Made by and When: Shindana, 1978 and circa 1979
Material: Vinyl head, arms, legs; plastic body
Marks: (Upper back) Hong Kong
Height: 11-1/2 inches
Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Black rooted shoulder-length hair, brown painted eyes; smiling open mouth with painted upper and lower teeth
Clothes: Different brightly colored fabrics were used to dress Disco Wanda dolls in peasant-style dresses with fringe scarves tied at the waist; in top-and-skirt fashions, or in blouse-and-pants ensembles. All dolls wear fabric plastic-flower-accented headbands or scarves that match the colors and material of the clothes, white panties, and coordinating shoes. Disco Juanita and the Wandas that wear headscarves wear a plastic flower choker.
Other: Stock No. 2058, Disco Wanda was advertised as a new product in Shindana’s 1978 catalog. Disco Wanda is noteworthy for being Shindana’s first fashion doll of 11-1/2 inches. Representing a Latina, Disco Juanita was released after Disco Wanda’s 1978 release, possibly in 1979.
Shindana’s goal with Disco Wanda and Disco Juanita was to create a trendy doll that reflected the disco culture. In the 1978 catalog, Disco Wanda is described as being “fashionably dressed for Disco entertainment.” Three versions of Disco Wanda were released dressed in different disco-inspired fashions.
While not fully articulated, Disco Wanda and Juanita have movable arms, legs, bendable knees, and a jointed waist.
Gallery
See other Shindana doll installations or mentions here.
_________
Your comments are valued. Donations aid the initiative to preserve Black-doll history.
If you subscribe to DeeBeeGee’s Virtual Black Doll Museum™ by email, be sure to click the post title in the email, which links to the website to view all text and associated media. Please “like” and share this installation with your social media contacts. Add your email address to the subscribe or sign-up field in the footer or right sidebar.
DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum™ 