Happy New Year!

It’s 2009 and I am so excited about Mattel’s 2009 collection. This year is Barbie’s 50th anniversary so there’s likely to be a lot of coverage of that milestone. It’s great to see more black dolls offered and I am so looking forward to adding both versions of Debut Barbie to my collection.

We’ll discuss these dolls and more throughout the year so be sure to come back often. In the meantime, enjoy this New Year and celebrate each day.

Kwanzaa Barbie

In 2006, Mattel produced Kwanzaa Barbie in recognition of the seven-day celebration developed to strengthen African-American values of family, community and culture. There's also an aspect of Kwanzaa that discourages commercialism and encourages educational gifts for children.

Initially, when I saw the Kwanzaa Barbie advertised, I was disappointed in the commercialization of the celebration. The doll was included in their Dolls of the World - Festivals of the World Collection so I understood their perspective.

I was also disappointed that the doll, although dressed in African-inspired attire, had way beyond shoulder-length wavy hair and gray eyes. I'm sure there's a black woman somewhere in the world that looks like that but for the most part, the doll reinforces a negative self-image in little black girls. She's a beautiful doll but the same hair with a shoulder-length cut and brown eyes would have been much better. This doll is no longer in production but is likely available on the secondary market.

Thank You and Personalized Slide Show from Fashion Royalty Girl

I was completely floored to receive the personalized slide show created by Deb AKA Fashion Royalty Girl. Is that awesome or what? I love this so much that I've already placed it on my sidebar. Yeah, I know that's redundant any maybe a little tacky but I don't care. Miss Deb is all that and a bag of chips.

I just love the ladies and gents in the slide show. It's Deb's attention to details that set her work apart from other photographers.



Thanks, Deb; you have really made my day. Happy collecting!

Meet a Doll Collector: Deb AKA Fashion Royalty Girl

If you love doll fashion, you must check out the photography of one of my MySpace buddies, Deb AKA Fashion Royalty Girl. Not only is she a doll collector, she’s also a doll photographer and doll artist. Many of her fabulous doll scenes have graced my page on MySpace and I look forward to displays of her creativity. You can see some of Deb’s work in the slide show at the bottom of this page.

Be sure to go to her page and check out her work. While she’s more into Fashion Royalty dolls, some of the dolls in her photos are redressed in Barbie fashions. The fashions, hair and accessories are perfect for the message she conveys with each photo.

I hope you enjoy getting to know this doll collector. Stay tuned for features of other doll enthusiasts. Feel free to let me know if you’d like to be in the doll collector spotlight. Don’t be shy. Until the next time…..

Smooches!

Post-Election Comeback

Hey, everyone. I'm over the craziness and exhaustion of the 2008 General Election. Yes, my candidate, Barack Obama is now the President-Elect and many are pleased throughout the world.

If you're not an Obama supporter, that's cool too. The people in the United States spoke and Barack Obama again out-campaigned a more seasoned competitor. Barbie fans still don't have a President Barbie and that's OK, too.

Barbie in 2012!

I do hope you will become or remain engaged in the political process wherever you are. Now...back to Barbie collecting for Barbie fans!

Sneak Peek: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Barbie

I've posted previouslyabout the upcoming release of the Barbie doll in honor of the 5oth anniversary of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. As you can see, she's pivotal, not a surprise but where's the umbrella?

Her eyelashes appear to be rooted and her hair is in a natural hairstyle.

This doll is scheduled for a December 2008 release. I am looking forward to adding her to my collection.

Stay tuned for more sneak peeks.

AKA Barbie Online!

For everyone who's asked, you can purchase the AKA Centennial Barbie at BarbieCollector.com. She sells for $49.95 and there is a 5 doll per order limit. :(

Official Response on the AKA Barbie

I've received a few questions about the AKA Barbie: where she can be purchased, when she'll be available and how much she costs. I've only been able to share what I've learned through Sorority communiqués and information shared on the Barbie Bulletin Board.

One of my sisters actually got an official response from Barbie Collector and here it is:

Subject: FYI: [Fwd: Re: Barbie Collector
by Mail Order]

I got tired of all the speculations; so I contacted them
myself.


From: Barbie Collector Customer
Service
<customerservice@barbiecollector.com>
Date:
2008/08/07 Thu PM 08:57:08 CDT
Subject: Re: Barbie Collector by Mail
Order

Dear Barbie Collector Customer,

Thank you for asking about
the Alpha Kappa Alpha Barbie doll. The AKA Centennial Barbie doll, which honors
Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first sorority established by black women, was unveiled
to sorority members during their Centennial event held July 11-18, 2008, in
Washington, D.C.

Ordering information and official
pictures of the doll will be available beginning August 15, 2008, on
barbiecollector.com.

Please continue to check our website for further
information on this exciting new doll. Thank you for your
patience.

Sincerely,

Barbie(R) Collector Customer
Service
Phone: 1-800-491-7514
Hours: Monday - Sunday 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Central Time
E-mail address:
customerservice@barbiecollector.com


Original Message
Follows:
------------------------

Barbie Collector by Mail Order

Customer Email address:

When is
the Alpha Kappa Alpha Barbie going to be on your website?

Barbie Fan Club Chat

I participated in my first BFC (Barbie Fan Club) chat last night. The guests were designers Robert Best, Sharon Zuckerman, Bill Greening and Linda Kyaw.

The conversation was fast-paced and covered a number of topics. I was excited about plans for a new black Silkstone doll in 2009 and a reproduction of the Julia doll.

Mattel is going to force me to eat peanut butter to save for all of the dolls I want. Ha! I actually had my Barbie addiction under control at one point. Now, I think I may need to try a 12-step program.

Coincidentally, I was speaking with a young lady in my office today. She had no idea about the groundbreaking Julia television series and proceeded to remind me that she was born in 1989. Aarrgh!

Anyhoo, here's a photo of the Julia doll and a link to more information about the television series starring the legendary Diahann Carroll.

I'm looking forward to purchasing the Julia reproduction doll and the new Silkstone.

My AKA Barbie Arrived!

My Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Barbie arrived in the mail and she is gorgeous! I love her and can hardly wait until my second doll arrives so I can redress one of my other Barbies in the fabulous dress and those lovely shoes.

Actually, I probably need to wait until I get a doll for my mom who is also a sorority member and several nieces and god-daughters who I expect to pledge as soon as they get the opportunity.

As I reassess my Barbie needs, I think I'll need at least 10 more AKA Barbie dolls. Wow, I guess I'll have to change my spending habits to fit those purchases in my personal budget. I don't care; those dolls are worth it.