Chicago Daily Herald, IL
July 14 2005
Retirement career takes off
Designer creates dolls who face problems, tell their stories
By Ruth Gesmer Silverman
Daily Herald Correspondent
Toy Hall of Fame designer Rouben Terzian flew into Chicago recently
in what friends describe as `typical Terzian fashion.’
He made his last-minute whirlwind trip with no suitcase, no
toiletries, a cell phone that was crushed in a taxi door, and a Louis
Vuitton briefcase full of dolls and little books – the fruits of his
attempted retirement.
While satisfying his need for thinly sliced corned beef at Max and
Benny’s in Northbrook, the former Long Grove resident shared his
vision for the Only Hearts Club dolls and books that are growing in
popularity across the nation.
`These are not just beautiful, lively dolls with bendable arms and
legs,’ he said between bites. `They are girls who know how to do the
right thing when they are confronted with a problem, described in the
books that go with each one.’
Before his retirement, Terzian and his longtime business partner,
Howard Morrison, were two-thirds of Breslow, Morrison and Terzian,
which produced such toy classics as Simon, Mousetrap, Trump the Board
Game and several Barbie dolls, among others.
Morrison says it might never have happened if Terzian’s violin
teacher hadn’t suggested he might want to think about a career apart
from music – his first career choice when he arrived in the United
States from Lebanon at age 18.
Urged on three years ago by his wife, Nina, the former owner of Oak
Street and Michigan Avenue boutiques, Terzian started creating
stories and dolls, simultaneously.
The six dolls and their books are designed to appeal to girls from 6
and up – and collectors. They began shipment last year and can be
found in card, book and gift stores, as well as department stores
like Von Maur and Marshall Field’s. The dolls sell for $15, and the
set of books is $20. Clothing and accessories are extra.
The stories that accompany the dolls are largely based on the
real-life adventures of the couple’s daughter, Kristy. The family
spent weekends and summers in Long Grove’s oldest house, built in the
1920s, just north of the center of town.
Kristy, whose husband, Len Simonian, is the Only Hearts Club company
president, said the books are a reflection of how she was raised,
along with the more recent experiences of their 8-year-old daughter,
Taylor Angelique – `and the values we seek to instill in her,’ she
added.
The dolls are all independent, spirited girls. Lily Rose, in her
trendy jeans, is always ready to hike and loves natural beauty.
Karina Grace loves gymnastics and dancing and faces a dilemma about
what to do during a competition for a role in a dance production.
In her black riding coat and hat and tall boots, Olivia Hope reminds
Kristy of the English riding lessons she took at Farmington Green
Stables, and trail rides with the family every Sunday at the stable
on Milwaukee Avenue.
Anna Sophia loves to cook and bake, and her dog is named Bubulina
after the Terzians’ own Yorkshire Terrier. The real-life Bubulina
commuted back and forth between the city and Long Grove in Nina
Terzian’s Vuitton carrier, the inspiration for the `Pooch Pouch’
carrier used by the Only Hearts Club dolls.
Briana Joy is the athlete, who loves sports and competition and fair
play. The Taylor Angelique doll loves animals and must decide what to
do when she tries to help her friend who has lost her own pet.
Rouben Terzian never tires of coming up with new concepts for his
latest project and already has plans for additional dolls and
accessories. He knows they get compared to the hugely popular
American Girl series, but notes there are differences. For one thing,
at 9 inches tall, Only Hearts Club dolls are smaller and less costly.
Like American Girls, though, there are a variety of skin tones.
`We come from very humble backgrounds,’ he said. `My parents were
survivors of the Armenian Genocide, but I don’t hate today’s Turks.
`I think I’ve always been drawn to the Jewish community because we
share so many things in common – like historical tragedy, like
family, like our values – doing good for others, and emphasis on
learning. We even sent Kristy to Saturday School at Temple Sholom, on
Lake Shore Drive, where all her friends went to learn.’
He agrees with those who suggest that there’s a lot of child in toy
designers.
In a bow to Peter Pan, he says, that at the age of 65, he no longer
plans to retire or to grow up.