For me personally, being a child at the time, 1985 was a poor Sindy year.I had loved the 1983 & 1984 range and had nearly everything on offer, so what happened in 1985?
BARBIE ATTACKS:
For me personally, Mattel's Barbie in the UK stepped up their game in 1984, yeah sure I had some older 1982 Barbies, but nothing was as great as the 1984-85 lines. With beautiful deluxe dolls such as Peaches & Cream Barbie, Crystal Barbie, Loving You Barbie, Day To Night Barbie and the amazing 'Twice as nice' reversible fashions how could Sindy keep up?The whole 1985 range from Sindy was rather insipid with lots of pastels, Barbie was OTT and full of "Dallas" glamour. Even with the highly talented Emmanuel's on board with Sindy, nothing could detract you away from the Hollywood styled Barbie. Saying that there where a few amazing Sindy's released in 1985 such as Shaping Up & Premiere Sindy!
PEDIGREE BITES BACK:
Presumably Pedigree must have noticed something too as 1985 was the last year that we saw the traditional Sindy and it paved way for a new Sindy...
A new face mold was used, she still Had the eyes glancing to the side but her lashes where painted and she had a touch of blue eyeshadow.
I remember seeing Sindy in her new form with my Sister in Toy & Hobby sometime in 1986, Barbie was instantly dropped again. The plan had worked...for me anyway!
They had been very clever (whether intentional or not) and had used some of the old idea's on the new dolls such as Starlight Sindy and Jazz Dance Sindy (See picture to the left), who was an updated 1985 Shaping Up Sindy.
On that first day of mad panicstood in Toy N Hobby trying what to pick, I went for a totally new doll 'Marie', I think Pamela chose the Ballerina or Jazzdance I forget.
The ballerina now came with 2 outfits, which boosted interest and Marie was a new friend with a totally new face mold.
A new hair colour changing Sindy was also released in Magic Moments Sindy. Her hair and swimsuit would change colour with heat or warm water. Not the most attractive doll ever but I loved her outfit. Her hair also turned green after constantly chaning it from muddy brown to blue with the hairdryer for fun!
Marie or Sindy also got a boyfriend in the form of the rather dull Mark, Mark and Marie were sold both individually and as a couple in the Royal Wedding set made to commemorate Prince Andrew and Sarah Fergusson's Marriage.
Also released that year where the disco magic dolls, who look shockingly a bit like Hasbro's Jem who also arrived later that year. Mattel had already known of Jem's arrival so created Barbie & The Rockers (Or Rock Stars as they are know in the rest of the world) as a counter doll. Presumably Pedigree knew of these dolls as it was to be taken over by Hasbro the following year when Sindy would change again!
Dolls released in 1986:
Ballerina
Jazzdance
Silver Skater
Magic Moments
Snow Princess
First Romance
Marie (2 Versions)
Mark
Mark & Marie (Royal Wedding set)
My First Sindy
Starlight
Funtime (Different outfits also with a brunette version that is very limited and highly sought after)
Disco Magic (4 Different girls)
Sindy Goes To Dallas
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