Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Deborah Steinmetz on August 27, 2011 at 19:13

For the most part I would agree. Especially as far as the accessories and playsets go.  I don't think it would really take too  much effort (or make things too much more expensive) to make the items more realistic. I understand that pink is Barbie's signature color, but I think they could easily tone the use of the color down.  Personally I love the Fashionista dolls, the FR dolls while stunning are IMO ridiculously over priced and more fashion runway model 'fierce'.  Which is not a style I truly can get behind.  I like a nice smiling face.  I think there needs to be some kind of happy medium between the inexpensive playline dolls, the Barbie Basics (more fashionable but less playable) line and the 'Fierce-ness' of the expensive FR dolls.

Community ManagerPermalink Reply by Simon Farnworth on August 27, 2011 at 19:46

I think you have hit the nail on the head there Deborah. There doesn't seem to be a happy medium and to be honest I think young girls are missing out. If you think back to how realistic Barbie was back in previous decades and was really a reflection of the times. I agree that an articulated doll that's good quality, fashionable but won't break the bank would be most welcome! How about us getting a 'dollobservers patented fashion doll' business plan together LOL :)

Deborah Steinmetz said:

For the most part I would agree. Especially as far as the accessories and playsets go.  I don't think it would really take too  much effort (or make things too much more expensive) to make the items more realistic. I understand that pink is Barbie's signature color, but I think they could easily tone the use of the color down.  Personally I love the Fashionista dolls, the FR dolls while stunning are IMO ridiculously over priced and more fashion runway model 'fierce'.  Which is not a style I truly can get behind.  I like a nice smiling face.  I think there needs to be some kind of happy medium between the inexpensive playline dolls, the Barbie Basics (more fashionable but less playable) line and the 'Fierce-ness' of the expensive FR dolls.

Permalink Reply by Deborah Steinmetz on August 27, 2011 at 20:10

Yep it really was a reflection of the time..you could see the care and craftsmanship in each item that was designed. I'm all for a  'dollobservers patented fashion doll'!  Could you imagine the awesome line of dolls and accessories we could come up with!

Groups AdminPermalink Reply by Miranda Zieglar on August 27, 2011 at 20:39

I agree with you Simon. The new playline dolls are not what they used to be. When Mattel came out with the fashionistas they were great at first but then the swappin styles ruins d it for me. Also there is way too much pink and glitter.

Community ManagerPermalink Reply by Simon Farnworth on August 27, 2011 at 20:40

Yes I could! I will be dreaming about them tonight I am sure. Must go to bed with a notebook on the bedside table tonight to capture some ideas! :)

Deborah Steinmetz said:

Yep it really was a reflection of the time..you could see the care and craftsmanship in each item that was designed. I'm all for a  'dollobservers patented fashion doll'!  Could you imagine the awesome line of dolls and accessories we could come up with!

Community ManagerPermalink Reply by Simon Farnworth on August 27, 2011 at 20:45

Speaking of glitter; look at this poor gal soon to be sprayed full of the stuff! I know I am not a 6 year old girl but is this really what they want?

 

Miranda Zieglar said:

I agree with you Simon. The new playline dolls are not what they used to be. When Mattel came out with the fashionistas they were great at first but then the swappin styles ruins d it for me. Also there is way too much pink and glitter.

Permalink Reply by Deborah Steinmetz on August 27, 2011 at 20:46

I love the poseablity of the Fashionista line and I honestly don't even really mind the Swappin' Style line (no throwing tomatoes please ;-D ) I kind of like being able to give them new hair styles or heck even new personalities withouth having to own a zillion dolls.  I truly wish they would take the varied face molds and body tones of the Basics Line and put them onto the Fashionista bodies.  Maybe if they could come up with a way to just swap the heads so that collar bone line disappears, that would be cool.  (although possibly a little disturbing to some folks but hey, they'd look better! lol)

I would love to see the pink, fuschia and glitter go waaaaaaay down in usage.  I built a bookcase style dollhouse for a friends twins and redid several pieces of furniture...it would have been so much easier if the furnishings had started off looking like REAL items.  I've never seen a fuschia refrigerator before!

Permalink Reply by Deborah Steinmetz on August 27, 2011 at 20:49

Oh Man that is a disaster waiting to happen....there will be households out there coated in glitter! LOL  My husband would have a fit! I think one of the neatest things I have seen recently come from Barbie was the Fashion Designer set...I think it came with a doll and a couple fashions and stickers and such to design your own items.  I would love to see them do more things like that.  I love the idea of there I Can Be... line, but think they need to expand and upgrade those items too.

Simon Farnworth said:

Speaking of glitter; look at this poor gal soon to be sprayed full of the stuff! I know I am not a 6 year old girl but is this really what they want?

 

Permalink Reply by The Thinking Doll on August 27, 2011 at 22:23

I actually like the fashionistas.  I remember some of the very poor quality barbies that came out in the early to mid 90s which seemed to be pink, poorly thought out and cheap almost universally, often with really poor quality hair and dodgy facepaint in my (admittedly often flawed) memory.  But to be honest I think this happens cyclically with the Barbie brand and things will probably pick up again before too much linger :)

Permalink Reply by Diane Di-dolls on August 27, 2011 at 22:48

I really like the Fashionistas too though not so keen on the head swapping dolls or the new Saturday's dolls that have flashing lights on their torsos etc......why does Mattel have to ruin a really good thing?  I got one of the Fashionistas Ken dolls and I was really disappointed how limited his leg joints were. The hip joints only move back and forth and even the knee joint movement is very limited and he struggles to sit down.

The Thinking Doll said:

I actually like the fashionistas.  I remember some of the very poor quality barbies that came out in the early to mid 90s which seemed to be pink, poorly thought out and cheap almost universally, often with really poor quality hair and dodgy facepaint in my (admittedly often flawed) memory.  But to be honest I think this happens cyclically with the Barbie brand and things will probably pick up again before too much linger :)

Permalink Reply by Catherine Hammond on August 27, 2011 at 23:33

Oh that sounds VERY exciting!!! A Doll Observers Line of Fashion dolls!!! :) They would be perfection!

Simon Farnworth said:

Yes I could! I will be dreaming about them tonight I am sure. Must go to bed with a notebook on the bedside table tonight to capture some ideas! :)

Deborah Steinmetz said:

Yep it really was a reflection of the time..you could see the care and craftsmanship in each item that was designed. I'm all for a  'dollobservers patented fashion doll'!  Could you imagine the awesome line of dolls and accessories we could come up with!

Permalink Reply by Deborah Steinmetz on August 28, 2011 at 0:45

I would love to see more articulated Kens like the 2010 Harley and the Jack Sparrow.  They are both gorgeous head molds as well as fantastic articulation. I was thrilled with the 2010 Harley Ken but SORELY dissappointed with his Barbie!  She was gorgeous, but I couldn't understand why they didn't fully articulate her!

 

I too am rather over the whole fairy/glitter bodice/ light-up phase too.  I am behind plenty of costumes for those things but think they need to leave them off the doll herself.

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