For Elenor Mak, creating a doll inspired by Michelle Yeoh's historic 2023 Oscar win was not just a project it was a heartfelt celebration of representation.
"The little girl in me never would have believed this," Elenor shared, reflecting on the significance of the moment. As the founder of Jilly Bing, a company dedicated to crafting dolls that truly reflect Asian American children, she dreams of one day personally giving the doll to Yeoh.
Growing up in the 1980s in America, Elenor rarely saw Asian faces in media, let alone in the toys available to her. Watching Yeoh's films with her parents her mother from Singapore and her father from Hong Kong made the actress an icon in her life. When Yeoh won the Oscar, Elenor felt compelled to honor her achievement in a way that resonated deeply with her passion.
She designed a doll inspired by Yeohs elegant white feathered gown from the awards night. With the help of her mother and a skilled Hong Kong-based schoolteacher who handcrafted the dress, the doll took shape. In Los Angeles, expert stylists perfected its hair, ensuring every detail reflected the grace and beauty of its muse.
Jilly Bing was born in 2022 out of Elenors frustration with the lack of truly representative Asian dolls. Struggling to find one that looked like her three-year-old daughter, Jillian, she took matters into her own hands. Too often, Asian dolls were merely reworked versions of white dolls, featuring generic or stereotypical elements rather than authentic features.
Determined to change this, she launched Jilly Bing to celebrate Asian heritage through thoughtfully designed dolls. The response was overwhelming. By August 2023, her dolls were selling out within weeks, proving the demand for genuine representation.
"In a world where most dolls still have blonde hair and blue eyes, we now have the opportunity to create something truly special," Elenor told SAYS. "Making this doll was a privilege, and having Michelle Yeoh as its inspiration? That makes it even more meaningful. Because helping children see themselves in their toys is something that will always matter."
Source: SAYS
