Zapf Creation Launches Premier 2001 Line of Dolls At Toy Fair

Zapf Creation, creators of a variety of best-selling and award winning play, function and collector dolls, today unveiled an innovative line of dolls at The American International Toy Fair in New York City. Zapf Creation's success in Germany, Australia and all of Europe is attributed to their commitment to brand products conforming to the highest demands in quality, safety and play value.

Included in their broad and diverse 2001 product line are dolls that will initiate interactive play as they fall asleep when you rock them, entertain with their animated features and accessories, and amaze with their stunning attention to beauty, detail and fashion.

By maintaining an innovative product line, Zapf Creation has developed a market share of over 60% in Germany, and has exports from Germany which account for more than half of their business. Zapf Creation employs a large team of designers and developers who work only on new creations for both the global and specific niche markets. The process of developing a Zapf Creation doll, from the initial idea to presentation at trade fairs, is an efficient process which ensures the short innovation cycles are attuned to the various global markets in which the company competes. The company is also continually broadening its imaginative play concepts with doll families oriented to the latest fashion trends and fads in world markets.

Following are highlights of Zapf Creation's 2001 line to be unveiled at The American International Toy Fair show in New York City today.

• Since her introduction in Germany in 1991, BABY born(R) has been embraced by young girls in 43 countries, making her a spectacularly popular play concept and favorite doll all around the world. She has seven human functions and life-like attributes such as a raised belly button, wrinkles, real "baby fat" and movable joints. BABY born(R) is available with several new accessories this year, including new designs in clothing such as tights, socks, shoes, bibs, the Basics(R) clothing line, Deluxe Sets, dress collection, pajamas, bath robes, and knitted jackets. Additional product accessories such as the portable playpen with carrying case, suitcase, doctor's set, stroller, BABY born(R) Duck, and various carrying seats and bags will also be available for hours of imaginative play. BABY born(R) and her accessories are most appropriate for children ages three to eight and are available throughout the U.S. and the rest of the Americas at major retail locations such as Toys 'R' Us, Target and Wal-Mart for the suggested retail price of $49.99.



• Recently awarded The National Parenting Center's "Seal of Approval," CHOU CHOU is a true-to-life cuddly baby doll. She is movable, just like a real baby, thanks to her flexible joints and weighted body. She closes her eyes when you lie her down, and comes dressed in an adorable Zapf Creation-designed outfit. CHOU CHOU and her deluxe outfit sets and accessories such as a changing backpack, bouncy seat and strollers, are appropriate for children ages three to eight and are available throughout the U.S. and the rest of the Americas at major retail locations such as Toys 'R' Us, Target and F.A.O. Schwarz, for the suggested retail price of $29.99.



• Rock-A-Bye CHOU CHOU expands on the very popular and award-winning CHOU CHOU play concept by adding wonderful functions. She is a must see and will be a prominently featured item throughout the year. Rock-A-Bye CHOU CHOU babbles, sucks on her pacifier and bottle, and even cries. When she is tired, she will slowly go to sleep by closing her eyes and starting to make sleepy, breathing sounds. Rock-A-Bye CHOU CHOU will be available in Fall 2001 at major retail outlets for the suggested retail price of $34.99.



• A new brand, Maggie Raggies, provides an updated version of the all-time favorite fabric doll with features such as a plush body, soft hair, Velcro hands for posing, playful facial expressions and a wire skeleton for posing and standing. Maggie Raggies have special-themed animated appearances and come in 9", 12", 17" and 20" sizes. They will be available throughout 2001 at major retail outlets throughout the Americas for a range of suggested retail prices from $5.99 to $24.99.



• The new Jolly Dolly line combines the best attributes of Zapf Creation's successful products into a fun-loving series of dolls. The Jolly Dolly line comes in 6", 8", 13",14" and 24" sizes and have trendy, knotted clothing that are easy to hug, hold and grab. Be Happy Jolly Dolly, Cheeky Jolly Dolly, Jolly Dolly Kids, Easter Jolly Dolly and Mini Jolly Dolly will be available in Spring 2001 at major retail outlets for a range of suggested retail prices from $2.99 to $19.99. Maxi Jolly Dolly will be available in Fall 2001 at major retail outlets for the suggested retail price of $39.99 and Christmas Jolly Dolly will be available in winter 2001 at major retail outlets for the suggested retail price of $2.99.



• BABY softline is a breakthrough line of fabric dolls for infants and toddlers ages zero to three. The line, consisting of a Cloth Rattle doll, Dangling Rattle doll, Bathtime Rattle Puppet, Knotted Rattle doll, and Music Clowns, is part of Zapf Creation's expanded baby category. The BABY softline dolls are soft and cuddly, and are made of colorful machine-washable fabric. They are wonderful first toys for children that help develop fine motor skills and first concepts of play, and range in price from $6.99 to $19.99.



• The 2001 Colette line of dolls have a classic design that sets them distinctly apart from conventional play dolls with their high-quality realistic and attractive appearance. Each doll is handcrafted in Germany, has washable and brushable nylon hair, an expressive face and eyes, some of which that open and close. Their cuddly, loosely stuffed bodies are perfect for playful children and collecting adults of all ages, and they range in price from $70.00 to $140.00.



• The award-winning Designer Collection line is comprised of handcrafted, beautifully made collector dolls. They are designed in cooperation with celebrated artists and modelers whose great attention to detail and design have created some of the most high-quality collector dolls ever made available in North America and the rest of the world. The 2001 Designer Collection is comprised of 34 dolls, which will be released in the Americas in the Spring of 2001. The Designer Collection ranges in price from $220.00 to $730.00 and is always a must see.

Zapf Creation is a leading manufacturer of play, function and collector dolls, including two of today's top selling dolls, CHOU CHOU and BABY born(R). All Zapf Creation brands conform to the highest demands of quality, safety and play value, which form the sound basis for their global market leadership in the doll segment. Zapf Creation has major subsidiaries in the U.S., Hong Kong, Spain, the United Kingdom, France and Italy. Zapf Creation (U.S.), Inc.'s headquarters for the Americas is located in Orlando, Florida.

For information on Zapf Creation's brands, markets, strategies, philosophy, culture, innovations, history and organization, visit Zapf Creation's global web site at http://www.zapf-creation.com.

SOURCE Zapf Creation www.prnewswire.com