The Iconic Dollcast

This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by doll collector and artist Valerie (@mystitchindolliverse)

Valerie and I are diving into the creative world of doll artistry — from the dolls that first sparked her love of collecting to Blythe dolls, her favorite projects, and how she developed her own style as an artist.

We’re also getting into the reality behind creating: the tedious little tasks that go into a finished doll, challenging projects, the eternal struggle of keeping a craft room organized, and of course, why doll artists can NEVER bring themselves to throw away those tiny scraps of fabric and materials that might come in handy someday.

Valerie also shares her five essentials for anyone interested in trying doll design themselves, what social media has been like as a doll artist, and some of the latest pieces she’s been working on.

It’s a fun, creative conversation about collecting, making, and everything that happens behind the scenes before a finished doll ever makes it onto Instagram.

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This week on The Iconic Dollcast, we’re heading to Flatsyville! 🎀

I’m joined by Emily (@emily.in.flatsyville), a passionate collector of the wonderfully quirky and colorful Flatsy dolls of the 1960s and ’70s, and she’s here to give us a full introduction to these vintage cuties.

Emily takes us through the history of Flatsy — when the dolls first appeared, who produced them, what made them unique, and just how popular they were during their original run. We get into their adorable packaging, accessories and playsets, the different sizes they came in, and their surprisingly colorful hair that helped Flatsy stand out from other dolls of the era.

We also talk about the many Flatsy knockoffs, reproductions, and what it’s actually like to collect these dolls today. Emily shares tips for finding Flatsy dolls online, what collectors can expect to pay in 2026, which dolls are harder to track down, and some of the favorites from her own collection.

Whether you’re already a Flatsy fanatic or — like many collectors — have seen these little faces before but never knew their story, Emily is taking us on a trip through one of the most charming corners of vintage doll history.

Welcome to Flatsyville! 💕

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This week I’m joined by Frank (@fashionqueerhistorian) — doll collector, published author, fashion historian, and PhD researcher whose work explores queer fashion doll collectors and the relationship between dolls, identity, gender, and fashion.

We talk about Frank’s own history with dolls, why doll play has traditionally been so heavily gendered, and why boys playing with Barbie has historically been viewed so differently from girls playing with action figures. Frank also takes us inside his academic research and explains how something as seemingly simple as playing with and collecting dolls can tell us so much about gender, queerness, culture, and self-expression.

Then, of course, we get into BARBIE AND FASHION! We discuss Barbie’s relationship with the fashion industry, queer designers and fashion houses, some of Barbie’s greatest — and not-so-great — fashion moments, where Barbie fashion stands today, and Mattel’s complicated history when it comes to explicitly LGBTQ+ Barbie and Ken dolls. 

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This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Summer (@dontouchmytoys), a toy and doll collector and the creator behind the fantastic Don’t Touch My Toys Instagram and YouTube accounts!

Summer and I dive into her journey as a collector, the wide variety of dolls and toys in her collection, and some of the most memorable pieces she’s found along the way. We also talk about the thrill of thrifting, her methods for finding hidden gems, underrated pieces in our collections, and those dream items that are still on the wish list.

We also get into the realities of sharing a hobby online—from navigating a large social media following to balancing collecting and content creation with a full-time job. Plus, we discuss the sometimes shady side of the collector community, why the word “influencer” gets thrown around a little too easily, and the pressures that can come with turning something you love into online content.

Summer also takes us inside her doll and toy space, shares some of her favorite finds, and gives her best advice for anyone looking to start—or grow—their own collection.

It’s an honest, fun conversation about collecting, thrifting, social media, and simply loving your toys.

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The Iconic Dollcast is back! 💖 After a much-needed summer break, I’m checking in with a quick life update, chatting about what I’ve been up to, and giving you a little preview of what’s coming this fall!

The fall season officially kicks off with the Patreon premiere on October 2nd, followed by the return of weekly main episodes of The Iconic Dollcast on October 4th! 🎙️✨ I’m sharing all the details about what you can expect from Patreon, including bonus episodes, early access and lots of new conversations beyond the usual doll talk.

You can SUBSCRIBE to the Patreon Channel NOW!

Thank you for sticking with me during the break. I’m so excited to be back! 💕

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Patreon: @Iconicdollcast

Join me for an incredible extra-long conversation with one of the toy industry’s most accomplished designers, Stefanie Eskander, whose remarkable career has spanned more than 45 years.

Beginning as a children’s illustrator before transitioning into toy design, Stefanie has worked for some of the biggest names in the business, including Mattel, Hasbro, Tonka, Fisher-Price, Play Along Toys, and Small World Toys. Her creative fingerprints can be found on some of the most beloved toys and dolls of the last four decades, including Moonglow (Rainbow Brite), Popples, Jem and the Holograms, Sweetie Pops, Maxie, MoonDreamers, Tonka Trucks, Cabbage Patch Kids, Skydancers, and so much more.

Stefanie also takes us behind the scenes of one of the most fascinating eras in toy history—working at Hasbro during the legendary Jem and the Holograms vs. Barbie and the Rockers rivalry. We discuss what it was really like designing toys at major companies, juggling multiple product lines in different stages of development, and navigating the creative and corporate challenges that come with bringing iconic toys to life.

We also dive into why toy and doll designers so rarely receive public recognition, the strict confidentiality surrounding unreleased projects, and the reality that many toys can spend months—or even years—in development before never making it to store shelves. Finally, we explore how the toy industry has evolved over the decades and what it’s really like to build a career creating the toys that shaped generations.

This is a fascinating conversation filled with incredible stories, behind-the-scenes history, and insights you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you’re a lifelong collector, toy enthusiast, or simply curious about how your favorite childhood toys came to life, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

This episode also marks the finale of this year’s Summer Session! Thank you so much for spending your summer with me and all of my incredible guests. The Iconic Dollcast will return this fall with an all-new lineup of episodes, interviews, and deep dives into the world of dolls, toys, and pop culture. I can’t wait to share what’s next—see you this fall!

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This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Dr. Erick DuPree for one of the most thoughtful conversations we’ve ever had about what doll collecting really means. We go far beyond the dolls themselves to explore identity, memory, history, and the deeply personal connections that make this hobby so meaningful.

We discuss Erick’s own journey with dolls growing up, why doll collecting is so often misunderstood as an “immature” hobby, and why male collectors frequently face even greater criticism. We also challenge the common assumption that collecting is always about healing childhood trauma and explore how every collector brings something unique to the hobby.

Together, we dive into how our collections often reveal more about who we are than we realize, why doll collectors can sometimes become defensive, the unique language and culture that exists within collecting communities, and the important role dolls play in preserving history. We also discuss how doll companies can continue expanding diversity and representation, Erick’s published books on dolls and doll collecting, and so much more.

Whether you’ve been collecting for decades or have never understood why someone would, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the psychology, culture, and lasting importance of doll collecting.

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Celebrity dolls have been a part of pop culture for nearly a century, and in this episode I’m counting down my Top 10 favorite celebrity dolls in my personal collection!

Before the countdown, we take a quick look back at the history of celebrity dolls, beginning with the iconic Shirley Temple dolls of the 1930s and how celebrity dolls evolved into the collectibles we know today.

From Lindsay Lohan, Brandy, Hilary Duff, and a few unexpected picks (yes… Fran Fine from The Nanny makes the list!), to pop culture icons like the Spice Girls and Britney Spears, I’m sharing the dolls that mean the most to me, why I love them, and what makes each one so special.

I also talk about how valuable many of these dolls have become over the years, whether their quality still holds up by today’s standards, and finish things off with an unboxing of Mattel’s brand-new Miley Cyrus doll!

Whether you’re a longtime doll collector, a pop culture fan, or just feeling nostalgic, I hope you enjoy this countdown!

✨ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and let me know in the comments: What’s your favorite celebrity doll of all time?

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This may be the most random Doll Check-In yet.

This week I’m talking about American Girl’s 40th Anniversary releases (so far), the newly revealed Girl of the Year, JAKKS Pacific’s upcoming Super Villain (and Supergirl?) dolls, and why I passed on the new Padmé Amidala collector doll. I’ll also discuss the new Barbie Deluxe Rare Find doll featuring the classic Superstar face mold and ask the important question: why is the new He-Man doll so ridiculously attractive?

My main topic, though, is KATSEYE. Why are there still no KATSEYE dolls on the market? I break down the group’s potential as a doll brand, the very obvious parallels between KATSEYE and the Spice Girls, and why I think next year would be the perfect time for the Spice Girls dolls to make a comeback.

This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by fellow American Girl enthusiast Blake Changnon (@blake.changnon) for a heartfelt conversation about the dolls, books, and characters that have stayed with us throughout our lives.

Blake shares his personal journey with American Girl and how the brand helped him navigate difficult challenges growing up, offering comfort, inspiration, and a sense of belonging when he needed it most. Together, we discuss the lasting impact of American Girl’s stories, the historical characters that resonate most with us, and why these dolls continue to matter decades after their debut.

We rank favorite dolls, books, and outfits, debate which character is the most iconic in the brand’s history, and reflect on the memories these beloved characters have given us. We also dive into the realities of being adult doll collectors—especially as men—and why collecting is more accepted today than ever before, while still carrying certain stigmas and misconceptions.

Along the way, we talk about how doll collecting influences friendships and relationships, how American Girl has evolved through changing times and fan criticism, and our thoughts on the brand-new The Making of American Girl book.

Whether you grew up with these characters or discovered them later in life, this episode is a celebration of the stories, history, and community that make American Girl so special.

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