How do you feel about albino dolls?

There is an unique and surreal beauty to an albino doll - esp when they fit into a storyline or display theme.

 

As was previously pointed out, it's probably good to remember that albinism in humans does have a negative side, primarily low vision or other vision problems. But I don't think owning a doll with albino coloring means you're making light (excuse the pun) of those problems.
My son has a mild form of albinism called Type 2. He isn't pure white; his eyes are blue and his hair has a bit of yellowish pigment. Fortunately, his vision is almost normal although he is very sensitive to light. He likes his coloring although he might feel differently about it if he had vision problems.
I used to browse a forum on albinism. For the most part, the people didn't insist on a huge degree of political correctness about their condition. I remember many of them liked the character Near from Death Note because he was a positive character who most likely had albinism in contrast to the "evil albinos" in a few movies.

 

If it suits the mold and or character made for the doll I think its awesome then

 

I enjoy well-done albino dolls. The aesthetic can be incredibly striking. I'm not sure if I'll ever own an albino doll myself, though, because unfortunately albino characters are a bit overdone in fiction, and I'd hate to find myself creating a clichéd character

 

My first doll was originally an albino! She's a brown eyed brunette, now. It just suits her better. I would love to get a new doll for an albino, though!

 

In my opinion (and it is indeed that, an opinion) there is nothing wrong with having a doll with albinism. However, the issue I have is when it isn't portrayed correctly...no, people with albinism do not have red pupils with pink irises. No, they do not have psychic powers or magical abilites, nor are they demons sent by the devil himself or villains with a hidden agenda...yet the media has a habit of portraying people with albinism this way (i.e. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, Silas was a villain character, and an incorrectly portrayed albino.) The reality is that people with albinism are just like every other human being in that they have varying personalities. There are just as many sweethearts as there are jerks who just happen to be albino. And to add to that, people with albinism want to be portrayed just like any other person on Earth. However, you should portray them correctly realizing that they often have poor vision and other optic problems, such as nystagmus and strabismus. They also must wear long sleeved clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc. to protect themselves from the sun's harmful UV rays. Other than that, people with albinism in developed nations live normal lives just as every other person.

With that said I realize that it is your doll, and you have the right to do anything you'd like with your doll. If you want your doll to have white skin and red eyes, go for it! Do what makes you happy! It's your doll to enjoy! I just thought I'd jump in with my opinion as well as some facts about albinism.

As for me personally, I find albinism to be very distinctly beautiful. And as I said, there is absolutely nothing wrong (in my mind) with having a doll with albinism, it is your doll to do with as you please. I suppose a lot of this advice is not just for owning a doll with albinism, but also writing a character for your albino doll.
I think if I were to have a doll with albinism, I would try to portray him/her/xir as accurately as possible.

 

Dew_Drops, you basically said most of what I came in here to say!

I do have a doll with albinism; I created his character years before I got into the hobby, and researched the reality of albinism (as opposed to "Hollywood albinism") while I was planning his character. He is a WS doll (now mellowed to a lovely creamy color that suits him well) with white hair because I like the aesthetic of it. However, he does not have red eyes or pink eyes with red pupils; his eyes are (or will be, when I get a new set ordered) a very pale blue. Because he comes from a world with some sci-fi elements, he also has implants to help correct his bad vision, but that's definitely stretching the "realistic" albinism a bit thanks to setting. He's also a very kind-hearted individual, definitely one of the "good guys" of the story world.

That said, a pure-white doll with a white wig and red eyes can be lovely! But the more realistic combinations can be beautiful, as well, and can be worthwhile to consider.

 

I have a doll with albinism, a character of mine created from a series of stories a couple of years before I came into the hobby, a little alien elf named Sumekh. He is one of my earliest dolls, and pretty spoiled. Trying to get eyes for him was a pain, 6mm eyes in the right shade? Ouch ^^; He was a second hand doll, a white skin bobobie cookie that had been on display in a glass cabinet, in front of a window and under spotlights - he wasn't exactly very white skinned after that, but I say the yellowing kind of suits him, and in his character he does wear a lot of makeup, so its perfectly in character as well. He is certainly one of the good guys too, I see them portrayed a lot as evil, even though Sumekh can pull off one good evil look as he is a dreaming doll, he is far from it ^^ I think albino humans are beautiful, I had to make an albino doll :3

 

Something I have just started to think about, but am considering one for a future purchase. Except I think I would use very pale blue eyes instead of red.

 

One of my girls has albinism. She's not white-haired or white-skinned, though -- she's a very pale NS with platinum blonde hair (no eye colour as she's a sleeping head -- her character has locked-in syndrome, though she can communicate telepathically [eta: she's not psychic because she's an albino, she just is a psychic character who happens to also have albinism]). My white-skinned, white-haired, red-eyed girl isn't a true albino as she inherited those traits from her demonic father, and my other WS dolls are all supernatural beings.

 

I have a boy that has ocular albinism, which I researched before deciding to label my doll with it. He has dark hair, because his albinism is only in his eyes, which are very pale blue. He has very poor eyesight and is exceptionally sensitive to light, but being the brat he is he refuses to wear glasses, even sunglass, so he constantly squints. The doll head is a half open eyed sculpt so it works with the backstory. Not that is it a great picture or you can truly see him but he is the boy in the lower right corner of my signature, the one in the bunny eared hat.

As for other peoples dolls, if they want a white doll with pink eyes, white hair and pink tinged pale sickly faceup on a doll whose character is half blind, fries like a vampire in the sun, and is the most powerful psychic in the universe then more power to them. I fully support it. Also is someone takes the time to research any and all forms of albinism, and portrays it realistically in their doll, way to go for them as well. As far as I am concerned it is your do you do with it whatever you want and give it whatever backstory you want. It is not my place to judge or naysay.

 

I have an 'albino' doll. She has white skin with white hair and eyelashes, grayish pink eyebrows and pink eyes. I realize that albino people don't have pink eyes but I chose to use them because it gives her a very delicate, ethereal look. I hope she doesn't offend anyone. I'm very fond of her. I took liberties with her creation but the best part of this hobby is that we can use our imagination to translate our visions.

A little off the subject, but since albino animals have been mentioned, I have a Chihuahua that's white with chocolate merle spots. His eyes are blue, but in some lighting they look ruby red. As far as I know, most merle animals have blue eyes. I'm wondering if these animals carry some kind of albino gene causes their eyes to look red.

 

I do not have albino dolls, but I do have OC who is. I think they can be so beautiful in dolls, it leads for a lot of creativity!

 

LOVE THEM - I have an idea of who I am looking for if she comes up I might have to buy her!

 

I think as long as the owner researched a little before making an Albino doll its fine!!

I mean one of my dolls will have a pigment issue (Pink eyes, super light blond hair) but he wouldn't be considered 100% albino i dont think.

 

I don't think I've ever seen one, but I love the idea! Actually.. I love albinos. Humans and pets. Now dolls too..
*starts to search for albino-dolls*

 

I've stumbled over a few that have had "albino" dolls, but a lot of them are, of course, very light in skin and hair. But they also have red eyes, which humans can not have (they have blue), and a lot of people complain about this that it's not "realistic" and I'm here thinking: but hey, when did vampires and the like become realistic? The point I am trying to make is: dolls are customizable, they don't have to be realistic if that makes the owner of the doll feel better. They are in charge, and not everybody else. So if you want a albino doll then go right ahead! If you want it to be unrealistic then go right ahead! Do what you want!

 

Those eyes... I want an albino doll now ;n;

 

I don't think I've ever seen a doll that was meant to be albino, does anyone have pics?

 

I have an albino character, and I LOVE albino things so much. Albino animals, people, etc. I don't know if this could be classified as being racist or not, I just think albino things are very pretty! I would love to own an albino doll someday. Both one with the stereotypical pure white hair and red eyes and another with the actual looks of people with this condition.