My Barbie Fashion Shop

 



1966 Christmas Morning
My Barbie Fashion Shop
 all wrapped up behind Me,
and my Barbie Keys to
Fame game in front of me.

Today I glanced over and saw my fashion shop, which brings back so many memories from my childhood.  It was one of my favorite Christmas presents.  I received it Christmas morning in 1966, which would make it 47 years this coming December!  Unfortunately I don’t have the original anymore, but I found myself another one years ago.


 

Front of the Box

This cardboard structure is everything girls dream about when playing Barbie; shopping, fashions, spending time with friends, and going to a fashion show. 



From the Outside Looking In

 

 

It comes with two walls  that include shelves, a stage with curtain and backstage door, a closet, and a large picture window that holds a Barbie size mannequin.  There’s a corner unit connecting the two walls that includes an outside window.

 

Invitations, Modeling Cards and Magazines

 

 

Free standing is a table, two chairs, three-way mirror, display case, 8 fashion card invitations, 8 modeling cards, and 3 cardboard magazines (Style Magazine, Sub Deb Fashions, and Barbie Magazine).  There is even a cardboard hat mannequin that fits in the outside corner window on which to display hats.



All Set Up!

The set included a sign announcing the fashion show and a 16 page instruction booklet. The yellow cardboard floor folds up and has a strap so the items can fit easily inside for storage, and also makes for a handy carrying case.  The set measures 38x24x17, and originally sold for $4.47.
 

Part of the Instructions Booklet
showing how to close it up for storage

The Fashion Shop was produced in 1963 (as stated on the back of the box) and was on the market for several years.  The 1964 Sears Christmas catalog calls it a Fashion Salon, probably because the front of the box reads “Complete with modeling salon and elegant furniture and fittings” just below the words “Barbie’s Fashion Shop by Mattel”.  The box front also shows Mattel’s famous slogan “You can Tell It’s Mattel…It’s Swell!”

1964 Sears Christmas Catalog

This great piece of American toy history is one of the more popular items for collectors.  I sure like mine!

The Hunt

Everyone has a different story as to why they started a particular collection. Mine was undoubtedly because my mother was an avid doll collector.  I noticed her excitement over the years as she headed off to the local flea markets and doll shows in our area.  She didn’t care if anyone wanted to look at her collection; it was purely for her personal enjoyment. If anyone wanted to admire her trove, then that was just an added bonus!  She didn't collect Barbie dolls, although she did pick up a few of those along the way (which I now have!).  But she did have many other lovely dolls.

If I had to pick a timeline as to when I officially started my collection, it would probably be 1989, with the purchase of the number two “Happy Holidays Barbie”.  Of course my original Barbies from when I was a kid were on display in my home long before the purchase of my first “collectors” Barbie.  The initial Happy Holidays Barbie debuted in 1988 and is considered Mattel’s first official "collectible" Barbie.   Once that collecting bug hit me, I was off and running with my new passion; Vintage Barbies! 

Peace & Love 70's Barbie (2000)

Twenty-three years later my collection has grown to include at least a sample of almost every doll available from the vintage years, along with many of the beautiful fashions and accessories!  Of course I've added some new ones too, such as Holiday Barbies, the gorgeous Silkstone dolls, and some fun ones like the “Peace and Love 70's” doll (I had to have her since I was a teenager back then!).  I've picked up porcelains, reproductions, and new collectors dolls over the years too. But the vintage dolls remain my passion. 

I’m hoping the next decade will bring me some prototypes, the harder to find dolls, and the more unusual ones, as well as a few more of the amazing Silkstones!  I know my Barbie collection will never be complete.  And I wouldn't want it to be, because half the fun of collecting is the hunt!

Snow Days

It’s a beautiful snowy day here in the Pacific Northwest.  It takes me back to the days when I was young and it was a “snow day”, meaning my school was closed.  I got to go outside and play in the white fluff.  I lasted just long enough til my hands and feet were so cold that I had no other option but to go back inside.  I’d warm my hands by the hot fire burning in the woodstove, and my mom would offer me hot chocolate with marshmallows.   The remainder of my day would consist of pulling out all my Barbie’s and turning our family room into a big Barbie playhouse!  Those were the days!



My snowy backyard today

Times have changed a lot since the last century, but little girls everywhere really haven’t.  They still love to fix their hair, wear pretty clothes, and look at older kids, teenagers, and moms, and dream about being their age.  I love their imaginations when playing dolls.  It can take them to the moon or a castle in the sky, or just a simple moment pretending to talk on the phone to their sister or friend.  Barbie has given us every beautiful fashion imaginable for special occasions; she’s embraced family while at the same time showing us we can be career women; as new professional working women dolls are still being released.  

After all these years she still keeps me looking for the next creations!

Nostalgia

Looking back on my lazy summer days as a child are some of my fondest memories; swimming in our backyard pool, playing baseball with the neighbor kids, riding my bike with my small dog who would contently sit in my bike basket, taking my Barbie dolls outside for summertime play, and drinking endless glasses of ice filled lemonade that my mom would often make.

Reflecting back to days gone by reminds me that the simplest moments are some of my fondest memories.  When times are hard or stressful, it’s good to remind ourselves what has made us smile in the past. Perhaps a bit of that nostalgia could make a bad day better, by helping us see more clearly what’s actually important, to remind ourselves to make healthier decisions, and to realize certain things that seem so vital to us are not even worthy of a small argument or minor worry.

Nice Comment & Funny Story

Here's a nice comment that Janey sent me back in July on the old Blog.  Thought I'd repost it!

From: Janey

Love your site, Marie! I enjoyed the reading about how your love for Barbie began. It is amazing to see how much they are worth now, compared to what they sold for back in the day. It truly brings back a lot of happy memories. While I didn't have Barbies as a child, my cousin Kathy did and since we were frequently together, I played with them often.

In reading the latest issue of "Reader's Digest" today, I found an amusing story you might enjoy. In the section @ Work, there were several humorous requests related by the cabin crew on Virgin Atlantic Airline. The one about Barbie was the funniest. "A woman in first class was wearing a tiny pink crop top and mint green miniskirt. She had also booked the seat next to her for her 'Barbie' doll, which was wearing the same outfit and was sitting upright with it's seat belt on. The woman then requested a cup of tea and a massage for the doll."