Since the first Barbie came off the production line in 1959 there have been literally hundreds of different Barbie dolls designed and marketed. Each doll is the result of a creative team with the intent of manifesting a range of Barbie dolls as unique and individual as the little girl that will fall in love with them.
Towards the end of the seventies there was a turn in Barbie’s image with the introduction of the “Superstar Barbie”. This Barbie was different to the others in that she actually had a career and funky dress sense complete with feather boa. It wasn’t until the eighties though that Barbie really took the world by storm when she became a rock star, a lawyer, a doctor, a nurse and more all while still maintaining her uniquely Barbie fashion sense.
The makers of the Barbie doll also made sure to include children the world over with the introduction of African American Barbie, Asian Barbie, Native American Barbie and a host of other nationalities. The Barbie accessory list also expanded and grew to include the Barbie Camper, Barbie horse and stable, Spa, Jeep, sports car, an array of jewelry and of course endless outfits.
To celebrate Barbie’s 50th Birthday the makers of Barbie, Mattel, decided to reproduce a selection of the most popular Barbie dolls through the decades. The first to hit the shelves again after 50 years was of course the very first Barbie manufactured- a blonde swimsuit Barbie complete with a zebra striped swimsuit, peep toe pumps, hoop earrings and stylish sunglasses. From there the reproductions continued through the seventies Barbie selection and into the eighties and nineties. Never to be forgotten Barbie dolls such as the ever glamorous southern belle- the Peaches and Cream Barbie once again saw the light of day. Peaches and Cream Barbie was popular for her beautiful dress with a pearly bodice and a pale peach skirt and a matching shawl. The outfit was completed with sparkling jewels and matching pumps and the whole ensemble had little girls the world over imagining this Barbie as the belle of the ball.
Although the reproductions look exactly the same as the originals down to the last strand of Barbie’s perfectly coiffed hair, naturally it isn’t the same for the die-hard Barbie collectors where only the original, vintage copy will do. It is because of this that the prices on online auction sites such as Amazon or EBay for an original Barbie will not likely be affected by the reproductions. Of course, for the nostalgic Barbie lovers like me, the reproductions are a good opportunity to once again own your favorite Barbie from childhood that you thought forever lost.