Can you believe that its already 2003? It seems that the dawn of the 2000 millennium and all of its hoopla was just a second ago, and now, here we are, a third of the way into our first decade of the century.

The year 2002 was an interesting year for the world of dolls. The following trends, recollections and observations sum up some of the highlights and lowlights in dolldom for 2002, as well as some predictions for 2003

The Year of the Hip, Large Headed Play Doll

Bratz, with their hipper-than-thou attitude, shoveled-on makeup and very large heads ruled the world of play dolls, and gave Barbie a run for her money. Mattel answered with My Scene Barbie, also too-hip-for mom, with a bit less makeup and just a tad less attitude. Both dolls flew off the shelves for Christmas.

The Ridiculous Year-End Fracas About Lingerie/Silkstone Barbie

Finally, proof positive that reporters barely research the muck that they pass off as reporting these days. At least five major media outlets, including NBC, ABC and Fox News, picked up a story regarding the outrage at the new Barbie being sold to little kids--Silkstone (or Lingerie) Barbie, sold in her oh-so-sexy lingerie and garters. Problem is, that doll is totally, 100% a collector's doll, NEVER marketed to kids, NOT sold a Toys R Us or K Mart FOR kids, and clearly labeled "for over 14." Not to mention that the doll has been on the market for over 3 years, and isn't new at all.

Fox News, on the O'Reilley Factor, even had a three-person debate about the Lingerie Barbie doll, complete with some lady with MUCH too much time on her hands (and, no clue) from an outfit with "Outraged Mothers" in the title, just spouting off about how totally inappropriate the doll was. In the immortal words of John Stossel on 20/20, GIVE me a break!

The Lack of the Next Big Thing....

For collectors, the biggest trend and hot new doll was....um...ahem.....OK, there wasn't really anything. Toy Fair in 2002 was the MOST boring Toy Fair I'd attended in years. Emme sort of gave being the 2002 "It" doll a run for her money (Emme had quite the buzz, and she was discussed on major media outlets), but the doll wasn't even in stores until the last few weeks of December, so I don't think she counts. Even in kid land for dolls, other than Bratz, things were a bit dull.

The Mildred Seeley Doll Auction

Its hard to find really, really big news in the world of antique dolls. But, the Mildred Seeley Doll Auction, held in May at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas was BIG news. Its rare for the collection of such a well-known collector to come on the market in such a whole piece, and the auction was attended by a true whos-who in the world of antique doll collecting. It was a fitting tribute to one of the true first ladies of doll collecting and dollmaking. Mildred will be missed.

Raggedy Ann Finally Makes it Into the Toy Hall OF Fame.

Finally, Raggedy Ann is given her due, and makes it into the Toy Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Ann, you and your adorable side-kick Andy have earned it!

Effanbee Goes Bankrupt; Robert Tonner Buys Effanbee

It was a shock to go to Toy Fair and find that Effanbee wasn't there, and it was more of a shock when their bankruptcy was announced shortly after. Then, the extremely good and welcome news was announced that Robert Tonner purchased the company and all of their fantastic and historic molds! We look for great things to come out of this corporate marriage.

eBay Becomes Completely Dull

Thanks to a huge glut of sellers, causing a huge glut of reserve auctions, and a huge glut of really, really common and bad condition merchandise, this was the dullest year on eBay for dolls in quite some time. OR...maybe eBay has finally been around so long that its becoming routine. Here's hoping to a resurgence of some of that old eBay auction excitement in 2003! A "NO RESERVE" icon from eBay would really help

Predictions for 2003

OK, now on to our predictions for 2003!

The Joe Boxer Doll Becomes a Huge Hit.

Ok--you know him and love him--that cute black guy with the adorable, high-wattage smile that has been dancing around in K-Mart commercials for several months in nothing but his Joe Boxers. Well....wouldn't he make the CUTEST doll??? And cheap, too--only undies necessary. Bonus points for a deluxe model that does the Joe Boxer reindeer dance.

The Fall Of The Big Headed Dolls

What comes up, must come down....right? Well, it may be a bit premature, but I think the big-headed dolls are a fad. Generally speaking, the dolls that have stood the test of time are reasonably well-proportioned, and are NOT so hip that they're entire identity is tied to the fads of the moment. I predict that unlike a Raggedy Ann or a classic Barbie, Bratz and My Scene Barbies are NOT here to stay. This may NOT fully happen in 2003, but I do predict that sales, especially for Bratz, will decline.

In Time for The Third Harry Potter Movie, A Decent Harry Potter Doll

The dolls from the Harry Potter series, despite the popularity of the books and movies, have been complete bores. Some smart collector division of a toy company will realize this, buy some licensing rights, and produce some detailed dolls with excellent and detailed clothing and accessories--think of the possibilities! Wands, robes, owls in small cages, invisibility cloaks, dress robes, and more. And, PLEASE, will someone this year make a pretty Hermione doll??

A Year of Innovation and The Next Big Thing

This year, at Toy Fair, I expect the play dolls and the collector dolls to WOW me...to knock my socks off. I think its time for The Next Big Thing--a new must-have collector doll, and some new, never-seen-before and wanted by kids AND their moms dolls. We'll know whether or not THIS prediction will come true within 2 short months--IDEX and Toy Fair are just around he corner!

Happy New Year to all! If you want to add YOUR 2003 doll predictions and/or your 2002 memorable doll moments to this list, e-mail them to me at collectdolls.guide@about.com with the heading PREDICTIONS. I'll publish a list!

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