Preta Pretinha

Antonia originally had the idea of opening the shop

after her own experience as an African-Brazilian woman

In her childhood

she wanted a doll that looked like her

Back then, however

only white dolls with European features were sold at shops

The only other doll available was an ugly witch

made of black cloth

and wearing cheap-looking clothes

it was far from what she wanted

When Antonia's grandmother saw her granddaughter cry

yearning for a cute black doll

she made one

with parts from an ordinary doll and black socks

She believed

it was important for her grandchild to be confident in herself

and thought that the doll would help

That was Antonia's first doll

Antonia later confessed

that her grandmother's education had given her the strength

to fight against the racial discrimination