Fabulous Barbie Weekend

This weekend the Barbie Runway Fashion Show took place featuring 50 designers modeling outfits created especially for the show. There were several full size Barbie outfits. I'm sure you will recognize them. You can view the whole show here! Here is one of my favorite outfits. I'm sorry, but I don't know the designer of this one. See more pictures here.

ASM Magazine has pictures from Mattel's Toy Fair display for your viewing pleasure. They feature the playline dolls first, then there are photographs of classic Barbies. The Collector Line follows on the last page. Finally, there are some beautiful photos on Flickr.

Have a wonderful Barbie Week!

Barbie Then and Now

Here is a cute new playline Barbie. Look at the face, it's a Mackie Barbie face! She is a modern version of the 1959 Bathing Suit Barbie. Up to now, only seen on ebay, now she is available at Amazon for a pretty good price. It's almost worth it to get two!

The Good The Bad and the Ugly: Two New Barbie Books

A few new Barbie books are being released in time for Barbie's 50th Anniversary. One is a new biography of Ruth Handler and Barbie. Based on original research, extensive interviews, and previously unavailable material, Barbie and Ruth tells the fascinating story of how two women forever changed American business and culture.

A second book may take you more deeply into the world of Mattel. Toy Monster takes a tour of Mattel’s seamier side and chronicles the fierce competition and eventual litigation between Mattel and the creators of the rival Bratz line, as well as 2007’s “Black Friday the 13th,” when potentially deadly magnets and lead paint in the company’s most popular toys led to two massive recalls. You can read a review of the book here.

Both of these books should provide some interesting reading in this 50th year of Barbie!