classic London street townhouse with an iconic red phonebox and postbox.
S
hopping was on the agenda. We had a small area for Sindy to sell her wares. This included magazines, logo Tee's, dogleads and accessories by Mam'selle. Beautiful beach fashions and bags by Ira @heart.of.flesh.dolls. Dresses and bags by Cathy @jollydollyshop, Miniature crafts by Jane @stylemysindy and Claudette @thestripyshed Plus, dresses, flower crowns and leather handbags made by Marguerite @sindylife2021
The Sindy Set London 2023
O
ur guest speaker was David Luff from the Merton Historical Society. He gave a talk, titled 'Sindy & her Family Tree'. He brought along a selection of his dolls including Bidl Lilli, Barbie and of course, Sindy. (You can read his research from page 17).
VISIT: https://mertonhistoricalsociety.org.uk
Sarah @dinkydolls capturing the vast collection of Sindy's that made the trip to London. And, Kevin @sharingsindy caught his girls having a gossip on the London street scene.
The London Underground set was very popular...
Sue @sewist53 brought her 'mini-me' and they came in matching outfits, naturally!
I
THE SINDY SET MEETS
t was a very hot day, but that didn't stop the Sindy fun. We had our guest speaker, a pub lunch, and lots of cold drinks! In the afternoon we had a Sindy quiz (well done to Charlotte @every.day.is.like.sindy, Matthew @dollsabouttown, Ira @heart.of.flesh.dolls and Jane @stylemysindy who all won!), Thank you to Kevin for donating the top prize (two Mini Brand balls!) We also had tea and birthday cake and then did some shopping, swopping & selfies!
London Doll Meet | Saturday 10th June 2023
The specially printed 60th birthday photo cake was from Asda.
>> And, finally everyone left with a goody bag which included beauty treats, chocolate, herbal tea, and a mini Mam'selle magazine. It also included a special The Sindy Set magnet and pencil, and a gift from Verity @orlaithsboutique
Picts: Ira @heart.of.flesh.dolls Rebs, @sindyfrolicsand & Sandra @thesmallpretender
It was lovely to add a human face to the dolly accounts. I think the sindy set London is here to stay! – Sandra
ABOUT US
DO YOU WANT TO COME TO THE NEXT ONE? Sindy collectors are a special breed of wonderful ladies and gents that enjoy Sindy dolls, scenesetters, and accessories.
THE SINDY SET
The Sindy Set is where we meet to have fun!
Next LONDon date Saturday 30th September 2023!
THE SINDY SET
L NDON
CONTACT BONITA : dresslikeasindy@gmail.com @dresslikeasindy
FAMILY TREE Sindy & family
{ Paul }
{ Sindy }
{ Vicki }
{ Mitzi }
{ June }
{ Marie }
{ Patch }
{ Betsy }
{ Poppet }
{Tammy} { Mark } { Gayle }
SINDY & HER FAMILY TREE A transcript of the talk from The Sindy Set meets...
by David Luff from the Merton Historical Society
Sindy was born during the early 1960s in the Lines Brothers Pedigree Doll factory in Morden Road, in the London Borough of Merton. She was Pedigree’s second doll in the style of the new very adult-faced doll Bild Lilli that had been created by Reinhard Beuthein in 1955. The Lines Brothers In the U.K., the Lines Bros. headquarters at Merton toy factory covered an area of 750,000 sq. ft., and had over 4,000 employees. In the autumn of 1971, due to failing business overseas and uncertain demand in the UK and accumulating losses, Lines Brothers - at the time the biggest toy manufacturer in the UK - collapsed.
Tri-ang Works, Morden Road, Merton SW19 (Image: www.triang.nl)
SINDY & HER FAMILY TREE Bild Lilli had originally been a cartoon character drawn by Reinhard Beuthein for the daily German newspaper Bild- Zeitung. She had made her first appearance on 24 June 1952 and became an overnight success, especially with the newspaper’s male readers. With there being no real possibility of memorabilia, Reinhard decided to create a three-dimensional photograph, this being in the form of a very adult-looking doll which came in two sizes, one at 7 1/2-inches and the other at 11 1/2- inches. The 7 1/2-inch doll does not appear to have been a big seller, unlike the 11 1/2-inch one, which has gone on to become the set-in-stone standard size for these adult fashion dolls, that is still relevant today. Lilli was made of plastic with moulded eyelashes, earrings and shoes. Her skin was a pale colour, with a painted face, high narrow eyebrows and red lips. She wore her hair in a pony tail with one kiss curl touching her forehead. Her eyes were side-glancing and her limbs were attached by coated rubber bands. The first dolls had blonde hair and each Lilli was sold in a clear plastic tube with a miniature copy of the Bild-Zeitung newspaper under her arm.
> The German adult gag-gift escort doll named Lilli who started out life in the late 1940s as a German cartoon character created by artist Reinhard Beuthien for the Hamburgbased tabloid, Bild-Zeitung.
Lilli had originally been intended for men only, as a novelty sexy adult doll, and not for ladies. But very soon after going on sale, every lady, be they very young, elderly or anywhere in between, wanted one. The dolls were regarded as totally unsuitable for children and were banned from being sold in toy shops. Production had started in 1955, and Bild Lilli had become so popular that the German factory that was manufacturing them could not cope with the demand. This led over the following years to at least 16 licences being issued for the manufacture of Lilli in other factories. Very few of these dolls have any factory identification on them. This was not seen as a problem at the time, but makes difficulties for collectors today. Although Reinhard most likely did not know this, he had created the first doll appealing to both sexes.
SINDY & HER FAMILY TREE Barbie is as every one knows the most famous adult-fashion doll of them all, even though she is in reality a clone of Bild Lilli. Her fame and success were due to Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel Toys, an American company. Ruth had noticed that her own daughter, as well as those of her friends, stopped playing with baby-style dolls around the age of six or seven, whereas they continued to play with cut-out paper dolls into their teens. Ruth decided to create a three-dimensional doll in the form of the adult-looking paper dolls. The problem of how was solved while she was on holiday in Italy, where she bought two Bild Lilli dolls. Once back in America she handed them over to her chief designer. He made some alterations, especially to the body, making it thinner so as to be much easier to dress and undress. At Barbie’s first trade fair in March 1959 she failed to make any impression on the buyers. Then suddenly in late summer of 1959 (for which no one can give any explanation) everybody wanted one, and bought themselves a Barbie. The superstar of the past 64 years, still going strong today, was born.
> Ruth Handler, the Inventor & Entrepreneur who Revolutionised the Toy Industry with the original 1959 Barbie.
SINDY & HER FAMILY TREE Sindy must be one of the most famous of all the toys that were made in the Lines Bros factory here in Merton. Over one hundred million Sindy dolls have been made over the years since 1963, but most of these were made in Hong Kong. Sindy began life back in the early 1960s when Pedigree Dolls chief designer Valerie Sanders was given the task of developing a new fashion doll to replace Little Miss Vogue in their 11 1⁄2-inch range. Little Miss Vogue had been launched in 1961 and like most Pedigree dolls would have been replaced or revamped after around three years, a process sometimes referred to as ‘growing up’. Before Sindy went into production a great deal of research work took place. Young ladies, parents and retailers were all consulted and the data very carefully analysed. The young ladies picked Cindy as their favourite name from a list of possibles. The spelling of Cindy was changed to Sindy by Richard Lines at one of the development meetings.
> Images: Pedigree Doll production line (Sidney Birch), from the V&A Museum of Childhood, Lines Bros archive (uncatalogued) c. 1971 Lines Bros. Group
< A later photograph from a Lines Bros promo brochure, showing the design room, and dolls going through production.
SINDY & HER FAMILY TREE Sindy was launched to the trade in September 1963 but failed to make any impression on the buyers. Then over the six weeks run-up to Christmas 1963 Pedigree Dolls advertised her on television. The result was electric and everyone wanted a Sindy doll from Father Christmas. It was these young ladies who would put Sindy on the road to becoming a superstar. The original body and face were sculpted by Dennis Arkinstall, and Eric Griffiths with Valerie designing all of Sindy’s wardrobe; that includes the classic ‘Weekender’ denim jeans and the matelot top. Sindy had now become a teenager, unlike the Pedigree dolls before her. This, along with Sindy being spelt with an ‘S’, I personally think were her two best selling points. In 1968 Sindy grew up a little to make her look older and she also lost about an inch in height. It certainly worked, as in the same year Sindy became the biggest selling toy in the UK, a feat she also achieved in 1970. By the mid-1960s Lines Bros were having financial difficulties and Sindy production moved to Canterbury and then to Hong Kong. In 1971 Lines Bros. went into receivership and Sindy became part of Marx Toys. In 1980 Marx also went into receivership, and Hasbro purchased the licences for Sindy. And, the rest is as they say is history.
Merton is the home of the world-famous Sindy superstar and at one period had the largest toy factory in the world. But, no blue plaque celebrates one or the other, nor is there a road or path named after Sindy or Lines Bros. You need to be more than rich and famous to impress the folks down here in SW19!
The love story of Doris & Buddy Part eight
A Highland Fling!
Doris and Buddy were enjoying a romantic getaway while staying at Highland Cottage in Scotland. They were housesitting for her sister Dana while she was working away.
It was wonderful to spend some time together, as Buddy had lots of upcoming gigs and would be spending a lot of time away.
! Mo g v e o v e r d a r lin
Doris Day starred in 'Pillow Talk' in 1959 and 'Move Over Darling' in 1963!
w talk o l l i p
Buddy, I'm going to miss you terribly while you are away!
What a special weekend - I have butterflies in my tummy! But is that all it is?...
... to be continued
FIESTA! FULL MEXICAN MENU NOW AVAILABLE
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SHIRT, PART OF 'HOLIDAY GIRL', 1980 TROUSERS, @MYDOLLYDOLLS.ME
THE DOLL YOU LOVE TO DRESS
LIVING WITH.
SINDY.
FASHION. INTERIORS. BEAUTY. SHOPPING. TRAVEL.
HOW TO STYLE A SARONG Five stylish ways to wear a sarong for holidays. "My darlings, welcome back to my fabulous new column in Mam'selle. Here I will share with you some of my fashion know-how, tricks and tips on how to look your very best - everyday. This time we shall learn how to style a simple sarong
STYLE WITH ...
five new ways."
VERONIQUE
Veronique x Veronique is using the Sindy 'Mode Collection' from 1986
STYLE ONE: BEACH COVER UP
VERONIQUE SAYS, "Darlings, simply tie the sarong around your waist and use the long piece of material of the top as a chic head band." > Mules, Sindy. Bikini top and gold sunglasses, Barbie Collectables by Mattel.
STYLE TWO: SUMMER SHOPPING
VERONIQUE SAYS, > Bikini bottoms, sunglasses and gold tote, all Barbie Collectables by Mattel.
"For this look just place the material top evenly around the back of your neck, cross over chest and tie at the back. For the sarong just fold in half and tie at side. For an added finishing touch add a little gold ring and push the ends through."
STYLE THREE: WALK ALONG THE BEACH
VERONIQUE SAYS, "Stroll along the shore, or hit the pool bar in this elegant look. Just place the sarong evenly behind your back, take the two end pieces and thread under your arms. Then cross over your chest and secure tightly at back of your neck."
> Mules, Sindy. Bikini top and gold sunglasses, Barbie Collectables by Mattel.
You could use any Sindy sarong to crreate these looks , or easily make a sarong set out of some pieces of bright material or fabric.
r e v o c s i d
A Sindy Doll Lovers Magazine READ at Issuu & or order a A5 Printed Copy
MADE WITH LOVE
for Sindy collectors
dresslikeasindy@gmail.com @dresslikeasindy
STYLE FOUR: LUNCH DATE
VERONIQUE SAYS, "Place the sarong evenly under your left arm and place each end, front and back over your right shoulder, then secure with a knot, or a gold ring. Then take the top material and place evenly around your waist, cross over at the back and then bring round and tie at the front to secure. Sweeties, this creates the most fabulous wide belt and a stylish coordinated look."
> Bag, Zuru Mini Fashions (series 2). Mules and Headband, both Sindy (customised by Veronique.)
ALL IMAGES & WORDS BY KEVIN HOUSE @SHARING SINDY
STYLE 5: PLAY SUIT
> Bag, part of 'Beach Comber', 1976. Headband, Barbie by Mattel.
VERONIQUE SAYS, "Take the material for the top and place evenly over your chest, take one end under your right arm and the other under your left and bring back over the shoulder. Then simply cross them over and secure neatly at the back. Now to create the shorts look, you'll need to tie the ends of the sarong around your waist. Then just take the longest point of the sarong though your legs and secure all three ends securely together at the back. You may need to practise and fiddle with leg length until you are happy with the final look. But, what a fun look ladies!".
BY @DOLLSABOUTTOWN
DEAR SINDY...
before Have a handmade dress that's not quite right? Don't despair with a little fashion inspiration and sewing know how from @dollsabouttown you can up-cycle that frock in no time. Start by unpicking the dress - you will essentially be putting it back together. Then press all the pieces so you are starting with a nice neat fabric. As there wasn't much seam allowance to do a turn back hem I used narrow strips of bias binding to neaten the neckline and armholes. As the skirt gather was originally sewn by hand I corrected this with a neat sewing machine hem. Gathering the material and forming new soft pleats. I then reattached the skirt to the top - also using the sewing machine. I added a new press stud at the back. To really bring this floral fabric back to life I added a vintage 1960's trim. I had picked this up at a flea market in Paris years ago and had it in my craft box - I hand-stitched this around the neckline. A final press and Sindy was ready to model her new (old) dress.
30 | MAM'SELLE MAGAZINE
after
... how can I up-cycle my vintage dress?
YOU WILL NEED: A sewing machine Bias binding An iron Press stud Trimmings of your choice .
T R A V E L CORSHAM, WILTSHIRE
@DRESSLIKEASINDY The historic market town of Corsham is a civil parish in west Wiltshire, England. Near the city of Bath, at the southwestern edge of the Cotswolds - it's a real hidden gem just waiting to be explored. During the Second World War and the Cold War it became a major administrative and manufacturing centre for the Ministry of Defence, with numerous establishments both above ground and in disused quarry tunnels.
SLEEP: The Methuen Arms at 2 High Street EAT: Mother & Wild at No.8 High Street
DRINK: Hare & Hounds at 48 Pickwick VISIT: The Pound Art Centre on Pound Pill
SHOP: The Corsham Bookshop at 16 Martingate, High St,
S P E C I A L w i t h
S i n d y
MUST-VISIT: Corsham Court on Church Street This Saxon Royal Manor was designed by Capability Brown, and is based on an Elizabethan house dating from 1582. Home of the Methuen Family, it is notable for its fine art collection, based on the nucleus of paintings inherited in 1757 by Paul Methuen from his uncle, Sir Paul Methuen, the diplomat. Surrounded by parkland this English country house is also the official home to the many Peacocks that roam the surrounding cobbled pavements and town centre.
CLAIMS TO FAME: Corsham inspired Charles Dickens to write The Pickwick Papers, and create the character Moses Pickwick. In 1993, Corsham Court was a location for The Remains of the Day starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. Corsham became 18th Century Truro for BBC One’s Poldark, starring Aidan Turner. Middlewick House was once the home of Camilla Parker-Bowles - aka Queen Camilla.
DID YOU KNOW? Corsham's history is linked to wool and stone: the wool from the Flemish weavers who based themselves in the town; And the stone from the famous Bath Stone, quarried locally and used in many of the town’s buildings.
MAM'SELLE MAGAZINE | 33
IMAGE COPYRIGHT © 2023 UNDER LICENSE TO PEDIGREE TOYS AND BRANDS LTD
#VINTAGESINDY
DRESSING TABLE 1968 Sindy's Dressing Table (12SA5) from the 1968 style guide: "When Sindy is going out her dressing table has everything needed to make her look glamorous. Hand mirror, cosmetic bottles, brush and comb, powder puff set and there's even a vase for flowers. Easily accessible drawers are at either side and Sindy has her name embossed on the centre. The matching stool is just the right height for her to sit comfortably when she puts on her make-up or brushes her hair. With Sindy's dressing table comes a set of undies." (We wonder what lingerie set that was?)
Beth's Tiny Things - Purveyor of Little Treasures https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BethsTinyThings @bethstinythings
@SINDY_ATELIER
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atelier
W W . E T S Y . C O M / E S / S H O P / T A M K N I T T I N G
