Groovy Girls

Talli, a character from the Groovy Girls line of fashion dolls

Groovy Girls is 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. The line was revived in 2026.

History

Groovy Girls launched in 1998 as a wholesome, funky alternative to Barbie, Bratz and My Scene; each stuffed 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. 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. As of 2023, Groovy Girls continue to be sold secondhand, but no new models are being produced. Manhattan Toy was sold to Crown Crafts in March 2023 and since then the teams, staff, and products have been joined into Crown Crafts for the sale of $17 million.

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

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

Main 6:

2005

2006

Main 6 Updated:

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2026


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' Adelaene (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

  1. The First Pajama Party: Slumberiffic Six
  2. Pranks a Lot: The Girls vs. The Boys
  3. Sleepover Surprise: A Twin-Sational Birthday
  4. Rock and Roll: Divas Supreme
  5. Choose or Lose: How to Pick a Winner
  6. The Great Outdoors: Take a Hike
  7. Growing up Groovy: An Out-of-this-World Adventure
  8. 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. That year, Manhattan Toy also partnered with the Girl Scouts to develop a line extension of dolls called Troop Groovy Girls. An online community called Camp Groovy Girls launched in September, soon after the dolls became available in stores. 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. Groovy Girls had previously won "Girl Toy of the Year" and "Specialty Toy of the Year" awards at the 2003 Toy Fair.

References

  1. ↑ Features, Bianca Rodriguez published in (2020-11-13). "40 Things From the '00s That Could Make You Some Serious Cash". Marie Claire Magazine. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  2. ↑ "Explore the NEW Era of Groovy Girls®!". Manhattan Toy. 2026-04-13. Retrieved 2026-11-07.
  3. ↑ Tribune, John Ewoldt Star. "Minneapolis toy company no longer feeling Groovy as 'iconic' dolls discontinued". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  4. ↑ "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.
  5. ↑ BOONE, TIMOTHY (2023-03-20). "Crown Crafts buys Manhattan Toy for $17 million". The Advocate. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  6. ↑ "Toy Firms Hope for Burger Bonanza". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. 2007-03-12. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
  7. 1 2 Hurn, Mary Elizabeth (2008-01-28). "Manhattan Toy/Girl Scout Partnership; ExpoTV; Auto Insurance Specialists". DMNews (Haymarket Group). Retrieved 2009-11-19.
  8. ↑ "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.
  9. ↑ De Mesa, Alicia (2005-10-12). "Marketing and Tweens". BusinessWeek. Archived from the original on November 3, 2005. Retrieved 2009-11-19.