<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Forget Barbie, many want a dollfie
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Gwendolyn Ng
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Dollfies range from 20cm to 70cm and can be customised with a variety of wigs, outfits and even eyeballs. -- PHOTO: GWENDOLYN NG
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->Amid the recession, an implausible consumer boom is happening: People are buying fancy dolls that cost up to $2,000 each.
And doll accessories of course, anything from socks to wigs to cheongsams and elaborate gowns priced up to $450.
These figurines with ball joints and flawless complexions go by the odd name of 'dollfies'.
They were created in Japan by toymaker Volks about 10 years ago for anyone who wanted a lifelike doll - but they fast became something more.
Youngsters who were into Lolita, a frilly Japanese fashion style largely influenced by the Victorian era, latched on to them, as did collectors who liked them better than stamps.
But for most owners, they have become less a collectible item and more an intimate friend to 'confide in' and go shopping with.
In Singapore, there are an estimated 500 collectors who usually order dollfies online at popular sites like eluts.com and volks.co.jp.
But more are starting to zero in on stores here such as Atsuki GL, a Lolita fashion shop in Liang Court, and Alice 88th in Bali Lane, where customers fork out $1,000 for a doll.
Atsuki GL's owner David Chionh, 54, said his shop started stocking dollfies and accessories last October, and has seen a 30 per cent surge in sales since. Dollfie turnover last month alone was $5,000.
His customers are not just teenage Lolitas dressed in frilly dresses, long stockings and Mary Jane shoes. He sees a wide age range of buyers, from students as young as nine to office executives in their 30s. Even men are getting into the scene.
'Just last month, a working woman in her 20s walked into our shop. Within half an hour, she snapped up a doll, its clothes and accessories for about $1,500,' said Mr Chionh, who plans to open a shop in Jakarta soon.
Dollfies can be anything from 20cm to 70cm in height and are made of resin, which gives them a flawless porcelain complexion and an otherworldly look.
They also have ball joints that allow movement, while the huge variety of wigs and outfits means that an owner's ability to customise is limited only by her bank account.
A basic dollfie without any clothes or accessories can cost from $400 to $1,000. Many collectors then splurge on items to customise their dolls with.
That might be $150 for a floral dress, $20 for glass eyeballs, $45 for a pair of boots and $60 for a bedsheet set, complete with a plush comforter and pillow.
Buying accessories is central to the dollfie appeal as it lets owners mould them into something unique.
Polytechnic student Kimberlyn Khoo, 18, said: 'Unlike Barbie dolls which all look alike, I like dollfies because they are highly customisable. You can paint the face, change its wig and even its eyeballs to create a unique doll belonging to you.'
She bought her first doll last April and has since spent around $1,730 acquiring two more dolls and closets of accessories.
She treats her three dollfies more like her flesh and blood, calling them her 'kids'. Her dolls each have their own mini-bed bought from Ikea and drawers full of clothes.
'Once in a blue moon, I'll take them out window shopping with me. If they stay home the whole day, they will get bored,' said Miss Khoo, who works part-time as a shop assistant.
Don't laugh. You might hurt the dollfies' feelings. Is it silly to spend so much money on a doll? Send your views to [email protected]
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Gwendolyn Ng
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
Dollfies range from 20cm to 70cm and can be customised with a variety of wigs, outfits and even eyeballs. -- PHOTO: GWENDOLYN NG
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->Amid the recession, an implausible consumer boom is happening: People are buying fancy dolls that cost up to $2,000 each.
And doll accessories of course, anything from socks to wigs to cheongsams and elaborate gowns priced up to $450.
These figurines with ball joints and flawless complexions go by the odd name of 'dollfies'.
They were created in Japan by toymaker Volks about 10 years ago for anyone who wanted a lifelike doll - but they fast became something more.
Youngsters who were into Lolita, a frilly Japanese fashion style largely influenced by the Victorian era, latched on to them, as did collectors who liked them better than stamps.
But for most owners, they have become less a collectible item and more an intimate friend to 'confide in' and go shopping with.
In Singapore, there are an estimated 500 collectors who usually order dollfies online at popular sites like eluts.com and volks.co.jp.
But more are starting to zero in on stores here such as Atsuki GL, a Lolita fashion shop in Liang Court, and Alice 88th in Bali Lane, where customers fork out $1,000 for a doll.
Atsuki GL's owner David Chionh, 54, said his shop started stocking dollfies and accessories last October, and has seen a 30 per cent surge in sales since. Dollfie turnover last month alone was $5,000.
His customers are not just teenage Lolitas dressed in frilly dresses, long stockings and Mary Jane shoes. He sees a wide age range of buyers, from students as young as nine to office executives in their 30s. Even men are getting into the scene.
'Just last month, a working woman in her 20s walked into our shop. Within half an hour, she snapped up a doll, its clothes and accessories for about $1,500,' said Mr Chionh, who plans to open a shop in Jakarta soon.
Dollfies can be anything from 20cm to 70cm in height and are made of resin, which gives them a flawless porcelain complexion and an otherworldly look.
They also have ball joints that allow movement, while the huge variety of wigs and outfits means that an owner's ability to customise is limited only by her bank account.
A basic dollfie without any clothes or accessories can cost from $400 to $1,000. Many collectors then splurge on items to customise their dolls with.
That might be $150 for a floral dress, $20 for glass eyeballs, $45 for a pair of boots and $60 for a bedsheet set, complete with a plush comforter and pillow.
Buying accessories is central to the dollfie appeal as it lets owners mould them into something unique.
Polytechnic student Kimberlyn Khoo, 18, said: 'Unlike Barbie dolls which all look alike, I like dollfies because they are highly customisable. You can paint the face, change its wig and even its eyeballs to create a unique doll belonging to you.'
She bought her first doll last April and has since spent around $1,730 acquiring two more dolls and closets of accessories.
She treats her three dollfies more like her flesh and blood, calling them her 'kids'. Her dolls each have their own mini-bed bought from Ikea and drawers full of clothes.
'Once in a blue moon, I'll take them out window shopping with me. If they stay home the whole day, they will get bored,' said Miss Khoo, who works part-time as a shop assistant.
Don't laugh. You might hurt the dollfies' feelings. Is it silly to spend so much money on a doll? Send your views to [email protected]
