Dolls

From Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” to Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” narratives about cloistered women contending with a new political reality have dominated the cultural landscape. Why do these stories hit so hard?

A new documentary, “Billion Dollar Babies,” shows how a product of Appalachian folk art drew the blueprint for all holiday toy crazes to come.

From the beginning, Pleasant Rowland’s invention wasn’t just a doll but a brand.

The “Barbie” movie glides over the history of dolls as powerful cultural objects.

Mothers, daughters, and an icon’s existential crisis.

The author discusses “A French Doll,” her story from the latest issue of the magazine.

The artist’s enthralling portraits showcase figures of her own making.

How Kumiko Serizawa brought a Japanese tradition to California.

You always did love to play dolls.

Why there are no toy dolls modelled on old men, menopausal women, or angry newborns.

Despite the fact that these dolls continue to be available exclusively to those willing to go into debt to see a child smile, we hope that this counts as doing our part.

How a legal battle over intellectual property exposed a cultural battle over sex, gender roles, and the workplace.