She is straight out of the Harlem Renaissance
Put your hands together for the next American Girl historical doll, Claudie Wells! The newest gal on the street hails from New York City’s Harlem during an “influential movement of African American artistic expression in U.S. History,” the Harlem Renaissance.
American Girl designers paid special attention to an array of 1920s historical photos, catalogues, publications, and The Brownies’ Book (a magazine published by W.E.B. Du Bois specifically for Black children) to bring Claudie to life. She has shoulder-length hair, a hair bow, brown eyes, an all-new face mold, and is dressed in a blue-and-white plaid dress with knit cardigan.
But what’s a girl without her accessories? Claudie also comes with a heart-shaped necklace, a paperback “Meet Claudie” book, cloche hat, journal, Baby Ruth candy bar, with plenty of extra sets available for purchase. Her collection includes a 1920s bakery that comes with more than 60 pieces; a doll-sized kick scooter; and plush dog, Dizzy Dot.
Claudie also has extra outfits for special nights out. American Girl is continuing its collaboration with Harlem’s Fashion Row and designer Samantha Black to come up with three special-edition outfits that are the epitome of 1920s glamour.
While every new American Girl doll is special, Claudie is here because of a very special tweet. Back in 2020, New York Times best-selling author and childhood American Girl fan Brit Bennett shared her desire to write an original story, and the brand was only too happy to oblige.
“We loved the idea and felt it was the perfect time to celebrate how—after more than 35 years—American Girl has made such a positive impact on the lives of so many. The timing is even more powerful given this incredible resurgence of nostalgic love we’re experiencing from our fans of all ages. We’re thrilled to introduce Claudie and her vibrant life in 1920s Harlem to a whole new generation, and we’re honored to welcome Ms. Bennett to our rank of esteemed authors who inspire our readers every day and help us further our commitment to inclusive storytelling,” says Jamie Cygielman, general manager of American Girl.
Give us a black American Girl doll set in the 90s and please let me write it 🤓
— Brit Bennett (@britrbennett) September 15, 2020
Bennett’s story is about nine-year-old Claudie growing up in Harlem, where she is surrounded by amazing singers, musicians, and writers. On a journey to find her own talents, Claudie learns about her family history and why Harlem is so special and a home to Black people.
Following in Claudie’s footsteps and to encourage creative thinkers, American Girl is also supporting the Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) by donating a combined $100,000 in cash and Claudie dolls and books. The funding will be directed toward the school’s pre-professional scholarship program that assists students in the arts, HSA Prep. Customers can also donate directly to HSA by at American Girl stores and at americangirl.com now through December 31, 2022.
Claudie Wells and the entire collection is available now at americangirl.com and at all U.S. American Girl retail locations.
