Groovy Girls

Groovy Girls was a line of fashion dolls manufactured by the American toy company Manhattan Toy and launched in 1998. Each year new dolls were produced until 2019.

History

Groovy Girls launched in 1998 as a funky alternative to Barbie. Each soft body doll had different skin tones, hair types, and facial features, reflecting the ethnic landscape of the world. In addition to the dolls, Manhattan Toy produced furniture, pets, and even a camping kit for the dolls.

The brand's lifestyle aspects were fashion, friendship, and self-expression and were intended to represent a wholesome alternative to dolls such as Bratz, Flavas, My Scene, and Barbies. Groovy Girls were initially sold in specialty toy stores such as Zany Brainy and Noodle Kidoodle. Beginning in early 2005, the dolls were launched in Target stores.

Following the economic crisis of 2008, they were pulled from Target's shelves and began to only be sold at specialty stores and online from then on out. As of 2005, more than eight million Groovy Girls dolls have been sold since its inception. Groovy Girls doll series had accumulated more than $141 million in sales from the time of its inception to its time of being discontinued.^[1] As of 2023, Groovy Girls continue to be sold secondhand but no new models are being produced. Manhattan Toy was sold to Crown Crafts^[2] in March of 2023 and since then the teams, staff, and products have been joined into Crown Crafts for the sale of $17 Million.^[3]

List of Groovy Girls

Here is a list of basic Groovy Girls by their year of release.

Some characters share names. Not counting the updated looks of the Main 6, there have been 2 dolls named Trini, 2 dolls named Vanessa, 2 dolls named Carissa, and 3 dolls named Marissa.

1998

Lexi
Liza
Lupe
Lucy

1999

Michaela
Max (male)
Zane (male)
Ziggy (male)
Zarah
Zoe

2000

Gabi
Gwenn (not to be confused with Gwen of the Main 6)
Jacinda
Jada
Josie
Janisse
Jordan
Jayna
Jackson (male)
Jarrett (male)

2001

Sarita
Solana
Sesilia
Siri
Shika
Sidra
Samuel (male)
Sean (male)
Kinzey
Karly
Kayla
Kami
Kendra
Kelsey

2002

Talli
Tomiko
Trini
Vanessa (light-skinned)
Verity
Victoria
Kalvin (male)
Kyle (male)

2003

Carissa
Cicely
Celeste
Bindi
Brenna
Britta
Darci
Danika
Daphne
Brandon (male)
Blake (male)
Britney

2004

Ailene
Angelique
Ayanna
Hope

Main 6:

Gwen
Reese
Oki
O'Ryan
Vanessa (dark-skinned)
Yvette

2005

Kassi
Kylee
Kenna
Larissa
Leticia
Lourdes
Kieran (male)

2006

Ellie Mae (cowgirl)
Roxanna (rock star)

Main 6 Updated:

Gwen (2nd in a series)
Reese (2nd in a series)
Oki (2nd in a series)
O'Ryan (2nd in a series)
Vanessa (2nd in a series, dark-skinned)
Yvette (2nd in a series)

2007

Rayannah
Raelyn
Roxette
Raina (punk)
Ruby Mae
Petula
Pilar
Phoebe

2008

Zadie
Zanita
Zelma
Fenia
Fleur
Franci

2009

Corbin
Chelsi
Camilla
Connor (male)
Cadence

2010

Tegan
Tamae
Thora
Tessa
Tamsen

2011

Izzie
Isadora
Iku
Irina
Inga
Inez
Nadia
Nina
Nora

2012

Amelia
Gabriella
Katrina
Seanna
Sage
Suki

2013

Marissa
Myla
Maren

2014

Brooklyn
Bayani
Breanna
Bailey
Skylar
Fuchsia
Lilia
Jasmine

2015

Renee
Robyn
Rachel
Reagan

2016

Lola
Lily
Layla
Logan

2017

Super Groovy Girl
Velvet
Jessica
Rose
Katy
Meghan
Janelle
Lorelei
Justin

2018

Sunshine
Kat
Jamie
Princess Abi
Princess Crystelle

2019

Willow
Birdie
Primrose
April

Poseable

These had wires in their arms and legs that made them able to strike different poses. They were released from 2006 to 2008.

Andie (Go-Go Girl, 2007)
Aleika (Breakdancer, 2007)
Analise (Yoga, 2007)
Adrianna (Salsa, 2007)
Ayumi (Roller Skating, 2007)
Anya (Ballerina, 2007)
Trini (also released as a non-poseable, 2006)
Taryn (also released as a non-poseable, 2006)
Trissa (also released as a non-poseable, 2006)
Shayla (also released as a non-poseable, 2006)
Savanna (also released as a non-poseable, 2006)
Brylee (Karate, 2008)
Brandice (Unknown, 2008)
Bella-Mae (Cowgirl, 2008)
Selia (also released as a non-poseable, 2006)
Bastian (male, 2008)
Dylan (male, 2006)

Holiday Exclusives

Christmas

Anastasia Sparkle (2008)
Cali Candy Cane (2011)
Chrissy Christmas (2005)
Christa Christmas (2010)
Garnet Glitterbella (2008)
Holiday Hannah (2010)
Holiday Wishes Hadley (2013)
Molly Mistletoe (2012)
Noella (2004)
Snowflake Sophie (2009)
Deck the Halls Dessa (2013)
Sylvie Starr (2007)
Tessa Tannenbaum (2006)
Tyanna Tannenbaum (2006)
Merry Marissa (2014)
Noelle (2015)
Christmas Belle (2016)
Jingle Belle (2017)

Easter

Petal (2005)
Clara (2006)
Elisa (2014)

Valentine's Day

Vivica (2006)
Valana (2005)
Viviana (2014)

Halloween

Ember (2006)
Cinder-Sue (2007)
Countessa (2005)
Willow Witch (2004)
Charissa Cat (2008)
Candy Corn Carissa (2009)

RSVP

These dolls came with codes to unlock special items online. They celebrated Groovy Girls' 10th anniversary. The RSVP line dates from 2008 to 2009.

Amara
Alesa
Amalina
Latasha
Libbi and Louie (Louie is a dog attached to Libbi's hand.)
Lakinzie
Lycia
Linae
Dela
Denell
Dhara
Darise

Fun Packs

Kali and Krista (Fashion Blizzard) October 2002
Kassidy (Belle Espirit) March 2002
Lailie (Birthday Girlie) 2006
Evie (Saddle Up) 2006
Sarina (Soccer) 2006
Sawyer (Surfer, male) 2006
Becca (Basketball) 2006
Sasha (Posh Party) Late 2001
Bindi (Vet En Vogue) 2007
Yvette and Carissa (Sleepover Central) 2007
Brida (Ballet) 2007
Josh (Attitude on Wheels, male) 2006
Charisse (Ready to Rock) 2006
Helena (Groovy Games Swim Team) 2004
Hadlee (Groovy Games Gymnast) 2004
Harper (Groovy Games Soccer) 2004
Winter Rose (Snowy Sensation) 2008
Shauna (Spa Splendor) 2006
Reva (Sticker Snazzmatazz) 2003
Rochelle (Sticker Snazzmatazz) 2003
Shatrina (Midnight Madness) 2007
Aria (Gimme a G!) 2007

Troop Groovy Girls

These dolls were partnered up with Girl Scouts. The Troop line dates from 2007 to 2010.

Respectful Roxi (2007)
Friendly Fiona (2007)
Caring Caitlin (2007)
Courageous Camara (2007)
Fair Faye (2009)
Considerate Christa (2008)
Helpful Haylee (2009)
Strong Sierra (2008)
Responsible Rilee (2009)
Honest Hala (2007)
Dinah (Daisy Girl Scout, 2010)
Kiri (poseable, 2008)
Ardella (poseable, 2008)

Dreamtastic

The Dreamcast line dates from 2005 to 2011.

Melina Mermaid (2006)
Bride Jennibelle (2007)
Bridesmaid Melinda (2007)
Princess Seraphina (2006, 2010)
Princess Sharissa (2006)
Prince Lance (2005)
Princess Lucinda (2005)
Flower Girl Faith (2007)
Jennica and Gavin's Wedding (2007)
Binni Ballerina (2006)
Franchesca Fairy (2006)
Bellissima Ballerina (2008)

Candy Kingdom

The Candy Kingdom doll line dates from 2007. Fatina and Dari have their pets on leashes attached to their hands.

Dari and Dottilicious Puppy
Fatina and Fluffy Cotton Candy Kitty
Princess Bubblegum Bella
Princess Candy Heart Cassidy
Princess Lollipop Lola

Special Edition

These dolls date from 2005 to 2012.

Rock Around The Clock Bobby and Suzy Q (2006)
Safari Kari (2005)
Fleurabella (2010)
Chef Charlotte (2010)
Irish Steppin' Adelaide (2010)
Starletta (2008)
Galexia (2011)
Bianca Ballerina (2011)
Birthday Wishes Betsy (2012)
Fayla Fairy (2012)
Steffi
Lexa (Learning Express exclusive)
Lexanne (Learning Express exclusive)
Lynne (Ron Jon Surf Shop exclusive, 2005)

Chic Boutique

The Chic Boutique doll line dates from 2005.

Nicole
Natalya
Nanette

Flutterflies

The Flutterflies doll line dates from 2010.

Lana Ladybug
Becca Butterfly
Dani Dragonfly

Princesses

The princesses date from 2010 to 2015.

Princess Leilani
Princess Peony
Princess Isabella
Princess Ariana
Princess Liliana
Princess Dazzelina
Princess Ella
Princess Dahlia
Princess Crystelle
Princess Abi
Princess Camellia

Mermaids

The mermaids date from 2002 to 2012.

Marissa
Myra
Maya
Macy
Maddie
McKenna
Aqualina

Style Scents

These dolls date from 2015, and each one is fruity-scented. They all come with a pet as well.

Mia - comes with pet dog Taffy and smells like watermelon
Lilly - comes with pet cat Parfait and smells like raspberry
Sadie - comes with pet rabbit Shortcake and smells like strawberry

Fairybelles

The fairies date from 2015.

Nissa
Cricket
Breena

Groovy Girls Sleepover Club

Groovy Girls Sleepover Club was a series of short, chapter books for early readers starring the main 6 Groovy Girls, who were Gwen, Reese, O'Ryan, Oki, Vanessa, and Yvette. The books each contained 80 pages and a few illustrations. The books were published from 2005 to 2006.

List of books

The First Pajama Party: Slumberiffic Six
Pranks a Lot: The Girls vs. The Boys
Sleepover Surprise: A Twin-Sational Birthday
Rock and Roll: Divas Supreme
Choose or Lose: How to Pick a Winner
The Great Outdoors: Take a Hike
Growing up Groovy: An Out-of-this-World Adventure
Girls of Summer: Bon Voyage

Licensing and awards

Burger King offered miniaturized plastic as well as plush versions of Groovy Girls in its global Kids Meal program, which ran from February 12, 2007 to March 18, 2007.^[4] That year, Manhattan Toy also partnered with the Girl Scouts to develop a line extension of dolls called Troop Groovy Girls.^[5] An online community called Camp Groovy Girls launched in September, soon after the dolls became available in stores.^[5] In February 2008, the Toy Industry Association named the Girl Scouts' Troop Groovy Girls the best girl toy of the year during the American International Toy Fair in New York City.^[6] Groovy Girls had previously won "Girl Toy of the Year" and "Specialty Toy of the Year" awards at the 2003 Toy Fair.^[7]

References

^ Tribune, John Ewoldt Star. "Minneapolis toy company no longer feeling Groovy as 'iconic' dolls discontinued". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
^ "D.A. Davidson Acts as Financial Advisor to Manhattan Toy on Its Sale to Crown Crafts". www.businesswire.com. 2023-03-28. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
^ editor, TIMOTHY BOONE | Business (2023-03-20). "Crown Crafts buys Manhattan Toy for $17 million". The Advocate. Retrieved 2023-10-26. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
^ "Toy Firms Hope for Burger Bonanza". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. 2007-03-12. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
^ ^a ^b Hurn, Mary Elizabeth (2008-01-28). "Manhattan Toy/Girl Scout Partnership; ExpoTV; Auto Insurance Specialists". DMNews (Haymarket Group). Retrieved 2009-11-19.
^ "Dolls Chosen as Outstanding Toy". Tri-Town News (Greater Media). 2008-03-13. Archived from the original on 2008-11-22. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
^ De Mesa, Alicia (2005-10-12). "Marketing and Tweens". BusinessWeek. Archived from the original on November 3, 2005. Retrieved 2009-11-19.

[1] Tribune, John Ewoldt Star. "Minneapolis toy company no longer feeling Groovy as 'iconic' dolls discontinued". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-10-26.

[2] "D.A. Davidson Acts as Financial Advisor to Manhattan Toy on Its Sale to Crown Crafts". www.businesswire.com. 2023-03-28. Retrieved 2023-10-26.

[3] tor, TIMOTHY BOONE | Business (2023-03-20). "Crown Crafts buys Manhattan Toy for $17 million". The Advocate. Retrieved 2023-10-26. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)

[4] "Toy Firms Hope for Burger Bonanza". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. 2007-03-12. Retrieved 2009-11-19.

[dmn-5] Hurn, Mary Elizabeth (2008-01-28). "Manhattan Toy/Girl Scout Partnership; ExpoTV; Auto Insurance Specialists". DMNews (Haymarket Group). Retrieved 2009-11-19.

[6] "Dolls Chosen as Outstanding Toy". Tri-Town News (Greater Media). 2008-03-13. Archived from the original on 2008-11-22. Retrieved 2009-11-19.

[BusinessWeek-7] De Mesa, Alicia (2005-10-12). "Marketing and Tweens". BusinessWeek. Archived from the original on November 3, 2005. Retrieved 2009-11-19.

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