FANS CELEBRATE SIX DECADES OF SINDY DOLLS
She loves to dress, she loves outdoors living and has countless accessories. Sindy has lived a full life as she celebrates her 60th birthday.
Since her 1960s debut, she has sold more 150m dolls worldwide and an exhibition has seen thousands come through its door to see an exhibition from two prolific collectors.
Two packed rooms in Chippenham Museum are a sea of pink alongside fan merchandise.
It has been one of their most successful exhibitions, with visitors from all over the world and there has even been a convention in the town.
Sindy turned out to be a force to be reckoned with, especially in Britain, when she came onto the scene in the swinging sixties.
She has a different look to rival doll Barbie and is meant to look a bit like a teenager herself.
She even has flatter feet.
Weekender Sindy was dressed in a jumper and jeans, although she was also a fashion enthusiast.
"The clothes were actually designed by 60s designers - her clothes are what teenagers would want to wear. So they're not flash, they're everyday," said Melissa Barnett, from Chippenham Museum, which is holding the exhibition until 11 May.
Even though she likes a casual outfit, there has always been more elaborate clothing to collect, like wedding dresses and even a set of costumes designed by the Emanuels, who were behind Princess Diana's wedding dress.
However, Ms Barnett explained there is more to Sindy than a passion for fashion.
"Her whole world is very much more about what she's doing rather than about what she's wearing.
"So there's a lot of accessories."
"If you think about the dolls before then - which were very much babies - this was an iconic doll for teenagers and it did become the bestselling doll by the end of the 60s," said Ms Barnett.
Sindy has a lot of stories to go with her, including in books and magazines. Plus, friends and family: "She came with a little sister a couple of years later called Patch - and even a boyfriend.
"Move over Ken [the boyfriend of Barbie], this is Paul, who she met at a local dance," Ms Barnett added.
A friend of Sindy's, Gayle, was introduced at one point, but only in America.
A later version of Sindy tried to appeal to the American market explained Ms Barnett: "The face goes thinner with bigger eyes, more like Barbie. Later we go back to the rounder face of the original Sindy."
The exhibition shows off the accessories of Sindy as much as the dolls, with collectors Karen Colley and Bonita spending hours setting up scenes, dressing dolls and the houses.
The original boxes are stacked underneath, with the differences in design, aspiration and style clear throughout the decades.
Sindy was keen on horses too, with the country house having a space to keep her horse and cart underneath.
The houses are detailed, with chicken dinners, phones and pets.
Always a busy person, other sets include a television studio, hairdressers and camping.
"She was not beholden to Paul in any way I don't think - she was doing her own thing," said Ms Barnett from the museum.
The manufacturer - Pedigree, based in Exeter - has produced a diamond anniversary doll, with a glittery silver dress and heels. She is being sent out to collectors now, but for those still waiting, the museum was sent one early for the exhibition.
Melissa Barnett explained how successful the exhibition has been: "It's lovely to have a happy exhibition that people can relate to.
"It is one of our most successful exhibitions - over Easter, there were around 150 people a day so for two weeks - that was quite a lot for a small museum."
The nostalgia has been a real draw, with the museum visitor book full of comments, even from someone from Seattle, USA.
"There's people reminiscing - to the point of being quite emotional. Remembering happy times.
"I think the adults have enjoyed it more than the children. It's remembering your past in a good way," Ms Barnett.
Plenty of people have been taking the opportunity for a picture in the giant Sindy selfie box too.
So - Sindy or Barbie? Tough choice.
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2024-05-04T06:30:05Z dg43tfdfdgfd