The Fab-Lu Ltd. not only copied the Barbie doll outfits. Among the wardrobe of Babs, her family, and one lonely male friend Bill, one finds copies of other well-known doll clothing of the period. There are copies of Cissy by Madame Alexander, Tammy by Ideal, Tressy by American Character, and even Mrs. Lisa Littlechap and her daughters Libby and Judy by Remco, who would, it is obvious, be very distainful to any Lilli doll or one of her many clones. Dr. John, Mrs. L’s husband with greying temples and frown lines however, may have “cultivated” a “relation” with her...or maybe even pick the hitch-hiking doll up on the highway home from work at his cardboard office.

While Babs was billed as a “Teenage Queen of Fashion," perhaps inspired by the Barbie “Fashion Queen” doll which was a novelty of the Barbie line, the 18-inch (and another 15-inch edition) "Bild" Lilli-mould doll called “Miss Seventeen” was a “Beauty Queen." Issued by Marx Toys in 1961 and made in Hong Kong like her predecessors, “Miss Seventeen”, was previously called “Bonnie”, in the regular eleven and three-quarter inch version. This regular Lilli-sized doll by Marx Toys came with moulded-on heels and asterisk earrings in many cases. Bonnie’s wardrobe was identical to “Miss Seventeen’s”, the only difference being that the two different heights as mentioned earlier) and she was the hardest-looking doll of all. The fact is simply that Hausser, in hopes to keep up with the demand of the public for the Lilli dolls turned to the famous toymaker in the USA (and Germany) Louis Marx himself (who was married to the General Marshall's daughter, the General famous for the "Marshall Plan"). Hausser, breaking a deal at the Nuremburg Toy Fair in 1961, sold him the rights to make Lilli in Hong Kong for the American and Asian markets. This resulted in an official Hong Kong-made (no longer Bild) Lilli doll, as we know her today, the ones by Marx Toys, (in four sizes and in three different hair colours notably Bonnie and Miss Seventeen)...but Marx, thinking they were being very clever, eventually initiated a lawsuit with Mattel claiming they had the only "Official" license to the Lilli doll. Unfortunately, they eventually lost the case as Mattel had been selling Barbie already for three years with great success and had a shifty agreement with Hausser as well. AND, the market was already flooding with all the other Hong Kong companies copies.....so Mr. Marx and his famous company eventually dropped the suit and the dolls.

However, she came with a better quality wardrobe (of at least 12 outfits). You win some, you lose some in this life obviously. Her wardrobe was a winning aspect of the hard-hearted looking Lilli incarnation. Real fashion designers created the detailing and look of each outfit. The designers, founders of the well-known and highly significant American fashion design school called “The Fashion Institute of Technology” were Jay E. Watkins and Edward Roberts.

Miss Seventeen was of hard, rather brittle plastic and had black hair in an unusual hairstyle, two panels swept around to the back and in a ponytail or in a more standard ponytail with "Bild" Lilli’s ubiquitous spit curl. She was also available in blonde and occassionally a bright red which was seen on strippers in the late fifties. She came out of her startling black box, which matched the packaging of the “Fashion Book” separate outfits, and into the little girls' hands wearing a black one-piece swimsuit trimmed with a sort-of lace which was used on other outfits, a red cape lined in white satin, red heels, a gold crown, and proudly holding her beauty pageant trophy in gold-painted plastic. VERY “Queen for a Day” looking! She had a yellow ribbon-trimmed banner exclaiming she was a “Miss Seventeen." The doll itself was unmarked although she did look as if she might have had a tattoo somewhere.

Miss Seventeen's wardrobe was very original. In fact, it started the break away from the “Queen of Outer Space” look of previous dolls of this ilk inspite of her many outfit's evoking "queens". They were masterly illustrated in the true fashion drawing - style of America’s post-war industry, by this time very strong and independent and certainly sophisticated. They were long, elegant, and very refined. Unfortunately the doll itself was not as subtle in appearance as the drawings - far from it .

The text was an exacting copy of the Vogue magazine style of writing, very Diana Vreeland indeed! A refreshing aspect of the 12 available outfits was the fact that they did not imitate Barbie doll clothing and, with the exception of one quintessential gold lamé sheath, were independent from imitations of other doll clothes. They had a decidedly American fashion slant with only nods to Paris and Europe. The clothes were also of a very high quality, parallel practically to Barbie's wardrobe. They also were equally priced or in some cases more expensive than Barbie clothes. From the catalogue:

"Lovely Night"-- a cloud-soft, cloud-white nylon peignoir with its matching Grecian-style gown makes Miss Seventeen feel so pretty and pampered! This sleepy-time fashion comes with a separate taffeta underslip, dainty white slippers and a comb and mirror boudoir set. $4.49.

“Americain à la Mode”-- America’s favorite casual fashion - the shirtwaist dress! This one is styled for Miss Seventeen in a cool cotton print with tiny pearl buttons. Dress comes with a separate net crinoline for that bouffant look, white sandals, an umbrella, a handbag, panties and sunglasses. $2.49.”

“Rage of Paris"-- sophisticated fashion for Miss Seventeen in smart black faille bedecked with a rose. The finishing touch? A hat and muff of scarlet velvet and a rope of pearls. Separate petticoat, panties, black sandals and a slim umbrella are also included. $3.49.”

“Turnabout”-- a three-way wonder! Black wool sheath is a stylish basic...so chic with just a string of pearls. Reversible cape adds a fashion flair. One side matches the dress, the other is a contrasting velvet. Matching velvet bag and hat, pearl necklace, panties and dainty black sandals also included. $2.98.”

“On the Town”-- a breathtaking wedding gown of sleek white taffeta with an elegant lace train. Veil is of filmy net with a white floral crown, comes with a lovely white bouquet and a dainty blue garter for luck and a necklace of pearls. White sandals, separate petticoat and panties also included, $5.98.”

“Wedding Belles Bridesmaid-- a fresh and pretty Springtime look for the bridesmaids of Miss Seventeen! Pink embroidered bouffant dress with a face framing picture hat to match and a separate net petticoat comes with a bouquet of multi-colored garden flower, panties, a pair of white sandals. $5.98.”

“Champage Waltz”-- a dress for dancing the evening away! Pastel transparent nylon ties in back with a giant butterfly bow. Rustling taffeta underskirt is splashed with dainty white appliquéd flowers. Comes with a long rope of glistening pearls, panties and a pair of white light-footed sandals. $3.49.

“Beach Bait”-- a polka-dot costume to catch all eyes! Red and white cotton skirt slips over her “Beauty Queen” bathing suit - has a great cartwheel sun hat to match. Comes with all these extras for a day at the beach: striped terry towel, carryall bag, sunglasses and a pair of red sandals. $2.98.

“Matinée” [the obligatory homage to Jacqueline Kennedy, the big tendency of these early years].-- the ‘gracious lady’ look for our Miss Seventeen. Smart black 2-piece fashion is just right for the theatre, especially when it is brightened with a red velvet muff and a gay flowered hat, a pair of black sandals, a long pearl necklace and panties comes with this fashion. $4.49.”

“Date at the Plaza”-- straight from the pages of a fashion magazine...a three piece luxury costume! The front belted coat of elegant velvet has a pencil-slim skirt to match. Soft silk blouse matches lining of coat. Also included: a hat, matching muff, panties and a pair of black sandals. $4.49.”

“St. Moritz”-- snow bunny or expert, she’s smart on the slopes in this cozy hooded ski jacket worn over a turtle-neck sweater and slim black pants. Also included are ski boots, mittens to keep her fingers warm, ski poles and a pair of sunglasses to cut the glare of the sun on the snow. $3.49.”