Barbie has been a cherished part of many childhoods, but beyond the familiar figures that graced toy shops, lies a world of collector Barbies. These dolls not only embody exquisite craftsmanship but are also special for a reason. From iconic firsts to best-selling Barbies, let’s explore 7 special and extraordinary Barbies from 1959 and beyond!
Original Barbie
The OG Barbie, the doll of all dolls, was first made in 1959. The original Barbie came in both blonde and brunette and wore a snazzy striped swimming costume, hooped earrings and cat eye sunglasses. Back in 1959, you could buy her for just $3. But now the original Barbie, if found in mint condition, is a rare collectors’ item. 300,000 Original Barbies were sold in the first year. You can see the original Barbie in our Young V&A museum, Bethnal Green, London.
Malibu Barbie
MAL-I-BU BARBIE! This ICON was released in 1971, making Barbie the ultimate California girly. Back then, sunscreen wasn’t a thing, and Malibu Barbie was certainly a stranger to SPF. She was a huge commercial success and continued the 60s surfer craze obsession into the 1970s and beyond. Malibu Barbie is currently getting some much needed shade at the Young V&A, Bethnal Green, London.
Totally Hair Barbie
Totally Hair Barbie is the highest-selling Barbie in HISTORY. She was so popular during her release in 1991, every kid just had to brush those luxurious 11.5 inch locks! It’s a good job she came with her own brush as by Boxing Day, it must have been a bad hair day for this Barbie. This particular doll has been kept immaculate in her box and resides at the Young V&A, Bethnal Green, London.
Kitty Black Perkins
Named after the designer, Kitty Black Perkins, this was the “first” Barbie with darker skin. Mattel released darker skinned dolls as friends of Barbie, but Kitty was a Barbie in her own right, released in 1980. Kitty Black Perkins was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina into a racially segregated society and became the first African-American chief designer of fashions and doll concepts for the entire Barbie range, creating more than 100 designs a year until leaving Mattel in 2003. Kitty is now on display at the Young V&A, Bethnal Green, London.
Barbie Fashionistas
Barbie Fashionistas were released pre-pandemic to a world craving diversity and change in children’s toys. Now there was finally a range of Barbies for everyone. This gorgeous doll was released in 2019, sporting purple hair and a cool jumpsuit. Perfect for summer! She currently resides in the Young V&A collection.
Swan Lake Barbie
The noughties saw the release of Barbie of Swan Lake and of course, the beautiful Barbie doll had to be released so children could reenact Odette’s moves in their rooms. The wings lit up and of course, she had a little swan companion accessory. This Swan Lake Barbie doll is now considered a collectors item and sits in the Young V&A museum – maybe one day she will dance again!
Barbie Fashionistas
Barbie Fashionistas saw the release of Barbie in a wheelchair. Mattel had released a friend of Barbie in a wheelchair in 1997, but design flaws saw a need for total redesign – one of which was her hair got caught in the wheels – ouch! Barbie Fashionista comes with 22 moveable joints, a rolling manual wheelchair and a plastic ramp to be used anywhere, compatiable with Barbie Dreamhouse. You can see this Barbie at the Young V&A, Bethnal Green, London.
