In 1977, Barbie again underwent a major face sculpting change with the introduction of Superstar Barbie®. This doll featured a wide open-mouthed smile along with bright painted eyes, and looked much friendlier that any of the previous dolls. Barbie wore fashions that mirrored the funky trends found on dance floors across the country, as well as chic designer looks that came in vogue in the late 1970s. As always, Barbie had her finger on the pulse of Americana.

In the 1980s, Barbie collecting became more than a childhood pastime. With Barbie doll's original fans now in their twenties and thirties, Barbie collecting began attracting adult women as well as little girls. For many of these women, Barbie symbolized the innocence of their youth; she was a part of them that was timeless, ageless - and they wanted to reconnect with their favorite fashion doll! To meet the needs of these sophisticated adult collectors, Mattel issued Blue Rhapsody® Barbie® in 1986. This doll was Mattel's first porcelain doll, and marks the beginning of the collector line. Then in 1988 came Happy Holidays® Barbie® doll. Although she was not specifically targeted to the collector market, Barbie fans loved her and she sold out almost instantly at retail (only 300,000 were made). This event ignited the adult collecting boom and marked a turning point in Barbie doll history.

In the 1990s, some of the world's most famous designers began creating fashions for Barbie including Bob Mackie, Nolan Miller, Vera Wang, and Christian Dior just to name a few. Their intricately designed doll fashions generated a great deal of excitement in the doll collecting community. The Bob Mackie designs set a new standard with over-the-top glamour for Barbie featuring stunning gowns of sequins and beads. A new head mold and face sculpt, known today as the Mackie sculpt, was created for Barbie with the introduction of Mackie's Neptune Fantasy™ Barbie®. This sophisticated new sculpt features a full-lipped closed mouth smile and more elaborate face makeup. Bob Mackie's creations remain collector favorites.

In its continued efforts to offer the adult Barbie collector greater access to everything Barbie, Mattel launched The Official Barbie Collector's ClubSM in 1997. Membership benefits include special offers on exclusive club fashions and dolls, as well as providing members with inside information about Barbie.

In the late 1990s, computer technology boomed, and in 1996, Mattel launched www.barbie.com, the official Barbie website. In 1998, My Design™ was introduced on the site, allowing girls and collectors to decide what their Barbie doll friend would look like by choosing her hair/eye/makeup colors, fashions, accessories, and personality traits! Today, Barbie Collector has a website all its own, www.barbiecollector.com. The collector line now even has a dedicated online store at www.barbiecollectiblesstore.com.

In 2000, both Barbie.com and Barbiecollector.com received a brand new look as well as lots of exciting new content. Barbie.com, dedicated to the play-line Barbie dolls, is now a place where girls can play interactive games, make up stories online, and engage in numerous exciting interactive activities!

As the official Barbie Collector website, Barbiecollector.com showcases the elegance and glamour of the Barbie Collector line. Dedicated to the adult Barbie doll collector, this site features a comprehensive searchable doll showcase that contains all collector dolls back to 1980. It also features behind-the-scenes articles on the doll making process, interviews with Barbie doll designers, a complete year-by-year history of the Barbie doll, and much more.

Because of its immense popularity, Barbie doll collecting has spawned numerous clubs, conventions, magazines, and newsletters, and become an international phenomenon. With the many collector and limited edition dolls designed specifically for the adult collector, it's no wonder Barbie is the most Collectible Doll in the World. She has an innate ability to not only capitalize on trends, but to create some of her own.

As the popularity of vintage dolls continues rising, and the newer Barbie Collector® dolls generate increased excitement, it's clear that Barbie collecting is here to stay. Now in her fourth decade, the world's ultimate fashion model not only continues to retain her audience from years past, but also ignites the hopes, dreams, and imaginations of a new generation of little girls. Barbie - with her humble beginnings as a teenage fashion model - has transformed herself into best friend, confidante, and fearless adventurer. With a unique ability to inspire self-esteem, glamour, and a sense of adventure in all who love her, Barbie continues to inspire as she moves into the 21^st century.