Comme un oiseau qui s'envole

Time = Life = Music

Music = Time = Life 

Life = Music = Time

All of them fly. 

It is Dolldom's firm belief that dollectors enjoy their pursuit as much for the aesthetic pleasure as it is for the illusion of being able to go back in time: to childhood, to adolescence, to that period when make-believe, when fantasy, when everything, it was felt, was possible. Manipulating the artifacts of the past or those reproduced to evoke the period initiates a process in which glimpses of sensations or filed-away memories come back intact. And the dollector is transported. Not bad for a 40 dollar investment, in the case of today's entry. 

Back in 1976, Mattel introduced a new Barbie doll sculpt titled SuperStar. With her ultra bright smile and wide-eyes, the Barbie doll entered the world of children at heart with a qualifier, a set identity that, to some, broke away from Ruth Handler's original idea of doll as blank slate onto which to project one's fantasy. To others, it was a logic progression: the teen-age fashion model had become a superstar, not unlike the many super models of the period.  And super models and super stars all went to the disco, Studio 54 to be exact, and hung out with Andy, Bianca, Liza, Halston...

2021's reproduction of 1977's SuperStar Christie, beautifully rendered in her yellow satin gown and silvery boa, is our golden ticket to a night of dancing and glamour. Are you ready? And who better to escort us in but Maximilien Hadefi with his 1975 hit "Come un oiseau qui s'envole", covered gorgeously in Spanish in 1977 by Nydia Caro as "El amor entre tú y yo". Yes, it's French and Spanish night at Dolldom's disco. Take your pick. 

SuperStar Christie, do your fine thing...

Barbie, You're Beautiful!

Barbie, you're beautiful,

You make me feel

My Barbie doll is really real.


Dress by Markofashion

Dresses by Marirose

Dresses by Marirose

Barbie doll is so petite

Her clothes and figure look so neat.

Her dancing outfit rings a bell,

Fashions by MyDollyDolls

At parties she will cast a spell.

Purse and hats and gloves galore

Dress and hat set by Markofashion

And all the gadgets gals adore!

Dress by BarbieDollsBoutique

Barbie dressed for swim and fun is only three dollars. 

Her lovely fashions range from one to five dollars. Ask for Barbie wherever dolls are sold.

Dress by BarbieDollsBoutique

Someday I'm gonna be

Exactly like you,

Fashion by Marirose

T'ill then I'll know just what I'll do.

Kimono by Sylvia Campbell

 
Barbie, beautiful, Barbie

I'll make believe that I am you!

You can tell it's Mattel, it's swell!

Resources for readers:

Hair by Bobby Taylor for Pink Bubbles Doll Spa

Marirose

Markofashion

BarbieDollsBoutique

Sylvia Campbell

MyDollyDolls

Like a Hot Toddy

This winter, stay warm and cozy in a HillCrestBarbies sweater dress. Expertly knitted by Henrietta Lockhart, the sweater dress goes from office to party and keeps the wearer comfortable and chic.


A delectable trio made with fine yarns and ingenious patterns.


Blues and pinks abound in a dynamic play of vertical and horizontal lines. Hair by Pink Bubbles Doll Spa.


A patchwork-look pattern imparts an evocative 1970s vibe.


A beautiful neckline accompanies the shorter hemline of this eye-catching number.

To learn more about HillCrestBarbies, 

visit Ms. Lockhart's boutique on Etsy.

Glamourama

Reminiscent of "Enchanted Evening" (#983, 1960-1963), the newly released Glam Gown BFMC Silkstone Barbie doll closes the 2016 Robert Best fashion show.

The beautifully draped satin column boasts a constellation of beads and sequins placed next to the rosette from which the organza trains originates.

The Barbie doll's hair is a sensational shade of platinum grey and her brown eyes create an unforgettable contrast.

An exclusive to members of the Barbie Doll Club, Glam Gown is sure to become a point of reference to collectors just like the Charlotte Johnson's "Enchanted Evening" from 1960 continues to be.

Congratulations to Robert Best for another groundbreaking collection.

Francie's 50th!

When one's cousin turns fifty, what to do? Throw a big party! And that's exactly what the Barbie doll is doing in this Dolldom exclusive entry - celebrate her MOD*ern cousin!

Francie was introduced in a smooth black and white commercial back in 1966:

" This is Francie. Long hair. Real lashes. And bendable legs. She's MOD. Real kicky things. Granny gowns, groovy jumpers, and stockings. Like wild! Francie, Mattel's MODern new teenage doll. She's what's happening. You can tell she's Mattel, she's groovy"

And groovy she is as the following photos illustrate.

Happy 50th, Groovy Girl!


Hello, I'm Francie Fairchild
Portrait of a brunette standard Francie doll. This doll has been closely reproduced by Mattel's Bill Greening in her 50th Anniversary version.

Mod*ern Cousin, You Bet!
A standard brunette Francie doll arrives to shake things up in Barbie doll's world! Her hooded ensemble, "1264 "Swingin' Skimmy" from 1966-67, and #1250 "Gad-Abouts" from 1966-67 evoke the Youthquake period to perfection.

Malibu Style
A first issue Malibu Francie from 1971 is ready to impress her fellow sun-seekers in #1290 "Denims On!" from 1967




Francie in Japan 
The Francie doll was immensely popular in Japan, so much that she had her own Japanese face-up and fashions. Sold only with brunette hair, Japanese Francie models a reproduction of her lace kimono, made with loving expertise by Sylvia Campbell for Snowdance Fashions.


Most Beautiful Francie
A Black Twist-and-Turn Francie from 1967 represents a bold move to integrate African American dolls into Barbie doll's world. Miss Francie looks smashing in #1208 "The Silver Cage" from 1968-69.

Pink and Pure
A blonde Francie Twist-and-Turn- looks spring-perfect in  #1276 "Summer Frost" from 1967.


Brave New World
Francie came back in 2012 as part of the BFMC and made of Silkstone. Kitty Corner models a vintage Royal two-piece set made in British Hong Kong and her original stockings and shoes. Her hair was restyled by Bobby Taylor of Pink Bubbles Doll Spa.


The London Look
Green and blue combine in two different yet very iconic looks: #1250 "Gad-Abouts" from 1966-67 on a blonde standard Francie doll and #1251 "It's A Date!" from 1966 on a brunette bendable leg doll. Mid-Centrury Modern table by Darren Cole for Retros. Chair by Maryann Roy.




I'm with Francie!
Francie ushered a new era to the Barbie doll's world. In #1207 "Floating-In" from 1968-69, a blonde bendable leg doll leads her cousin in style and youth appeal.


At the Parade
The color palette of #1266 "Quick Shift" from 1966 matches Midge's "Poodle Parade" (#1643) from 1965.


Out of the Bag
A "baggie" Francie (Mattel sold left-over dolls in clear plastic bag packages in 1975) gives good face in #1291 "Check This!" from 1967.


Happy Birthday, Francie!
The gang comes together to wish Francie the very best. Francie chooses to model Poppy Parker's Joyful Celebration gown at her very joyful celebration.

Dolldom dedicates this feature to Mr. A. Glenn Mandeville whose research and photographic work in the area of vintage Barbie and other fashion dolls has and continues to inspire us.

Credits:
Sylvia Campbell's Snowdance Fashions

Bobby Taylor's Pink Bubbles Doll Spa 

Welcome Home Furniture 

Darren Cole Furniture 

Morrison Furniture Studio