The Barbie Basics Collection: Permission to Play, Uh, I Meant Redress and Accessorize

The new Barbie Basics Models Collection 001 is perfect for collectors who love to redress and accessorize their dolls. I confess that would be me. I have bought dolls just for their fabulous ensemble or accessories to adorn another doll. Thank you for this collection, Mattel.

I must tell you that I’d planned to only purchase three of the dolls until I saw these photos on Flickr. All of the dolls are so much more appealing than the photos on the Barbie Collector site.

Here’s more info about the Collection:

Customize. Personalize. Play. Barbie Basics is all about permission to play. Part of the Barbie Basics Collection, this collection of dolls and fashions is all about customizing the fashion staple, the "Little Black Dress," and making it your own! This collection includes 12 different dolls each of which is dressed in a different style of a "Little Black Dress.” Barbie Basics Accessories, sold separately, help you personalize your very own "Little Black Dress" Barbie!

As you probably already know, the entire collection is on back order on Barbie Collector and pre-order at many doll dealers on the internet. There may be a few available at your local Toys R Us or other large stores. Shop wisely, as the dolls are advertised on the internet for a wide range of prices.

Let’s hope Mattel produces a sufficient quantity of these creations but remember this is Collection 001 so let's try to exercise restraint. LOL

© 2009, Don’t Just Play Barbie…Be Barbie!, www.bebarbie.net

Barbie Goes Muslim (for charity) and Causes International Controversy

Barbie has been almost every legitimate profession one can imagine. She's also been from several countries around the world too. Barbie has been praised for encouraging girls to be all they can be and criticized for unrealistic body measurements. She's had houses, automobiles, motorcycles, clothing, jewelry, etc. etc.

Now Barbie is the center of controversy again as Italian designer Eliana Lorena has created Burka Barbie for a fundraising auction at Sotheby's. The doll is part of a 500-Barbie doll collection. Checkout: Burka Barbie to raise funds for Save the Children csmonitor.com

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PHOTO: Newscom

Barbie Collector Catalog Spring Preview 2010

My Barbie Collector catalog arrived with an awesome cover of the Christian Louboutin Barbie from the 2010 "My Year in Paris" diary calendar. The mixture of Barbie with real people is so fabulous!

This catalog is definitely a keepsake. The folks at Barbie Collector put together a catalog with offerings that can be described as HOT...HOT...HOT! I'll blog about some of the dolls in the catalog but it definitely has an adult flavor this time. The problem is I'll probably have to eat Ramen Noodles all year just to afford the Barbie dolls and accoutrements that I want!

Smooches...

© 2009, Don’t Just Play Barbie…Be Barbie!, www.bebarbie.net

Barbie Collection (Production) Labels

If you're new to collecting Barbie, surely some of the terminology you've read has you totally confused or just plain ole unaware. Here's a graphic of the Barbie Collection Labels you may have already noticed on your Barbie's box or in the description of Barbie.

For more details, be sure to check the Barbie Collector website.

Ayako Jones Barbie

My Ayako Jones Barbie by Byron Lars arrived and she is gorgeous. Byron Lars’ style is definitely funky and I can hardly wait for the release of any of his creations.

This doll appears to be of better quality than his Chapeaux Collection. Gone are the plastic accessories and faux gloves. Sure, Ayako costs a bit more than the dolls in the Chapeaux Collection but I’d prefer to pay a little more for quality. What do you think?

These images have a lot of glare but I just love those shoes!

© 2009, Don’t Just Play Barbie…Be Barbie!, www.bebarbie.net