American Character Popi Pop Apart No-Sew Doll Casual Fashion Kit 2 Box Uncut FAB

Description

Popi - the pop-apart fashion model's Casual Fashion Kit #2.
As featured in FDQ magazine.
This is a great example of Popi's Fashion Kit 2, as set of four cut and drape fashions, as described on the back of the box:
- Single shoulder strapped dress for town and country
- Shopping dress with an aproned skirt
- Travelling dress with a shawl collar
- A garden party dress with a bright flowered print
Please note that Popi's fashions were especially designed for this pop-apart doll and are not suitable for use with other fashion dolls, either vintage or modern.
Please do look at the photos as part of the description. The box itself is not in bad shape considering its age, but the contents are as new and have never been removed, so the colors on the printed vinyl of the cut and drape garments are still bright and vibrant. As this vinyl has been packaged for all these years, it does have folds, but I have found that you can easily flatten the sheet out by a quick soak in hot water and allowing it to dry between blotting paper under a heavy book. Again please view the photos as part of the description.
A little background from my feature in FDQ:
Launched in 1963 by American Character, Popi’s unique selling point was that she popped apart so as to be easily re-dressed in a wardrobe of creative cut-out clothes. The outfits were pre-printed on vinyl sheets in patterns resembling top fashions. Once cut out, the shapes could be placed over the pegs that held Popi together and draped to make instant couture.
The main sales pitch for Popi was that her ensembles could be created easily with no sewing required. As it said on the box, “Cut and Drape Fashions – no-sew fun for girls”. Marketed as a fashion doll, her image was enhanced by the spare modern illustrations on the packaging. To be frank, there was remarkably little similarity between these lovely drawings and the doll in the box or her fashions. But this should not detract from the doll herself, who remains a little charmer.
The Popi series was sold as several kits. No. 1, the Starter Kit, was the doll with a three-piece torso which came apart at the bust and the waist. Popi arrived with a pre-printed day dress, three wigs, a stand, and a pair of white mules. This was one doll who was never going to have a bad hair day: her wigs were molded in the latest groovy styles in black, brunette, and a perfectly orange-blonde plastic.
Each fashion kit contained several outfits and these represented a complete 1960s wardrobe – to take Popi to garden parties, cruise ships, glamorous galas, a little tennis, and finally, to bed. The idea was that you’d get three dolls in one and lots of play value in creating a rather marvellous trousseau.
You can still find these dolls, very often with the dress patterns intact – it seems that many young owners of the dolls couldn’t quite be bothered to cut them out. The packaging is thin card which is often in poor shape and it’s rare to find a doll complete in the box with all accessories, and an uncut dress. The parting on the long pageboy wig is a point of weakness in the mold and is often split.
Popi was not a huge commercial success. Along with the ill-fated Snip ‘n’ Tuck fashion designer mannequin of 1966, and the disastrous Bonanza action figures of the same year, she was one of the dolls that led to the demise of the venerable American Character doll company. But the quirky nature of Popi and her winsome looks and versatility have led to a cult status amongst modern doll-collectors; nowadays she is widely sought-after.
Please note that you are bidding on Popi's Fashion Kit
as shown in the photos, there is no doll included with this item
.
Please see the photographs as part of the description. Thanks for looking, please take a look at our other listings too – we love to combine shipping!
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