by Matt Stevens

There’s a faded, black-and-white photo hanging on my wall. It’s me at age three (when I was cute, as my older siblings tease), wearing a tiny Batman^™ cape, mask, and t-shirt. Though I have no memory of this adorable getup (I was cute in it!), my earliest remembrances do include (to my mother’s horror) my hopping on the living room furniture — leaping tall buildings and shooting spider webs from my wrists!

Wrapping Up the 2011 Barbie^® Fashion Model Collection

by Tara Zucker

When I think of Russia, I think of many things - majestic snow-covered landscapes, great works of literature, and a culture rich with tradition. But mostly I think about fabulous hats and boots. And spies. And that is why I'm so drawn to the 2011 Barbie^® Fashion Model Collection.

By Pat Henry, Editor of Fashion Doll Quarterly

As we continue to celebrate Ken’s birthday as well as his reunion with Barbie in 2011, it is fun to look back at Ken through the years and his many styles of dress. Certainly, his place as Barbie’s consort meant a lot of coordinating looks. “Dreamboat” by itself is just a few pieces of sportswear, but putting Barbie and Ken in the roadster while Babs is in “Open Road” becomes an entire narrative.

Certainly, the matching cheerleader/football player is a classic, as is the costume party pairing of “Pierrot” and “Pierrette”, along with the fantasy driven costumes for the Little Theatre, like “Cinderella” and “The Prince”. But to me, the realistic and well made details of “The Yachtsman” or “Rally Day” reminds me of my own father’s wardrobe. The smell of after shave and soap, along with the classic lines of a striped tee shirt, or a driving cap and a Macintosh raincoat, combine to form a tiny time capsule of early sixties high style, when men (and women) still dressed for work and play with a certain sensibility.

By Pat Henry, Editor of Fashion Doll Quarterly

This is the first in a ongoing series of posts on BarbieCollector.com by “celebrity” voices in the doll collecting community! Every so often, you’ll find new articles from special guest bloggers, on topics including history, pop culture, collecting, personal reminiscences, and so much more. They’ll all have something in common, though – undying love for their favorite fashion icon and her ultimate boyfriend. Read on!

When a guy gives a girl pink cupcakes, that's sweet. When a guy appears on billboards in New York and LA asking for back, that's larger than life. All the more impressive considering the guy in question is only 12-inches tall. Personally, I am thrilled that Ken is still around, and that Mattel has cleverly made his half-century mark a newsworthy milestone, buoyed by the latest development in his on-again/off-again relationship with his beloved Barbie.

Fans worldwide were saddened by the passing of Elizabeth Taylor, one of Hollywood’s brightest stars. Now, fans of the icon are celebrating the life of the legendary actress in a variety of unexpected and fulfilling ways. Barbie collectors were given a special surprise back in 2000, when Elizabeth Taylor consented to three amazing dolls made in her likeness, Father of the Bride^™, Cleopatra^™ and White Diamonds^™ (named after the actress’s signature fragrance). Thanks to the talented hands of doll artists and fans, Mattel’s superb dolls are capturing her signature looks in many of her greatest films!

Creative collectors remove the dolls from their boxes, then re-wig, redesign and redress them in their own vision. The Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra^™ is a terrific example of a doll with infinite possibilities. First, savvy collectors remove her glittery costume in lieu of something the actress would have worn on her many movie magazine covers. Once Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra^™ has been freed from ancient Egypt, artists cut her stick-straight hair and give her a totally retro brunette bubble cut or pageboy! Many collectors find a perfect fit using the brunette pageboy wig that came with the BFMC Spa Getaway Collection. The dark brown wig is a terrific throwback to the fifties-style haircuts worn by Elizabeth Taylor during that era. You can also achieve the same look with the Father of the Bride^™ or White Diamonds^™ dolls, all it takes is a costume change! Barbie^® doll’s vintage wardrobe mirrors the styles of the period with plenty of cinched waists, full-skirts and slinky glamour sheaths for you to choose from.