Barbie's killin' me.
Feb. 2nd, 2002 12:25 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
elionwyrI just can't do any more with this right now. But if Rochelle's able to get some pics, then it might be ok.
Mrrrmft. I'm sick; I'm tired; I need to lie down.
Barbie: Poster Girl of Halloween?
We know her as the Queen of Pink. Her yuppified lifestyle has been the joy and bane of American girls since 1959. But when one takes a closer look, perhaps there’s room in our haunted house for Barbie after all.
In 1997, a new series of limited edition Barbie dolls from Mattel appeared on the shelves of Target, a store chain with a history of carrying exclusive toys for product lines such as Star Wars. This was a two-doll set that placed Barbie in a Halloween-themed sweater and a companion doll, Kelly, dressed as a pumpkin for a night of trick-or-treating. The set was followed in 1998 with a set dressing Barbie and Ken as pirates; in 1999, Barbie and Kelly appeared as tigers; and in 2001, “Halloween Princess Barbie” joined the ranks. (This design puts Her Pinkness in a striking purple spiderweb dress, and is my personal favorite in the series.)
So what happened in 2000? Well, a doll was indeed released, but this one, called “Enchanted Halloween Barbie,” was sold through grocery and drug stores. I was unable to learn all the details of the change in marketing; however, since this costume was that of a witch, I think it’s just as worth seeking out as the Target editions.
...But wait, there’s more!
Mattel sells a collector’s series of dolls
called “Barbie Loves Pop Culture.” And it is here that we find Barbie comes nearest to living in our world.
Lovers of the haunting musical, Phantom of the Opera, may be interested in learning that, to commemorate the Broadway show’s 10th anniversary in 1998, FAO Schwartz was the exclusive seller of a beautiful gift set depicting Barbie as Christine and Ken as Erik the tormented Phantom.
Conversely, followers of the TV series The X-Files may be chagrined by this news: Yes, a set of Barbie and Ken dolls was released that dressed the plastic couple as fan faves Scully and Mulder. Unfortunately, due to a dispute between Mattel and Fox, this item was pulled off the shelves and discontinued.
Not to worry, though. The year 2000 marked a new gothic twist to the world of Barbie as The Addams Family was brought into the fold, followed by The Munsters in 2001. Both sets are gorgeously done. Barbie’s Morticia is just about perfect; her Lily, incredible! Ken as Gomez isn’t quite as believable, but is still very well done; his Herman Munster is outstanding, however. Both Munsters sport a nicely done green skin tint...frankly, it’s surprising to me that Mattel would alter their icons as drastically as they do for both of these sets. But it’s this attention to detail that has made these dolls expensive best sellers.
2002, by the way, will contain the release of the newest doll in this series: Barbie as Samantha from Bewitched, complete with broomstick.
So set aside your pink prejudice, and give Barbie a second glance. With these new dolls coming out, she could well be the new poster girl of Halloween.
Mrrrmft. I'm sick; I'm tired; I need to lie down.
Barbie: Poster Girl of Halloween?
We know her as the Queen of Pink. Her yuppified lifestyle has been the joy and bane of American girls since 1959. But when one takes a closer look, perhaps there’s room in our haunted house for Barbie after all.
In 1997, a new series of limited edition Barbie dolls from Mattel appeared on the shelves of Target, a store chain with a history of carrying exclusive toys for product lines such as Star Wars. This was a two-doll set that placed Barbie in a Halloween-themed sweater and a companion doll, Kelly, dressed as a pumpkin for a night of trick-or-treating. The set was followed in 1998 with a set dressing Barbie and Ken as pirates; in 1999, Barbie and Kelly appeared as tigers; and in 2001, “Halloween Princess Barbie” joined the ranks. (This design puts Her Pinkness in a striking purple spiderweb dress, and is my personal favorite in the series.)
So what happened in 2000? Well, a doll was indeed released, but this one, called “Enchanted Halloween Barbie,” was sold through grocery and drug stores. I was unable to learn all the details of the change in marketing; however, since this costume was that of a witch, I think it’s just as worth seeking out as the Target editions.
...But wait, there’s more!
Mattel sells a collector’s series of dolls
called “Barbie Loves Pop Culture.” And it is here that we find Barbie comes nearest to living in our world.
Lovers of the haunting musical, Phantom of the Opera, may be interested in learning that, to commemorate the Broadway show’s 10th anniversary in 1998, FAO Schwartz was the exclusive seller of a beautiful gift set depicting Barbie as Christine and Ken as Erik the tormented Phantom.
Conversely, followers of the TV series The X-Files may be chagrined by this news: Yes, a set of Barbie and Ken dolls was released that dressed the plastic couple as fan faves Scully and Mulder. Unfortunately, due to a dispute between Mattel and Fox, this item was pulled off the shelves and discontinued.
Not to worry, though. The year 2000 marked a new gothic twist to the world of Barbie as The Addams Family was brought into the fold, followed by The Munsters in 2001. Both sets are gorgeously done. Barbie’s Morticia is just about perfect; her Lily, incredible! Ken as Gomez isn’t quite as believable, but is still very well done; his Herman Munster is outstanding, however. Both Munsters sport a nicely done green skin tint...frankly, it’s surprising to me that Mattel would alter their icons as drastically as they do for both of these sets. But it’s this attention to detail that has made these dolls expensive best sellers.
2002, by the way, will contain the release of the newest doll in this series: Barbie as Samantha from Bewitched, complete with broomstick.
So set aside your pink prejudice, and give Barbie a second glance. With these new dolls coming out, she could well be the new poster girl of Halloween.
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no subject
Date: 2002-09-09 05:10 pm (UTC)i never thought of her in such a light...not
even when i was a kid and used to dye/punk-out her hair
and dress her in black fishnet...
Well..
Date: 2002-09-09 08:12 pm (UTC)Next thing I knew, she was asking me to write the article.
And I gave her an off-hand yes.
*gick*
Actually, the Munsters set is still waaaaay expensive, while the Addams family was put on clearance last year.
There is simply *no* accounting for taste. ;)
And honestly..until I splurged and bought the Addams family set last year..I never owned a Barbie. I was such a deprived child..!
At any rate...glad you got a giggle out of the article!