By Allen Voivod
It’s beginning to look a lot like the holiday season at Barbie Signature. We’ve already debuted this year’s Holiday Barbie Dolls, and now we’re adding something new to the celebration – something we’ve ever done before.
It’s our Barbie 12 Days of Christmas Doll and Accessories, and our members get early access to shop starting 10/3 at 9 AM PT. It retails for $160, with a purchase limit of two per person. Get one as a gift for your favorite Barbie fan, and don’t forget to treat yourself, too! (If we don’t sell out of them, they’ll be available to the public starting 10/8.)
Barbie Signature Principal Designer Bill Greening revealed to us that this project had an unusual origin story, as compared to other premium Barbie offerings. “This really came out of a package team brainstorm. [Key Lead Packaging Designer] Vicky Gevorkyan had this idea of doing a premium holiday package based on some other luxury items she saw during the holidays. The idea was shared with me when it was decided the doll should have a very classic, retro, old fashioned holiday vibe. Which is definitely right up my alley – I love nostalgia!”
Because the doll has that vintage-inspired sensibility, Vicky created a packaging design to match. “The package follows the doll’s vintage retro look with a classic holiday celebration theme to complement the doll and further evoke the vintage retro holiday feel,” Vicky says. “The packaging has gold foil logo, is structured with gameboard material, and has a sleeve that pulls open to reveal the 12 boxes you can open from day 1 to day 12.”
“The box is amazing!” Bill adds. “It feels so premium, soft to the touch, and the graphics are beautiful. It’s very sturdy and will definitely be a great way to store it all after the holidays are over. Inside of all of these little drawers you open are beautiful miniatures for Barbie as you count down to Christmas. I think collectors who love to display and make Barbie vignettes will adore these little props.”
The set is designed around the theme of Barbie hosting a holiday party for family and friends, and the accessories are meant to be items she’d want on hand to make it memorable. “I thought a lot about my childhood Christmas and the items my mother might have used to entertain and decorate the house,” Bill says about the items you’ll find, which include a miniature tree, a classic vinyl holiday record, a plate of frosted cookies, and more.
As for the hostess herself, this is a vintage-style Barbie doll that comes with a pronged stand, like the original Barbie doll. Her jet-black hair is styled with rolled bangs and a classic ponytail, accented with a red hair bow. Her emerald green eyes are highlighted by a bold cat eye with shimmery golden eyeshadow, and a cherry lip completes the look.
But whatever shall she wear? Luckily, she’ll have options – Bill created two new fashions specially for this set, one that’s playful and another that’s elegant. “The fashion she’s wearing when you unbox her has very ‘Mrs. Claus’ type of vibe,” Bill says. “The real embroidery at the hem of the skirt reminds me of a vintage Christmas tree skirt. I love that we got to do real embroidery! There’s white fur trim at the cuffs and neckline. We even have a white tulle petticoat underneath her dress, very much a late ‘50s, early ‘60s style.”
As for the second, more formal fashion included in the set, it’s a golden and silvery brocade cocktail dress that “any fashionable woman might have worn for home entertaining or a fancy holiday party,” Bill says, adding that it’s based on an early 1960s Barbie design.
Ultimately, this is a doll and set we hope will become a part of your holiday celebrations and decorations for years to come. “I definitely put my seasonal Barbie dolls on display this time of year!” Bill adds. “I and the entire Barbie Signature team are very excited to share this precious holiday offering.”
Don’t forget, members have five days (or while supplies last) to get the Barbie 12 Days of Christmas Doll and Accessories set, starting 10/3 at 9 AM PT, before it’s available to the public. If you’re making your list and checking it twice, be sure to cross this one off well before the snow begins to fall this holiday season.
-
7
-
1
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.