The Iconic Dollcast

This week I’m joined by Frank (@fashionqueerhistorian) — doll collector, published author, fashion historian, and PhD researcher whose work explores queer fashion doll collectors and the relationship between dolls, identity, gender, and fashion.

We talk about Frank’s own history with dolls, why doll play has traditionally been so heavily gendered, and why boys playing with Barbie has historically been viewed so differently from girls playing with action figures. Frank also takes us inside his academic research and explains how something as seemingly simple as playing with and collecting dolls can tell us so much about gender, queerness, culture, and self-expression.

Then, of course, we get into BARBIE AND FASHION! We discuss Barbie’s relationship with the fashion industry, queer designers and fashion houses, some of Barbie’s greatest — and not-so-great — fashion moments, where Barbie fashion stands today, and Mattel’s complicated history when it comes to explicitly LGBTQ+ Barbie and Ken dolls. 
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For weekly bonus episodes, early access to main episodes and more!

This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Summer (@dontouchmytoys), a toy and doll collector and the creator behind the fantastic Don’t Touch My Toys Instagram and YouTube accounts!

Summer and I dive into her journey as a collector, the wide variety of dolls and toys in her collection, and some of the most memorable pieces she’s found along the way. We also talk about the thrill of thrifting, her methods for finding hidden gems, underrated pieces in our collections, and those dream items that are still on the wish list.

We also get into the realities of sharing a hobby online—from navigating a large social media following to balancing collecting and content creation with a full-time job. Plus, we discuss the sometimes shady side of the collector community, why the word “influencer” gets thrown around a little too easily, and the pressures that can come with turning something you love into online content.

Summer also takes us inside her doll and toy space, shares some of her favorite finds, and gives her best advice for anyone looking to start—or grow—their own collection.

It’s an honest, fun conversation about collecting, thrifting, social media, and simply loving your toys.
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You can SUBSCRIBE to the Patreon Channel NOW!
For weekly bonus episodes, early access to main episodes and more!

The Iconic Dollcast is back! 💖 After a much-needed summer break, I’m checking in with a quick life update, chatting about what I’ve been up to, and giving you a little preview of what’s coming this fall!

The fall season officially kicks off with the Patreon premiere on October 2nd, followed by the return of weekly main episodes of The Iconic Dollcast on October 4th! 🎙️✨ I’m sharing all the details about what you can expect from Patreon, including bonus episodes, early access and lots of new conversations beyond the usual doll talk.

You can SUBSCRIBE to the Patreon Channel NOW!

Thank you for sticking with me during the break. I’m so excited to be back! 💕

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Patreon: @Iconicdollcast

Join me for an incredible extra-long conversation with one of the toy industry’s most accomplished designers, Stefanie Eskander, whose remarkable career has spanned more than 45 years.

Beginning as a children’s illustrator before transitioning into toy design, Stefanie has worked for some of the biggest names in the business, including Mattel, Hasbro, Tonka, Fisher-Price, Play Along Toys, and Small World Toys. Her creative fingerprints can be found on some of the most beloved toys and dolls of the last four decades, including Moonglow (Rainbow Brite), Popples, Jem and the Holograms, Sweetie Pops, Maxie, MoonDreamers, Tonka Trucks, Cabbage Patch Kids, Skydancers, and so much more.

Stefanie also takes us behind the scenes of one of the most fascinating eras in toy history—working at Hasbro during the legendary Jem and the Holograms vs. Barbie and the Rockers rivalry. We discuss what it was really like designing toys at major companies, juggling multiple product lines in different stages of development, and navigating the creative and corporate challenges that come with bringing iconic toys to life.

We also dive into why toy and doll designers so rarely receive public recognition, the strict confidentiality surrounding unreleased projects, and the reality that many toys can spend months—or even years—in development before never making it to store shelves. Finally, we explore how the toy industry has evolved over the decades and what it’s really like to build a career creating the toys that shaped generations.

This is a fascinating conversation filled with incredible stories, behind-the-scenes history, and insights you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you’re a lifelong collector, toy enthusiast, or simply curious about how your favorite childhood toys came to life, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

This episode also marks the finale of this year’s Summer Session! Thank you so much for spending your summer with me and all of my incredible guests. The Iconic Dollcast will return this fall with an all-new lineup of episodes, interviews, and deep dives into the world of dolls, toys, and pop culture. I can’t wait to share what’s next—see you this fall!
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This week on The Iconic Dollcast, I’m joined by Dr. Erick DuPree for one of the most thoughtful conversations we’ve ever had about what doll collecting really means. We go far beyond the dolls themselves to explore identity, memory, history, and the deeply personal connections that make this hobby so meaningful.

We discuss Erick’s own journey with dolls growing up, why doll collecting is so often misunderstood as an “immature” hobby, and why male collectors frequently face even greater criticism. We also challenge the common assumption that collecting is always about healing childhood trauma and explore how every collector brings something unique to the hobby.

Together, we dive into how our collections often reveal more about who we are than we realize, why doll collectors can sometimes become defensive, the unique language and culture that exists within collecting communities, and the important role dolls play in preserving history. We also discuss how doll companies can continue expanding diversity and representation, Erick’s published books on dolls and doll collecting, and so much more.

Whether you’ve been collecting for decades or have never understood why someone would, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the psychology, culture, and lasting importance of doll collecting.
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