Ty Girlz
Ty Girlz were girl dolls manufactured by Ty Inc.[1] Similar to the Ty Beanie Babies, the Ty Girlz are on a limited release pattern with dolls being introduced and older ones retired at various times.[2] Ty Girlz are plush toys that are connected to an online virtual world[3] at TyGirlz.com. Introduced to the global market on April 13, 2007, Ty Girlz was one of only a few virtual worlds geared to girls. The line was discontinued in 2013 and the virtual world shut down on June 7 of that same year.
| Type | Girl dolls |
|---|---|
| Company | Ty Inc. |
| Availability | 2007–2013 |
Advertising
When the Ty Girlz were debuted at toy fairs, Ty had posters and cut-outs of the Girlz to promote them. Ty even had a billboard in Atlanta, Georgia, showing Sizzlin' Sue saying "Who's that Girl?". That phrase soon became a popular tag for the line. In September 2007, the Ty Girlz got a MySpace and YouTube page.
In the Spring 2008 Ty retailer catalog, retailers were able to purchase clothing made exclusively for Ty Girlz.
Sweet Sasha and Marvelous Malia controversy
In January 2009, Ty released two new Ty Girlz, one named Sweet Sasha and the other named Marvelous Malia.[4] Media reports linked the names to Sasha and Malia Obama, daughters of President Barack Obama. On January 21, a Ty spokesperson told the Chicago Sun-Times that the Obama daughters were indeed the inspiration for the dolls.[5] In response to Ty, Michelle Obama's press secretary said that Ty did not ask permission to use the Obama daughters' first names,[6] saying "It is inappropriate to use young private citizens for marketing purposes."[7] On January 22, when asked whether the new Ty Girlz were inspired by Sasha and Malia Obama, Ty's Senior Vice President of Sales said that the dolls were not made to physically resemble either of the Obama daughters and that the names chosen "worked very well with the dolls".[7] Ty said that the process of naming dolls is proprietary information and would not say how the names were given to the dolls.[7] In February 2009, Ty decided to retire the original dolls[8] and give them new names, Marvelous Mariah and Sweet Sydney.[9] The CEO of Ty said the name change was due to Michelle Obama's disapproval of the original names.[9] Ty stated that, while the original names were inspired by "this historic time in our nation's history", they were not named after the Obama daughters.[9] Ty promised to donate the profits from sales of the original dolls to a charity, the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation for youth education.[10][11][12]
Following the recall, dolls that had already been shipped to the marketplace sold on eBay for $3,000.[13]
List of dolls
| Name | Hair Color: | Eye Color: | Special Clothing | Release Date | Retired? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lovely Lola | Blonde | Light Blue | Pink fur coat, belly shirt with heart, white pleated skirt, pink leggings and sandals, gold hoop earrings | April 2007 | No (Yes as of 2013 cancellation) |
| Sassy Star | Blue | Green | White trimmed blue fur coat and belly shirt with star, blue jeans, blue boots, pink or blue lips, silver hoop earrings (she along with Ruby are the only two Ty Girlz without a wire "skeleton" and a comb) | April 2007 | Yes |
| Dazzlin' Destiny | Orange Red | Green | Brown suede jacket, crop top and cowboy boots, jeans, gold bracelet, ruby necklace (she is the first Ty Girl without earrings) | April 2007 | Yes |
| Rockin' Ruby | Black (occasionally dirty blonde) | Light Brown | Black latex jacket and pants with pink cat on pants leg, black crop top and sandals, pearl earrings (she along with Star are the only two Ty Girlz without a wire "skeleton" and a comb) | April 2007 | Yes |
| Sizzlin' Sue | Pink (occasionally rainbow) | Light Brown | Pink suede jacket, tank top, boots, and pink leopard skirt, pearl earrings, silver necklace | April 2007 | No (Yes as of 2013 cancellation) |
| Punky Penny | Purple | Light Blue | Purple jacket, tank top and skirt, pink snakeskin boots, purple hoop earrings, gold bracelet | April 2007 | No (Yes as of 2013 cancellation) |
| Cute Candy | Rainbow | Light Blue | Denim jacket, gray striped tank top, and pink plaid skirt, blue and pink sandals, silver hoop earrings and bracelet | July 2007 | No (Yes as of 2013 cancellation) |
| Pretty Patti | Pink with pink highlights | Light Blue | Pink jacket, tank top and pink skirt, pink and white sandals, pink earrings and bracelet | July 2007 | No (Yes as of 2013 cancellation) |
| Jammin' Jenna | Brown with blonde highlights | Dark Brown]] | Red and white striped shirt and jeans, red sandals, gold hoop earrings and bracelet (she is the first Ty Girl without a jacket, and the only one without one to wear a belt holding up her pants) | July 2007 | Yes |
| Classy Carla | Gold | Green | Sparkle fur coat, black lace top and gold holographic pants, sandals, earrings, and bracelet | July 2007 | Yes |
| Bubbly Britney | Blonde | Dark Brown | Pink tank top and bolero and denim jeans, pink sneakers and earrings based on Britney Spears. (she is the first Ty Girl not to wear a belt and the first to wear visible socks) | October 2007 | Yes |
| Totally Trish | Purple | Dark Blue | White tee with beaded hearts, mini skirt and purple leather jacket, purple sandals and bracelet, silver earrings | October 2007 | Yes |
| Supercool Serena | Black with hot pink streaks | Dark Brown | Pink crop top, silver and black animal print jacket with pink interior, denim skirt with pink outlines, silver sandals, black earrings and necklace. Serena is the only Asian Ty Girl. | October 2007 | No (Yes as of 2013 cancellation) |
| Lucky Lindsay | Brown with sun-colored streaks | Light Brown | Fleece navy capris with pink stripes, pink hoodie with navy stripes, navy tank top, white sneakers, pink earrings | October 2007 | No (Yes as of 2013 cancellation) |
| Precious Paris | Dirty blonde | Light Blue | Pink leather jacket with a white tank top and denim skirt, white boots, silver earrings and necklace (she is the last Ty Girl to wear a belt over her skirt/pants) | January 2008 | Yes |
| Cutie Cathy | Brown | Green | Black flower jacket over a white shirt, distressed jeans, red shoes, brown earrings | January 2008 | Yes |
| Happy Hillary | Blonde | Dark Brown | Grey sweatshirt with a pink sport shirt and plaid pajama pants, pink shoes, pearl earrings | January 2008 | Yes |
| Sweet Sammi | Orange-blonde | Light Blue | Red-orange sweatshirt with white shirt and brown capris, tan sneakers, pearl earrings | January 2008 | Yes |
| Awesome Ashley | Sandy blonde | Dark Brown | Pink polka dot shirt, denim skirt, black leggings, pink sneakers, blue bracelet, pink beret(occasionally) (she is the second Ty Girl without earrings) | July 2008 | Yes |
| Trendy Taylor | Brown with pink streaks | Green | Green hoodie, white tank top, hot pink sweats and flip flops, pink and green-striped beanie (occasionally) (she is the last Ty Girl to wear a jacket, and the third without earrings) | July 2008 | Yes |
| Preppy Paige | Brown | Light Blue | Purple shirt with dog print, plaid skirt, white socks, black sneakers, purple earrings, purple beret (occasionally) | July 2008 | Yes |
| Lovable Lily | Pink with blue streaks | Light Blue | Silver striped hoodie, pink T-shirt, distressed blue jeans, gray sneakers, pink earrings, pink baseball cap (occasionally) | July 2008 | Yes |
| Hip Hannah | Blond with black and pink streaks | Dark Brown | Black skull-print shirt, pink plaid skirt, knee-high socks, pink sneakers, pink earrings black baseball cap (occasionally) | October 2008 | Yes |
| Marvelous Madison | Brown with blond steaks | Dark Blue | Blue thermal shirt, dark blue jeans, floral print fur boots, pink earrings | October 2008 | Yes |
| Exciting Emily | Reddish brown | Green | Lavender varsity tee, aqua sweatpants, grey gym shoes, lavender and aqua beanie (occasionally) | October 2008 | Yes |
| Oo-LaLa Olivia | Blond with pink streaks | Light Brown | Pink Eiffel tower tee, grey denim skirt, pink Ugg boots, pink earrings, pink beret (occasionally) | October 2008 | Yes |
| Beautiful Brianna | Brown | Light Blue | Blue and green argyle print shirt, blue twill skirt, blue and green flats, blue earrings, green baseball cap (occasionally) | January 2009 | No (Yes as of 2013 cancellation) |
| Lovely Lauren | Brown with pink streaks | Dark Brown | Pink and white striped shirt, skinny jeans, flower print shoes, pink earrings, gray beret (occasionally) | January 2009 | Yes |
| Amazing Abbey | Chocolate brown with bronze steaks | Dark Brown | Heather grey hoodie, pink plaid shorts, pink socks, chestnut Uggs, pink earrings (she is the only Ty Girl to wear shorts) | January 2009 | Yes |
| Kool Kayla | Blonde | Dark Blue | Navy sporty tee, striped ruffle skirt, high sport socks, navy sneaks, pink earrings, navy baseball cap (rare) | January 2009 | Yes |
| Marvelous Mariah (formerly Malia) | Black | Dark Brown | Aqua shirt with butterflies, capri jeans with plaid cuffs, aqua sneakers, aqua earrings, pink baseball cap (occasionally)(she and Sydney are the only black Ty Girlz) | January 2009 | Yes |
| Sweet Sydney (formerly Sasha) | Black | Dark Brown | White and pink babydoll dress, aqua leggings, plaid sneakers, pink earrings, aqua beret (occasionally)(she and Mariah are the only black Ty Girlz) | January 2009 | Yes |
| Joyful Justice | Brown | Light Blue | peace shirt, black leggings, purple scarf, purple and white sneakers, red earrings | June 2009 | No (Yes as of 2013 cancellation) |
| "Joyful Justice" | "Brown" | "Light Blue" | 4th of July outfit | September 2010 | No (Yes as of 2013 cancellation) |
| Ty Girlz Clothing Accessories | Description | Release Date | Retirement Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cool Preppy | Khaki pants with a pink plaid belt, white collar shirt with a black vest, and a pink plaid bag | February 2008 | May 30, 2008 |
| Fairy Princess | purple dress with purple wings, sequined headband | February 2008 | May 30, 2008 |
| Girlz Night Out | pink ruffled dress with a white boa and silver clutch bag | February 2008 | May 30, 2008 |
| Super Sporty | white ski pants, blue and white striped shirt, and white ski vest | February 2008 | May 30, 2008 |
| Uptown Girl | denim skirt, green jacket, pink hat | February 2008 | May 30, 2008 |
| Beach Bash | Hawaiian dress, green hoodie, hot pink tote bag | July 2008 | February 7, 2013 |
| School Cool | graphic tee, velour bag, denim skirt | July 2008 | December 12, 2012 |
| Hangin' Out | velour track suit, star printed duffle bag | July 2008 | December 18, 2012 |
| Best Dressed | red ruffle dress, black and white polka dot cardigan, black bag | December 2008 | December 18, 2012 |
| Sweet Dreams | Ice cream and candy themed pajamas, screen printed pillow | December 2008 | December 12, 2012 |
| Cool-n-Cozy | white hoodie, aqua corduroy pleated skirt, striped scarf | December 2008 | December 18, 2012 |
| Peace, Love & Cozy (Justice Store exclusive) | Peace sign-themed loungewear and cozy | June 2009 | 2013 cancellation |
| Polo Prepster (Justice Store exclusive) | Green-and-black-striped layered polo shirt, denim skirt, and black messenger bag | June 2009 | 2013 cancellation |
| School Rock (Justice Store exclusive) | 3-in-1 matching pink plaid shirt and tie, pleated skirt, and backpack | June 2009 | 2013 cancellation |
| Ty Girlz Animals | Description | Retired? |
|---|---|---|
| Fabulous Fluffy | Fluffy white dog with pink houndstooth carrier, removable collar, and leash | Yes |
| Little Lucky | Brown dog with blue plaid carrier, removable collar, and leash | Yes |
| Peppermint Princess | Pink-and-white cat with teal floral-print pattern carrier, removable collar, and leash | Yes |
| Dalmatian | Sold with some releases of Awesome Ashley | Yes |
| Cocker Spaniel | Sold with some releases of Beautiful Brianna | Yes |
| Husky | Sold with some releases of Exciting Emily | Yes |
| Black Cat | Sold with some released of Hip Hannah | Yes |
| Chihuahua | Sold with some releases of Lovable Lily | Yes |
| Gray-and-White Cat | Sold with some releases of Lovely Lauren | Yes |
| Bo | Sold with some releases of Sweet Sydney and/or Marvelous Mariah | Yes |
| Poodle | Sold with some releases of Oo-la-la Olivia | Yes |
| Sheepdog | Sold with some releases of Preppy Paige | Yes |
| Labrador Retriever | Sold with some releases of Trendy Taylor | Yes |
| Bulldog | Sold with some releases of Totally Troy | Yes |
Notes
- About.com mention .
- PlayZak Magazine
- Virtual Worlds News
- "Ty denies Obama girls inspired Sweet Sasha, Marvelous Malia". CNN. January 23, 2009.
- Herrmann, Andrew (January 23, 2009). "Mrs. Obama: Don't exploit my daughters with dolls". Chicago Sun-Times.
- Olkon, Sara (January 22, 2009). "'Marvelous Malia' and 'Sweet Sasha' dolls are not the Obama girls, Ty says". Chicago Tribune.
- "Ty denies Obama girls inspired Sweet Sasha, Marvelous Malia". CNN. January 23, 2009.
- de Nies, Yunji (February 3, 2009). "'Marvelous Malia' and 'Sweet Sasha' Retired". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2009-02-05. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
- "Dollmaker withdraws Sasha, Malia names". Associated Press. Chicago Tribune. February 3, 2009.
- Streit, Meghan (February 3, 2009). "Ty renames Sasha, Malia dolls". Chicago Business News. Crain Communications Inc.
- "Topic Galleries". Chicago Tribune.
- Brown, DeNeen L. (January 25, 2009). "First lady: Ty's Sasha, Malia dolls 'inappropriate'". Chicago Tribune.
- "Sasha and Malia dolls selling for $3,000 on eBay". www.parentdish.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2009. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
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