Inside The American Girl Doll Design Studio

For 40 years, American Girl has captured girlhood through richly detailed, historically grounded characters. From the start—with original dolls Samantha Parkington, Kirsten Larson, and Molly McIntire—founder Pleasant Rowland had a clear vision. A series of books “for girls, about girls,” paired with dolls to bring them to life, would blend history, storytelling, and play to help girls not only understand the past, but find their own voices within it. In this episode of Behind the Seams, Senior Historical Researcher Dr. Kat Cartright takes us inside American Girl’s meticulous research and design process, tracing the journey from Rowland’s original idea to the beloved characters generations have grown up with. Drawing on children’s clothing archives, immersive research trips, and even formal advisory boards, the team ensures every detail is historically accurate, from the fabrics of Addy Walker’s Civil War-era dresses to the architecture of Josefina Montoya’s New Mexican adobe home, and so much more. As Kat explains, “we take our girl readers seriously.” Even real childhood memories help shape the world of American Girl. A photograph from Pleasant Rowland’s eighth birthday party closely resembles Molly McIntire’s birthday accessory set, while Kat’s own childhood diaries helped inform the ‘90s-era twins, Isabel and Nicki (alongside cultural references ranging from the Olsen twins to Pizza Hut). From tiny replicas of real 1800s school books to thumbnail-sized iPhones, discove