Monster High

The idea of what's fashionable has expanded into new themes since the Barbie Doll defined girls' styles in the 1970s and 1980s. The preppy look now shares space with goth style, and the Monster High fashion dolls know how to rock that dark fantasy look. The dolls have become a hit with kids since Mattel introduced the franchise in July 2010. The toy company has expanded the line to also include Monster High clothes. The core of the franchise remains the dolls, and their lineage traces back to classic characters from monster movies, such as Dracula and the Mummy. However, Monster High dolls sport modern fashions like knee-high boots and platform shoes. The Monster High Clawdeen doll is one of the most popular in the series. Her werewolf father's genes are readily apparent in her furry appearance and pointy ears, each of which sports multiple flashy piercings. The Monster High Draculaura doll is the daughter of the infamous Count Dracula. Although she's well over a millennium in age, her teenage defiance is readily apparent in her preference for vegan fare over blood. Draculaura takes the "pretty in pink" style to a whole new level with wide magenta streaks running lengthwise in her hair, knee-high pink platform boots on her lower legs, and a tight pink vest adorning her slender frame. With slogans such as "Freaky just got fabulous," "Be yourself, be unique, be a monster," and "Where screams come true," Monster High encourages its fans to revel in their own originality. The power of the "be yourself" message and the dolls' appearances has clearly resonated with the public as many young adults continue to collect the dolls and read about the characters' exploits in Monster High novels.