Revisiting The Doll Collecting "Renaissance"

[@francesrobinson1335]

I bought a Monster High doll, on a whim, around 2015. It was Ghoulia Yelps. I liked how she looked and I liked her articulation. So I had her sitting on my bookshelves alone, but cherished. My sister bought me a Frankie Stein that was not articulated, burt was well loved. Then, about 2-3 years ago I saw a Clawdeen Wolf. I grabbed her and was so delighted. About a year ago I was on Amazon thinking I would see if there were any other MH dolls I might like. I, accidentally came across Shanelle Onyx and I thought she was part of the MH family. I ordered her and when she arrived I was appalled at the size of her head! Again, I thought she was a branch of MH. I kept her inbox and I started to like her so I began ordering RH/SH dolls. Love them! I also discovered more MH dolls. And I loved them, too. So, my collecting has slowed down. And my dolls give me a lot of pleasure, but I'm not interested in a huge collection. So! That's my story. I'm 71 yo. 😃

[@kaspersdiary]

Your comment made me chuckle as someone who started out with rainbow high and then discovered Monster High. I was never able to see the giant heads people were talking about for Rainbow High until I put Haunt Couture Clawdeen and Shadow High Uma Vanhoose doll and could not unsee the giant baby head.

[@fableagain]

That's delightful! Thanks for your story ☺️

[@chuchithesaxophone4785]

i just hope monster high G3 isnt cancelled as a domino effect from this end of era, its hard to predict its longevity now that the show has been cancelled 😢

[@cubriffic172]

IIRC the dolls are selling very well, the tv show being cancelled will have very little effect on the dolls (if at all)

[@ariessolarhijiri2985]

I knew that show was gonna get canceled if something ain’t broke don’t try to fix it.

[@bloodyvalentines]

@@ariessolarhijiri2985Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I knew the show wouldn’t do well. They just added it to streaming services (Paramount+)…meaning you could only watch it on cable. They don’t even have season two on there yet. It’s insane. Nickelodeon literally sabotaged themselves.

[@alienovel]

I think the Disney ily dolls being basically disney adult dolls are another sign of the huge resurgence

[@Moonlitwatersofaqua]

I'm surprised Disney wasn't brought up at all. Obviously Disney ILY is beloved by collectors. But I also think Mattel getting the Disney Princess license again has resulted in them improving their other brands a bit again. cheapy Disney princess dolls keep Mattel in buisness.

[@ariessolarhijiri2985]

They’re canceled I’ve been getting every fashion pack I could 😢

[@Moonlitwatersofaqua]

@@ariessolarhijiri2985 Are they? I thought they just were going through a quiet period.

[@jjadedjjan]

Bratz: Any publicity is good publicity

[@mariaisabelg4701]

Lol omg deserves more respect from the doll community fr. I was hooked in the moment I went back to doll collecting back in 2022. My first ever doll as an adult was Virtuelle and as someone who grew up with blond Barbies with cheap clothes with limited articulation and straight hair, to go from that to Virtuelle, a black doll with sm detail in the clothes and TEXTURED hair in a doll for the first time in my life was absolutely mind blowing for me and instantly I was a big fan of OMG. And continuously they've delivered even when people thought they were down for the count. They may have lost steam but I could never hate OMG no matter how much people are put off from the faces. RH, MH, and even Bratz(a brand that I grew up with somewhat) just doesn't have the same detail and designs and personality that OMG put out imo. Plus they gave us the Tweens, arguably the best mini dolls of all time fr🥰❤️

[@elizabethclarke4981]

They really do, but a lot of collectors have said they only bought them because MH was on a hiatus, but now that they're back, collectors stopped caring for them as well as RH

[@iamsoverybored878]

Busy BB is the only MGA doll I paid retail for. The most I spent on any MGA doll is $17.

[@ariessolarhijiri2985]

Their eyes are scary

[@iamsoverybored878]

@@ariessolarhijiri2985I like to think of them as sort of like Betty Boop with a more variety of style. I stopped collecting them. I mainly got the Tweens.

[@linphillips8331]

I collected RH from January 2023, entering the scene late, to about the time MGA pooped the bed and rebooted the franchise. It was fun while it lasted I guess. My emotional reaction to the reboot was a complete dissipation of interest. I'm not sorry, though, because it brought me some much-needed joy and a creative outlet, as I dyed doll hair, repainted faces, and sewed, crocheted and knitted outfits. I like my collection but won't be adding to it.

[@user-jm6cl6fj1l]

I also got in a bit late, still I’m happy with what i got my hands on as much as their demise pains me

[@marvelousTUD]

I’m kind of in your same boat, except that I finally picked up the glitter leg RH dolls on sale recently and…they’re stunning 💀

[@VeronicaStorm98]

I haven't brought anything from the RH Rebrand, because it honestly doesn't feel like Rainbow High to me anymore. I am also a huge Shadow and Rainbow High collector and Shadow High is my comfort doll line. I honestly feel so fortunate to have a complete SH collection to have been able to collect them whenever they were still on store shelves. I was also only casually collecting RH dolls since 2020, but then the Storm Twins came out and I fell in love with them, and then SH became the first doll line that I ever completed and brought duplicates for (I am still working on filling in the gaps in my incomplete original RH collection).🖤💜

[@ella-louise9537]

Same exact boat! Collected Bratz repos and RH dolls, got some really beautiful dolls and then they rebranded

[@sacrilegioussasquatch]

It's a great day when you upload!

[@DarlingDollz]

Happy to hear!

[@--KNIVESTOWN]

@sacrilegioussasquatch weirdly enough I had some suspicion it was happening and at the exact time I opened my computer there it was. Elated to say the least

[@Qwinnlan]

I don’t actually collect at all. I just really enjoy the aesthetic of fashion dolls and appreciate hearing someone dissect the new releases and the design variety! Love the insights like this too on the hobby as a whole or the community and people attracted by these mini masterpieces! 🙌✨💕

[@theactingfantasy]

Glad it’s not just me. I used to collect mainly Bratz and Barbie but fell out of it right before the Renaissance. I love these videos and keeping up with the doll world, though!

[@catboybananabread]

snapstars reference. sobbing. i actually kinda love them for making lps head hybrids but its not good that their only saving grace is being parts for something better

[@emmaphilo4049]

I am one of the rare (I think) snapstar lover out there. I just like the way they are with their stunted looking creepy eyes. Love the size they are and their fashion :)

[@lilhonor5425]

While not fashion dolls, there was a big uptick in interest in American Girl around this time as well. Especially after the anniversary release they definitely seem to be catering to adult collectors.

[@Spamlum]

The whole "I hated OMG at first and then they grew on me" pipeline is so interesting because I did not have that problem at all with them. In fact, when I first saw a leftover stock of Gamma Babes at a toystore once, I was instantly HOOKED to these bug-eyed divas. They appeal to me in every single way: exaggerated cartoon women with diverse yet fashionable aesthetics that tell you instantly what their personality is. It's so similar to the art that I make and enjoy that OMGs are the only dolls I currently collect (Mainly also because they're very accessible). Pre-reboot Rainbow High dolls may be better in quality, but they lacked the charm and camp that OMG to me (Which is saying a lot because Coco Vanderbalt is my favourite RH doll and she has such a clear yet unique aesthetic. She's underrated imo.) And even if OMGs might be gone, I'd be fine with that. They lived a solid life of 5 years, were fairly consistent in quality and design, and while it would've been cool to see what other tots the designers could've referenced, they came up with so many varied characters that I'm happy with the dolls I want and have. OMGs were far from perfect to be sure, I'm mainly worried how the rubber legs will age, but I love them a lot. Serious props to the artists and designers who worked on them.

[@mariaisabelg4701]

REAL!!! OMG hooked me the first time I saw Virtuelle, I was instantly in love. The textured hair, the clothes, the make-up, I have never seen anything like her up until that point and I was in love❤️

[@elizabethclarke4981]

Omg isn't gone, they released dolls this year

[@mortuary_corpse]

I feel like within the next few years, we’re going to see lol omg get more attention again and people are going to regret not getting them when the prime omg dolls were on selves.

They are like little piece of art to me. So unique and ridiculously detailed. There's no other doll brand like Lol OMG.

[@Weird0_Werdo]

Coco’s my fav as well, she’s the only RH doll I have and I had to beg hands and knees to get her Absolutely worth it

[@leahleah3512]

I’ve been into dolls absolutely For Ever, so it was really interesting and cool to see a whole new audience , it made me feel less shy about my love of dolls. My favorite thing during the renaissance though was Shadow High, it had been so long since I’ve seen such gorgeous dolls that I can get from like, target or Walmart and I miss going and admiring them

[@sunspiit6641]

shadow high is what pushed me to start collecting. heather was just so unique and edgy and cool i had to give in !

[@riccee5242]

Mattel sues Bratz (MGA win) + Some Rapper's kids sue lol OMG (MGA loss) ?? = RH plays it safe/goes back to more kid oriented dolls

[@abbylarkspur]

No, because the rebrand would have started a while before, so it's possible that the fact that they can't focus their energy (read: money) into OMG anymore will give them the opportunity to put more into RH. WHO KNOWS? If Monster High came back anything can happen

[@honeybeebo]

we never know how good we have it til it’s gone! in the moment of greatness it’s still fair to ask for more quality products as it could always be better, but when the quality that was given diminishes then it seems like past products become almost romanticized (for better or for worse, not necessarily a bad thing)

[@zh7761]

I was recommended a video of this woman customizing a Billie Eillish doll and just found it so fascinating. I remember reading the comments under the video and someone mentioned Rainbow High Jade, I only knew of Barbie and Bratz but these dolls were SOOO good. By the time I finally worked up the courage to go down the doll aisle, Rainbow Vision had just premiered and going down the doll aisle during that period was sooooooo mesmerizing. Like I didn't know dolls could be this good! The articulation, the fashion, the makeup?! Just remember staring so lovingly at Minnie Choi. I was still hesitant to buy one I was 29 and felt odd for buying a doll at my age. But the thrift store I went to had a Cheer Sunny and a Meena Fleur and I don't think my mom has even seen me so excited? Like the way my face light up just holding these dolls really surprised her. The NEXT day she surprised me with Bianca Dulce and I've been hooked since. After that I found this channel and found a whole lot of dolls that I would've never known about. Like Magic Mixies Pixlings are my fave brand right now and I wouldn't have given them a chance without your influence so thank you for that! It's been a very fun 2 years of collecting and exploring all these options and discovering what I've missed since my childhood. There's so much to catch up on from the Renaissance and the time before that and all the current releases. Really happy to have stumbled into this community, it's been such a fun experience and has helped me so much.

[@VeronicaStorm98]

I am a huge Shadow and Rainbow High collector and Shadow High is my personal comfort doll line. I honestly feel so fortunate to have a complete SH collection to have been able to collect them whenever they were still on store shelves (I own 52 SH dolls including 6 sets of Storm Twins currently.) I was also casually collecting RH dolls since 2020, but then the Storm Twins came out and I fell in love with them and they became my personal comfort dolls/characters, and then SH became the first doll line that I ever completed and brought duplicates for (I am still working on filling in the gaps in my incomplete original RH collection of 43 dolls currently.). As for the RH Rebrand, I haven't brought anything from it because it just doesn't feel like Rainbow High to me anymore and it's just depressing to see my comfort doll line slowly die like this.🖤💜

[@iamsoverybored878]

What I like about RH is that I only have one grail doll. It just happens to be the only one that never went cheap.

[@nothanks7263]

@@iamsoverybored878 Oooo who is it? Is it Lily?

[@iamsoverybored878]

@nothanks7263 Yes. Also, I'll add in Vannessa just her base doll couldn't care less for her outfit or drums.

[@nothanks7263]

@@iamsoverybored878 Of course it's Lily lmao. I want her too.

[@elii1i]

This video is very interesting because I got into collecting during the doll renaissance! Specifically, rainbow high piqued my interest in dolls. Your doll iceberg video got me into doll collecting.

[@rosecatuwu]

jeez i'm early!! I started seriously "adult" collecting at the beginning of my teenage years, around when this was all happening. I've been chronically depressed, and I ended up using dolls as a way to cope with a lot of things. Getting older, trauma relating to losing parts of my childhood, and just as a general interest to dissolve myself in when things get difficult. It was amazing getting to see that so many other people around my age & older were collecting too, and that pretty new dolls were starting to come out again (especially as the secondhand market continues to be ridiculous, lol), it made me feel so much less alone & so much more valid for something that I was pretty ashamed of when I first started collecting again. so yea!! just a little ramble abt my history with the last couple years, it was definitely a good run, I hope that things don't completely hit the fan again but if they do I'll still feel at home with the community i found :3

[@corinneadams5390]

I LOVE your frank bluntness and refreshing honesty when you speak about dolls and the people that follow your channel! Thx!

[@Dang1738]

I was too young to have monster high and og bratz so when omg dolls came out I quickly became obsessed and I still have all the dolls I bought. The quality and aesthetic they had was everything I wish a doll was. So sad seeing less and less of them now but I’m happy with my collection and now with the bratz repros I have something else to look forward to.

[@Rowan.Evander]

I'm an older collector---literally, I'm 37---but i only just got seriously into the hobby this year. I've followed collector communities for years (bjds, in particular, but i was unable to afford the hobby) but something about our particular late capitalist hellscape with no chance of escape finally convinced me to put stigma aside and buy a doll. Predictably, I'm in love. I'm mainly into smaller / blind box bjds but Monster High g3 has wormed its way into my heart with cute faces and queer + body diversity representation that i find, as a trans man, so incredibly refreshing. I'm curious to see where things go from here. 💙

[@alexandrabergman4568]

I think your video on magic earring Ken got me introduced to your channel. I started collecting Monster High at the very tail end and then the hobby stopped for a few years. Then when Monster High came back, I immediately got some of the core dolls. It was just supposed to be Monster High… Then one weekend I was feeling like crud so I went through the toy aisles of a few stores, picking up after holiday sales. I got the Storm twins, the coffin bean set, and Aya Cherry, all half off. The quality of Aya and the Storm twins blew me away, they were so exciting to unbox and see in person and display. I was hooked. For a few years things were great. I guess now my wallet can rest easy.

[@pandagalibardo3674]

Omg the LOL OMG brings backk MEMORIESSS those were like the first dolls i ever wanted to collect while being "too old" for dolls, also its really funny how we call it q rennessance love it

[@Neon.Space.Alien.]

12:50 I’m sick with a 103 fever & lowkey high on fever medication and legit had to pause the video for a solid minute & just sat there thinking “wait, wtf happened in 2020??? What did I miss????” … I think I should take a nap🤣 I’m super out of it🥲

[@TheChaoticAsexual]

I loved collecting dolls as a kid but felt forced to grow out of it as I got older. However, with the doll renaissance (and encouragement from a friend) I got back into it. One the I do wish tho is that I didn’t try to hold myself back as much when Lalaloopsy had a reboot bc they were some of my favorite dolls as a kid and now some of the dolls I wanted to get but stopped myself from buying are much more expensive resale

[@wunderkind7762]

It's so interesting hearing about this as someone who definitely spectates the fashion doll scene but doesn't participate (I like Pullip and BJD style dolls better and I feel like they're sort of a different breed and community lol). I feel like those types of dolls didn't experience the same degree of dark age western brands did, but it feels like there's a winding down happening now. At least for Pullip, they've pretty much stopped original releases in the last year and one of the most well known international sellers is winding down operations, and it seems like BJD artists are constantly facing the plague of recasts and some companies go under because of it (however this has been happening for a while). At least indies are holding the torch where bigger brands have gone under. Luckily Pullips are niche enough where the prices on the second hand market aren't *too* bad compared to the OG release. 😂

[@TiBunCosplay]

When Monster High G1 came out I was in my "too old for dolls" phase so while I was aware of the doll line, I had never paid much attention to them. I thought they were a cool idea but never let myself think more than that. Years passed by with me not knowing that G2 happened or that the line got canceled, then brought back. I picked up the Core Frankie MH doll on a whim about a year after MH made a comeback. The doll was on sale, I thought they were cute, and I heard that they were NB (as am I) and I loved that representation. I wasn't collecting dolls at the time, but I had a couple dolls I had picked up simply because I liked them and had them displayed in my home, so adding one more that caught my eye didn't seem like a big deal. Fast forward a few years of not buying any further dolls and suddenly a random conversation with a friend who spotted my Frankie doll while visiting clicked something in my mind that lead to me realizing I liked MH dolls more than to have only one and within months I had gathered a decent collection. Mostly G3, but I've picked up a few G1 collector dolls as well. I missed the "renaissance" but I quite enjoy my collection, and I'm looking forward to some of the dolls that we'll see released in the new year.

[@scrubbingbubbies]

I will never not be devastated at the cancellation of the fierce line. I got neonlicious for a BARGAIN and she’s genuinely become one of my FAVORITE dolls. She feels so high quality and glamorous. With her next to cleopatra I’m just in love. The loss of candylicious was felt in the depths of my soul

[@iamsoverybored878]

Head over to Ross, they have the Cleopatra one for $20.

[@Fugnu]

OOOH this is SUCH a fun topic to overview

[@elin_ard]

I started collecting only this year. Last winter once again I regret I threw away my childhood Barbie, because I thought I was to grown-up for playing dolls. I secretly sewed for my niece's Barbie doll outfit of the Snow Queen transforming in Winter Fairy. So on Christmas eve she was sitting under Christmas tree in all her glory. So I started collecting Barbie dolls with elf ears, fairies. I watched your videos. They helped me a lot! Now I have 5 pointy-eared collector dolls + 1 "The Enchantress" (I was kind of sad she had no pointy ears, but she is a fairy - it counts).

[@abbylarkspur]

You forgot Wild Hearts Club, which came right before cave club and was the thing that got me into collecting. Finally.

[@EpicDrawsStuff]

“I just really like little plastic women” pretty much sums me up

[@omaypaty]

Today i got to actually look at a rainbow high doll and see each detail they have, honestly pretty damn impressive and beautiful

[@cannibaldotcom]

i got into dolls in 2019 through doll customizing and throwing myself into that hobby, the more i learned about dolls and what kinds were actively on the shelves, or even just older lines, i couldn't help but be interested in the dolls as they were, so now I do a blend of collecting and customizing

[@ZombleeVT]

Been collecting dolls since 2010, I feel like during the Renaissance it felt like their was such a big community I remember I used to feel really insecure at 13 because I was "too old" for dolls but in finding the community it made me feel like less of a weirdo having so many people who understand my hobbies was one of the most comforting feelings in the world.

[@Candy_marie_rotten]

I enjoyed this video so much! I had pretty much stopped doll collecting and started again maybe around a year ago. I luckily had kept all my old dolls (mainly 90's/2000's Barbies.) and finding your channel was a huge eye opener to the adult doll collecting community! Thank you as I thought I was quite alone. I'm in the UK and don't know any other collectors (I know of KZbinrs) so thank you Darling for showing me there are lots of us grown ups who love our little plastic woman (you even inspired me to buy a Licca from Japan!) ❤

[@jackiecook8753]

I just happened to be already into crafting miniatures for dollhouses around 2020. And went to Barbie houses. Found My Froggy Stuff, then started collecting dolls. It was at the perfect time.

[@whatcanidooo]

My Froggy Stuff was my entire childhood I love them sm

[@strayastray7319]

I began my doll collection in 2023, inspired by the Barbie movie. I now have over 200 dolls, and I absolutely love being part of the community. Most of my collection comes from the "renaissance" period of dolls, specifically from 2020 to 2024, with a few exceptions. Recently, I've also started exploring Bratz dolls and have been having a fantastic time researching and acquiring second-hand pieces. These are dolls from 20 years ago and I love that. Once again, I'm enjoying the Bratz community!

[@Jessica-ml6td]

I started collecting RH, OMG dolls starting in 2023 up until the reboot. I have a feeling we are indeed entering another datk age. I do still collect some MH dolls

[@been.2376]

I loved dolls as a kid, but only really started collecting in the last year or two, largely because of the monster high reboot :) so happy we aren’t in a dark age, because all my dolls make me so happy

[@perfectication]

I started collecting last Christmas when i bought a Neon Frights Twyla (MH) for a church toy drive. Funny enough I had done a toy drive back in 2012 for a Scarily Ever Afer Clawdeen and wanted one, but told myself I was too old for dolls. 11 years later I am now married and my husband opened a can of worms when he encouraged me to buy some dolls for myself lol. I love this community and all the people in it and I love my little plastic women 😂 Keep up the great content and I send all my well wishes and love! 💗

[@Justsomemist]

I’m a new collector (just bought my first 2 monster high dolls during black Friday sales after watching doll videos for months and months) so it’s been interesting learning about the community and market and your videos have been really helpful with that! Ty 🫶

[@DarlingDollz]

Welcome to the hobby!!

[@Justsomemist]

@ thank you! :’)

[@madelineconner9069]

Welcome aboard! I’m also a fairly new collector, as I started about a year ago collecting Monster High.

[@Justsomemist]

@madelineconner9069 fun!! What has been your favorite addition to your collection so far?

[@Dolly_the_Witch]

Cave club dolls are my favorite for repaints and customization! 23:36

[@petefilous]

i love your jumper, your outfits are always so cute

[@chohoneybee6599]

I have been watching your channel since the first video and I started collecting around the same time too. I now have 25 displayable doll and customize dolls as well. You help me find my favorite doll line, Juku couture, that I now hope to own every doll from(7 out of 20 so far)

[@sarahnearing662]

I started collecting as an adult with Rainbow High. I stopped collecting as a child during the dark ages because as I was getting into my teen years I just saw right through the dip in quality. I didn't WANT dolls anymore, they didn't amaze me. When I saw Rainbow High (I think this was just as Shadow High was being introduced) I felt the amazement again. The quality of their clothes and their design and their adorable faces just got me down the rabbit hole again. I started watching repainters and rerooters and doll sewists too and that really opened my eyes and made me think about what I like in a doll. Now I am realizing how good I had it when I was in elementary school (2004-2008) and how much I miss my childhood dolls, so I have been collecting them again slowly.

[@tadabae]

I loved dolls as a kid but I didn’t get into collecting until my late teens (like 2018). But back then, the only dolls I was really interested in were discontinued lines like Ever After High and the og Monster High. Those were hard to find and thus expensive, so I only bought a few as a special treat. Rainbow High was a game changer for me as a collector - for the first time, I could just walk into a store and buy a doll I really liked at an affordable price. I was also in the same boat where I didn’t like the look of the OMG dolls at first, but they grew on me, and now I love them. And the revival of MH dolls has been amazing. I’m hoping EAH also comes back one day. The new Rainbow High is so unappealing to me though, and it’s going to hurt like hell if OMG gets discontinued…

[@alysenicholson]

I started back in 2017 collected Strawberry Shortcake from the 80s and I started researching and listening to people talk about newer dolls and fell in love with Rainbow High I don't have many but I treasure the ones I have. It was such exciting time there was always news about new dolls and it was exciting to see what the next doll design will be. You were actually one of the first people I followed official for doll news and doll media. So thank you!

[@flutter6054]

i didn’t realise we wouldn’t be getting anymore omg dolls - i really hope mga has a new line like lol omg and original rainbow high because i really loved them

[@goodloverice9797]

I started collection in 2021, I went into a toy store to kill time and stumbled across series 3 of RH and just fell in love I ended up buying Georgia Bloom because I thought she was pretty. After I unboxed her I felt like her hair should be washed and on a whim decided to go on youtube to see if there where any tutorials for how to wash her hair and thats how I discovered dolltube. I have liked fashion dolls ever since I was a kid and have allways liked owning and playing with them but that was the moment that REALLY got me into it and honestly made me feel like a kid again getting excited about what new dolls where coming out and which ones I wanted

[@JessA-hj8bk]

loved and will always remember ur video on the dark ages, thats when i got back into doll collecting trying to get excited over mediocre dolls! some good dolls came from that time sure but i look at alot of the dolls i bought in 2017 and laugh. love that u take a good stabs at such broad topics this is good work!! A++++ x]

[@andreab5356]

Thanks!

[@chalkish4855]

I started collecting in this period, mostly because that's when I got my first proper job and had the money lmao. I love lol omg fierce so much, one day I'll find a cleopatra that isn't over £100

[@sharonthompson672]

She was my 1st OMG doll! I just love the pink & orange combo. I hesitated for awhile over the "big giant heads" haha, but now I even have RH/SH, and even a Pullip! The styling (for all) & diversity (for all but Pullip) is just first rate.

[@WrenMcNally]

I remember being excited to watch the first Monster High movie at Halloween time in 2010. It was after that that I got my first MH doll and it was a Frankie second hand. Fourteen years later and I have a fairly large collection. While I did buy a fair amount new I was constantly on the hunt second hand. It made me feel better for those new purchases. I have since picked up Rainbow High, Ever After High, Barbie, some Bratz, Moxie Teenz and even a rare Fashion Royalty or Poppy Parker here or there. One thing I will say though is that whenever there is a dip in what is available in stores there is always an uptick in the second hand market. I dont really understand the phenomenon but when Monster High g2 came out there was a lot of people selling their whole g1 collections. I dont know if its just people get sad at not having anything they want new coming out and just decide the heck with it or it if coincides with people taking stock of their priorities. The focus of Rainbow High going from a more adult approach to a more kid based one makes sense. They need to recoup money from their LOL issues. However I really wish that they would do the kids line AND make a few "collector" focused releases through the year as well. Something to keep me going.

[@Mister_Dollz]

I actually started collecting in late 2019, so I was as much a new collector as anyone else, and to me I didn’t notice a big surge of collectors during 2020, as I was focusing on myself and collecting the dolls that I wanted.

[@NessaMusicGirl]

I only started collecting Early January 2023 when my friend gave me one of the costume ball rainbow high dolls. But I had originally been interested in Shadow High series one when I seen them in stores, and I was very fascinated by them considering they were in grayscale. My friend actually giving me a doll was the catalyst because I probably wouldn't have done it on my own.

[@PristinePanda]

ive always kind of collected dolls but it really ramped up for me when monster high g3 came out. im sad that it took me SO long to get into the OMG dolls because now theyre not making anymore and i did buy the two new ones because theyre just so pretty and nobody does clothes like MGA. its just so high quality. i will also forever be DEVASTATED at what could have been if that pastel omg fierce girlie had actually come out. she was SO PERFECT how could they NOT release her 😥 looking forward to taking a small break while i catch up on draculaura dolls and wait for a company to come out with the next fashion doll smash hit.

[@yumerchASMR]

Were Pixlings also from this era? I grew up with Bratz but I got into collecting fashion dolls through the LOL tweens then Rainbow High and Monster High. Sad that MGA's stuff is going down with the plastic fashion and loss of articulation...

[@DarlingDollz]

Depends. They're definitely right at the end of the era, but you could say they're still a product of Renaissance sensibilities.

[@solidsnake1806]

I started collecting during the renaissance (beginning of 2022) but funnily, nothing you discussed drew me in. I just started a new job a few months prior and one of my coworkers was a Barbie collector. Looking through her tik tok I saw a few boxed MyScenes on her shelf and remembered my favorite childhood doll, the A Ride In The Park Madison with her yellow bicycle. I was like, wouldn't it be fun to get her since you can apparently go on any marketplace and find 20 yo boxed dolls there? And so I got her. And as you can imagine I couldn't stop after that lol. But my next doll was not another Myscene, I got Pop BB. Unfortunately I took the abundance of 2022 for granted. Now there is nothing for me to do but focus on MyScene full time cause for the first time in a long time there is absolutely nothing new that interests me.

[@Jones-family2020]

First! Im so exited for this video- been hoping for one like this!

[@tekinetiko-san4985]

I just love seeing you❤️❤️❤️ Happy holidays!!!

[@LadyboyGaga]

I consume your content like I would a good soup. It’s just too good ! I looooove !!!

[@corinneadams5390]

I absolutely loved Monster High Dolls the minute they came out. If they had those when I was a kid I would have gone nuts for them! At the time I couldn't afford them so I waited and soon they started showing up at my thrift store. How a kid could give up one of these dolls is beyond me. Well it was to my delight! I got a nice round selection and a case to boot! I take them to my Harry Potter workshops and ask the kids-was this creature in the series? The one doll-my favorite, the Cyclops-she is in the video game. But the only one not in the series is Frankie (no character made of body parts.) Yet the others all are: Vampire, werewolf, skeleton, mermaid, ghost, centaur, zombie (Inferi), spider, mummy. The kids love it because the dolls are so beautiful to look at and they have to stop and think!

[@drowning_in_flowers702]

Ive just started collecting dolls and i originally started with monster high but ive bought 4 lol omg dolls now and i love them so much

[@marvelousTUD]

The “renaissance” is definitely over, but no don’t think we’re in for a new Dark Age. Rainbow High still puts out beautiful dolls, Bratz seems to be here to stay, and we still get cool new dolls now and again, like Decora Girlz and (hopefully, FINALLY) Wild Childz.

[@undamaged-destiny]

So I collected original monster high occasionally and vintage Barbie’s and toys before this era, when I went Christmas shopping in 2021 and saw Bella Parker by herself on an empty shelf, I was OBSESSED. I only buy rainbow high now, I hate the reboot but I’ve been customizing new dolls so I have something! I feel like rainbow high is on their last legs. They gave parent influencers PR for their kids to review and even the kids and adults are hating the throw away gimmicks and are giving bad reviews. It’s not looking good…

[@ImawerecatProductions]

I've always loved dolls, and kept all of my childhood ones, but now that you mention it, I think this was around the time I decided to pull them out and start officially collecting as an adult. A lot of it was finally getting out of the dreaded school-age "Oh, I can't do that openly, its uncool and people will laugh at me mindset", but doll youtubers (Darling included ofc) and, as mentioned in the vid, seeking comfort after going through a rough patch really kicked things into overdrive! I'm so glad I did, though. I've made a lot of great friends and memories (and got a lot of great dolls) because of it. ❤

[@blackroseknight77]

Am mostly a bjd/ some playline doll collector. I never did much doll collecting during the Renaissance. I did collect dolls such as strawberry shortcake and other playline dolls of my generation ( am a gen x kid)

[@glitch..eclipse]

I got back into dolls during this period. I never actually left I started collecting baby alives, however the community surrounding those dolls drove me away. But when monster high rebooted I started to collect fashion dolls :)

[@RosieBlox-m4h]

I started collecting bratz during this time, and soon enough rainbow high as well. These were some of THE best dolls period.

[@becausemath9258]

OMG dolls have a special place in my heart because I bought my first 3 during a really bad fire in Colorado. There wasn't any need to evacuate but smell of smoke broke in the house and I was opening Groovy Babe in a mask to block the smoke

[@snortobortoowo]

I've always been a My Little Pony collector and I got into MH g3 when they first started releasing promo material. I don't really collect any other dolls lmao, but I'll still never forgive the g1 stans for how they treated g3 back then. It's very rare to see the same kind of vitriol around g3 these days.

[@Chilakkuma13]

I have always collected dolls quietly, but I ramped up my collecting and joined communities in 2020. I'm glad it's quietened down a little, I was buying way too much. Back to buying here and there and that's way better.

[@stormsnoot6316]

I started collecting during this era. I think....I think it was watching your videos that got me started actually. YEAH! I went down a doll rabbit hole 'cause of you. Funny how that works :)

[@ladiesngerms]

15:57 lily is the reason i got really back into dolls!!! she’s so gorgeous to me ❤️ however i did turn into a dollfie collector…. save me playline dolls save me

[@RRSabrina]

OMG dolls are so freaking detailed! I bought Victory today, her bag has a tiny snap on belt (I have no idea what the English word for it is i'm Dutch) and I freaked out. The details in clothing is in-sane! I know a lot of people are put off by OMG dolls because of their eyes and I can understand but they've never bothered me. I collect barbies, rainbow high and OMG and I have to say, i'm noticing i'm buying more of L.O.L only because of the amount of details they have. The hands are so soft too! They've slowed down, but I do hope we get more releases in the future. Anyway thank you for letting me rant about OMG because I loveeeee them and I think they deserve more credit!

[@NikFishStix]

Darling videos never miss🫶🫶

[@citrinedragonfly]

I don't collect them, but Naturalistas and Latinistas came out during the "Doll Renaissance" as well. Really nice dolls of color with textured hair and outfits. I think the Fresh Beats dolls, too. And the smaller (8"?) fashion dolls they sell at Walmart that are like $30 and absolutely gorgeous. Rainbow High got me back into doll collecting after the high that was Monster High G1 (and some of the G2 dolls, though most I've either donated or sold at yard sales by now) and Ever After High. I kept seeing them on shelves in stores, and they grew on me. I bought Skyler, and then Poppy, who were the two prettiest dolls in my opinion, and then Sunny, and my wife bought me Jade, and it went from there. In 2020, I promised my wife I'd only buy one of each character, to save money, remembering how many versions the same character other doll lines had. So I skipped the cheer dolls and the winter dolls, and was feeling good about it, but then series 2 came out with 6 new characters. And each successive series was all new characters, and they were each so pretty, and... yeah. And then there was new Monster High, and it was amazing! Didn't get the original Skullector Pennywise or Grady Twins dolls, because I hadn't seen the movies, but when they dropped the Beetlejuice 2-pack, it was ordered immediately. And then the Haunt Couture, and the new G3 dolls because they were really cute and I loved the redesigns for the new era. And... yeah, my doll obsession was back. If we're entering a slow-down period, that's probably better for my wallet (but honestly no, because like last time, I'll find another thing to collect - planner supplies and journaling things were my last 'fill in' thing). And I acknowledge that I've got the income privilege to buy the dolls I want, being in my mid-40s with a longstanding stable job in a two income household with no kids. I didn't grow up with any of these dolls; I was in my early 30s when MH debuted. But toys and animation have always been special to me, so I loved being able to buy the toys I wanted as they came out. Still do. Plus, it's fun to discuss with my high school students. I had a kid ask me if $400 was too much to spend on a pair of sneakers not too long ago. My response to the kid was "if you have the money, and you don't need that money for any living expenses, and they would make you happy, then they aren't too expensive. I dropped $100 on a Monster High collector doll last year, and usually spend $50-$90 on collector dolls when they release because I can and they make me happy." Kid nodded and thought a moment before deciding the sneakers were worth it to them to save up for and get. I'm fairly certain most adults would have balked at that, but because I spend money on "frivolous things", my perspective is different.

[@natalieilatan]

In early 2021, I got a couple of monster high and disney princess dolls on ebay. They were all going for less than $20 each. Buying inexpensive dolls online was a fun pandemic hobby. Now I'm a full blown collector. I mainly get Bratz though because their reproduction releases were so much better than Monster High G1's. As a kid I was a Barbie and Monster High girl. I liked Bratz, but only had a couple of them. I've found my love for Bratz as an adult. The fashions are just great. And usually they're well-stocked. I have some omgs, monster high, and a nice disney princess and prince collection too.

[@queenjellys_toybox]

I actually started collecting (as an adult) in 2022. In a round about way because of watching doll videos. At the time it was repaints. I think they got into my feed because of my interest in creative hobbies. But when I saw the creator HeXitan do a video on a rainbow high doll, I was shook. I had never seen a doll with the incest eyes like that. Or if I had, I hadn’t realized it. So I started doing research and found dolltube. Watching these other adults show off their collections made me feel empowered to do the same. So one day, after being treated like garbage at work for my disabilities, I finally through caution to the wind and went to buy my first SH doll. I wanted Heather Grayson. Little did I know that RH/SH was on sale at the time so I walked out of target with a stack of brand new dolls to start off my channel. (Definitely heard at least one child go “look, rainbow high!” As I walked through the store with my new prizes). I did record right away. But I didn’t post immediately. I was still waiting for a hook, some big doll that I thought would be popular enough to start my channel. So of corse that lead to my first heartbreak. I tried to, and failed, to get the Dracula MH off Mattel Creations. Not knowing how much of a blood bath those events were. So I got discouraged. But only for a short time. As I was still gathering dolls. My then friend suggested that the Shadow High twins might be just what I was looking for. (Which funny enough, my review of them did not go onto my channel for quite some time latter.) but after finding them in a target, I put up my first five videos and went from there. I try to post at least once a week. But we all know how life can be. But it’s a hobby that has brought me a lot of happiness, and a much smaller wallet. But I wouldn’t change it for the world. And I do hope to continue to stay along for the ride even as the market changes.

[@eldritchCattt]

I started collecting at the tail end, so like I was able to get Cleo and lagoona haunt couture dolls. It was interesting seeing especially RH dolls basically crash and burn so quickly. They were a slow burn for me so once I was fully into them… they get rebooted😭

[@ryanpooley]

We are in such a flop era RN 😔 Edit: minus monster high g3, mattel is slaying with them imo!

[@thebunnyfoofoo]

I bought style bae for niece that year for Christmas due to your coverage of her XD. She was 8 and loved it. Fun playline. Played with way more than Barbie movie dolls I got her. She also really liked the Friends Polly Picket even though she had no idea what Friends show was.

[@Inky1313Starlight]

Been gone all weekend and finally got a chance to watch! I had collected dolls before this period but they weren't fashion dolls- I was more into American Girl and vintage play dolls. I'd had an interest in fashion dolls but I found the idea of getting into them almost kinda intimidating? I kept telling myself that I didn't have room. But I kinda took a hiatus from American Girl, mostly because the prices kept going up and my finances were getting worse but also just mental health in general. And I started looking at Barbies more and more- Monster High to an extent but I have an ex-best friend who has a huge G1 collection and I wasn't sure if that would bring too many thoughts to have those around. I kept telling my mom "I'm not gonna collect Barbies but if I did I think I'd want ___." And then the Barbie Movie happened and any willpower I had to not collect Barbies snapped like a twig. Folded like a lawn chair. Melted like a snowball in Texas summers. And then I started looking at Monster High G3 dolls.... and then the Disney ILY brand came out with the fashion doll line. And then I watched all your videos on Rainbow High... my fashion doll shelf is packed. I think I'll be okay with wherever the doll market goes- if I don't like what's on the shelves I can always focus on second-hand. I'd really like for the clothing quality to keep improving. I'd like to see clothes that aren't separates sewn together (give me a vest and a shirt not vest-flaps attached to the front of a shirt) and different fabrics- actual denim not just a printed denim pattern on polyester. Also, accessories with any kind of effort put into them and actual fashion packs!

[@tamahoshio]

oh man i wish i hadnt got into OMGs so late (i finally got over the faces when i fell in love with FIERCE Neonlicious) but ahh i have been so into Decora Girlz and Monster High lately, though Rainbow High will always hold special places in my heart and all over my shelves lol (the newer ones are so sad though eesh)

[@jjadedjjan]

It drives me up the wall that folks keep saying "bring back G1" like girliepop, it's been back for some time now.

[@Psychocibin888]

Off topic, but love the haircut 😍 you look so good!

[@thedrakonishe5138]

My hands were busy brushing wet doll hair when your video ended so now I'm like 5 minutes into an episode of hot wheels cartoon series that's playing as an ad and it's about one of the monster trucks who struggled to win a race hearing whispers of an ancient evil monster truck frozen in an iceberg in a cave and now he has freed the evil truck and it's wreaking havoc upon the protagonist trucks????

[@thedrakonishe5138]

The funny part is that I buy hot wheels cars sometimes bc they look pretty and I own the one that is manipulated by an ancient evil truck in this episode so I've owned this little car for like two years just because it's red and cool and has bones on it and now I'm learning this deep lore randomly bc my hands were too busy to skip an ad

[@thedrakonishe5138]

Update: the ancient evil truck is absorbing the power from some magic crystal and became giant while the protagonists are lost in the jungle and are being messed with by some faerie-like fire sprite

[@thedrakonishe5138]

Update: one of the protag trucks said "that's the spirit, this ain't my first crocodile rodeo" when fighting some mutant mega crocodile

[@thedrakonishe5138]

Update, one of them straight up died when smashing the power crystal to weaken the villain. Also there's a disembodied wheel that acts like a dog and they play fetch with it???

[@lizhasasthma]

American Girl also experienced a nostalgia surge around this time too, though I'm not sure what exactly triggered it. They re-released some of the classic dolls in 2021 for the 35th anniversary, which was probably a factor. I had just started collecting again around that time, and when I was a kid I'd really wanted Samantha but never got her, so when the re-release was announced I got curious about what the original dolls were going for. I ended up finding an original one on ebay that was going for the same price as the new dolls and fulfilled my childhood dreams with my adult money. I feel like around that time I started noticing more AG nostalgia posts, especially from other people learning the power of adult money.

[@MoodyMooooodii]

Okay, so I'm not a doll collector, but recently I came across the new Shibajuku Girls reboot and I love those beautifully uncanny girls!! I'd love to hear some history on them from you! They might drag me in!!!

[@SterlingCalm]

One of the most underrated parts of the mid 2010's barbie era was the vlogs

[@cymbelize]

Na Na Na Surprise Minis and LOL OMG Fierce were the dolls that got me into doll collecting. My, has my collection expanded in such a short time. 😅 (I was just going to get one or two, I promise!) But yeah, the doll community on KZbin and Reddit was getting fed. It's been so fun, so far, even the low points. ☺

[@rachelamber3227]

On selling websites its obvious that for many people RH was a 'phase' once MGA started making less quality dolls, so now a lot of people are selling them for CHEAP. Maybe not all of them but there's a good amount. I don't really collect RH but I do have the sunny and her film-focused sister pack. Now Bratz as a company or the social media intern is having serious attitude problems a lot of people want to give up collecting Bratz altogether. hopefully the second hand market prices come down from all this. It's making it really hard to collect and for the hobby to be actually fun. I do a lot of custom stuff, but the prices on beat up bratz with no clothes are actually insane

[@darklight4251]

It happened with G1 Monster High too. When they became discontinued people were selling their collection for very cheap. It seems insane considering the ridiculously expensive prices they go for second hand now. Moral of the story, never follow the hype. Collect dolls you truly love!

[@vittoriopiorosariosavasta7590]

In 2020 the reboot of Tanya, the Italian fashion doll, made me start collecting seriously, I discovered her complex and fascinating history so I started collecting her past dolls too In a period where I was very disappointed by the Barbie releases, Tanya’s nice quality at a cheaper price was truly a blessing for me Then the nostalgia for my childhood made me also started collecting 2000s Barbie dolls

[@ryugagotokyun]

saw the title in my native language and got so confused for a second. it's kinda interesting that we can change the audio language now, how does that work?

[@sharonthompson672]

Click "more" and it mentions it there, something KZbin is doing apparently with no heads up. 😆

[@ryugagotokyun]

​@@sharonthompson672 the portuguese translation was pretty accurate, so I thought maybe youtubers could now have the option to submit their scripts in different languages if they had translators to do that for them, and then youtube would generate the AI dub voices. if even the translation itself is AI-generated, it's so good it's scary. and so apparently they did it without the creator's approval, too... :/

[@UrLocalSplatoonFanGuy]

I was one of those people who entered the doll community for the first time.. until mid to late 2023, as both of my parents were fed up with this hobby of mine.

[@TheDollAbyss]

Still reeling over them not releasing the next wave of LOL OMG Fierce 😢

[@toricrumrine3448]

I started collecting at the beginning of 2024. I mostly collected dolls from my childhood on eBay, mercari and thrift stores. I am drawn to vintage because i remember dolls quality being much better, and more imaginative.

[@phoebusmeticulous1790]

I just want Wildchilds to come out.

[@Star_sweeper]

The first fashion doll I bought as an adult (not counting my American girl dolls because… that’s a whole separate thing in my eyes lmao) was Brianna Dulce because we shared a name and she’s so pink! I’m no longer buying fashion dolls since I mostly collected RH and I’m less than pleased with their new output, but it was a fun few years and I still have all my tiny plastic women. Also, it led me to finding your channel :)

[@carleymitchell9331]

Yeah American Girl isn't a baby doll but isn't really a fashion doll. Well Truly Mes and collector dolls are fashion focused but not the others.