Name: Kim Jeans ‘N Things
Made by and When: Shindana, 1972 and 1978
Material: Soft vinyl face, plastic body
Marks 1972 Kim: (Head) 3050 / 9 / / ©1969 / SHINDANA TOYS / DIV. OF OPERATION / BOOTSTRAP INC. / U.S.A. / K (Back) MADE IN HONG KONG
Marks 1978 Kim: (Head) ©SHINDANA TOYS 1978 / HONG KONG (Upper Back) HONG KONG
Height: 15 inches
Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Long straight rooted black hair, brown painted eyes, closed mouth
Clothes: (1972) Tie-dye denim pants jumper with matching drawstring purse and floppy hat; red/white/light blue striped turtleneck dickey, and white vinyl slip-on shoes. Includes an extra tie-dye maxi skirt with a ruffled floral hemline, a floral blouse, a matching scarf, white panties, a tie-dye drawstring purse, white shoes, and a comb and brush.
(1978) These dolls have the new Kim head sculpt. From L-R in the second gallery photo, they wear their original clothes: blue and white gingham headscarf and top, white maxi skirt, and white slip-on shoes; white pants suit with a floral crop top, a matching headscarf, and white drawstring purse; and white short overalls with red/white/blue striped T-shirt, matching socks, white cap, and white slip-on shoes.
Other: The 1973 Kim is featured on the doll’s box, which describes the company as “Shindana Dolls with a difference.” One of their original mottos was “Dolls made by a dream.”
The 1972 doll uses the same head sculpt as Malaika. The 1978 dolls’ head sculpt is not a dedicated Black-doll sculpt; it was also used for the White version of Kim Jeans ‘N Things. All dolls made after 1976, including the new version of Kim Jeans ‘N Things, were made under the leadership of Shindana’s second president, Mr. Robert Bobo.
The original president and founder of Shindana Toys, Louis S. Smith, II, and his young daughter, Matilda, died in a tragic car accident in January 1976.
We believe that only by learning to love oneself can one learn to love others… Shindana believes that by marketing Black dolls and games that both Black and White children can learn to relate to at an early age, the company can foster the spirit of what Shindana is all about: Love.—Louis S. Smith, II
1970s Los Angeles Associated Press article
Gallery
See other Shindana doll installations here.
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