Each American Girl doll, with its unique story, has its own face mold. The variety of these face molds is a testament to the brand’s commitment to representation and inclusivity. From the Classic Mold that started it all to the latest Corinne Mold, designed to represent Asian features more accurately, each contributes to the diversity of characters within the American Girl universe.
With such diverse face molds, the characters of American Girl become even more varied. This diversity, further enhanced by different skin tones, hair colors, and eye colors, allows for the creation of new American Girl characters.
The evolution of face molds in the American Girl collection is about more than just aesthetics; it’s a reflection of the brand’s evolving understanding of its audience and the broader cultural landscape. Each mold tells a story of recognition and respect for the diversity that defines the American experience.
Dozens of American Girl Doll Face Molds
By diversifying its face molds, American Girl sends a powerful message: every girl, regardless of her background, has a place and a story within the American Girl universe.
So, here are dozens of American Girl Doll Face Molds:
1. The Classic Mold
Introduced in 1986, the Classic Mold marked the inception of what would become a defining feature of American Girl dolls. Crafted for the original trio—Samantha, Kirsten, and Molly. Its slightly asymmetrical design mirrored the natural imperfections of human faces, adding a layer of authenticity.
2. Addy Mold
The introduction of the Addy Mold in 1993 was a significant milestone, offering a more accurate representation of African American features and enriching the brand’s storytelling potential.
Addy, a character who tells the story of a courageous girl escaping slavery, was the first African-American doll, and her face mold was specifically designed to reflect African-American features accurately. This mold set a precedent for the creation of more dolls representing girls of African descent, allowing children to see their heritage honored and reflected in their play.
3. Asian Mold
The Asian Mold, or Just Like You or now known Truly Me #4 mold, marked a significant effort to diversify the American Girl collection further by introducing a doll with distinctly Asian features in 1995.
This mold was exclusive to Truly Me #4, a doll sought after by collectors, especially after its retirement. The introduction of this mold was a commendable nod towards Asian heritage, acknowledging the need for Asian-American children to have dolls that resemble them and celebrate their ancestry.
See also: 14 Best Truly Me Dolls: Choose Your Favourite!
4. Josefina Mold
With the introduction of Josefina Montoya in 1997, the Josefina Mold brought the beauty of Mexican heritage to the American Girl collection. Josefina’s stories, set in New Mexico in 1824, opened a narrative rich with Mexican traditions and history. This mold, with its distinct features, brought Hispanic heritage into the American Girl family, offering Hispanic children a doll that resembled them and shared a similar cultural background.
5. Kaya Mold
Kaya Mold, introduced in 2002 for Kaya, a member of the Nez Perce tribe, was a groundbreaking addition that paid homage to Native American culture. Unique among the molds for its closed-mouth expression—reflecting the cultural value of not showing teeth. Kaya’s stories and her mold provide a vital opportunity for children to learn about and respect the rich histories and cultures of Native American.
6. Jess and Modified Jess Molds
The Jess Mold, introduced with Jess McConnell, the Girl of the Year in 2006, was a landmark moment for American Girl. It was specifically designed to represent girls of mixed Asian heritage. The Modified Jess Mold, used later for other dolls.
7. Sonali Mold
Originally designed for Sonali Matthews, a friend of the Girl of the Year Chrissa Maxwell in 2009, this mold was significant for its broader representation of African-American and Indian features. The Sonali Mold broke new ground by blending characteristics that could resonate with multiple ethnicities.
8. Marie-Grace Mold
The Marie-Grace Mold, introduced for Marie-Grace Gardner, a character from 1850s New Orleans, showcased unique facial features not seen in previous dolls. This mold was distinguished by its softer jawline and slightly parted lips, offering a new dimension of diversity to the American Girl collection.
9. Nanea Mold
With the Nanea Mold, introduced for Nanea Mitchell, a character from 1940s Hawaii, American Girl took another step forward in cultural representation by highlighting Native Hawaiian features. This mold was particularly important for its role in educating children about the history and culture of Hawaii, offering insights into the life of a girl living in Honolulu during World War II.
10. Joss Mold
Joss Mold broke new ground by introducing Joss Kendrick, the first American Girl doll with a disability. Joss is a surfer and cheerleader who also happens to be deaf in one ear, and she comes with a hearing aid. This mold was designed not only to represent children with hearing impairments but also to educate and raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities.
11. Makena Mold
Makena Mold represents a significant stride in the representation of African-American beauty and diversity. Introduced with a character who embodies confidence, creativity, and a strong sense of self, the Makena Mold showcases features that are distinct and celebrate the beauty of African-American girls.
12. Corinne Mold
With the introduction of the Corinne Mold, American Girl diversifies its representation of Asian features, highlighting the diversity within the Asian community itself. Corinne Tan, a doll with Chinese heritage, brings to life the nuanced diversity of Asian-American experiences.
The Corinne Mold, featuring distinct facial features not previously seen in the American Girl lineup, acknowledges the wide range of appearances within the Asian community.
13. WellieWishers Molds
The WellieWishers were introduced as a way to bridge the gap between the Bitty Baby line, aimed at preschool-aged children, and the classic American Girl dolls, which are generally targeted at kids aged 8 and up.
WellieWishers’ smaller size, more durable construction, and the absence of fabric bodies make them particularly suitable for younger children.
The initial WellieWishers dolls were introduced with a unique face mold that set them apart from the traditional American Girl dolls. This mold features round, expressive eyes and a sweet, and smiling mouth.
The Classic WellieWisher Mold is used for all six of the original characters, giving them a unified look that emphasizes their friendship and collective identity.
See also: Discover the 6 Wellie Wisher Names: Ideal for Your Girls!
- Emerson Mold
While most of the WellieWishers share the same facial features, Emerson, with her Asian heritage, was the first to introduce a slight variation in the mold to better represent her ethnicity.
- Camille and Ashlyn Mold
Recognizing the need for further diversity, American Girl made slight adjustments to the molds of Camille and Ashlyn. These changes were not as pronounced as creating a new mold but were enough to give each doll distinct features that reflect their unique personalities and stories.
Camille, with her ocean-inspired storyline, and Ashlyn, the princess-loving character, both received nuanced features that hint at their individuality while maintaining the look of the WellieWishers group.
Each doll, with its unique face mold, skin tone, hair type, and story, we’ve seen how American Girl has continually strives to honor and celebrate the individuality of every child.
