I'm excited to be sitting down to write this review for the second time! As you might remember, last time around I realized I'd forgotten some important versions of the doll, and felt like I had to start over with a new approach. Ordinarily, I wouldn't be concerned about creating such a thorough review of a brand, but these particular dolls hold an interesting place in the evolution of icons like Bratz and My Scene, so I felt like they warranted a more careful look.
So, who are the dolls? They're Mattel's Diva Starz, a varied range of electronic-themed dolls that were first released in the fall of 2000. The original dolls were designed to fit into a market that was obsessed with electronic pets. For example, Furby, an interactive fuzzy creature made by Tiger Electronics, was at the peak of its popularity in the late 1990s, with more than 40 million units sold between 1998 and 2000. The early Diva Starz had more in common with Furby than they did with most fashion dolls, but by the time they were discontinued in 2005, the dolls had gone through two major transformations and looked significantly different.
In today's review, I'll look at all three main iterations of the Diva Starz, which means it's gonna be a long one! So, settle in with your favorite beverage and take a trip down memory lane with me.
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| Fashion Diva Starz Nikki by Mattel, 2002. |
