Melanin popping

The Lolo doll flaunts her breathtaking African attire in head wraps and jumpsuits, and the response has been overwhelming.
JUSTISIA SHIPENA
Elizabeth Joseph



After recognising the need for her daughter and other little girls to have a doll that represents their skin colour and beautiful natural hair, Laimi Elago, in partnership with Afrolicious, decided to make this dream a reality.

Elago is a jack of all trades and decided that she might as well venture into this project, because she understood that her four-year-old daughter needed a doll whose hair is similar to hers and whose skin colour she could relate to.

Although Lolo is not manufactured locally, she is very much a Namibian. She flaunts her breathtaking African attire in head wraps and jumpsuits. Her curly hair is “self-synthetic”, which gives it a soft texture.

Elago says that the name came from her partner, who chooses to remain anonymous.

Although Lolo is what the first range of dolls are called, you can give your individual doll any name you so wish.

Lolo is manufactured in China and then sold over Facebook. “We sell by word-of-mouth and on social media platforms for now. The response from the public has been extremely overwhelming and we are already thinking about the second range,” Elago said.

Afrolicious is an Afrocentric, vibrant and local brand, which manufactures everything from hair creams to hair growth serums. They approached Elago with the idea to manufacture and distribute the Lolo doll. This will give especially black women and girls the confidence they need to embrace their gracious curls.

Elago says Lolo’s hair is very versatile and can be styled according to your mood that day.

Although they faced some adversity, they remained hopeful and pursued their goal to see young black women feel proud of their darker skin.

They dream of filling the shelves of retailers with Lolo dolls and say they are excited to see the results.

“We all understand how important the concept of representation is and seeing young black women and girls trying to find a doll that looks like them can be challenging. We wanted something that our children can identify and play with, “she said.

The future is very bright for Lolo. Elago and her partner says they are yet to start with the full marketing and the process towards the second range.

It is crucial to teach our children to be proud of their whole being and to flaunt it, and the Lolo doll is the perfect way to start.

For orders you can send a message to +264 81 399 7418 or follow @Afrilicioushairproducts on Instagram.

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