The Not-So-Sweet Truth About Cabbage Patch Kids
If you ever owned a Cabbage Patch Kids doll (and if you were alive in the '80s, you almost certainly did), you might remember the signature scrawled on each doll's tush. The name was Xavier Roberts, the man heralded for creating the iconic plush babies, with their distinctive friendly faces and pillowy bodies.
Unfortunately, there's a dirty secret behind Roberts' gangbusters idea, reports Vice in a new mini documentary on the history of the dolls: Roberts didn't come up with it. He copied the concept (eventually making him millions) from American folk artist Martha Nelson Thomas.
In art school in the '70s, Thomas experimented with soft sculpture, and was "flat-out reinventing the doll," her friend photographer Guy Mendes told Vice. She called them Doll Babies, and sold her handmade styles at craft fairs, where people could "adopt" the one-of-a-kind creatures.
Sound familiar? Roberts, who at one time bought Doll Babies from Thomas for his gift shop, marketed his Cabbage Patch Kids with a similar angle. You didn't simply buy them; you adopted them as your own. They even came with a special certificate
THE STORY OF: The Cabbage Patch Kids Dolls
Part of an ongoing series of 29Secrets stories, taking a deep dive into the history of legendary beauty products and iconic fashion and pop culture moments&#;
By Christopher Turner
Illustration by Michael Hak
If you were a kid in the s, you probably, at some point, had a Cabbage Patch Kids doll. The soft-bodied baby-like dolls, each of which came with its own “adoption certificate,” were a worldwide phenomenon that reportedly generated about $2 billion in sales throughout the decade, while garnering endless media attention and controversy, and causing a series of violent customer outbursts and riots in numerous retail stores across North America in the fall and winter of
If you turn over the doll and look on the left bum cheek, you’ll find Xavier Roberts’ signature. Xavier Roberts was born in Cleveland, Georgia, in October ; he is best known as the father of the Cabbage Patch Kids and the creator of a toy phenomenon that had never been seen before. However (spoiler), Roberts didn’t actually invent the dolls&#;although he took credit for them until an ugly lawsuit began at the height of the dolls’ popularity. But you might not
Xavier Roberts dating history
Xavier Roberts American Business
Who is he dating right now?
According to our records, is possibly single.
Relationships
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About
is a 69 year old American Business Professional. Born on 31st October, in Cleveland, Georgia, he is famous for The Cabbage Patch Kids. His zodiac sign is Scorpio.
Details
| First Name | Xavier |
| Last Name | Roberts |
| Birthday | 31st October, |
| Birthplace | Cleveland, Georgia |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation Text | Entrepreneur, inventor |
| Occupation | Business |
| Claim to Fame | The Cabbage Patch Kids |
Xavier Roberts (born October 31, in Cleveland, Georgia) is best known for Cabbage Patch Kid dolls, once immensely popular soft sculpted dolls based upon a design originally created by Martha Nelson Thomas.
Where is Cabbage Patch Kids&#; Founder Xavier Roberts Now?
The Cabbage Patch Kids are one of the most memorable toys of all time, and its impact on children&#;s play has been profound. The documentary &#;Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids,&#; which is executive produced and narrated by Neil Patrick Harris, brings the history of these cherished dolls to life. This full-length documentary, directed by Andrew Jenks, explores the amazing story of the Cabbage Patch Kids, examining the disagreements regarding their origin and the brilliant marketing strategy that made them incredibly popular.
The movie takes us on an exciting journey through the highs and lows as well as the lasting impact of the Cabbage Patch Kids. All the details around the Cabbage Patch Kids boom are revealed, including the novel marketing approach that involved a &#;hospital&#; in a small hamlet and the corporate transaction that caused chaos in the retail industry. As we set off on this nostalgic adventure, tvacute will delve into the life of Xavier Roberts, the main man responsible for creating the dolls, and discover the complex web of events that came together to creat
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