User:Glitterspray/sandbox/Rock Flowers Doll

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Help, I could use citations and/or input from a Mattel person or RF expert for this article!

Note that for now I'm using bold-italic text to embed questions/comments and to mark things I need to follow up on. Is there a better or more accepted way to do this? I could use "discussion" or "templates," but while I'm in draft form I'd rather KIS and have them right here in the article. But if there's a preferred way I'd like to hear about it. Please see also Discussion, of course.

Contents

[edit] Overview

"Spin my record! Watch me spin!"

Rock Flowers Dolls are 6 ½” vinyl dolls that were produced by Mattel from 1971 to 1974 in an apparent (to me obvious, but I don’t have a citation) effort to compete with Topper Corporation's immensely popular Dawn doll.

Whereas the overall theme for Dawn and Friends was sophisticated high fashion, with Dawn and most of her friends being top fashion models, The Rock Flowers were “rockers” who exuded a more casual, funky quality. Mattel’s approach allowed The Rock Flowers to establish their own niche in the fashion doll market rather than go head-to-head with Dawn as did, for example, the Starr Modeling Agency dolls.

Other common themes among the The Rock Flowers are flower-based names, sunglasses, and 33 1/3 rpm plastic – not vinyl – records (which are 45 rpm size). Each doll also came with a stand that fit in the center of the record. Placing a Rock Flower doll in the stand while the record played cause the doll to spin around and “dance” to the music. (source: Cindy’s article.)

The dolls were also sold bagged, sans record and shoes. This was evidently done in an attempt to move Mattel overstock after the Rock Flower fad began to fade.

[edit] The Dolls

Blonde Heather, redheaded Lilac, and African American Rosemary were the original Rock Flowers trio. The concept of “three” was clearly envisioned as a major Rock Flower theme, as evidenced by the six "trios" of fashions Mattel produced for the dolls. Later, however, raven-haired Iris was added, along with Doug, the guy of the bunch.

Regular eBay searches indicate that Heather and Lilac are by far the most commonly-available Rock Flowers dolls today (September 2006); Iris and Doug are the rarest, with Iris typically in the highest demand. This is to be expected; collectors of fashion dolls often acquire more of the female dolls to display the proportionately larger number of fashions. Doug had just one outfit, compared to the 22 fashions Mattel produced for "the girls."

[edit] Composition

The dolls are made of vinyl rubber (or is it rubber vinyl?) over a bendable non-wire material (I’d like to know just what) that allows them to be posed. This material does not appear to cause the infamous “green leg” found on so many Dawn dolls.

[edit] Body Styling

The dolls’ arms are significantly short in proportion to their legs and bodies, as are those of Dawn and many other fashion dolls, and are constructed with the hands in an open-palm position that is difficult to pose any other way, e.g., palms down or inward. Changing the hand position often results in bending or breaking the arm wire, giving the doll’s arms a “lumpy” appearance. In addition, many of the dolls are pigeon-toed, giving them a self-deprecating appearance compared to Dawn’s confident super-model image.

[edit] Accessories

Each doll came with a pair of sunglasses, which were sewn to the back of the doll's head. The sunglasses can be raised over the hair (hair permitting) or lowered over the eyes. Many of today's dolls have two tiny indentations in the center of the forehead just below the part. This occurs when the glasses, which are molded with “prongs” on the inside of the bridge, are worn at “half-mast” over the forehead for long periods. These prongs may be untrimmed residue left over from the (injection?) molding process.

[edit] Rock Flower Fashions

Rock Flower fashions were sold in round packaging that resembles the shape of a 45 rpm record. It appears the fashions were released in two series. There are three categories (or "trios") in each series, and three fashions in each trio, for a total a total of 18 fashions, not including the fashions that came with the dolls.

An examination of these fashions reveals a range of quality in terms of material and construction. Some fashions are made of sturdy fabric, while others use a flimsier nylon material. In addition, some fashions are trimmed or finished at the neck, sleeve, and hem, while others are left un-finished.

[edit] Series 1 Fashions

These fashions appear to be commonly available compared to the Series 2 fashions.

  1. The Lace Trio. This trio's common themes are white lace and gold lame. These fashions are of high quality material and construction compared to the other five trios.
  2. The Fringe Trio. This trio is the hardest to find of the three Series 1 trios. The common themes for this trio are “suede” (actually flocked fabric) and fringe, although one fashion also incorporates the tie dye look. The quality of these fashions is generally fair compared to other trios.
  3. The Tie Dye Trio. The common theme for this trio is, of course, the tie dye look. These fashions demonstrate the poorest quality of the six trios.

[edit] Series 2 Fashions

These fashions appear to be more rare than the Series 1 fashions; presumably they had a shorter production life.

  1. The Frontier Trio. The common theme for this trio is the “Holly Hobbie” look that became so popular in the early to mid 1970's. The quality (material and construction) of these fashions is high relative to the other five trios.
  2. The Overall Trio. The common theme for this trio is overalls and color. This trio, with its similarly colored and styled tops, is probably the most "mix and matchable" of all the trios. The quality of these fashions is generally fair compared to the other trios.
  3. The Indian Trio. This trio's common theme is a "mod take" on the Native American Indian look. Although presumably acceptable in the 70's, the styling of these outfits appears more "naive" than "native" today. The quality of these fashions is generally fair compared to other trios.

[edit] Variations

Much of the information in this section belongs elsewhere, e.g., in articles about Mattel, Barbie, or Liddle Kiddles. I'll see about moving it later.

During the 1960's and early 1970's, many Mattel doll fashions were produced as variations, using a different fabric or trim. Some of these variations are clearly deliberate, but some appear to be due to last-minute production demand.

For example, Sarah Sink Eames' book, Barbie Fashion Vol II, 1968-1974 shows variations of many Barbie fashions; most appear to be planned as part of the fashion line. In contrast, Paris Langford's book, Liddle Kiddles Identification & Values Guide says (p.8): "Many variations exist in Kiddleland and in the manufacturing of the dolls and clothing at Mattel. It seems that when fabric and trims ran short workers used the next best thing available to fill the order." Mattel's main production years for Liddle Kiddles were from 1965 to 1971.

Unlike these Mattel doll lines, there appears to have been very little variation of fabric and styling of the individual Rock Flower fashions. Possibly by the early 1970's Mattel was both phasing out deliberate variations and had become more accurate in their production-need estimates.

To date I have only run across two RF variations. I have pictures.

[edit] Death and Re-birth of The Rock Flowers

Under Construction! Maybe I'll make this about "Collecting Rock Flowers Today" or something.

The popularity of the Rock Flowers dolls began to wane when? Mattel stopped producing them when?

Emergence of online auction sites such as ebay has caused a lalalalalalala….

[edit] Rock Flowers Trivia

  1. The Rock Flowers were also a real-life band patterned after the original three Rock Flower dolls. The band was made up of Ardie Tillman (“Rosemary”), Rindy Dunn (“Heather”) and Debra “Debbie” Clinger (“Lilac). Rindy Dunn was later replaced by Jacqui Wiseman. The source of this info is the online articles i found about the real band, listed under external links. should i make them references and footnote them? can i even consider them authoratative?
  2. The Rock Flowers dolls performed sans instruments! Mattel never provided them with anything more than the microphone and speakers that accompanied The Rock Flowers On Stage Case. Apparently these dolls were strictly singers and were backed up by an invisible band.
  3. Iris and Doug? I need his record to verify, the 4th and 5th members of the group, are the only two dolls whose records have the song “3 To Get Ready” (performed by The Rock Flower Group).

[edit] List Of Rock Flower Items

The following table provides a complete or near-complete inventory of Rock Flower dolls, fashions, and accessories. Note that the “suede” mentioned here is actually flocked fabric and not leather.

This is supposed to be a table but I couldn't get the wikitikitavi macro to work on my document. I will need some HELP solving this.

Category Item Description / Comments Doll Lilac Redhead. Part of the original trio. Doll Heather Blonde. Part of the original trio. Doll Iris Brunette. Added later. Doll Rosemary African American. Part of the original trio. Doll Doug “The Guy.” Added later. Fashions Lilac Gold “sandal boots.” Psychedelic mini dress with flared sleeves over hot pink tights. Fashions Heather Orange shoes. Geometric midi dress with orange bodice and matching scarf. Fashions Rosemary Red boots or red shoes? Blue floral hankerchief-hem dress with coordinating shoes. Fashions Doug Black shoes. Jumpsuit consisting of geometric top and purple “suede” pants, with matching belt. Fashions Iris Pink shoes. Hot pink sleeveless leotard with a long, geometric slit skirt and matching scarf. Fashions 1 Fringe 4050 Long in Fringe Blue shoes? Tie dye jumper with long-fringed aqua vest. Fashions 1 Fringe 4051 Skirted in Fringe Orange shoes? Non-RF shoes? Orange jumpsuit with green fringed skirt and bag. Fashions 1 Fringe 4052 Jeans in Fringe Pink shoes? Purple pants / pink top jumpsuit with purple vest. . Fashions 1 Lace 4056 Mini Lace Gold “boots.” Pink dress with white lace top and gold vest. Fashions 1 Lace 4057 Flares ‘n Lace Yellow shoes. Harem outfit with lace-trimmed sleeves and gold vest. Fashions 1 Lace 4058 Topped in Lace Yellow shoes. Yellow pants with gold waist, purple top with lace-trimmed neck. Fashions 1 TD 4053 Tie Dye Maxi Gold shoes. Orange and gold midi dress with gold satin fringed vest. Fashions 1 TD 4054 Tie Dye Bells Royal blue shoes. Purple/pink/white pants and scarf, pink top. Fashions 1 TD 4055 Tall Tie Dye Pink shoes. Purple/pink/white jump suit with over-skirt. Fashions 2 Frontier 4068 Frontier Patchwork Red shoes. Patchwork dress with gingham apron and a red vest? Fashions 2 Frontier 4069 Frontier Gingham Suede “boots”? red/white/blue combination gingham dress with apron or bag? Fashions 2 Frontier 4070 Frontier Flowers Blue shoes. Blue flowered dress with pink flowered apron. Fashions 2 Indian 4071 Indian Poncho (Pants) Shoes unknown. Silky Geometric pants and poncho with “Indian” headband. Fashions 2 Indian 4072 Indian Midi (Skirt) Tan suede “boots.” Red bodysuit with flared sleeves, silky geometric fringed skirt. Fashions 2 Indian 4073 Indian Gaucho Black plastic? “boots.” Yellow long-sleeve top with silky geometric gauchos and vest. Fashions 2 Overall 4065 Overall Orange Orange shoes. Orange overall with yellow top with pink/orange neck. Fashions 2 Overall 4066 Overall Blue Blue shoes. Aqua overall with orange top with yellow flared sleeves and pink neck. Fashions 2 Overall 4067 Overall Green Green Shoes. Green overall with half pink half orange top with yellow neck. Other Platter Party Doug and Iris package with bonus record. Other RF in Concert The original three packaged as a set with their records. Other Record – Lilac Yellow record featuring “Good Company” by Lilac and “Sweet Times” by the RF Group. Other Record - Iris Pink record featuring “Your Music N My Music” by Iris and “3 To Get Ready” by the RF Group. Other Record - Rosemary Purple record featuring “Mixin’ Matchin’ Day” by Rosemary and “Sweet Times” by the RF Group. Other Record - Heather Orange record featuring “Sing My Song” by Heather and “Sweet Times” by the RF Group. Other Record - Doug Green record featuring “I Just Want to Make You Dance” and “3 To Get Ready” ? by the RF Group. Other Record – Bonus Bonus record from Platter Party set. Songs not known. Appears this record may be vinyl rather than plastic? Other Case, Small Measures approximately 7H x 6W x 2D (inches). White vinyl with white plastic handle and RF logo on cover. Sides and back feature “mod” flower design. Inside case divided into space on left for RF doll and on right for hanging RF fashions. Inside cover provides slot for doll’s record. Other On Stage Case TBD when I receive mine. Other Case, Large TBD when I receive mine. Other Plastic Stand Clear plastic stand for doll, attaches to record.

[edit] Song Lyrics

I can provide (except for songs on bonus record), but need to scan or type.

[edit] Related Topics / See Also

Note: WP needs a “Collecting Terminology” article that covers terms and acronyms such as MIB, OOB, MOC, loose, C1-n.

[edit] References

See also External Links. Or should I move them all here?

I may need help on how to set this section up properly. But I haven't really worked on it yet.

  1. The Lovely, Lively Rock Flowers by Cindy Sabulis, International Doll World, The Magazine for Doll Lovers
  2. Collector’s Guide To Dolls of the 1960’s and 1970’s: Identification and Values, by Cindy Sabulis, published by Collector’s Books, copyright 2000 by Cindy Sabulis
  3. Collector’s Guide To Dolls of the 60’s and 70’s, Volume II: Identification and Values, by Cindy Sabulis, published by Collector’s Books, copyright 2004 by Cindy Sabulis
  4. Paris' book
  5. Sarah's books

[edit] External Links

An Internet search for mattel rock flower will turn up tens of thousands of links (as of September 2006). Here are just a few.

These links provide basic information about The Rock Flowers dolls and fashions.

These links provide information about the “real-life” Rock Flowers band.

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