Fulla Doll- An Alternative to Barbie

Middle Eastern and Arab countries are conservative and modest unlike the other Western countries like United States of America. In spite that, there is one thing that children in both side of the world enjoys.

Girls Love Dolls
Yes, little girls, in varying ages are all fascinated with dolls even with a huge amount of cultural difference. Barbie, the famous icon of western consumerism is a liberated and fashionable doll. Thanks to the Syrian based design creator, New Boy, which understood the market of the Arab making an alternative to Barbie- the Fulla Doll.

The 11 ½ inch fashion doll that looks similarly with Barbie is an Islamic doll or more so known as “A Girl’s Dream Doll”. It hit the stores in 2003 like a storm but this has been created around the 1990’s. Fulla doll is a role model to Islamic little girls in so many ways. From her appearance to her values and even to preserving its culture, Fulla Doll is definitely the best alternative to Barbie.

The Fulla doll is named after a type of jasmine that only grows in the Middle East, specifically in Levant. This doll is actually a result of a shrewd marketing and a very good idea that really brought out the Islam kind of way. This had made the Fulla doll out stand all the other Islamic dolls who also tried to make it big. She is not only a lady that wears the black abaya and a hijab.

Fulla's Doll Image
She is an image of a woman who is honest, caring, loving, and faithful and respects her father and mother. These are some of the things that the Arab parents would like for their children to follow. Now the Arab parents who previously are afraid to purchase the Barbie doll for their daughter are more confident and happier than ever that good values will be instilled to them.

To make it even more acceptable to the Arab market and as an alternative to Barbie, Fulla keeps her traditional dress most of the time. Still and all, Fulla has various outdoor wardrobes but never has any swimwear. To add up, even with several colors and pieces rolled into one outfit, her elbows should not show off and her skirt should always fall below the knees. So Fulla has slight modern influence but keeps her modesty at all times.

Unlike Barbie who has a romantic prospect named Ken, Fulla neither has male friends nor boyfriends or a lover. She has a brother though. Since it is expected for a Muslim woman not to have any relationship out of wedlock, Fulla portrays what and how a woman should act in the Arab countries.

Fulla doll is the alternative to Barbie.
The selling point of the Fulla dolls to conservative Arab parents is its role in shaping the expectations of everyone. This includes her role as a daughter, a citizen to its country, a woman with self respect and dignity, a career woman as well and so many other things. These traits, values and character as a woman is never seen on the modern Barbie doll. That alone wipes out all its chances for becoming the first pick of the Arab parents for their daughters.