By Chris Varaste

Kitty Corner^™ Francie^® Doll epitomizes a teenage girl’s devotion to fashion and fun as she prepares for a fab slumber party! When you’re hosting a sleepover, success lies in the details, including a change of clothes, pizza with everyone’s fave toppings, and a late-night double feature. Luckily, eternal hipster Francie will make sure her get-together will keep you entertained all night long.

She starts by taking a cue from Slippers^™, her adorable new tuxedo kitten, and gives her party a kitty-cat theme! The fun starts at eight o'clock sharp with dancing and karaoke. Francie is always an expert at tying her fashions to a party motif—her outfit coordinates with Slippers^™’ furry grey coat!

Dressed for the occasion, our hostess greets her guests wearing a sublime sleeveless shift in powder blue, offset by striking dark chocolate and white accents. She wears white lacy knee socks and dark brown flats, along with a perfect shade of frosted pink lipstick to play up her extra-long lashes.

Kitty Corner^™ Francie^® is the first Silkstone Francie to wear her hair in the classic “no-bangs” style. The last time she swept her platinum locks off her forehead was in 1971. Over time, that rare doll earned the moniker “No-Bangs Francie” and became a collectible prize! 

Now, she’s not only sporting the no-bangs hairstyle, but comes prepared with day and evening fashions! Francie wants to get comfy so she changes into a combination lemon yellow mini-gown and maxi-robe covered in white polka dots—perfect for curling up in front of the TV. White ribbon and slippers complete the nighttime ensemble, along with a notebook and blue kitty pillow for Slippers. Cupcakes, soda and a pile of DVDs mean Francie and pals can finally settle down for late-night treats!

Collectors and fans eagerly admit this year and last were two of Francie’s finest. Designer Robert Best delivered four fantastic dolls, including totally groovy Check Please^™!, dreamy Nighty Brights^™ and glamorous Fuchsia ‘N Fur^™. Hard to pick, but if you had to, which is your absolute fave?

Chris Varaste started out at ABC-TV, producing segments for the Emmys, Tonys & Grammys. A fascination with fashion and pop culture led to his first published book, Barbie: Face of the American Dream – and an appreciation for all things Barbie! His insights on collectibles/brand success have been published in the New York Times, The Economist, and VenueToday.com, where he served as fashion/style host.