Family-run business Bibinee Dolls is a new early years toy brand offering soft plush diversity dolls. Based in the UK and serving suppliers and customers internationally, Bibinee Dolls aims to empower children to learn, grow, play and love through representation and inclusion.
The brand was born at the start of 2023 out of the frustration of not being able to easily source black and brown dolls for newborns. Plush soft dolls have a projected revenue of £1.25 billion in the UK alone. However, less than one per cent of this figure is dedicated to the sale of diverse plush dolls.
Online searches come up with few options available to parents and those wanting to gift children between the ages of 0-5 with dolls that represent them or the world around them. Bibinee Dolls is on a mission to change this.
The name Bibinee, which in the Ghanaian language, Twi, is slang for black (bibinii), is a nod to the heritage of the brand’s founders. As are the kente and ankara print clothing found on some of the dolls in the collection. These considerate touches seek to further show cultural pride and reinforce a child’s sense of belonging and curiosity.
The range consists of playful girl and boy dolls, with beautiful black and brown skin tones.
The collection also includes a hijab wearing doll and a gender-neutral rainbow baby. The boy dolls are for boys as well as girls to further break societal stereotypes and encourage young boys to play with dolls that look like them or someone in their world. And for the child that loves packing their own bag for nursery, there are playful bundle sets made up of a detachable doll and the softest, adjustable rucksack.
Founder Stephanie Mensah believes that “showing love and appreciation for black and brown skin, hair, features and culture, will help to build confidence, a sense of identity, and self-love in our young owners. It will also normalise acceptance of all races from early years and hopefully beyond, helping to eradicate colourism.”
Bibinee Dolls are non-toxic and made of the highest quality with no detachable parts, so no choking hazards. They are also CE and UKCA certified and machine washable. For wholesale enquiries, please contact bibineedolls@gmail.com. Click here to visit the brand’s website.
