Friends - New female theme 2012?

[meeotch]

I have absolutely nothing to link to to back this up, so you'll just have to believe that I heard it (not necessarily that it's true). I was chatting with a LEGO store employee this weekend during the Buzz build here in Portland, he mentioned that he had heard that a new, female-centric theme (a la Paradisa) is in the works for a tentative 2012 release. At BrickCon, Steve Witt seemed like he may have been trying to imply that TLC was "looking into" it when he was asked about the dearth of female minifig parts. Although it's super rumor-mill-y, I thought it interesting enough to warrant a share. Maybe someone else who checks out other LEGO sites might be able to see if the rumor is elsewhere as well?

[Draykov]

I've heard the same thing, though I haven't seen any images or gotten any details about what the theme will include. I do hope that it's centered around minifigs and not Bellville figs or some other non-traditional style fig. My daughter would appreciate a boost in the female minifig population.

[Chief]

"female-centric theme" is not equal to "female minifigs." Just saying.
Not that I'm leaking anything, only tempering expectations.
Scala was female-centric but were definitely not minifigs.

Also... 2012?

[Mister Ed]

Though there definitely are plenty of new female minifig hair choices these days, if they want to use them...

[Draykov]

only tempering expectations

Boo. Creator: Pink Edition would not be unwelcome though. So long as we can steer clear of an embarrassment of riches in the translucent, sparkly pink BURP castle parts.

[meeotch]

"female-centric theme" is not equal to "female minifigs." Just saying.
Not that I'm leaking anything, only tempering expectations.
Scala was female-centric but were definitely not minifigs.

Also... 2012?

What I originally posted was going off of memory from the day before. I'm almost sure that I got a detail wrong. Part of me was debating myself when typing that trying to remember if they said 2011 or 2012, and I basically flipped a coin. And I heartily agree on a pink Creator set.

[Jargon]

At BrickCon, Steve Witt seemed like he may have been trying to imply that TLC was "looking into" it when he was asked about the dearth of female minifig parts.

I asked that question.
One can only hope such a theme will see the light of day.

[Draykov]

Saw this on that Czech site that is apparently dropping dimes on 2011 releases (take it with a grain of salt, no word on the credibility of this info, though some of the sets listed jive with leaked pics we've already seen):

5770 5702014732742 island with a lighthouse June 1, 2011
5771 5702014732759 Cottage June 1, 2011

[xwingyoda]

I've seen that list as well and I don't think its what we're talking about. I've heard as well that TLC is working on a whole new theme aimed primarily at women. I think we're talking about a whole theme like Paradisa and not a sub city theme like the sets on that list

And Draykov those sets are Creator. You do have a sub city marine theme as well (IF the list is true off course, I'm just assuming its true for the benefit of discussion):
4641 4641 Motor Boat
4642 Fishing Boat
4644 Marina
4645 port

[meeotch]

Saw this on that Czech site that is apparently dropping dimes on 2011 releases (take it with a grain of salt, no word on the credibility of this info, though some of the sets listed jive with leaked pics we've already seen):

5770 5702014732742 island with a lighthouse June 1, 2011
5771 5702014732759 Cottage June 1, 2011

Cottage is Chalupa in Czech? Awesome.

[infallible]

I work at a LEGO store part-time. For what it's worth, there are parents asking all the time about "sets for girls." I try to say that all LEGO is party, especially lines like City, but I don't think they buy it. We have a few Bellville sets still, but they don't get much positive reaction.

Also, in the last issue of the nifty employee magazine, they talked about wanting to increase their sales to girls, and think that's a huge untapped market. As it turns out, Harry Potter is the most successful line amongst girls. (The magazine came out before the new line was out. Does it help that they canceled the line for years? Ugh.) I wouldn't be surprised if something came out next year that was "girl-centered."

[Mister Ed]

As long as it isn't "Twilight" LEGO.

[Solo]

Sparkly minifigures!

[Tohst]

Interesting but unsurprising that Harry Potter sells well with girls.

While I don't want to go into play patterns and whether they are culturally influenced or genetic or both...

Hogwart's is a dollhouse.

In this batch of sets you have the Burrows...another dollhouse. In previous batches you had additional rooms for your dollhouse.

I'm sure it helps the the books themselves have a lot of female fans as opposed to themes like Star Wars which has female fans in the same ratio as the OT had non-white actors.

I think for a line to do well with girls it needs figures. I think for a Lego line to really do well with figures, they need to be mini-figs. I think current play patterns indicate girls like houses and ponies and things of that nature.

Now, given all this, I have no idea what a girl oriented theme would be because if it was that simple, why didn't Lego do a subline like that for the last decade?

But I would welcome the return of Paradisa.

-Tohst

[OOM-9]

I hope it will be even BETTER than Belville and Clikets combined! Well whatever it is I hope it does well for LEGO. I agree that there should be more sets targeted for girls.

[banthafodder]

Just make some pink stormies and call it good. Throw in an R2-KT while they're at it.

[Draykov]

From 1000Steine via Brickset.

[Chief]

There's at least one other picture floating around out there showing a pet hedgehog *squee!*

[Joedward]

[Andi]

why does Lego think that girls need such ugly midifigs?