Dawn Dolls were a popular line of small-scale fashion dolls produced by the American company Topper Toys between 1970 and 1973. The dolls quickly became a phenomenon in the United States and internationally, known for their glamorous outfits, detailed hairstyles, and trend-conscious style, all in a nimble format of about 15 cm (6 inches) in height, making them easier to collect and play with than the larger Barbie dolls.
The original main character was Dawn, a beautiful dark-haired model with a classy look, and she was soon followed by a bunch of friends with names like Angie, Glori, Dale, Jessica and many more. The series was based on the theme of fashion and the world of modeling, and the dolls were often displayed on small catwalks in accessories such as 'Dawn's Fashion Show Stage'.
The dolls were made of plastic, with movable arms and legs, hair of different colors and hairstyles that could be styled. The clothes were colorful and inspired by 1970s trends, with glitter, miniskirts, boots and accessories being common features.
Although production was discontinued after just a few years, Dawn Dolls have become cult collectibles. Well-preserved examples with original clothing, packaging or accessories can be highly sought after on the collectors' market today.
After Topper Toys went bankrupt in 1973, several similar dolls inspired by Dawn have been launched by other manufacturers, but the Topper originals remain the most sought after and loved.