After a successful soft launch in 2009, Dollie & Me hits close to 2,500 department stores nationwide this fall and holiday season, expanding the product line by 200% and laying the groundwork for a projected 400% increase in sales this year.

The new lifestyle brand featuring girls’ fashions matched with dolls offers parents a more financially practical and stylish alternative to over-priced dolls and young girls apparel. Named a 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner, the 18-inch dolls and the matching fashion and accessories for the girl and her doll are designed by longtime girls clothing designers at Kahn Lucas.

“What Dollie & Me is doing is invaluable,” NYU Child Study Center‘s clinical director Susan Schwartz, M.A., Ed. tells HCRSourceBook. “Providing girls with a way to express their individuality is both validating and liberating and those are key components to developing a healthy and confident sense of self.”

The Apparel. The fall & holiday 2010 collection includes dresses, sportswear, sleepwear, outerwear, dress-up costumes, handbags, hair accessories and jewelry in girls sizes 2T-14X – and for the dollies.

The Dolls. Partner Alexander Doll Company, Inc., designer and manufacturer of Madame Alexander dolls, produces the 18-inch dolls of exceptional quality, style and value. Dollie & Me’s Rachel, Ava and Gabriella have many realistic features, including sleep eyes, jointed bodies with soft torsos and high-quality hair for styling.

Now Available. Dillard’s has committed to over 170 store-within-a-store concepts. Find Dollie & Me in over 1,200 Kohl’s and 1,000 Sears stores as well as Sears Canada. Sears is also hosting over 100 in-store children’s charity events with Dollie & Me and K.I.D.S. on December 4. Also available on Amazon.com.

-Janet Muniz