40112 Friends Model Catwalk

CCC

I just saw the images of this set. It is quite an interesting development. It is clearly designed for minifigs (minidolls), yet there are no minifigs in the set and cannot be played with as a standalone set unless you have other sets to provide the minifigs.

andhe

It also seems to play into the hands (no pun intended) of those who would accuse Lego Friends of sexism.

CCC

Maybe that is the point. Lego haven't provided any characters, so it is up to the children playing to decide who walks down the catwalk.

andhe

Maybe it's for cats?

Shib

according to the box art it's a phone stand, which might be why theres no minidolls with it.

scrumper

It's designed to show video on phones stood in the slot behind the arch but that doesn't really explain the lack of a minidolls.

Shib

^completely guessing here but it might come with codes for videos with the friends characters doing a fashion show to use as screen savers etc.

scrumper

^even so, isn't that a turntable at the end? As @CCC‌ said, it's clearly designed for minidolls, but doesn't come with one, I know my daughter would get her minidolls to walk up and down then twirl at end (if she knew what a catwalk was) but if she didn't already have some this would be a very dull set without an additional purchase.

Shib

I completely agree it does seem odd that it doesn't have any, but just posing ideas as to why it's been done that way

CCC

The seats need some bums to sit on them too.

Although thinking about it, don't friends sets usually have tiles to make smooth seats, due to the lack of holes in their bums.

Edit: I've just realised what I have written, that sounds so wrong. :-)

tamamahm

Eh. If it is being sold as a phone stand, then no, I do not see this as anything that new, different or novel that a ladyfig is not included in the set. They have done other Lego Friend "real world items" and none of them have ever come with ladyfigs.

Now what would be new and novel is if they did have a specific app one could load on devices to make a background or play music for the modeling show. Then it becomes the first Friend item to add a tech feature to play, and considering how critical tech is with kids, I could see them doing that, and this being a hit. Of course if they did not do that, then it is a crazy missed opportunity.

Even in this case, though, as a "phone stand" I can see why they did not include ladyfigs, but if they are going to sell it as a tech toy instead, it would be a missed opportunity not to include them.

Shib

^ the official description says:

Set the stage for a fantastic fashion show!

Create the stage for a fabulous fashion show with the LEGO® Friends Model Catwalk! Build a colorful entrance arch and catwalk for the models to walk down. Use the pretty backdrop included or play a LEGO Friends music video on a smartphone or MP3 player. Arrange the seats and then invite your friends to watch your stylish show!


So they do seem to be promoting it as a toy with a tech feature, but still strange no minidolls

CCC

I partially agree but then when you consider "real world" items tend to be things like pencil boxes or jewellery boxes, it makes sense that they don't have figs. This has a cat walk and a set of seats to sit on. If it is not meant to be played with, they could have left it as just the stage area without the seats and cat walk.

Shib

Although I have zero interest in this set the whole thing has had me quite intrigued, looked at the listing on the lego shop page and it says

"Includes a QR code linking to a LEGO® Friends music video at LEGOFriends.com"

I would assume that the music video would feature the animated friends characters and I guess TLG are assuming anyone buying it will already have mini dolls to make up the audience. It's a really odd thing though.

rancorbait

CCC said:

The seats need some bums to sit on them too.

Although thinking about it, don't friends sets usually have tiles to make smooth seats, due to the lack of holes in their bums.

Edit: I've just realised what I have written, that sounds so wrong. :-)

LOL!