Popi – a moving tale

Popi, the pop-apart fashion model, with three different plastic wigs, has lost none of her charm in over 50 years.

Launched in 1963 by American Character Toys, the makers of Tressy, Popi’s unique selling point was that she popped apart, so as to be easily re-dressed in a wardrobe of creative cut-out clothes.

Popi was one of the many fashion dolls made in the early 1960s with a view to capturing some of the market created by Mattel’s wildly-successful Barbie doll. Popi is about the same size as vintage Barbie and can share most of her clothes and shoes. The outfits were pre-printed on vinyl sheets, in patterns resembling top fashions. Once cut out, the shapes could be placed over the pegs that held Popi together, and draped to make instant couture. Voilà!

Watch Popi’s video here …