November 21, 2009 7:07:46 PM
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November 21, 2009 7:07:46 PM
TOYDIRECTORY® | TDmonthly® Magazine | Join
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| May 2009 | Vol. VIII - No. 5 | |||||
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Corolle Dolls Enchant Every Age2009 Line-up Boasts Classics, Interactivity and Trendy Dollies
Since 1978, Corolle’s finely crafted, award-winning dolls have brightened countless children’s lives with their smiles and cuddly bodies. Creatively blending the classic and contemporary, they have continued to succeed and grow, despite today’s digitally laden toy bin. What’s their secret? EVERY STAGE, EVERY AGE  “The whole gist of Corolle is that we make an exquisite line of finely crafted dolls designed for both playablility and durability,” Beau James, Corolle’s North American director, told TDmonthly Magazine. “Children grow with Corolle — we have dolls for every stage and every age, starting with newborns. As a child grows, the doll’s size and weight changes. We’re extremely conscious of what children need, what’s comfortable for them. Accessories and clothing help extend the dolls’ play value.” Corolle dolls have several signature elements that set them apart. In addition to being specially scaled and weight-proportioned for different ages, they’re machine-washable; have full, natural-looking hair that can be washed and styled; and wear clothes that capture current children’s fashions.And there’s the trademark delicate vanilla scent. “This started at the beginning,” Beau said. “It’s a trade secret. It can’t wash out and it’s perfectly safe. The scent was chosen because it gave the same impression as the smell of baby powder.” KEEPING UP WITH TRENDS The result has been a marvelous march of dolls, with new releases each year introduced at Toy Fair. With more than 20 new items, the company’s 2009 Collection highlights include the Babicorolle’s Cosmidoudou Puppet Pink and Doudou Puppet Grenadine; its latest interactive doll, Les Classiques’ Bébé Trésor, which coos, babbles and giggles; and Miss Corolle’s Ambre and Annabelle.  Corolle keeps current with trends. Les Cheries and Les Dollies, for example, capture today’s look and styles. “There are purple streaks in the hair,” Beau told TDmonthly. “The clothing is mismatched. The dolls fit with the fashions of the times; they’re kicky, and kids want them.”Another important development has been the addition of different ethnic dolls, such as Tidoo Graceful. “We have Asian, Afro-American and Latino dolls,” he added. “We feel it’s extremely important to represent all ethnic diversities. The designers travel the world sketching children, and the faces are based on those sketches.” BEYOND CUDDLING While Corolle dolls help children build creative imaginations, some go further. Teri Crane, author of best-selling “Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day: Proven Secrets of the Potty Pro,” recommends both the Emma and Paul Drink & Wet babies to assist with the potty training process.  Crane, who developed the “One Day Potty Training Party,” noted, “Summer is crunch time for millions of parents whose toddlers must be potty-trained before they can be admitted to preschool programs in the fall. ... Have a two-person party that entails playing games, reading books, and “potty training” the doll. At the end of the day, your child is potty trained for preschool and has a new best friend in their Paul or Emma doll.” SUPPORTING LOCAL RETAILA different kind of retailer support is another important element to Corolle’s success. “Our focus is not on the back door; we don’t focus on selling the product in to stores, but on how to sell the brand to get it out the [retailer’s] front door,” Beau explained. “We do free-standing inserts, store signage, in-store video, and more.” They also use the newly redesigned Corolle website to drive business to local retailers. “A consumer can buy on our site, but it’s then shipped to a local store. We don’t want our website to compete with our independent retailers; we do everything we can to support their retail efforts.” See dolls by Corolle below:
Les Beedibies by COROLLE DOLLS Dolly Lemon Sorbet by COROLLE DOLLS
Paul & Emma Drink-and-Wet Bath Babies by COROLLE DOLLS
Doudou Puppet Grenadine by COROLLE DOLLS
Les Cheries Clara by COROLLE DOLLS
Cosmidoudou Puppet Pink by COROLLE DOLLS
Catalog Request Form Read what more than 400 retailers have told TDmonthly about toys since 2005 in Toy-Store Owners Talk to TDmonthly.  Writer's Bio: Claudia Newcorn has been a freelance writer and editor for over 10 years, after having spent more than a decade in marketing and product management. She writes for both businesses and individual clients, crafting copy, content and advertising. Her articles appear in newspapers, magazines and specialty publications nationwide (www.acornmarketing.com). She is also the author of an award-winning fantasy fiction book, "Crossover," and several published short stories (www.claudianewcorn.com). Read more articles by this author
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