When I first started noticing Monster High dolls in 2011, Draculaura certainly wasn't one of the characters to catch my attention. There were so many other appealing options who jumped out at me, like Deuce Gorgon and Cleo de Nile. Even as I learned more about the franchise in 2013, Draculaura still didn't stand out in my memory. I would relate her in this way to Bratz Cloe. Like Cloe, Draculaura is one of the pillars in the world of Monster High. Also, similar to Cloe, I wasn't compelled by Draculaura initially. Instead, my fondness was rooted in the fact that I overlooked her. Let me explain. It was March 2013...close to a year after my dad passed away. In those days, Colleen and I had lots of time to kill. We were both learning how to navigate this new and daunting life all by ourselves. However, we followed in the footsteps of our dad and often found ourselves using shopping as a distraction. It was this spring that I felt the strongest urge to dabble in Monster High. Maybe I needed a new type of doll to wash away my worries. Maybe it was simply that I put off my desire to buy Monster High dolls for two years. Whatever the case, the timing couldn't have been any more perfect.
I had my heart set on getting Scaris Deuce. As I mentioned before, Mr. Gorgon was one of the Monster High characters who stole my heart immediately. It was that green snake mohawk...oh how I have a weakness for male dolls with this hairdo. I had discovered while doing some preliminary Monster High internet browsing, that a Scaris Deuce was scheduled to be released. This would be the MOST opportune time to score a Deuce Gorgon doll. The day I set out to procure this Deuce, I had no such luck. But after spending several hours driving around in my beat up 1999 Jeep Wrangler and stopping at every possible location that carried dolls, my sister started realizing how obtainable Monster High dolls were. Colleen had not liked the concept or look of the dolls from the get go. She preferred more traditional, conventionally attractive dolls. We were also both aware that collectors and kids alike were frenzied over them. Seeing how affordable and widely stocked they were made Colleen have a change of heart. She encouraged me to buy at least one of the dolls we stumbled upon that day. That way I could see how much I enjoyed her, and track Deuce down later if I was impressed. I had my sights set on "Swim Class" Lagoona. We were at one of the last stops of the day, at a small store called Benny's, when I finally caved. The "Swim Class" dolls were all on some sort of sale, which sweetened the offer. The last store we planned on popping into was an antique shop down the road. Since there would be no Monster High dolls there, I made my move. I decided to not only buy Lagoona, but Venus McFlytrap too. She was yet another character whose unique design captured my attention. I realized as I was giving one last pan over the humble Monster High section that there was only one doll left in the "Swim Class" line. I would only be missing Draculaura. It seemed silly to not grab her too, what with the sale and the adorably irresistible beach theme (a true shopaholic's logic). Just as Cloe dolls found themselves at the register in year's past, Draculaura made her way to check out just because it would have been unfair to not snag her too.
Unexpectedly, it was that almost-left-behind Draculaura who made the greatest impression on me. Looking back nearly ten years ago as I type this, I can still visualize that moment with such clarity it's like I was just experiencing it. I thought I'd open my "least favorite" doll first, as we had the hoard of newly acquired plastic friends spread out over our dining room table. We'd also found several 90s Disney dolls at the antique store that same afternoon...strangely, I was more excited about the Monster High gals. It didn't take much effort to free Draculaura from her cardboard and plastic shroud. The second she was fully grasped in my hand was truly magical. There was something special about the way this doll felt, the scent emanating from her new hair, and her vampire styled features. I turned to Colleen and expressed how impressed I was. She too found herself fawning over Draculaura. Her darling pigtails, cherubic swimsuit, and goofy expression (which lacked fangs) were irresistible. I knew in my heart that this was the beginning of something wonderful...and something expensive.
As I began my infamous Monster High binge of 2013, I strangely wasn't compelled to buy Draculaura dolls. Perhaps this was in part because my "Swim Class" Draculaura was hard to beat. I was admittedly trying not to purchase too many of the same character, that way I could have a bit more variety in my collection. I could not, however, resist a deal. That's why I bought 2012 Dead Tired and Skull Shores Draculaura rather early on. I was especially excited by Skull Shores, since she was slightly "out of date" (not really, but the line wasn't brand new). Funnily enough, she turned out to be one of my first duplicates. I acquired the Skull Shores Gift Set later that summer for dirt cheap (with a gift card and a sale I think I paid $15 for the set). I was amazed at how derpy and homely this version was (her Indonesian country make gave her strikingly different features). I was happy to dress her in a Scaris fashion pack I bought...why have two dolls wearing the same outfit on display? Then of course there was 2012 Dead Tired Draculaura. Just like my "Swim Class" lady, she ended up in my shopping bag because of a sale at the Family Dollar. She was the least interesting of the trio when I stumbled upon them on our way, ironically, to the aforementioned antique store not long after. Several years later, in 2014, I cracked and bought Scaris Draculaura for 50 percent off (a shopping spree we dubbed the "Barnes and Noble Bonanza"). She was the LAST doll from the expansive Scaris line I was missing. Despite the fact that she was rather bland, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to complete the iconic collection when she was such a bargain.
Not all my Draculaura dolls were random purchases though. There were several gals who I was fixated on adding to my collection. I'll never forget the most notorious one...."1st Edition Re-release" Draculaura. Websites denoted this reissue wave as the "Original Favorites." I had heard rumors that Clawdeen, Frankie, and Draculaura might be re-released, but I was skeptical. One day I was checking Walmart's website when I saw the three dollies pop up. I literally screeched from my rolling chair in front of the computer. Colleen could hear my jubilant cries from the bathroom. I immediately ordered all three...but I most anticipated Draculaura. When the package arrived, I was enthralled by her. She was perfect in every way. I recall taking photos of her for my old Flickr account in front of our porch flower baskets. Her beauty had to be captured. My collection began at a convenient time because Mattel was beginning to re-release many of the old school Monster High dolls (a smart way to capitalize off the brand's success). Dead Tired Draculaura was released as a Kohl's exclusive with her bed set. I stalked this doll online until she went on a 50% off sale. She was a Christmas gift of sorts to myself...and the very first thing I ever ordered for Kohl's website. Her iconic, vertically styled ponytails had made her one of those dolls I HAD to own. I was over the moon that Mattel had made it possible for me to purchase these classic Draculaura dolls for retail price. At that point, in 2013, the online resale values of Monster High dolls were outrageous (I relate it to the Beanie Babies fad of the 1990s). I simply couldn't afford to purchase any of the older dolls on eBay...and I didn't want to feed into the ridiculous hype. Some people scoffed at the reissues and made many disparaging remarks about their quality (I recall my old Flickr being barraged with these sorts of comments). But my spirit was not dampened...I was simply grateful for the opportunity to get my hands on some of these gals like Draculaura.
Two of my other early favorites were Snow Bite and 13 Wishes Draculaura. I couldn't believe my luck when Snow Bite popped up at Target for 50% off one evening when we were heading home from an eye exam. Ironically, I also found Sea Stunnerz Cloe on sale at the same store. Cloe was still notorious for being the last Bratz character I'd buy from a set. I couldn't decide who I was more stoked to acquire that night between Draculaura and Cloe (to this day, I can't answer that question). Poor Little Dead Riding Wolf Clawdeen didn't stand a chance. I hoped to get 13 Wishes Draculaura on sale, but that opportunity never came my way. I was so taken with her, that I remember forking out the full hog for her at Kmart one afternoon. I just couldn't bear the thought of not having her...especially since I had the rest of the Haunt the Casbah set already (in perfect condition). Die-ner Draculaura was another fixation of mine. Normally it would have been her food themed playset that drew me in. On the contrary, I found the doll herself to be captivating. I almost purchased her at Toys 'R' Us in 2014 on sale. But since I was trying to curb my doll spending, I ended up leaving her behind. It was a decision I regretted until I found my secondhand lady at the flea market some years later.
Speaking of the flea market, I have always had decent luck when it came to Draculaura. Being manufactured for almost every Monster High line means that Drac has a better chance of turning up in the wild. Sometimes I would hit gold and stumble upon a coveted Draculaura. "School's Out," Art Class, and Sweet 1600 were all ladies I wanted to buy brand new. Obviously, "School's Out" was long gone from stores by the time I started my collection. But I almost bought Sweet 1600 and Art Class Draculaura on several different occasions when they were still available. I was willing to pay a little more than usual for them secondhand too, because I was so in love. I want to say Sweet 1600 cost me a whopping $6 used, because the seller knew Monster High dolls were so popular at the time. She was worth every penny, especially since I was angry with myself for not buying her in stores while I could (I still would buy her boxed since I don't have her spare clothing item!). Gloom Beach Draculaura is another notable flea market find. I discovered her all alone in a large container, entirely nude with only a stand. I recognized her right away...that goofy expression was ingrained into my memory. I took pity on her unclad figure and gluey head. Since she was just one dollar, I had to adopt her. It wasn't all that long later that I purchased an inexpensive Monster High clothing lot on eBay, that featured her swimsuit! I can't deny that it was the presence of her outfit that prompted me to buy it. Similarly I took pity on Creepateria Draculaura at the local Salvation Army. She was wearing improper attire AND was sporting limbless arm sockets. I couldn't leave her behind in such a condition when I had Draculaura fashion packs at home, and a set of arms! Not all my thrifted dolls were such sorry stories though. I found a few gems, like Save Frankie and Frights Camera Action--dolls I didn't ogle in stores, but was very grateful to find used.
Something else notable about my love for Draculaura was my keen interest in her redesign. In 2016, Mattel started shifting the Monster High brand into a more "kid friendly" direction. Translated, this means they were making the dolls cheaper quality with more babyish details, to appeal to a younger audience. Cue in the era of molded clothes and less articulation! Unlike many collectors, I didn't see this revamp as a Monster High doomsday. Granted, I knew it would lead to the end of the franchise, but I still was interested in buying the dolls. I couldn't write this "My Story" and not mention my infamous Monster Family Vampire Kitchen pack. It was a set that I could only dream about. It retailed for around $45 and only showed up locally at Kmart. I was broke then, in 2018...which meant I didn't have the funds for such an extravagant purchase. I was also cripplingly depressed...the worst my depression had ever been. For my 27th birthday, Colleen and our friend Beth surprised me. I knew that Beth was coming over to hang out for my birthday. I did NOT know that she and Colleen conspired to buy me the Monster High set. They told me one afternoon they were going out to eat at a restaurant Colleen had a gift card to. While this was true, they also went out to Kmart after and bought Draculaura and Dracula. It was an easy lie to sell, because I HATE going out to eat (I haven't sat at an actual restaurant since probably 2015...only pizza places once a year if that). You can imagine how my face lit up when I opened the wrapped gift and saw Draculaura and Dracula staring back at me. I had no idea what was in the mysterious package...it was a better present than I ever could have dreamed. If you watch my videos, then you will be very familiar with Dracula. But it shouldn't go unmentioned that I adore Draculaura just as much--she means the world to me. This memory has made the revamped era of Monster High dolls irreplaceable to me. Sure, if the dolls had come out a few years earlier it would have been more detailed. But I love Dracula's static "Pepsi drinking" bent arm and Draculaura's matronly design. I am also incredibly fond of Party Hair and Skulltimate Art Class Draculaura who are from the same time frame. They were both dolls I admired on store shelves, but couldn't afford. Needless to say, I appreciated them even more when I found them discounted later on ($5 art class playset...what a bargain!).
I can't quite explain it, but somehow Draculaura has become the most sentimental Monster High character. Perhaps it's because I blew her off in the beginning so my love for her was unexpected. It could be that I appreciated her re-releases the most. Or maybe it's that experience with my Monster Family Vampire Kitchen that makes her irreplaceable. I can't deny that I have an immense fondness for the revamped era Draculaura dolls...a connection the other characters cannot touch. Sometimes it's the dolls you have the least expectations for that leave the greatest impression in the end. Draculaura has come to mean so much more to me as time has gone on. She's always been a staple in the world of Monster High. But more than that, Draculaura is an integral piece to my personal Monster High experience. I wouldn't change anything...not a single dolly!
