Flavas

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Flavas was a line of dolls made by Mattel in 2003 to compete with the Bratz line by MGA Entertainment. The dolls were dressed in hip hop fashions and appeared to be designed as a way for Mattel to tap into the 'urban' market.

Contents 1 Dolls 2 Promotion and marketing 3 Criticism 4 Positive aspects

[edit] Dolls

The dolls - Kiyoni Brown, Happy D, Tika, Liam, Peebo, and Tre-work hip hop/urban-inspired clothing and came with accessories such as cell phones and soda cans. Unlike more traditional Barbie dolls, the Flavas dolls had more points of articulation including jointed elbows and waists, allowing them to strike presumably more 'urban' poses. All of the dolls featured at least two variations which were packaged with two outfits, two pairs of shoes, and stickers. The packaging that the dolls came in also doubled as a doll stand.

Also includes a blue sticker applicator, which looks very similar to a doll-sized tube of blueberry lube.

[edit] Promotion and marketing

Mattel appeared unclear of how to market the dolls. Some of the accessories included with the dolls such as karaoke machines suggest that the characters were involved in the music business but this premise was never fully explored. Although Christina Aguilera promoted these dolls, two of which looked similar to her and Justin Timberlake, during their Justified/Stripped Tour, the line failed to sell and was discontinued in 2005.

[edit] Criticism

Some aspects of the Flavas dolls were considered offensive and it has been suggested that, rather than embracing hip hop culture, the dolls were actually making fun of it. It has also been suggested that the dolls were racially offensive in that Mattel portrayed negative stereotypes of African-Americans, such as Kiyoni Brown, who wore a very short mini skirt and halter top, giving her the appearance of the standard "video hoochie". It was also suggested that the 'Flava's' were unsuitable role models for children as they encouraged children to engage in illegal activities such as graffiting. The dolls were not liked by rappers and hip-hoppers because they thought that the dolls were making fun of their culture.

[edit] Positive aspects

Although there was much controversy and criticism surrounding the dolls and most people considered them racist there where also many positive aspects which got over looked in the rather exaggerated street attitude. For example the 'Kiyoni Brown' doll was one of the first ever African-American dolls to hit the shops.