Every Kenner collector knows that Yatabazah is “The King of Kenner hair repair”. That is why I thought it was a good time for an interview and spreading the word as soon as I heard that he was back to business. I am very honored and pleased to welcome him on my blog today!
Hi Yatabazah! Can you introduce yourself?
I’m Yatabazah, I live in Athens, Greece and when I’m not making your Kenner’s hair pretty again or not making wigs for Blythe, Mdvanii and Mooqla, I act in movies and theater under my real name, Thanos Samaras.
How and when did you discover Blythe?
I found out about them in 2000, just before the craze. Like many people, I had been looking at those few Japanese blogs and websites that featured them at the time, trying to make sense of what these creatures were. I desperately wanted to reach into the screen and touch them, smell them, hold them. Today, I still get my Blythe fix from Japanese blogs. They still play, style and live with Blythe the way I love it, in a simple, playful and so innocent way.
Photo: Yatabazah. Le boudoir de Mlle Collins.
When and why did you start your collection?
I got my first Blythe, an Aztec, in 2002 after resisting a couple of years and lurking in the shadows. When I received my Aztec, who I named Bryce, I was so shocked and appalled by the size of the head, I wanted nothing to do with her. It took me a few days to start getting acquainted with her, coming to terms with the crazy scale mash up and we ended up becoming fast friends to this day. Soon after, I unexpectedly got a deal on a busted up Kenner and then, on another. They were Mullet and Mary Collins, both of whom required a great deal of work, which Tess Barton of BonBonBlythe performed, as, at the time, I hadn’t considered having a go at it myself.
Photos: Yatabazah. With Mullet (left) and Mary Collins (right).
How many Blythe dolls do you have in your own collection?
I have 3 Kenners – Mary Collins with human hair, Mullet and Terezah with original hair – 3 EBL Takaras – Bryce (Aztec), Inconnu (Mondrian), Margot (Margaret Meets Ladybug) – and the Blythe prototype. I completely miss the point of having a ton of Blythes. Each doll can be made to look like 50 others with some styling, wigs and a bit of customization, while having a blast doing it. Also, I can’t spread the love too thin. I’m romantic like that.
Photo: Yatabazah. The girls in 2006: Bryce, Mannia, Terezah, Mullet, Mary Collins, Margot Hathaway. Mannia is gone, Inconnu is missing on this pic and Mary Collins has new hair now.
Photos: Yatabazah. “This is a handmade resin prototype Blythe made by the Marvin Glass Studios where Blythe was conceived and created. She was used for promotional pictures by Kenner when Blythe was introduced to the world in 1972. You can see her on the Kenner Blythe carrier case, photos on the outfit packages and she’s among the four Blythe dolls in the legendary tv ad! www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuKj2M2IZN8
She came to be mine through an former employee of Kenner. It’s so exciting to know that she existed before any Blythe was ever produced in a factory.”
Photos: Yatabazah. Interview in Nitro Magazine.
Where and how do you store them?
They sit, stand, hang around with me all over the house. They travel with me, as I often travel for work, or even tag along when I go out at night. I don’t like propping them up in cabinets, like display dolls. They seem to be as alive and conscious of their own existence as I, so I let them roam as they wish. Mary Collins, my companion, is always with me.
Photo: Yatabazah. Mullet and Terezah are wearing Saki Yamashita (aka Cherry Merry Muffin) dresses.
Photo: Yatabazah. Travel arrangements. “My one, constant companion, Mary Collins. We’ve been together since 2002. Found in a terrible state, with her neck broken and no hair. She’s had 7 reroots with human hair and mohair. She now sports what will be her final reroot, with fine European blond human hair.”
Photo: Yatabazah. Yatabazah and Mary Collins in ΥΓ magazine.
When and how did you get your first Kenner?
I had sworn I’d only have one Blythe and devote myself to her. That lasted a whole year with my Aztec, Bryce. I hadn’t planned on getting any others, when one night Tess mentioned she got a weird deal with a whole bunch of busted up Kenners and do I want one? I hesitated but I was sold on the spot when I saw the mess the Kenner I was being offered was in. I love strays and vagabonds. I was never able to bond with perfectly mint Kenners, many of which I have owned over the years. They seemed too good for my own flawed self. So, I got that busted up Kenner, named her Mullet and she’s now family. Soon after, I bought on ebay the worst mess of a Kenner you have ever seen, who turned out to be Mary.
Photo: Yatabazah. Mullet hears voices.
Why are Kenners so special in your opinion?
Each Kenner Blythe is kind of one of a kind. For some reason, no two are truly alike. They almost carry the feel of handmade dolls, or individual people. The way they fix their gaze on you, has never been replicated, no matter how sophisticated and gorgeous Neo-Blythes may be today. Their skin material, their big or tiny flaws -even on mint ones- their matte hair, their rudimentary make up which is still more effective than the elaborate custom or Takara schemes.
Photo: Yatabazah. Mary Collins with human hair.
The only other type of Blythe that I feel carries a genuine feel of presence and charisma, are the EBLs. The worst are the SBLs who I don’t even consider to be Blythe, rather a hideously designed, offensive clone.
Photo: Yatabazah. Margot Hathaway – Margaret Meets Ladybug by Mamechiyo.
What about their kind of hair?
There are quite a few different hair fibers on Kenner Blythes. I know of 3 blond ones, 2 reds, 3 browns and 2 blacks. Each behaves differently in styling and restoring. Some will resist anything having done to them [eventually they do fall victims to my OCD vengeance for hair perfection], others are obedient and pliable. It’s never dull!
Photo: Yatabazah. “Claire’s had skin resurfacing, eye ball whitening, her scalp sewn up [torn] plugs added to complete her thatched part, new lips, blush and many YataFix Hair Repair sessions, as her hair is the hardest to repair [coarse and thick].”
Why did you start to restore Kenner’s hair and how did you learn how to do it?
I am a hair nut. So naturally my Kenners had to have amazing, pristine hair. Through trial and error I came up with a technique to eliminate frizz, which I call YataFix. Now, anyone can send their dolls to me, to have it done and with proper maintenance, they can enjoy a refreshed version of their beloved dolls. Good hair makes a huge difference in the overall look of a doll. That’s what prompted me to create my line of luscious mohair wigs for Blythe dolls, which after a whole year of preparation, will be available shortly.
Photos: Yatabazah. YataFix Hair Repair and Luxury wigs services.
What is the worst condition in which you received a Kenner, and what did you do to help her?
I think the worst nightmare of a case I worked on, was one with a split scalp. I had to sew the shreds back up, like a puzzle, trying to match up split plug holes and re-create everything out of a chaotic mess, of scalp remains and loose hair. Never again!
Photos: Yatabazah. Mai – “This little ger had YataFix Hair Repair, 45 plugs re-filled with her own hair, part re-thatched, dermabrasion, new lips and blush and her plugs secured under the scalp to minimize future shedding. Her hair had already been treated with heat by a previous restorer to reduce the frizz and the ends were burned and britle.”
How do you like to work?
I need to take my time when I work on the dolls and if I don’t feel inspired, I don’t go near them. I want to offer my clients the very best I can do, while not allowing this to become a job and fall out of love for them. That’s why I take long breaks from accepting restorations commissions; when I feel it becoming a chore, I leave it alone for a while. I can’t risk tainting my lust for Blythe.
Photos: Yatabazah. Cotton Mouth – “She’s had YataFix Hair Repair, scalp repairs, re-thatching of the part, along with eyeball whitening, new lips, blush, face dermabrasion.”
What is your work rhythm?
Like I said, I wait until I feel inspired and then I jump in. Then, I will go for hours without water, food or pee breaks, until I’m finished.
Photos: Yatabazah. “Rubles has had face dermabrasion, new lips, new blush, part re-thatched and YataFix Hair Repair.”
Photos: Yatabazah. Keira Veirs has had new lips, blush, eyes de-yellowed, face dermabrasion, new pelvis and legs, YataFix Hair Repair.
How does your studio look like?
I just moved to a gorgeous new apartment, so although my studio is bigger and better than before, it’s still not fully formed. I’m letting it dictate to me what I need to do to it. I’m thinking of having dark brown walls.
Photo: Yatabazah. Dusting the dolly wall!
What do you like the most in collecting Kenners?
I don’t really “collect” Kenners. I play a hell of a lot with the 3 I have. Collecting means large numbers and I’m probably not getting another Blythe, Kenner or otherwise. Must be the same with kids, you can’t just go on churning out babies like it’s nothing. At some point, you feel your family complete and I think I’m at that point. Of course, you never know. For example, I don’t own a Kenner with mohair hair.
Photo: Yatabazah. Mary Collins, Box and Terezah.
Many thanks, Yatabazah, for sharing your love story with Blythe and telling us all about Kenner hair. On top of being so talented with Kenner’s hair, I am also amazed at your participation in the Blythe Beauty Contest in 2007 and 2008, and your “Blythe Hears Voices” headbands are simply fabulous. I am looking forward to admiring your new creations soon!
Photo: Yatabazah. Blythe Hears Voices headbands available again soon!
Photo: Atelier Matin. Blythe Hears Voices exhibition.
Video: Yatabazah. Don’t ever leave me, Wilhemina… Finalist at the Blythe Beauty Contest 2008.
Photos: Yatabazah. Private Ai-Ai, “the HeyLittleGirl.com entry Leonidas and I created, for the Blythe Beauty Contest 2007.”
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Wow, what an interesting interview with such an enthusiastic collector and expert! I really love his Mary Collins, and I love many of the the other photos throughout. Yatabazah has an innately beautiful sense of color, and he is fierce about his great love of Kenner and EBL Blythes.
I consider him to be part artist ( I have been interested in his hair offerings for ages), part performance artist, and ALL Blythe lover.
Thank you so much for a fascinating interview!
jny_jeanpretty
What a fascinating interview with an incredible talent! Thanos is quite bonkers (in a good way) – but most geniuses are ;D Wow!
Yata-Yes!
Thanks for taking such amazing care with my Salome!
Fanny! I am slow at finding your blog. It is fantastic! Was Googling re-rooting as I am about to do my first. I’m going to have to hurry home from work tonight to read your entire blog to get caught up! PS- If you want to talk about miniatures or Blythe houses, I’m your girl! Gina2424 from PP.