# Armored Medieval Dolls Artist Jim Rodda Turns Barbie into a Fierce Warrior By Davina Sinnatamby | Published 2014-03-20 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jim-rodda References: [fashionablygeek](http://fashionablygeek.com/approved-products/deck-your-barbies-out-in-medieval-armor-thanks-to-this-kickstarter-video/) & [kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/191197566/faire-play-barbie-compatible-3d-printed-medieval-a) Barbie comes in so many forms -- [veterinarian, fashionista, princess, gymnast](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-professions-collection) -- but Jim Rodda makes her a courageous armor-clad warrior with his Kickstarting 3D printed medieval armor called Faire Play. The doll-sized suit of armor will include a sword and shield. The outfit is a perfect combination of warrior and chic-fashionista. It's great way to update Barbie for today's woman. Girls today need a role model who can stand on her own two feet and doesn't need to wait for Prince Charming to save her. Thanks to Jim Rodda's [doll armor](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lebron-james-doll), Barbie will finally join the 21st century heroines who save themselves such as the women in [Disney's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-mermaid-doll) Frozen and Brave. I'm not sure what kind of war Barbie would ever have to fight, but at least with this armor, she's ready no matter what. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.8/10 - Popularity: 8% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/toys) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **3D Printing Custom Doll Armor:** Opportunity for growth in the custom doll and 3D printing industries with consumers seeking unique, personalized products. - **Empowering Young Girls Through Dolls:** An opportunity for toy companies to tap into the demand for empowering young girls with strong female characters beyond the Princess archetype. - **Converging the Toy and Fashion Industries:** Opportunity to capitalize on the crossover between fashion and toys to create unique products and collaborations that combine fashion and function. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Toy Industry:** Growth opportunities for manufacturers to produce toys beyond traditional gender roles and embrace new designs for empowering young girls with strong female characters. - **Fashion Industry:** An opportunity to collaborate with toy manufacturers to create unique fashion pieces for dolls that marry fashion with function, such as protective or performance wear. - **3D Printing Industry:** With demand for personalization and bespoke products, an opportunity for 3D printing technology​ to grow in the toy industry, allowing customers to create their dolls’ accessories on-demand and in a highly-targeted way. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Inspiring Role Model Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-role-models.md) - [Empowering Movie Industry Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/career-of-the-year-barbie.md) - [Two-Sided Paper Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/megadolls.md) - [Friendship-Celebrating Doll Duos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/role-model-series.md) - [Gen Alpha Barbie Launches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gen-z-barbie.md) - [Film-Inspired Bright Doll Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-mojo-dojo-casa-house.md) - [Doll-Inspired Jewelry Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-professions-collection.md) - [Doll-Inspired Fashion NFTs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-doll-nfts.md) - [Modeling Dough Fashion Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playdoh-barbie.md)