Fleur Dolls - F G

catalogue # 385 - 1005, year 1984

body: non-ballerina (no bending elbows or ankles), legs move to front and back (not side)

hair: blonde, red, brown, brunette, side part

shoes: dark blue sandals

Famous Fashion Fleur doll must have been sold in large quantities, because her outfit is still easy to find in great condition (it's also good quality!). The outfit has 5 parts in total - hat, scarf, sweater and legwarmers (all made from the same material), plus pink tights (same tights as Jazzballet Fleur, by the way).

The doll herself is easy to identify - there were only 2 Fleur dolls with side-part hair, and this is one of them (the other was In Concert Fleur).

The box is unusual because Fleur is sitting, not standing. The accessories are beautiful - two soft skeins of knitting yarn, a pair of red knitting needles, and a Mini Knippie booklet. Inside the booklet are many lovely things - like instructions how to style Fleur hair; how to knit a bag, hat and skirt, and how to exercise.

The yellow photo on the bottom left is taken from The Vintage Toy Advertiser website (an excellent online reference for vintage toy ads).

catalogue # 385 - 1000, year 1978

body: 1970s body with long legs, tiny waist and small hands

hair: blonde, strawberry blonde, brunette, centre part

shoes: black knee boots (one of a kind)

The story of Fleur starts with this doll - she is Fleur #1. Year of birth: 1978. Outfit: a very simple white or brown shirt with a touch of lace; pinafore dress in many patterns and colour variations; a matching headscarf. and black boots worn only by this doll (as far as I know). Also included in the box: a plastic stand with Fleur logo.

You can already see in the pictures below the many variations of this Fleur's outfit. There are many more photos (including the boots) in a topic dedicated to this Fleur on my blog.

This Fleur is also known as 'Basic Fleur' by many collectors. In the catalogues from her era, she is simply called Fleur. 

catalogue # 385 - 1094, year 1982

body: ballerina (bending elbows and ankles), tan

hair: sandy blonde, red, brunette, centre part

shoes: white flip flops

You will never have a problem identifying this Fleur doll - she's the only one with a beautiful deep tan, which she obviously got in Florida! Another unusual feature - she has a hair colour I haven't seen on other Fleur dolls, I say it's a 'sandy blonde' but it could be more like red faded in the sun? It fits the beach vibe perfectly.

If you have this doll without a box, it's possible - with a little patience - to buy her outfit and all accessories separately. See middle photo for everything Florida Fleur needs. Her terrycloth swimsuit, bathrobe and towel look pink in the promo photo (top left), but in real life the colour is more pink-lavender. 

I wrote much more about her (with more pictures) in a dedicated post on my Fleur blog, so jump over there if you'd like even more info.

catalogue # 385 - 1060, year 1980

body: 1970s body with long legs, tiny waist and small hands

hair: blonde, strawberry blonde, brunette, centre part

shoes: black flat shoes with a bow

Flower Fleur must be one of the last dolls with the 1970s body and face, because soon after Fleur had a redesign to become the popular 1980s version we all know best. I estimate her year as 1982 or 1983, because she is the cover star of the Fleur book 'Een meisje als jij', which was published in 1983. You will see this book on the future page about Fleur books and catalogues.

Flower Fleur is well worth buying, because she's a real beauty. Her outfit is still easy to find today in good condition - a shirt printed with colourful leaves and flowers, and a blue dress with a white one-pocket apron. The apron is part of the dress - it cannot be removed. On her head, Fleur wears a matching blue headband. Her accessory is a straw basket, holding four bunches of colourful plastic flowers. 

catalogue # 385 - 1023, year 1986

body: non-ballerina (no bending elbows or ankles), legs move to front and back (not side)

hair: blonde, red, brunette, centre part, side ponytail tied with gold string

shoes: white kitten heels with small flower

It's a quintessential 80s look for this Fleur going to a grand gala! She wears a fitted one-shoulder pink gown with a dramatic frill at bottom, big bow with pearl at the top, and a sliver bag. Interestingly, if you look closely, the outfit in the promo photo (top left) doesn't exactly match the outfit on the doll. Still, this Fleur is definitely one of the best dressed dolls in the entire line.

This Fleur comes with an EXTRA FOR YOU! It's a beautiful necklace made of plastic chips in six colours, and a plastic bow (with a pin at the back). The bow colour could be green, blue, purple or pink.