Fans celebrate six decades of Sindy
20th May 2024She has a passion for fashion, enjoys outdoor living and has hobbies ranging from broadcasting to BBQ – Sindy has lived a full life as she celebrates her 60th birthday.
Since her 1960s debut, she has sold more than 150 million dolls worldwide and an exhibition has seen thousands come through its door to see items from two prolific collectors.
Two packed rooms in Chippenham Museum are a sea of pink alongside fan merchandise.
It has been one of its most successful exhibitions, with visitors from all over the world and there has even been a convention in the town.
Sindy loves fashion and adapts to the trends
Sindy turned out to be a force to be reckoned with, especially in Britain, when she came on to the scene in the swinging sixties.
She had a different look to rival Barbie and was meant to look more like a teenager.
She even had flatter feet.
Weekender Sindy was dressed in a jumper and jeans, although she was also a fashion enthusiast.
“The clothes were actually designed by 60s designers – her clothes are what teenagers would want to wear. So they’re not flash, they’re everyday,” said Melissa Barnett, from Chippenham Museum, which is holding the exhibition until 11 May.
The museum’s Melissa Barnett models the box people can have their photo taken in
Even though she likes a casual outfit, there has always been more elaborate clothing to collect, like wedding dresses and even a set of costumes designed by the Emanuels, who were behind Princess Diana’s wedding dress.
However, Ms Barnett explained there is more to Sindy than a passion for fashion.
“Her whole world is very much more about what she’s doing rather than about what she’s wearing.
“So there’s a lot of accessories.”
Designs for Sindy outfits went to the top, with these ones designed by the Emanuels, who where behind Princess Diana’s wedding dress
“If you think about the dolls before then – which were very much babies – this was an iconic doll for teenagers and it did become the bestselling doll by the end of the 60s,” said Ms Barnett.
Sindy has a lot of stories to go with her, including in books and magazines. Plus, friends and family: “She came with a little sister a couple of years later called Patch – and even a boyfriend.
“Move over Ken [the boyfriend of Barbie], this is Paul, who she met at a local dance,” Ms Barnett added.
A friend of Sindy’s, Gayle, was introduced at one point, but only in America.
Gayle was introduced as a friend to Sindy, but was only sold in America.
A later version of Sindy tried to appeal to the American market explained Ms Barnett: “The face goes thinner with bigger eyes, more like Barbie. Later we go back to the rounder face of the original Sindy.”
The exhibition shows off the accessories of Sindy as much as the dolls, with collectors Karen Colley and Bonita spending hours setting up scenes, dressing dolls and the houses.
The original boxes are stacked underneath, with the differences in design, aspiration and style clear throughout the decades.
A few of Sindy’s houses are in the exhibition, set up perfectly on Sindy Street – there is even a country-style house (top right)
Sindy was keen on horses too, with the country house having a space to keep her horse and cart underneath.
The houses are detailed, with chicken dinners, phones and pets.
Always a busy person, other sets include a television studio, hairdressers and camping.
“She was not beholden to Paul in any way I don’t think – she was doing her own thing,” said Ms Barnett from the museum.
Keen to turn her hand to anything, Sindy has also tried out broadcasting
The manufacturer – Pedigree, based in Exeter – has produced a diamond anniversary doll, with a glittery silver dress and heels. She is being sent out to collectors now, but for those still waiting, the museum was sent one early for the exhibition.
Melissa Barnett explained how successful the exhibition has been: “It’s lovely to have a happy exhibition that people can relate to.
“It is one of our most successful exhibitions – over Easter, there were around 150 people a day so for two weeks – that was quite a lot for a small museum.”
For Sindy’s 60th, manufacturer Pedigree has produced a glamourous diamond anniversary doll.
The nostalgia has been a real draw, with the museum visitor book full of comments, including from someone from Seattle, USA.
“There’s people reminiscing – to the point of being quite emotional. Remembering happy times.
“I think the adults have enjoyed it more than the children. It’s remembering your past in a good way,” Ms Barnett.
Plenty of people have been taking the opportunity for a picture in the giant Sindy selfie box too.
So – Sindy or Barbie? Tough choice.
The Sindy Weekender was the first doll to come out – she was later joined by little sister Patch and boyfriend Paul.
Sophie Parker
BBC News, Wiltshire
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21st August 2017Toy franchises including Merrythought Bear, Meccano, Action Man and Hornby Dublo trains are back, in stamp form.
Royal Mail has announced plans to immortalise some of the most popular toy brands of the last 100 years in stamp form, with a limited edition range of stamps featuring toys including the Merrythought Bear, Sindy Doll, Spirograph, Stickle Bricks, W.Britan Toy Figures, Space Hopper, Fuzzy Felt, Meccano, Action Man and Hornby Dublo trains.
“The heyday of the British toy industry remains a magical era, one that shaped childhoods across the generations,” reads a statement from Royal Mail. “And with many of the best-loved toys from the past still with us, or perhaps relaunched after temporary absences, the children of today can still have fun with some of the world’s most iconic toys.”
Royal Mail spokesperson Philip Parker added: “British toy makers enjoyed a reputation for quality and innovation, and these nostalgic stamps celebrate ten wonderful toys that have endured through the decades.”
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Tesco to bring back classic doll Sindy – with a 21st century makeover
13th September 2016Sindy, one of Britain’s most iconic toys, is making a comeback after being given a 21st century makeover by Tesco.
The glamorous doll has been revamped exclusively by Tesco which has made her seven inches taller with a fresh new look.
Sindy was, for many years, the UK’s best-selling toy delighting generations across the world after being launched in the early 1960s.
Sindy’s fashionable clothes, popular accessories and playsets made her an iconic doll and 150 million were sold worldwide.
Tesco believes she can once again become a British favourite toy.
Tesco head toy buyer Dawn Lavalette explained:
“Sindy stood out from other dolls and her captivating, angelic look made her popular all over the world.
Now we’ve restored her beautiful and unique look and worked with our own top fashion designers to come up with a dazzling new range of clothes.
We also think that many mums out there who were fans of the original doll themselves will secretly want one too.”
Besides her new 18 inch height Sindy will have a new, refreshed look with a set of 11 on-trend outfits for both day and nightwear, created by Tesco’s own top fashion designers.
The range will also include eight pairs of shoes including trainers, boots and sandals plus accessories for her hair and jewellery.
In addition, she will also have three friends – Zoe, Kate and Laura.
Dawn Lavalette added:
“This is just the start of the Sindy revival and next year we will have a whole range of exciting additions for customers to add to their collection including more playsets and stylish outfits.”