About us
Luvuthando Dolls create a wonder-space where children have a free passport to be perfectly imperfect and encourage them to unleash their inner WARRIORS. Our dolls promote self-confidence, self-acceptance and diversity.
We encourage our youth to embrace who they are and where they come from. We want them to see that life has endless possibilities and that they are the crafters of their own destinies.
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
Luvuthando Dolls was born early 2018 when Yolanda Y'awa, the owner, took a trip down memory lane. She remembers being traumatized as a child as she was teased for being too dark skinned. After some research a couple of years ago, she saw how the black child, how the child of colour experienced challenges as he/she would be made feel inadequate or less beautiful because of the colour of her skin or the type of his/her hair. She also discovered that there was less representation in the toy industry for dolls of colour. She wanted her dolls to create an experience where kids claimed back their identities and be happy to celebrate them.
JOIN OUR LUVDOLLS 'ONE LOVE' MOVEMENT
With so much negativity in the world, our dolls teach us to instil HEARTPRINTS on one another. Let us all be the voice of change through spreading the LOVE. Subscribe to our mailing list and stay informed as we all embrace the ONE LOVE MOVEMENT in the spirit of UBUNTU, the spirit of TOGETHERNESS!
Pick your favourite Princess Doll...
Shikanda Starr Princess Sinentle Princess Nala Princess Khanya Princess Minathi Princess Malaika
SOLD OUT SOLD OUT SOLD OUT SOLD OUT
FOLLOW US
SHOP OUR NEW SHORT STORIES BOOK IN DIFFERENT VERSIONS
R110 - Paperback Book -
Pre-order
ABOUT THE BOOK
Ndikukukhanya, I am light! is a children's fiction picture book by the South African songstress, Yolanda Y'awa. It follows the story of a young South African girl living with Albinism. The story is ultimately about overcoming discrimination and teaching others about the skin condition, Albinism. The character, Khanya, is inspired by one of Luvuthando Princess Dolls.
SPECIAL is valid until the 31st October 2021 and delivery by the 15th November 2021.
eBook/Kindle Book
ABOUT THE BOOK
Ndikukukhanya, I am light! is a children's fiction picture book by the South African songstress, Yolanda Y'awa. It follows the story of a young South African girl living with Albinism. The story is ultimately about overcoming discrimination and teaching others about the skin condition, Albinism. The character, Khanya, is inspired by one of Luvuthando Princess Dolls.
You will receive a PDF Copy or link via email.
FOLLOW US
Stockists - SOUTH AFRICA
-TAKEALOT ONLINE
- CNA ONLINE
- CNA BRANCHES
Menlyn Mall
Gateway Mall
Southgate Mall
Ilanga Mall
Walmer Park Mall
Sandton City Mall
Fourways Mall
Mall of Africa
- DESIGN COLLECTIVE: 349 ALBERT ROAD, WOODSTOCK, 7925
- MYTH AFRICA: 54 REGEANT ROAD, SEA POINT, 8005
Stockists - INTERNATIONAL
- OUT OF AFRICA BELGIUM :
Pottelberg Trade Centre,
English Walk 2, unit AB11
8500 Kortrijk
info@outofafrica.be
http://www.outofafrica.be
- KITOKO DOLLS FRANCE:
- LuvUDOLLS ETSY.COM / Ships from the Netherlands
Yolanda Y'awa
Owner, Visionary, Creative Director
Who is Yolanda Y'awa
I am a proud black woman from Gugulethu, Cape Town, South Africa. I am a Singer/Visionary/Mother/Wife/MotivationalSpeaker/Activitist and anything positive. As a young child I knew that I was destined for bigger things and that my PURPOSE in life was to make a difference in the WORLD.
Why did you decide to make these dolls?
I am passionate about the black child / child of colour and I wanted to create a product that will not only be fun but inspiring.
Growing up I never had a doll, though I secretly hoped for one. In those days, there were only white dolls available and that is what was classified as beauty. With not having a doll, the next best thing was an orange fluffy owl that became my friend, my vault and model, since I was overflowing with creativity from a tender age.
So, end of December 2017 I came across doll make-over YouTube videos and I was hooked. I then collected dolls from second-hand markets but though they were pretty, they were white. I then, tried to re-colour one Barbie doll brown but I didn’t like the end result. After some research online, I decided to find black doll manufacturers and I was in luck.
From there onwards I designed the clothing and accessories form my three new black dolls with afro-hair, styled the dolls, did a home photoshoot, posted them on social media. The response was absolutely amazing and it was a validation that this could not only be a viable business but I will be making a difference in the world, in a small way.
Luvuthando Dolls was then open for business in January 2018...
Some of the highlights experienced?
- I have a lot of highlights to share but would require a whole book lol. To name a few:
- My first 3 customized dolls that I created for adult clients as collector pieces
- Being featured in the media, both print and TV
- Exhibiting the dolls at SARCDA Christmas Exhibition 2019, people that came by were mostly up to tears when they saw the dolls, they would kiss me, hug me or shake my hand and say, “Thank You!, Finally! Or your dolls are beautiful and it’s about time that black children are represented!”
- Seeing the looks on my nieces, nephews, siblings and mother, after they learnt that most of the dolls were named after them. Like Princess Nala - after my mom’s clan name; Prince Sihle – my nephew; Princess Sinentle, Princess Aya and Princess Minathi – after my nieces.
- Having been listed on Takealot.com and also with the Spar Group, meaning our dolls will be available nationwide.
- And of course, the feeback pics, voicenotes and videos from clients and fans.
- All of this is humbling to me!
Why the name ‘Luvuthando’ for your company?
- Luvuthando which means ‘Feel The Love’, is a combination of my kids’ names Luvuyo and Uthando. My kids are my miracles, lifeline and my life. I gave birth to my sons at the age of 25, in the same year, so they are born 9 months apart. At the time I was just 4 years HIV positive. I felt blessed that regardless of the struggles and stigmas associated with the disease, I was able to give birth not to 1 but 2 healthy, intelligent and remarkable boys. I wanted my story and life to mean something and also create a legacy for them.
Luvuyo & Uthando Yawa (LuvUtha)
Muses
JOIN OUR LUVDOLLS 'ONE LOVE' MOVEMENT
With so much negativity in the world, our dolls teach us to instil HEARTPRINTS on one another. Let us all be the voice of change through spreading the LOVE. Subscribe to our mailing list and stay informed as we all embrace the ONE LOVE MOVEMENT in the spirit of UBUNTU, the spirit of TOGETHERNESS!
JOIN OUR LUVDOLLS 'ONE LOVE' MOVEMENT
With so much negativity in the world, our dolls teach us to instil HEARTPRINTS on one another. Let us all be the voice of change through spreading the LOVE. Subscribe to our mailing list and stay informed as we all embrace the ONE LOVE MOVEMENT in the spirit of UBUNTU, the spirit of TOGETHERNESS!
Stockists - SOUTH AFRICA
-TAKEALOT ONLINE
- CNA ONLINE
- CNA BRANCHES
Menlyn Mall
Gateway Mall
Southgate Mall
Ilanga Mall
Walmer Park Mall
Sandton City Mall
Fourways Mall
Mall of Africa
- DESIGN COLLECTIVE: 349 ALBERT ROAD, WOODSTOCK, 7925
- MYTH AFRICA: 54 REGEANT ROAD, SEA POINT, 8005
Stockists - INTERNATIONAL
- OUT OF AFRICA BELGIUM :
Pottelberg Trade Centre,
English Walk 2, unit AB11
8500 Kortrijk
info@outofafrica.be
http://www.outofafrica.be
- KITOKO DOLLS FRANCE: