MIDDLETON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Girl, the beloved brand known for helping girls grow up with confidence and character, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel® (NASDAQ: MAT), today announced it has again teamed up with Swarovski® crystals to create three stunning one-of-a-kind collector dolls just in time for the holidays. The gorgeous gowns and complementary accessories took Swarovski couturiers over 330 hours to design and hand embellish more than 5,000 Swarovski crystals and crystal beads in 24 colors. The American Girl Collector dolls will be auctioned off starting today through November 25, 2020, at Americangirl.com/auction. Receiving 100% of the auction net proceeds is First Responders Children’s Foundation Toy Express program, designed to spread joy to children of first responders across America during the 2020 holiday season. The bidding for each American Girl Collector doll starts at $5,000.
In addition, Mattel and American Girl are donating more than $1,000,000 in retail value of toys to the foundation’s Toy Express program, including American Girl’s renowned 18” dolls and other popular Mattel products from Hot Wheels®, Barbie® and Mega Bloks®. The toys will be distributed to thousands of first responder families nationwide through the end of the year.
“As the holidays approach, we know it’s more important than ever to show our gratitude to our country’s dedicated First Responders who have contributed and sacrificed so much to help our friends, families, and communities this year,” said Jamie Cygielman, General Manager of American Girl. “We’re pleased to donate the proceeds of these three exquisite one-of-a-kind 2020 collector dolls, plus thousands of Mattel toys, to First Responders Children’s Foundation to say thank you to these hard-working frontline heroes and bring some much-needed holiday sparkle to their children and families.”
“Thank you, Mattel and American Girl for the generous donation of thousands of toys to The First Responders Children's Foundation Toy Express. And for selecting First Responders Children's Foundation (FRCF) as the beneficiary charity of proceeds from the auction of the exclusive American Girl Collector dolls. Because of this partnership, First Responders Children's Foundation Toy Express will bring joy to children across the nation during this holiday season,” said Jillian Crane, President of First Responders Children's Foundation. “First Responders Children's Foundation Toy Express will be gifting toys to children of first responders who are on the frontlines of COVID-19. We will also be delivering toys to first responder agencies and hospitals to share with children in their communities. FRCF supports nurses, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics, medical personnel, and 911 dispatchers who risk their health every day in selfless service to their local communities across the country.”
One of the three American Girl Collector dolls will be on display at the company’s flagship retail stores in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles through December 10, 2020. The highest bidder will then receive their one-of-a-kind doll in a special display case via white glove delivery. The three collector dolls feature the following details:
2020 American Girl Sweet as a Rose Collector Doll
This stunning brunette doll is decked out in a petal pink ballet-style ballgown blooming with delicate organza rosettes. Each flower is individually adorned with Swarovski crystals, and the intricately beaded bodice and satin overskirt shimmer with more than 1,000 crystals and beads, making the doll sparkle no matter which way it spins. This exclusive outfit was completely hand-embellished by Swarovski couturiers; and includes a one-of-a-kind, crystal-encrusted tiara plus sparkling bracelets and earrings. The Sweet as a Rose doll is on display at American Girl Place-Chicago on Michigan Avenue.
2020 American Girl Boho Chic Collector Doll
With long honey-colored curls and an empire-waist gown, this elegant doll sparkles with modern bohemian flair. The ice-blue bell-sleeved dress has 2,200 hand-appliquéd Swarovski crystals and crystal beads, creating the dress’s spectacularly sparkly wavelike design. The sheer organza overlay is adorned with a web of metallic blue fibers for extra shimmer. The look also includes a beautiful matching tiara and earrings. The Boho Chic doll is on display at American Girl Place-Los Angeles at The Grove retail and entertainment complex.
2020 American Girl Fuchsia Feathers Collector Doll
This glamorous one-of-a-kind ballgown and accessories feature lavish layers of fuchsia, pink, and pewter feathers on the full skirt, creating an ombre effect that beautifully sets off the doll’s long black hair. The fuchsia satin bodice is embellished with 1,400 colorful Swarovski crystals and crystal beads. Strands of sparkling crystals and beads adorn the matching tiara and earrings, as well as peek out from the feathered skirt, so the doll glitters from head to toe. The Fuchsia Feathers doll is on display at American Girl Place-New York at 75 Rockefeller Plaza.
Eric Russack, Managing Director of Swarovski North America stated, “We’re thrilled to once again partner with American Girl to create this year’s bespoke collectible dolls and adding the Swarovski sparkle to their exclusive 2020 American Girl Holiday Collector Dolls. Our goal this holiday season is to make imaginations sparkle and who better to do that with than American Girl! And this year, we’re extremely proud to support First Responders Children’s Foundation and their work to support the children of our dedicated frontline heroes.”
To place your bid for the one-of-a-kind 2020 American Girl Collector dolls, visit Americangirl.com/auction. All of American Girl’s holiday products are available now at AmericanGirl.com and at American Girl stores nationwide.
ABOUT AMERICAN GIRL
American Girl is a premium brand for girls and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT, www.mattel.com), a leading global children's entertainment company that specializes in the design and production of quality toys and consumer products. Headquartered in Middleton, WI, American Girl offers an inspiring world of dolls, content, and experiences that nourish a girl’s spirit and help develop her strength of character. Best-selling lines include Truly Me™, Girl of the Year™, Bitty Baby®, WellieWishers™, and American Girl’s classic historical characters. The company sells products through its award-winning catalogue, on americangirl.com, in its proprietary U.S. experiential retail stores, as well as at specialty retailers nationwide. By inspiring girls to be their best, American Girl has earned the loyalty of millions and the praise and trust of parents and educators. Connect with American Girl on:
Facebook: @americangirl
Twitter: @American_Girl
Instagram: @americangirlbrand
Pinterest: agofficial
YouTube: American Girl
ABOUT FIRST RESPONDERS CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
For the past 19 years, First Responders Children's Foundation has been providing college scholarships to children of first responders who have lost a parent in the line of duty. The Foundation also awards grants to families enduring significant financial hardship and supports programs operated by law enforcement organizations whose purpose is to benefit children or the community in which they live. As COVID-19 continues to infect communities across the nation, the need for grants within the first responder community continues to grow, and the Foundation has set a fundraising goal of $200 million to meet the projected needs of first responders. In response to the growing need, the Foundation launched the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to help "Give More Grants" to first responders. More information can be found at www.1strcf.org. Follow First Responders Children's Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @1strcf.
ABOUT SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS
Swarovski has been the premium brand for the world’s finest crystals since 1895, with products using genuine crystals from Swarovski identifiable by a specially created seal. With more than a hundred years’ experience of high-quality craftsmanship and mastery in cutting, Swarovski produces light-filled crystals of breathtaking range and brilliance. Sought by designers, creators, and innovators throughout the world of design, these exquisite, on-trend elements exert a sparkling allure, evoking deeply-felt individual responses in all whose lives they touch.
Instagram: @swarovskiforprofessionals
Facebook: @swarovski
YouTube: @swarovski
MAT-AG