Josefina Montoya (doll)

The Josefina doll with Sunlight and Shadows.

The Josefina Montoya doll was released in 1997 and updated in Fall 2014 with BeForever. A Limited Edition version was released for the 35th anniversary in 2021.

Josefina Doll

• Face Mold: Josefina Mold - Josefina was the first doll with this face mold.
• Skin: Medium
• Hair: Very dark brown with auburn highlights, straight, no bangs, no part

Josefina comes with her hair braided back.

• Eyes: Dark Brown
• Brows: Feathered
• Other: Josefina has permanent gold hoop earrings in each ear.

Meet Outfit

Classic Edition

Josefina's Classic Meet Outfit with Meet Josefina.

Josefina's meet outfit reflects daily fashion on a Mexican rancho in 1824; women wore less restrictive clothing than what was worn in white American fashion of the time. Casual clothing consisted of long blouses with simple skirts and sashes. The outfit shows influences from Native people of the area as well.

After the launch of BeForever, the set was sold (minus hair accessories) as Josefina's Classic Outfit for $36.

Camisa

White camisa (blouse) with short puffed sleeves and a gathered neckline. Small white trim at neckline and sleeves. Velcros up the back. The camisa comes down to about the knees.

Skirt

Maroon skirt with black flower print; waistband and white trim sewn to the bottom on a white fabric strip. Velcros near the waistband.

Sash

Brown woven sash with darker brown stripes. Braided at the ends. Worn around the waist over the skirt.

Drawers

White knee-length drawers with elastic at the back and a V panel at the front.

Moccasins

Brown soft leather moccasins that lace up and tie in the front. The laces were originally a leather string, but changed into a more shoe lace like string in the Mattel years.

Hair Ribbon

1/4" wide dark turquoise ribbon. Is tied around the bottom of Josefina's braid.

Hair Flowers

Three faux yellow primroses on a shared plastic stem.

BeForever Version

Josefina's BeForever outfit.

The BeForever Outfit for Josefina was available alone for $36 starting in 2014 and retired as a separately available purchase in 2018. Unlike most BeForever revisions, the only major changes in the outfit were to the skirt and belt; otherwise the components are identical.

Camisa

White camisa blouse; identical to to the Classic one.

Skirt

Bright red calf length skirt. Skirt has blue flower print, three bright blue stripes and two orange stripes with blue flowers. White scalloped trim sewn to the bottom on a white fabric strip to simulate an underpetticoat. Velcros at the waistband.

Belt

Bright royal blue woven belt. Darker blue horizontal stripes. Braided at the ends. Worn around the waist over the skirt.

Drawers

White knee-length drawers; identical to to the Classic pair.

Moccasins

Light brown soft leather moccasins with white lining. Lace up and tie in the front.

Hair Ribbon

1/4" wide dark blue ribbon that comes tied around the bottom of Josefina's braid.

Hair Flowers

Three faux yellow primroses on a shared plastic stem; identical to the Classic flowers.

Meet Accessories

Josefina's Meet Accessories.

Josefina's accessories were not dramatically changed even with the BeForever release. The only change to the accessories was in 2007 when her rebozo switched from a diamond pattern to the current striped pattern.

Rebozo

A 34" long (not including fringe) by 5" wide rebozo. First edition has a subtle diamond pattern on main body, while current edition has multicolored stripes. Comes with a pamphlet discussing three other ways to wear the rebozo--wrapped around the head to cover from the sun, tied around one shoulder to carry items, and wrapped and tied around the upper body.

It is shown wrapped loosely around Josefina's arms on the cover of Meet Josefina.

Ways to wear Josefina's rebozo

Necklace

A gold cross-shaped pendant on a gold chain with a faux-garnet stone in the center. Older versions close with a latch clasp, while BeForever and later versions close with interlocking hearts.

Leather Pouch

A leather sewn leather pouch that closes with a button and loop. It is designed to attach to the belt.

Handkerchief

A white sheer handkerchief that has a Mexican style embroidered flower.

Jola coin

A replica of a copper jola (HOH-la) coin. The pamphlet that discusses the rebozo also discusses the jola as a coin of Mexico.

35th Anniversary Edition

35th Anniversary Edition.

For American Girl's 35th Anniversary, Josefina was rereleased as a limited edition bundle. The bundle includes the doll in the Classic Meet Outfit, current meet accessories, the first edition parchment style of Meet Josefina and an older-style box (modified with visibility window) for a total cost of $150.

Unlike standard dolls sold at this time, Josefina has neck strings. The rebozo is the newer style with stripes rather than diamonds.

Dress Like Your Doll

Josefina's Meet Outfit.

The matching outfit for children was available:

• Camisa: $32
• Skirt and Sash: $45
• Rebozo: $36
• Petticoat: $20
• Garnet Necklace: $18

The clothes were phased out around 2000.

Dress Like Your Doll: BeForever

Desert Flower Dress.

A dress inspired by Josefina's BeForever Meet Outfit, the Desert Flower Dress, was available for $52 and retired in 2017.

Pre-Mattel Differences

Specific differences between the Pre-Mattel and Mattel versions of the doll are minimal, likely because Josefina was the last Historical Character released before the transition.

Trivia

• Josefina was the first doll released with her face mold.
• Josefina is the only transitional BeForever character who did not have her meet accessories updated.