Fashion Angels' Color Rox Hair Chox™ Earns Top Toy Nomination

The Toy Industry Association (TIA) has recognized Fashion Angels Enterprises with a top toy nomination in its 2013 Toy of the Year Awards. Fashion Angels' Color Rox Hair Chox™, the breakthrough temporary hair color kit for tweens, is a finalist in the Specialty Toy of the Year category.

Bill Uzell, Executive Vice President of the company, said, "We're honored to be selected by TIA for the award. When we introduced Hair Chox, it was an immediate hit. The kit has been one of our best selling products of the year and we have a lot of plans to add even more dynamic options to the Hair Chox line in 2013."

This year, TIA opened the voting for the top toys to everyone. Between now and January 13, 2013, toy lovers of all ages can visit ToyAwards.org to vote for their favorite playthings in 12 different categories - including Fashion Angels Color Rox Hair Chox in the Specialty Toy of the Year category.

Fashion Angels' Color Rox Hair Chox ($11.99 for ages 8 and up) offers tweens fun, affordable experimentation of the haute hair chalking trend. The kit is a great alternative to permanent, messy hair dyes with an easy application that a child can do themselves or with friends. The brilliant temporary colors simply wash out with shampoo. The kits include five temporary hair color chox stems (purple, pink, blue, orange and green) with comfortable applicator grips, as well as 24 beads, 24 rubber bands and a bead threader for more hair decoration alternatives. Fashion Angels also offers all of its Hair Chox color favorites as individual Chox ($3.99 each) sold separately.

"Each year, TOTY celebrates the creative spirit of the toy industry and honors the joy that toys and games bring to kids of all walks of life," said Carter Keithley, TIA President.

"The toys in the 2013 TOTY line-up emphasize play value, originality and innovation across all market sectors," said Stacy Leistner, TIA vice president of strategic communications. "To elevate the excitement surrounding the awards, this year we are introducing the 'People's Choice Award.' The winner in this category will be selected exclusively by votes received on our ToyAwards.org website. It will be the public's choice of the most popular plaything of the year!"

This year's finalists – representing 69 unique products or properties from 46 companies – were selected from nearly 650 nominees submitted for consideration. Nomination committees comprised of academics, journalists, toy trend experts, play therapists, toy inventors and designers, and toy retailers narrowed the field to the slate of finalists that were introduced today. The winners will be announced during the awards ceremony on Saturday, February 9, 2013 as the kick-off to the 110th American International Toy Fair.

More information about the TOTY Awards (including product images and descriptions), the Toy Industry Hall of Fame, the Toy Industry Association and the Toy Industry Foundation can be found in the online press room www.ToyAwards.org/Press. The TOTY Awards program is the annual Toy Industry Association-administered event in support of the inspiring work of the Toy Industry Foundation.

Last year, Fashion Angels' Project Runway Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio Arist Set was a finalist for TIA 2012 Activity Toy of the Year.

About Fashion Angels Enterprises:
The Milwaukee-based, Fashion Angels Enterprises (formerly known as The Bead Shop), was established in 1996, and quickly earned a reputation for designing and manufacturing high quality tween girls' products. Beginning with craft and beading kits, Fashion Angels Enterprises now encompasses design and craft kits, an eco-friendly line, licensed product lines featuring Project Runway™, Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Monster High™, Lalaloopsy™, Disney Princess, a jewelry and accessory line, and pet products. The company's mission is simple, but something its founders are deeply passionate about: Fashion Angels Enterprises is committed to designing and manufacturing the most innovative, fashion-forward, and safe products on the market. The company strives to provide customers with high quality products that teach valuable skills and ignite a creative spark within each of them. The company is also concerned about the world we live in and believes it's important to help the environment. Its goal is to make as little impact on the environment as possible while still providing customers with exceptional products. Currently, Fashion Angels products are carried by over 20,000 retail stores in the U.S. and are distributed globally. For additional information, please visit the company website at www.fashionangels.com and for the most up to the minute information and to interact with Fashion Angels, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

About the Toy Industry Association (TIA):
TIA is the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and bringing toys and youth entertainment products to kids of all ages, representing more than 550 companies who account for approximately 85% of domestic toy sales. Toy safety is the number one priority for the toy industry. TIA has a long history of leadership in toy safety including the development of the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 30 years ago, and working with government, consumers and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play. For more information, please visit www.toyassociation.org or www.toyinfo.org.