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Today, I’d like to share another article from my Barbie wiki, this time focusing on one of Barbie’s sisters: Kelly. While Kelly is still available on the market in a different version today, her name was changed to Chelsea in 2011. However, this article will focus on Kelly and her early years, before the name change.
Kelly, Barbie’s baby sister, was first introduced in 1994. She was created by Carol Spencer, a longtime Mattel employee who began her career at the company in the 1960s. According to my research, Kelly was a project that Spencer made her own, a fact she also discusses in her recently published book Dressing Barbie.
In this article, I’ll share all the information I’ve gathered about Kelly and her origins. Join me as we dive into the fascinating history of Barbie’s baby sister, Kelly!
Love at first sight with Shelly
The first time I saw Kelly was in a catalog back in 1995, and I was immediately smitten. She was so adorable that I decided I wanted to collect everything I could find related to Kelly. From those early years, I’ve managed to gather almost everything in my collection.
Kelly’s clothing was designed by Carol Spencer, who poured her creativity into every piece. Interestingly, Kelly was known as Shelly in Europe and Canada. Was this name change made to boost sales figures? I’m not sure why Mattel chose a different name for the European market, but Kelly was officially introduced there in 1995 as well.
At the time, Kelly appeared to be around three or four years old. The very first edition of Kelly, “Bedtime Fun Kelly,” included a Kelly doll dressed in pink pajamas and a baby bed. This set also featured a beautiful Sunday dress made of black velvet and plenty of toys. Shortly afterward, Kelly was joined by three friends: Susie, Chelsea, and Melody.
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The Winter Holiday Gift Set: A Special Addition to Kelly’s Legacy
I believe that in 1995, Mattel released a remarkable gift set called the Winter Holiday Gift Set. This set featured Barbie, Skipper, Stacie, and Kelly enjoying a winter adventure on a big sleigh. What makes this set particularly special is Skipper’s doll. She used the recently introduced Pizza Hut face mold, which was a charming departure from the mold previously used for her. This unique detail made the set stand out among collectors.
Kelly, dressed in her adorable snow suit, always reminded me of a character from a Japanese comic series inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. Perhaps that resemblance is part of what drew me to this set, but I can’t say for certain. What I do know is that, until then, I didn’t have a set featuring all four sisters together, which made the Winter Holiday Gift Set even more appealing and memorable to me.
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Early Barbie and Kelly Gift Sets: A Look Back at Strolling Fun and More
In 1996, the first Barbie and Kelly gift set was introduced: Strolling Fun Barbie and Kelly. This delightful set featured Barbie pushing Kelly in a stroller. Shelly (as Kelly was known in Europe) was designed with a movable arm, allowing her to mimic natural movements while seated in the strolle
The following year, in 1997, Mattel released another charming gift set: the Shopping Fun Gift Set. In this set, Kelly sat adorably in a shopping cart and came with a special feature—a magnet in her hand. This allowed her to hold a pair of magnetic boxes included in the set, adding a playful, interactive element.
Also in 1996, Kelly was introduced as Bathing Fun Shelly. I’ve discovered two variations of this set, differing in the trim color of her towel and bathrobe, which were available in either pink or yellow. Interestingly, there are also differences in the dolls themselves. One of my Bathing Fun Shellys has Saran hair, while another features Kanekalon hair, showcasing the subtle diversity in production.
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram anBarbie & kelly strollin fun Th. 1995, rare.. dus rusak tapi isinya bagus, new ya masih segel (kenangan anak 90an) sold . . . #jualbarbievintage #barbie1995 #barbiestrollinfun #barbiekelly #barbie90s
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram anQ&A ???? ???? ??? ????? #kelly ?? ??????? #shelly ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????..? shelly ??. ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ?????????? ??????!! Shelly ?? ??? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ??? ?? ?? ????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ??????~ ???? kelly? ??????? shelly ???? #barbiekelly#barbieshelly
Potty Training Kelly: A Clever and Tiny Innovation
In 1997, Mattel introduced the Potty Training Kelly set, showcasing an impressive and playful innovation. This set included a tiny bottle that could be filled with water. By pressing the heart-shaped button on Kelly’s belly, she would “pee,” simulating potty training.
The mechanism seems similar to that used in larger drink-and-wet dolls, but it was executed on a much smaller scale, making it all the more fascinating. This clever feature added an extra layer of realism and interactive fun to the doll, delighting young fans and collectors alike.
Early Kelly Fashion by Carol Spencer: Matching Styles for Barbie and Kelly
During Kelly’s early years, Carol Spencer designed several adorable clothing sets for her. These outfits showcased Spencer’s signature charm and creativity, making them highly sought after by collectors. Many of these sets weren’t just exclusive to Kelly—they also came in matching styles for Barbie and Kelly, allowing fans to dress the sisters in coordinated looks.
I’ve documented numerous early outfits from my collection and created a fashion showcase. You can explore the pictures and details here: My Shelly/Kelly Fashion Show.
These early designs reflect the timeless appeal of Kelly and Barbie’s shared fashion moments, adding a special touch to any collection.
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The Mystery of the Pool Fun Series: From Advertisements to Reality
The Pool Fun series featuring Kelly and her friends was prominently showcased in advertisements during the 1990s. For years, I struggled to determine whether this series was ever actually produced or if it remained a prototype, as was often the case with catalog promotions during that era.
In 2007 or 2008, I finally solved the mystery when I found Kelly and her friends from the Pool Fun series. To my delight, the series had indeed been produced, and I was able to add it to my collection.
You can see the first impressions of my Shelly/Kelly collection, including the Pool Fun series, here: A First Impression of My Shelly/Kelly Collection.
Eating Fun Kelly and More: A Look at Rare and Memorable Sets
In 1997, Mattel introduced Eating Fun Shelly/Kelly. While I haven’t had the chance to explore how the mechanism works since mine is still in its original box, this set remains a charming addition to Kelly’s lineup from the era.
Also in 1997, Mattel released another iconic set featuring all four sisters: Travelin’ Fun Sisters. This set captured Barbie, Skipper, Stacie, and Kelly in a fun travel theme. You can view an image of this set here.
Last year, I was thrilled to finally add the Power Wheels Jeep set to my collection. This unique set features Shelly and Tommy (Kelly’s male baby counterpart) riding in a Power Wheels Jeep. Finding this set in its original box was no easy feat—it’s both rare and often very expensive. After years of searching, I was lucky to secure one, and it’s now a cherished part of my collection.
I have for example many sets of early Kelly/Shelly sets. I’m going to divide this article in at least two parts. Next part is coming soon.
