When Wendy Tsao came across Sonja Singh’s Tree Change Dolls™, the Australian mum who took sexualised Bratz Dolls and turned them into normal looking little girl dolls, she decided to give it a go.

Tsao also transform these heavily made up dolls into new dolls for little girls. Her point of difference though is that she makes real life characters. Women that are making a difference in the world. Women that little girls can aspire to be and draw inspiration from. Dolls that will make them see that successful women don’t need to be wearing heavy eye make up, wearing skimpy clothes and have long flowing hair.

Through my work in Child’s Own Studio, I am familiar with the notion that toys can become a source of comfort, pride and meaning for a child (and even adults). The dolls we find in toy stores today are often licenced Disney™ characters or the heroines of Hollywood blockbuster movies that capitalize on the pull of fantasy, fictional characters to young consumers. But there are real-life people who are heroes too, with inspiring stories of courage, intelligence, strength and uniqueness. Could children learn about and be inspired by them through toys?
In this project, I repainted and reclothed the manufactured dolls into the likeness of real, inspiring women – as young girls. As a parent, I’d love for my child to play with a young J.K. Rowling or Malala and have conversations about them. – Wendy Tsao

Check out the amazing transformations below. Which woman would you like to see made into a doll?