Starr, Dawn, Toya, Amber, Taylor, Misty, and Jade
Check out pictures of the dolls in their original packaging
** Apparently Jade and Toya were alternatives in the Starr line. A buyer
could choose either or both of these dolls for their stores. Many buyers
obviously purchased Toya, but a few got Jade. Sales reps likely had samples of
both.
The dolls, playsets, and clothes do not have production years listed on the
packages. Based on the pictures of dolls wearing the clothes in the individual
packages, I think there may have been six in a series. The styles will be found,
but the actual color or fabric of the clothing might vary. Sound familiar? The
Designer Boutique doll set shows photos on the back of the package that look
like at least two of the clothing lines. The others could also be pictured here.
Since I've not seen those, I can't really say. If you're still trying to tell
the difference between some Dawn and Starr items, I'd suggest looking at the
packages. The Starr lines are contemporary with 1990's fashions. They do not
attempt to make anything retro looking. The shoes and other accessories are
quite different from Dawn. Clothing will fit Dawn, but the width of the Starr is
slightly larger so clothes will not be a perfect fit.
In the Spring of 1997, JPI claimed that production of the dolls and the
accessories had ceased in 1996. The doll molds were used throughout 1997 and
part of 1998 to produce "Fairtyale Dolls" depicting the Little Mermaid, Snow
White, and Cinderella, etc. JPI distributed these instead of Starr during this
time. Each of those packages shows the other dolls and accessories available.
These dolls always were packaged with a male doll and some small items for
playing the fairytale. During 1997 and 1998 I also saw some similar sized dolls
being marketed through some K-Bee toys. These dolls have the actual shoe molds
for Dawn and the hangers for Dawn without the names. Clothes and dolls in this
"Glamour Model" line were distributed by JPI. I've seen both the fairytale dolls
and accessories and the glamour model dolls and accessories being sold on E-bay
as Dawn items. I've also seen the male dolls being marketed as Starr dolls. Be
aware that the Fairytale dolls will have accessories that are not consistent
with anything but a fairytale. The glamour dolls, however, have many accessories
that can fool the eye, particularly the shoes which are identical to Dawn. I
have seen those in limited colors such as white and blue though. The outfits are
of Premier type quality, but some are in velvets and satiny type materials.
In 2002 at the New York Toy Fair, Jaks Pacific brought a doll titled "Glam on the Go" (scroll down the page to see these) which is actually the Starr Model Agency dolls. The most recognizable of the dolls is Dawn. She still has the fluffy ponytail! All the dolls appear to have been marketed in playsets with exercise, gym, bathroom, vanity, or shopping accessories. Jade is not picutured. Molded plastic furniture was included in the sets. Note the Freshlook Friends dolls on this page. They are definitely not Starr.
In the Summer of 2003*, Starr dolls marketed by Jakks Pacific and/or JPI have surfaced on Wal Mart shelves in Central Canada. The dolls are identified as either "Starr" or "Freshlook Friends" and have some changes to the hair or face. No names are given for the dolls, but Dawn, Starr, Taylor (blonde not brunette), Misty (one version as a red-head), and Toya are available. Amber and Jade have not been seen. These dolls are very much Starr, but have been slightly retooled. It's hard to tell some of them are Starr! Pic 1, Pic 2
First production run, features a doll in an evening gown. A lingerie set, seashell comb and brush included. The packaging is large also. Jade appears in a white satin dress. I wish I had one, but I've seen one on a reputable web site. Of course it was just before it sold. Toya doll is featured in dresses worn also by Dawn and Starr. She doesn't seem to have one all to herself! *Toya may have also come in a dress unique to her.
Picture of Toya, Jade, and
Starr in the Elegant Evening Wear --thanks to voorhis@mb.sympatico.ca
First production run, features a doll in pantsuit or hip clothes. Good luck
finding them. It was a pretty short run as I recall. I have a Taylor doll in a
yellow pantsuit that looks a lot like something Dawn would wear. The extra
clothes in this package were usually shorts or cut off jeans. I do not know if
dolls appear in each other's clothes in this collection. *Jade and Toya were
dressed alike in this series.
Second run, this is very similar to totally trendy series. The extra clothes
are usually mini dresses or other casual clothing. No duplication seems to be
here. A magic stand for the doll is included in the package.*Some of these dolls
were in the first run also without the magic wand.
This has been seen throughout the production run. Package features a single
doll wearing a bathing suit of some sort. No extra clothes or hand stand. These
were the last dolls I saw available in any stores.
First production end of the run, this series features dolls in antebellum dresses with really big, ugly hats. The packaging is quite large on these. Purses and hats were the accessories. Dolls do not seem to duplicate dresses. This series was really tough to locate. Many stores did not carry these even if they had other Starr merchandise.*Canadian stores had many of the BB series. This must have been where they went to!
Toya and Jade in Beautiful
Belle. It must be awful to show up in the same dress! -- thanks voorhis@mb.sympatico.ca
Second production run, this series captures the elegance of old Hollywood.
Dolls are featured in evening gowns complete with fancy (usually upswept)
hairdos and feather boas. I love this series! Dresses are made of velvets, fake
snake skin, and metallics. The Taylor doll is in the neatest yellow fake snake
bodice and satin skirt dress. The Toya doll appears in a pink dress (Starr's;
hard to find, but definitely doable. I found two.) and a blue metallic dress.
It's a sight to behold. A full length mirror and hand stand are included in the
package. Make room for this box, though, it's absolutley huge. I saw a Jade in a
lovely green dress that looks like no other dress in this series. It is the only
one I've seen! Go to the Starr site link to see it. Thanks bzgirl@ameritech.net
Second run, this series features a single doll in a metallic looking mini
skirt or other metallic fabric dress. It's a pretty lackluster series though. No
extra outfits or handstands. I found these difficult to locate though. They may
have been an end of production thought. Toya doll appears in three different
outfit variations. Since I haven't seen any of the other dolls except Amber, I
don't know if she is wearing another doll's dress.* Apparently Toya is unique in
this series. She seems to have her own clothes. (7/3/00 Update on this! I just
saw for auction a Jade wearing a Toya outfit. It was a mini spaghetti-strapped
dress with a t-shirt underneath. I had a Toya in an outfit exactly like this!).
Second run, this series is fabulous. I feel like I'm on Gilligan's Island! Of
course we all know that Starr would win any Survivor competition! Each doll is
featured in a lovely mini skirt, sarong, or pantsuit (Toya). The doll comes in a
single package though with no extra outfits or hand stand. The package is just
fab -- It features a tropical theme.
Third production run, this series is elaborate with decorations for the
buyer. The dolls are dressed in fantasy type clothing made of laces, sparkles
and glitter, and satins. The package features a bracelet with matching "jewel"
in a different shape for each doll. Toya is featured in Starr's, Misty's, and
Jade's dresses with the same matching jewel the other dolls have.
Third series, this series included a cat and a dog with trophies from a pet show. The dolls were dressed in nice casual clothes like shift dresses. I really like the Taylor dress in this series. It seems to suit the doll better than any other. Toya is dressed in Dawn's, Misty's, and Starr's outfits. (7/10/00 Update! I saw Jade for auction that had on Dawn's blue dress. It was an American version of Prized Pets)
* Never offered for sale in Canada.
Third series and perhaps the last of the Starr line. This series features the
dolls in a winter outfit with fur trim. This is the most detailed outfit I've
seen on Starr dolls and closest to fashionable for our time. It is glamorous and
would is very reminiscent of Dawn's fashion sense of that time. The package
features a different "perfume" for each doll. No hand stand or extra outfit. *
Jade was likely not produced, but this source has seen one from a salesman's
sample. It had on a very nice and unique fur outfit. Voorhis also stated that
the fab fur dolls were sold in Canada at TRU with the pets from prized pets
series.
I'm not sure of this production run, but I suspect it's third. The dolls are
featured in western gear outfits complete with fringe. No extra outfits in
package. *According to voorhis, this was likely the first run of production.
There was apparently quite a bit of duplication of outfits in this line also.
(7-29-03: Country Western is a hard item to locate. It seems that this doll may
have been marketed only to certain chains of stores or perhaps only in the
Midwest).
Carrying Case for six dolls (starr logo and pink and purple plastic): It has two accessory drawers and a plastic insert for several dolls. Clothes bars for hangers also.
Designer Boutique (three doll sets) two different kinds of outfits and dolls available.
Sport Vehicle 4 x 4
Three different ones designed to work with the Sport Vehicle. A workout
studio, a photo studio, and a beauty parlor. A Starr doll sealed in a baggie
comes with all these as well as bagged and sealed plastic furniture. The doll
inside does not match the outside picture except for the workout studio.
Dolls on card wearing a time for fun outfit (I've got a Dawn and Toya. I've
seen the rest except Jade) Picture of most of the models
with the jeep --thanks voorhis@mb.sympatico.ca
Bride and Holiday Starr: Lovely bride doll with long veil and train on the
satin dress. Huge bent form packaging. Keep these out of the sunlight. I can
attest to the fact that something reacts with the sequins on the dress and
causes a discoloration of the cellophane as well as dress staining. The holiday
starr doll is just great for Christmas. When these first came out, hordes of
collectors went out to the Kmart stores and bought them. They have a velvet
green material for the jackets/skirts and a cute little beret hat. I couldn't
bear to take mine out of the package it was sooo cute. It is well worth the
investment for this doll NRFP. These were very plentiful and you should be able
to find both of them without any problems.
Basically same furniture as travelling playset, but less of it. The furniture
is in a baggie that's taped, not sealed! A different doll can come with these.
Nice packages!
1) sun n surf photoshoot (same as travelling playset) I've only seen this with Amber in a cute maillot. Playset has a Starr doll in different maillot
2) bath n vanity (has a tub and doll in a robe) I've only seen this with Taylor and Dawn
3) fun n fitness (same as travelling playset) I've only seen this with Starr
4) stylin salon (same as travelling playset, but with a cotton print dress on
doll) I've only seen this with Toya
Starr Super Model Fashion Show (comes with a stage and a Starr doll dressed
in Dawn's evening elegance dress)
Leather and Denim
Sassy and Chic
Country and Western
Elegant Evening
