Table of Contents
Introducing Skipper: Barbie’s First Sister
In 1964, Barbie welcomed her first sister, Skipper, marking the beginning of a growing family for the iconic doll. Skipper was the first addition to Barbie’s expanding family, which continued to grow until 1999 with the arrival of Krissy.
Just for fun, imagine the age of Barbie’s mother when Barbie was born, and then consider she was 40 years older when Krissy arrived—a true marvel of fertility!
When Skipper debuted in 1964, she was offered in both blonde and brunette hair colors. Unfortunately, a red-haired version wasn’t part of the initial release, which left a gap for those of us who love a bit more variety in hair color.
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram anMy “mint” (haha) Skipper also suffers from green tarnish from her original headband. I’m sorting my #skipperdoll collection tonight deciding which dolls most need a spa visit with @angiepangiepaints ?????? #vintageSkippers #barbiecollector #vintagebarbie #barbieskipper #skipperbarbie #vintageskipper #instabarbie #barbiegram #barbie #barbieaddict #barbiesisters #barbiegrammers
More changes in the 1970s
Until 1971 her look was not changed very much. The first change of her face I think came when she was available as Living Skipper. Her hair style also changed a bit. In her history her body was also changed several times. One of the most controverse Skipper dolls was the Growing Up Skipper (available, I did a little bit of research https://youtu.be/9LuI0W8SmzY) in 1975.
She has a mechanism inside her body and when you twist her arm in the right direction her body grows and she gets breasts. From a technical point of view very interesting since this mechanism works in my Growing Up Skipper until today, so it must be a very simple but effective mechanism with a spring I think (just from the sounds I hear when I move her arms). Her body also changes a bit. She becomes taller.
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram anGrowing Up Skipper 1975 #growingupskipper #barbieslittlesister #70s #1975 #fromagirltoayounglady #oldtoys #vintage_barbies #barbiefan #dollcollector #vintagebarbies #dollsofinstagram #paintinghobby #skipper #mattel #paintingbynumbers #mykonos
The Evolution of Skipper: From Super Teen to Pizza Hut
In the late 1970s, Skipper underwent a significant transformation and was reintroduced as “Super Teen Skipper” to align with the era’s fascination with everything “super.” During this period, Skipper received a new face and body design, reflecting the trend of the time. The variations were so pronounced that it’s rare to find two Skipper dolls with identical sizes in my collection. The frequency of changes in Skipper’s face and body increased as the doll remained on the market, with each iteration bringing something new.
The 1980s saw the debut of Hot Stuff Skipper, featuring yet another face and body redesign. In 1988, Skipper received a notable update with her “Kulleraugen” face—a term used in Germany to describe her large, expressive eyes. This new face design resembled the Japanese comic (manga) style, even before many of us were familiar with manga. Although early Japanese TV series took time to reach us, Skipper’s comic-like eyes perfectly mirrored the popular style we saw on television.
However, Skipper’s appearance continued to evolve. By the mid-1990s, the “Pizza Hut” Skipper introduced a new head mold and body, marking yet another shift in her look. I remember acquiring her back then under the name “Phone Fun” Skipper. This version of Skipper was short-lived but remains a unique and memorable part of her evolutionary journey.
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram anbaton twirling Skipper 1992 ???????#batontwirlingskipper #cheerleadingskipper #cheerleadingbarbie #barbieskipper #skipperbarbie #90sskipper #barbie #vintagebarbie #vintagebarbies #80sbarbie #90sbarbie #80skid #90skid #barbiefan #barbielover #barbiecollector #barbie80s #barbie90s #vintagetoys #mattel #matteldoll #barbiepassion #barbielove #barbieworld #barbiefantasy #barbiecollecrion #ilovebarbie #barbie1992
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram anMy childhood dream came true today. I had a tiny picture of the two phone fun girl when I was 11. I kept that tiny bit of paper for many years as a wishlist later as a good luck charm. But after many years the paper just gave up but I never forgot them. Today I received Skipper who was a great deal and she is in amazing condition. Getting Courtney will be a bigger challenge but I am hopeful. Now skipper is going to a glass cabinet in Kamilla’s future room ?? #phonefunskipper #dollymail #childhooddream
The Transition to Teen Skipper: A New Chapter
Following the release of “Phone Fun” Skipper, a significant change occurred. Skipper grew up to match Barbie’s size and was reintroduced as “Teen Skipper.” This new iteration featured an entirely redesigned head mold and body, marking a notable shift in her appearance. With this transformation, Skipper moved away from her previous look as a 13-year-old, adopting the appearance of a 16-year-old.
One of the standout examples of this new Teen Skipper is the “Slumber Party Skipper,” which showcases her updated design beautifully. The transition to Teen Skipper represented a significant evolution in her character, aligning her more closely with the style and maturity of Barbie.
However, as the new millennium approached, Teen Skipper’s presence diminished, and she virtually disappeared from the market for nearly a decade. Despite this hiatus, her legacy remains an important part of Barbie’s history.
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram anold photo of my #teenskipper #skipperdoll #dollstagram
Here’s a link to Slumber Party Skipper https://www.flickr.com/photos/151597660@N03/33570714055
A Comeback for Teen Skipper: Resurgence and New Looks
After a nearly decade-long hiatus following the turn of the millennium, Teen Skipper made a notable comeback. In 2010, she reappeared in a Target-exclusive gift set, where she was featured as a bridesmaid. This marked the beginning of her renewed presence in the market.
The resurgence continued in 2012 with a vibrant new look—Teen Skipper sported colorful hair, reflecting the evolving trends and styles of the time. This reintroduction was well-received, showcasing a fresh take on the beloved character.
As of 2019, Teen Skipper appears to be available on a more permanent basis, making her a familiar face once again in the world of Barbie. If you search for her online, you’ll find that she’s presented with an age range of 15 to 17 years, blending elements of her classic design with contemporary updates.
More About Skipper: Barbie’s Beloved Sister
Skipper Millicent Roberts, introduced in 1964, was designed as a 12 or 13-year-old teenage girl. Her creation was driven by requests from Barbie owners who desired an additional doll to complement Barbie, Midge, and Ken. Skipper provided a new dimension to the Barbie universe, serving as a bridge to younger girls who might not yet be teenagers.
In the early 1960s, it was quite common for teenagers to own Barbie dolls, which may seem unusual by today’s standards. Nowadays, Barbie often becomes less appealing as children transition from kindergarten to school, but Skipper’s introduction catered to a younger audience, making her a popular choice.
Over the decades, Skipper made many friends, each adding to her story. In the 1960s, she was accompanied by Skooter and Ricky. Later on, friends like Courtney, Kevin, and Nikki joined her, expanding her circle and keeping her character vibrant and relatable.