This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Riccardo (@lonely.doll_) for a fun and honest conversation all about our doll journeys and the pieces that mean the most to us—especially when it comes to Barbie.

We dive into what it’s really like collecting outside of the U.S., including the rising challenges collectors are facing worldwide and how tariffs have impacted the accessibility and pricing of dolls across the globe.

We also get into the current state of the doll industry—why Monster High continues to be a major competitor to Barbie (and shouldn’t be underestimated), plus a little My Scene nostalgia and how the new releases compare to the originals.

From the growing normalization of doll collecting to the creative (and sometimes painful) process of customizing and rerooting, we cover both the joy and the reality of the hobby. We also explore the evolving role of AI in the toy industry—what it could mean moving forward, for better or worse.

Plus, we share our personal grail dolls, recent purchases, and so much more.