SHORT FACTS
Name: Dr Sindyfix (Natalya Bassani)
Age: 55
Lives in: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation: Graphic Designer, Doll Artist, Restorer and Visual Storyteller
Known for: Restoration, Sewing & Photography of Pedigree Sindy Dolls and also Dr Sindyfix’s Facebook page
Favourite Sindy: My childhood 1978 Funtime Sindy Doll which I still have
Questions and Answers
1) Q: How did you first discover Sindy? A: When I bought my first Sindy in South Africa as a child
2) Q: How old were you when you got your first Sindy? A: 8 Years Old
3) Q: What model was your first Sindy? A: 1978 Funtime Sindy code: 033055X
4) Q: What kind of Sindy/Sindy item did you dream about as a kid? A: 1978 Active Sindy
5) Q: What kind of Sindy/Sindy item do you dream about now? A: I am happy with my current collection
6) Q: What led you into your Sindy career you have today? A: It was after a major house clean out during the Covid Lockdown period that I discovered my childhood Sindys and decided to take up some doll restoration and sewing. After seeing my results numerous friends also wanted their dolls restored and the rest is history
7) Q: Can you mention three people you think helped you there? A: Some friends on the “Forever Sindy UK Facebook page” as well as two websites for reference
8) Q: Do you have a special goal for your Sindy work? A: It gives me great pleasure to restore the dolls my clients once enjoyed to their original beauty so that they may preserve their old memories
9) Q: Can you mention three people you think of as doll influencers? A: Just the talented folks on the “Forever Sindy” Doll FB group
10) Q: What do you love/like/appreciate about Sindy? A: Sindy is just so much more innocent looking and authentic than other fashion dolls. She has also brought me many wonderful friends who share in the same passion
11) Q: Anything else you’d like to share with us? A: Sindy is a doll that reached many other Common Wealth countries far and wide. In South Africa, many of us preferred her more innocent appeal compared to other fashionable dolls. According to the dolls that have passed through my studio, I can surmise that most of the models were sold here since her launch in the early 60s excepting perhaps some Trendys and “Gauntlet” Lovely Livelies. I am ofcourse speaking mainly of the Pedigree Sindys, I have not looked into the South African history of the Hasbros etc.
Many of the Sindys I restore in my country come without their authentic original outfits and since it is too expensive to ship second hand clothing for Sindy to South Africa, I have to replicate most outfits from scratch. It is also hard to come by loose doll parts so I have to often sculpt arms or legs and have a local supplier for ballerina hands and some shoe designs.
Dr Sindyfix Facebook Page Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AK6KydXQH/
Dr Sindyfix email address: drsindyfix@gmail.com
All the photos below belongs to Dr Sindyfix! Click on them to get larger images.
THANK YOU Natalya for your amazing work and for taking the time to answer all the questions!
March 2025