About Us The Detroit Doll Show
Detroit Doll Show EST. 2011 - Present
Sandra Epps Owner of Sandy's Land LLC established the Detroit Doll Show in 2011 and the first event took place in 2012. The mission is to celebrate history, culture, self-love and diversity with the promotion of black dolls. It's the largest doll show of its kind and it caters to girls, women and doll collectors of all ages. The event brings out the entire family. Our motto is "Love the Skin You're In!" because representation matters.
Ms. Epps, the Founder of the Detroit Doll Show has been featured in the Detroit News and Free Press, The Michigan Chronicle, RollingOut Magazine, Black America Web, Black Enterprise, B.L.A.C. Magazine, Live in the D on WDIV, Fox 2 News - "The Noon", Mix 92.3 FM with Deborah Smith Pollard just to name a few.
Detroit Doll Show
Detroit Doll Show
The Detroit Doll Show has been held at a variety of venues that include: The International Institute, Dr. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, DoubleTree by Hilton Detroit/Dearborn, Northwest Activities Center and Marygrove Conservancy. We have had up to 60 unique vendors that include: handmade doll makers (crochet vinyl, clay, fabric, and wood), doll manufactures, doll stylists, authors, black historian, doll clothes designers, professional artists, wrapping paper designer, doll furniture designers, etc. Attendees and vendors who participate travel from New York, Baltimore, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Boston, Texas, Georgia, Chicago, Tennessee, and Canada just to name a few locations.
Our program includes: Doll Look-alike Contest, LIVE Music - DJ, Doll Box (photo prop), Most Adorable Reborn Contest, Doll Making Workshops, Selfie- Stations, Legacy Award Presentation, African Head Wrap Workshops, Panel Discussions, African Drumming and Dance.
A few of our Legacy Honorees include:
*Sheri Crawley, Founder of Pretty Brown Girls, LLC
*Stacey McBride - Irby, Product Designer who worked for Mattel over 15 years.
*Dr. Khalid El-Hakim, Founder of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum.
*Professor Yla Eason, Founder of the multicultural toy company Olmec Toys and the creator of the first Black Superhero "Sun-Man.
*Robin Hickman - Winfield, CEO and Executive Producer of SoulTouch Productions and great-niece of Gordon Parks, Iconic Civil Rights/Historian photographer.
*Lil Dee, Creator of Our Brown Boy Joy. A nine year old who developed a black boy doll line.
The Black Art & Doll Show
New Venue
We have 10,000 square feet for the 2025 Black Art & Doll Show (Detroit Doll Show) at the Ford Wellness Center at 5555 Conner St., #2818, Detroit, Mi 48213. The entire venue is booked our Detroit Doll Show.
Tribute to Black Barbie
We will pay homage to Fashion designers Byron Lars and Bob Mackie. Mr. Lars designed Barbie dolls for Mattel. Lars Series of dolls are one of the most collectible of Mattel Barbies collection. The names below were categorized by Black Doll Expert Debbie Behan Garrett:
The Runway Series (Models)
In the Limelight 1997
Cinnabar Sensation 1998 African American and Caucasian
Plum Royale 1999
Indigo Obsession 2000
Treasures of Africa (Africa is their theme)
Moja 2001
Mbili 2002
Tatu 2003
Nne 2004
Tano 2005
Chapeaux Collection (these have a hat theme)
Sugar 2006 (Designer, Sharon Zuckerman)
Coco 2007
Pepper 2008 (Designer, Sharon Zuckerman)
Byron Lars Passport Collection
Ayako Jones 2009
Charmaine King 2010
Mackenzie Fenella Layla 2011 (Designer, Ann Driskill)
Bob Mackie designed 25 different dolls for Mattel. Diana Ross, 45th Anniversary Barbie and the Goddess of Africa are our favorites.
Fashion Show
The 2025 Black Art and Doll Show will feature local and national designers.
Legacy Award Presentation
We will honor Mr. Daniel Baxter, Founder & CEO of the Dr. Ossian H. Sweet Foundation. And Emeline King, the first African American woman transportation designer for Ford Motor Company.
Vendors & More
We will have an Award Presentation, Most Adorable Reborn Contest, Fashion Show, Tribute to Black Barbie, African Drumming & Dance, Photo Props, DJ, Food Vendors, Doll Makers, Manufactures, Artists, Authors and a Dollightufl experience for the entire family.