Big hair, big style, and those iconic bendy legs. Cue the mix tape, because ‘80s Barbie is BACK in a totally radical, reimagined way!
If you ever teased your bangs or recorded songs from the radio, the new Barbie Rewind collection is for you. (And if you didn’t, no worries! ‘80s nostalgia is equally welcoming for all.) Designed by Javier Meabe, who grew up playing with and collecting Superstar era dolls, this totally tubular collection is a love letter to the 1980s Barbie dolls you know and love.
Debuting with three dolls in three very ‘80s themes – Career Girl Barbie, Workin’ Out Barbie, and Dolls’ Night Out Barbie – the Barbie Rewind collection includes cassette tape doll stands and VHS-themed packaging for a fittingly nostalgic touch. Barbie collectors who grew up during that time will recognize elements unique to the era, including one of Barbie doll’s greatest ‘80s hits – clicky bendable legs, which are making a much-anticipated comeback with this series.
The Barbie Rewind collection is as much about recreating a look as well as a feeling. Since it was ‘80s dolls in particular that sparked his interest in collecting and later designing Barbie dolls, this sense of nostalgia and authenticity was especially important to Javier. “As a Barbie designer and an avid Barbie collector, I wanted to pay tribute to a decade that is so close to my heart,” he says. “This era of dolls means so much to so many people, and it’s how many collectors (including me) got introduced to the Barbie brand.”
The Superstar era holds a particularly special place in his heart: “Some of my favorite dolls like Dance Club Barbie, Magic Moves Barbie, and Day to Night Barbie were released during this time. So it was exciting to feel as if I was designing during that decade!”
Inspired by the originals of the ‘80s, the first three dolls in the Barbie Rewind series are iconic in their own right.
Career Girl Barbie Doll takes business chic -- and that ‘80s hair! -- to new heights thanks to a pink peplum blazer (her own unique version of a power suit) and totally awesome accessories like a briefcase and brick cell phone.
Workin’ Out Barbie Doll is ready for aerobics class in totally ‘80s garb. Before yoga pants and activewear, there was spandex, legwarmers, and sweat bands – and Barbie always wore it best!
Dolls’ Night Out Barbie Doll is ready to rock in a flashy neon outfit complete with fingerless gloves, boombox and microphone – plus crimped hairstyle!
Of his process, Javier shares this: “When designing for the Barbie Rewind segment, I looked at a lot of vintage Barbie catalogs from the ‘80s and referenced the most recognizable themes, fashions, and accessories. I then asked myself the question, ‘What would these dolls look like today?’ And I made sure this segment had important elements like big hair, over the top fashion, and of course, that signature Barbie look.”
This collection also has its share of surprises. “The whole segment is inspired by Barbie’s history. I was inspired by a lot of the fashions and accessories from that decade in the Barbie portfolio,” he says. “A lot of fans will see some fun Easter eggs sprinkled in, so keep your eyes out for some totally rad details.”
If the dolls feel familiar to you, there’s a good reason why. “We wanted to bring back some familiar faces (pun intended) that we knew collectors remembered and loved,” says Javier, “so we highlighted the Superstar face sculpts, with a slight twist. Face paint was also very important, so we brought back that iconic ‘80s vibe that we knew collectors would appreciate.”
What makes this collection extra special is its unwavering dedication to detail, some of which is seen in the final box design. Senior Packaging Designer Laydiana Chiv found refreshingly creative ways to play up the retro theme. “The first thing that immediately popped in my mind when I heard about the name of the series, 'Rewind Dolls,' was a VHS tape! I wanted the unboxing experience to have an element of surprise for the collector. My solution was the ‘VHS Tape’ inside the box, as sort of an Easter egg, which hopefully brings back some memories, or new discoveries from the past for the younger collectors!"
Giving the packaging a complete '80s vibe also meant paying close attention to the color scheme. "I love the fun neon colors and unique graphic effects I was able to create to communicate the retro theme,” Laydiana adds. "We know that Barbie collectors love to display their dolls, and so we're giving them two options. One is to keep it fully covered, but still have a beautiful illustration of the doll … and the second one is more traditional by having it in a window box that you remove like an old VHS tape from its case."
“Laydiana and the packaging team really nailed it! When she showed her concept, everyone was screaming with excitement,” remembers Javier. “The packaging screams 1980!”
These Black Label dolls have a 2-quantity purchase limit and retail for $40 apiece. Get yours and go back in time with Barbie Rewind ‘80s Edition!
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