By Allen Voivod
Silkstone Barbie dolls are some of the highest quality Barbie dolls made. Once reserved almost exclusively for the Barbie Fashion Model Collection, Silkstone material has the weight and texture of porcelain, but it's more durable. We're also using this premium doll body for another collection of remarkable dolls, the Silkstone Series.
Today, the third entry in that collection makes her dazzling debut: The 1961 Brownette Bubble Cut Barbie Doll Reproduction! She's only available to Barbie Signature members, and only at Mattel Creations.
To get a little perspective on why this doll is so important in Barbie history, we talked to Principal Designer Bill Greening, who led the Barbie Signature team on this vintage reproduction project. "The first two years Barbie was sold [1959 and 1960], she wore the iconic black and white swimsuit with her signature ponytail hairstyle, available in blonde or brunette."
For her third year, Barbie changed it up in big new way. Bill explains: "In 1961, Mattel gave Barbie a new hairstyle for the first time since her introduction, the 'bubble cut.' This hairstyle is so iconically 1960s. It definitely took Barbie doll’s look forward into a new decade, keeping up with the latest fashion look. Many women sported this teased and hair-sprayed style in this decade. 2021 is the 60th anniversary of this iconic hairdo for Barbie."
For Bill, recreating this doll also means something more personally to him. "As a collector I also love the Mattel-produced Bubble Cuts from 1961-1967! Each year seems to look a little different, so there are lots of variations for collectors to find. This is the first time we have reproduced this particular doll."
The hair is the star of the show with this doll, and in more ways than one. Here's a little more history from Bill. "The original Bubble Cut Barbie Doll was first available in five hair colors: blonde, brunette, titian (redhead), white ginger (very light blonde, almost platinum), and the brownette. Since the brownette hair color was only available on the first 1961 Bubble Cut Barbie dolls, it's commonly considered a rare find by collectors today."
So when this vintage reproduction went into design, the choice of hair color for it was a no-brainer. Knowing how coveted the brownette version of the doll is, we wanted to make absolutely sure we got it right. And Bill was deeply invested, making him perfect for the task. "In this case, the hair color was so critical," he agrees. "I reached out to a fellow collector who lives locally and had a perfect example in her original box. He graciously entrusted me with her, and I was able to meet with the Barbie hair team to find a color that is the closest match. It’s a very pretty warm brown."
Fashion-wise, Barbie doll wears a reproduction of her elegant navy and gold lamé sheath dress, adding glamour with a stylish gold clutch and navy open-toed heels. She also wears "pearl" earrings, and Bill shared a bit with us about the recreation of her accessories. "With the vintage reproduction dolls, the team tries to make them look historically accurate as possible. Some of the manufacturing techniques have changed over the years so we have to work within those parameters today."
Dressed with '60s panache and complete with a vintage inspired wrist tag, doll stand, and Certificate of Authenticity, the Gold Label 1961 Brownette Bubble Cut Barbie Doll Reproduction is a perfect gift for Barbie collectors – and with a three-doll limit per person, you can treat yourself, too! She's available now for $75, only for Barbie Signature members, at the Mattel Creations online shop.
Not a member? You can join today and get the doll at the same time!
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