Barbie Costume Guide
A Guide to the Barbie Doll Collection: A blog about the costumed history of the doll.
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Barbie has been a fashion icon and role model for over fifty years. Many collectors enjoy her vast array of costumes and accessories in the Barbie Doll Collection.
The Barbie Doll Collection is a comprehensive guide to all things Barbie-related, from the first doll that came out in 1959 to the brand new styles available today. Here are some posts from the blog that you may find useful:
Barbie’s History and Costumes: The history section is a great place to learn about the first Barbie dolls and their costumes. This page also gives information about how you can identify vintage dolls if you need to buy or sell one.
How to Use Your Accessories: The accessories section is another great resource for those who want to know more about their Barbie collection. It explains how to use the many accessories that come with your dolls, such as shoes, purses, jewelry, and more.
How to Store Your Dolls: One of the most important parts of collecting is learning how to store your dolls. This section explains some of the best ways to store them so they last longer and look better when displayed in public!
Buying New Dolls: Unfortunately, not all vintage dolls are in good condition. If yours needs some extra attention before it’s ready for display again then
BARBIE DOLL COLLECTION
Barbie has a long history of fashion and costume. The original Barbie doll was based on a German fashion doll called Bild Lilli. Dolls have been made since the mid 1800s, but the early Barbie dolls are considered by most to be a distinct collection.
In 1959, on March 9th, the first Barbie doll was sold. The doll cost $3, and had a black & white striped swimsuit and blonde hair. In 1961, the first brunette Barbie was released. 1962 was marked by the release of a redheaded Barbie named Titian (this is where I got my name).
The original Barbie had an adult figure, and came in many different costumes including some that were licensed from famous designers like Bob Mackie. Mattel added to the dolls likeness by adding new face molds as well as wigs with sculpted hairdos. In 1968 Mattel released another collection called “Barbie Friends.” These included African American and Hispanic dolls as well as play sets like camping and school sets for the dolls.
In 1979, Mattel introduced Ken (named after Ruth’s son) along with Skipper’s boyfriend Allan. Skipper is Barbie’s younger sister who is 2 years younger than her
How to go about collecting is also discussed and this includes the most important point of all, how to spot a fake. This can make life a whole lot easier especially when you are getting into the higher end of the collection market.
The blog is written by a doll collector who has been doing so for over thirty years now and she makes sure that readers only get the best information on this topic. After all, as a collector herself she knows what works and what doesn’t when it comes to Barbie doll collecting.
The blog is up to date with the latest news from the Barbie world as well as interesting tidbits from her own personal collection. There are also video posts which give you an insight into just how much fun Barbie collecting can be.
Barbie is not just a doll. She is more than that. Barbie has been a fashion icon, a trendsetter and even a role model. People all around the world love Barbie and collect her dolls. The Barbie collection currently includes: pink label, black label, silkstone, vintage reproduction, Barbie basics, the holiday barbie collection and more!
Pink Label – This series of dolls includes models of barbie in her original black and white bathing suit or the iconic pink box. There are also some very unique barbies in this series including the bob mackie barbie doll and the frankenstein barbie doll!
Black Label – The black label collection includes models of Barbie in her many roles as a fashion model, actress or pop star. The most popular dolls in this series are from the Mario Brothers movie.
Silkstone – This series of dolls features both traditional Barbies and some of Barbie’s friends such as Skipper (her sister), Ken (her boyfriend) and Midge (Skipper’s best friend).
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy-company Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration.
Barbie is the figurehead of a brand of Mattel dolls and accessories, including other family members and collectible dolls. Barbie has been an important part of the toy fashion doll market for over fifty years, and has been the subject of numerous controversies and lawsuits, often involving parody of the doll and her lifestyle.
Mattel has sold over a billion Barbie dolls, making it the company’s largest and most profitable line. However, sales have declined sharply since 2014. The doll transformed the toy business in affluent communities worldwide by becoming a vehicle for the sale of related merchandise (accessories, clothes, friends of Barbie, etc.). She had a significant impact on social values by conveying characteristics of female independence, and with her multitude of accessories, an idealized upscale life-style that can be shared with affluent friends.
The Barbie doll was created in 1959 by Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel. Inspired by her daughter, who loved paper dolls and fashion, Ruth went to a toy fair in New York City and saw the German Bild Lilli doll. She believed that this adult figure could be marketed to young girls as a fashion doll. Barbie was introduced at the New York Toy Fair in 1959, and became an instant success.
Ruth Handler originally named the Barbie doll after her daughter Barbara. The name was changed to Barbie because she was worried that boys would not want to play with a doll named Barbara.
The Ken doll was introduced two years later in 1961. Ken is named after Ruth Handler’s son, Kenneth Handler.
Barbie has had over 125 careers since 1959 including: astronaut, teacher, ballerina and even president!
In 1997 President Bill Clinton awarded Ruth Handler an award for her contributions to society with her creation of the Barbie doll.
Ken has had 30 careers including: doctor, pilot and rock star!