Blythe History : 1972-2000

1972

70's - 90's

Blythe by Kenner debuts
First retailed through Kenner in 1972, the Blythe doll had an unique charm with her ever-changing eye color - from green to pink to blue to orange. However, she did not prove to be popular with the market, and was unforunately discontinued after merely a year.


1997

Gina Garan meets Blythe Gina Garan was smitten by Blythe when she was first introduced to her by a friend who thought the two looked alike.Being a video/TV producer, Gina travels often, and started taking Blythe around on her business trips and travels around the world, shooting her wherever she could.


Dec. 1999

Gina Garan and Junko Wong meetJunko makes a presentation to PARCO to use Blythe for their Christmas Campaign. Parco is one of the most popular department store chains in Japan and a long time CWC client. PARCO loves the idea, and CWC produces a 15 second TVCF for Parco for their 2000 Christmas campaign. This TVCF is soon to become legendary in the history of Blythe.

Jan. 2000


Blythe's first photo book "this is Blythe" publishedGina Garan's photos of Blythe over the years come together as one book.It is first published by Chronicle Books, and then also by PIE Books in Japan.

Dec. 2000

PARCO Holiday TVCF campaign airs!Blythe debuts in Japan as a model, produced by CWC!Blythe first appears in PARCO's Christmas TV commercial campaign. As soon as it aired, PARCO was swamped with inquiries asking what the doll was all about. Years later, people are still talking about that spot. Blythe continues to appear in the media through spring and summer of 2001 as PARCO's image model.