The Smoke Detector
  • About
    • About TSD
    • Contact us
  • Art / Design
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Interviews
  • Columns
  • Coding
The Smoke Detector
  • About
    • About TSD
    • Contact us
  • Art / Design
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Interviews
  • Columns
  • Coding
  • Columns

Tree Change Dolls – Making Dolls Look Natural

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 7 October 2015

Growing up I always enjoyed playing with my dolls. I will even tell you that I still have my Barbies saved at my parent’s place (I will try to donate them next time I’m back home, maybe just keep one). But, being a kid, you’re not really thinking about how these dolls look. You just think they are pretty, but you don’t go too deep into that discussion. Now that I’m all grown up, I must say that some dolls are looking very inappropriate. Beside the fact that they look super unrealistic, some are too thin, they can be dressed quite un-classy and their make-up is over the top. So, when I saw Tree Change Doll initiative all I could think was – How did we not do this before?!

tree change dolls sonia

Created by Australian artist Sonia Singh, Tree Change Dolls is a project focused on recycling old dolls. What Sonia does is to find old discarded ones and bring them back to life. While re-using and recycling is awesome by itself, the makeover she gives these dolls is the best part. Images of ‘before and after’ will just shock you. After she finds the dolls, she strips them down of their clothes and make up. That is when magic begins. Sonia transforms them into human-like creatures. She paints their faces so they look very natural and she dresses them in comfortable clothes. Now they look like they can climb a tree, jump on the trampoline or do other kind of fun activities that kids enjoy. They are no longer wearing heavy make up, or looking like they’re about to go to a night club.

tree change dolls

Now, I know that dolls are supposed to be pretty, but I am seriously concerned if what we see on the left side in the image above is our idea of beauty. Very emphasised lips, cat-like eyes with heavy make up and a nose that’s barely there – is that what the kids should be playing with? On the right side we see a face that kids can relate to, that feels real and approachable. Seeing this contrast makes me wonder how is it even possible that Barbie and Bratz (or whatever dolls are popular these days) are sending so many wrong messages. Yes, dolls should be pretty, that’s for sure, but we also need to rethink what pretty means and what is appropriate for the little ones to be playing with. We mustn’t forget that kids are very impressionable and the effects that certain things may leave on them are probably bigger than we imagine. So, I can only hope that more people will go for the natural looking dolls, and maybe even big toy companies will embrace some of this philosophy for their products.

 

To discover more about this project visit Tree Change Doll website or Facebook page.

Share
Tweet
Pin it
Share
Share
Related Topics
  • normal looking dolls
  • recycle
  • Sonia Singh
  • tree change dolls
Ivona Josipovic

Ivona Josipovic is a co-founder of The Smoke Detector, writer, fashion stylist, social media manager, curious creature, chocolate lover.

Previous Article
  • Art / Design
  • Travel

The Atlas of Beauty by Mihaela Noroc

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 6 October 2015
View Post
Next Article
  • Art / Design

Lora Zombie Art

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 8 October 2015
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Fashion

Nordgreen Copenhagen watch review

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 8 August 2020
View Post
  • Fashion
  • Interviews

Interview with Joanna Bark and Elena Ekström, founders of Bukvy

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 30 March 2020
View Post
  • Fashion

The evolution of male red carpet style

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 18 March 2020
View Post
  • Fashion

Christian Louboutin Exhibition, L’Exhibitioniste – Paris 2020

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 25 February 2020
View Post
  • Fashion

Best Fashion documentaries – part 3

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 6 March 2020
View Post
  • Fashion

Best handbag brands to know in 2020

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 11 February 2020
4 comments
  1. DEMELER says:
    8 October 2015 at 14:50

    Such a cool post! I’ve never seen this done before
    xoxo
    http://thedemeler.com

    Reply
  2. Yasmin says:
    8 October 2015 at 18:29

    I saw a news segment on this woman and her work was so intriguing. Kids these days are growing up so quickly with such high standards of what it means to be beautiful. All they need to know is beauty is in simplicity, not layers and layers of makeup and tight clothing. Love her work!

    xx Yasmin
    http://banglesandbungalows.com

    Reply
  3. Lauren says:
    8 October 2015 at 18:52

    I love this project! Some dolls definitely look less than classy and these send such a great message!

    Lauren,
    http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com

    Reply
  4. Urvi says:
    9 October 2015 at 02:27

    This is such a cool INITIATIVE! Thanks for Sharing

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Featured Posts
  • 1
    • Fashion
    Nordgreen Copenhagen watch review
    • 8 August 2020
  • 2
    • Fashion
    • Interviews
    Interview with Joanna Bark and Elena Ekström, founders of Bukvy
    • 30 March 2020
  • 3
    • Fashion
    The evolution of male red carpet style
    • 18 March 2020
  • 4
    • Fashion
    Christian Louboutin Exhibition, L’Exhibitioniste – Paris 2020
    • 25 February 2020
  • 5
    • Fashion
    Best Fashion documentaries – part 3
    • 6 March 2020
  • 6
    • Fashion
    Best handbag brands to know in 2020
    • 11 February 2020
  • 7
    • Fashion
    Best fashion quotes with strong messages
    • 31 January 2020
  • 8
    • Fashion
    10 ways fashion has changed in the 2010s
    • 4 January 2020
  • 9
    • Art / Design
    • Interviews
    Interview with Elisabeth van Aalderen, the photographer behind Vitiligo photo project
    • 16 December 2019
  • 10
    • Art / Design
    Illustrators celebrating womanhood we love following on IG
    • 10 January 2020
Reflection. 🌴
The world need more love. BLM! 🖤 Regram from @inesabouchard .
Don't miss reading our interview with the founders of the amazing @bukvybag brand. This female-led accessories brand is based in Stockholm and focused on creating practical pieces for everyday life. 😍 Link in bio. #bukvy #bukvybag #interview #femalefounders
Daydreaming of places as this one... 💙 Follow the super talented @salvalopez for more amazing images like this... #photography #pink #daydreaming
Gorgeous images by @nina_zimolong. 💟 In case you missed our interview with the talented photographer go to our site to read it. #photography #interview #love #stunning
Lazy Sunday mani inspo from @vanessahong. Nothing like some cute polka dots for mood boosting, right? 😍 #cute #manicure #loveit #polkadots
The Smoke Detector
  • About
  • Art / Design
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Interviews
  • Columns
  • Coding
The Smoke Detector covers photography, fashion, art, design, cool people and places

Input your search keywords and press Enter.