Asha African-American Collection

Name: Asha African-American Collection: Special, 2^nd, and 3^rd Editions

Made by and When: Mattel

Release Years: 1994-1995

Material: Vinyl

Height: 11-1/2 inches

Hair, Eyes, Mouths: Long, black, wavy hair; brown-painted eyes with painted upper and lower eyelashes. The 2nd and 3rd edition dolls have blue eye shadow. All dolls have open smiles with painted teeth.

Clothes and Accessories

Special Edition Asha ©1994 wears a jacket and skirt in vivid fabric that replicates the brilliant Kente cloth of West Africa, a matching fabric crown kufi, black high-heeled shoes, gold drop earrings, a gold ring, and a gold bangle bracelet. A turquoise brush is included in the package.

2^nd Edition Asha ©1994 wears a brightly colored (orange with purple polka dots), full-length, flared dress with contrasting Kente-cloth-print trim; a matching headband, and a golden bodice wrap. Purple high-heeled shoes, gold drop hoop earrings, and a purple bangle bracelet complete this doll’s African-inspired fashion statement.

3^rd Edition Asha ©1965 wears a full-length one-shoulder mermaid gown, a matching headband, gold drop earrings, a mesh choker embellished with gold and silver round and oblong beads, a gold-tone ring, and high-heeled shoes.

Other: Designed by Kitty Black Perkins, the Asha African-American Collection features an exclusive African American character dressed in African textiles. This three-doll, short-lived collection followed the original Shani line. As indicated on the back of the Special Edition and 2nd edition dolls’ boxes, “Asha means life in Swahili… [the] dress fabric replicates the brilliant Kente cloth of West Africa… [which] came to be known as the fabric of African royalty because many rulers wore it. Asha wears Kente cloth to symbolize her pride in her African American heritage and culture.”

Gallery

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