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Our story

In 1996 ceramic designer Ewa Jarenskog came across a problem. Ewa had been successfully creating popular clay figurines with emotional, childlike and cheeky motives, but they weren’t suitable for children to play with. So Ewa and her friend, apparel designer Teruko Wahlström, started their journey together to create Rubens Barn.

They faced two main challenges. To capture the expressions of Ewa’s clay models in soft fabric, and to create a friend that would last a childhood of play. These challenges, along with the strong beliefs in the importance of developing empathy through play, and that children shouldn’t be hurried out of their childhood, have guided us at Rubens Barn until today.

A Rubens Barn doll takes over 100 different steps by hand to create. The faces of our dolls are sculptured in soft fabric, for a more emotional and realistic look. The eyes are important. They are embroidered and are what brings the dolls to life, and in combination with their warm cheeky smiles, makes a Rubens Barn doll an irresistible friend! Handmade Happiness!

Hair, skin & clothes for our organic cotton dolls are made with 100% certified organic cotton. Hair, skin & stuffing for all other handmade dolls are from 100% polyester. Bottom weight 100% calcium carbonate granule. All dolls can be machine washed at 30°C and tumble dried in low heat. All clothes should be hand washed.