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The Evolution of Barbie and Her Family: A Nostalgic Journey Back to the 1960s

Introduction of the evolution of Barbie and her family:

In the world of dolls, Barbie has undeniably left an indelible mark. Since her creation in 1959, Barbie has captivated the hearts of countless children and collectors alike. However, Barbie’s journey was not a solitary one. Throughout the 1960s, Barbie’s family grew, introducing a diverse cast of characters that added depth to her imaginative world. Let’s take a look back at the evolution of Barbie’s family during this iconic era and have a look at the evolution of Barbie and her family with a nostalgic journey back to the 1960s.

1959: Barbie, the Trailblazing Fashionista

Barbie made her debut in 1959, breaking the mold with her stylish fashion choices and glamorous lifestyle. Created by Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, Barbie was named after Handler’s daughter, Barbara. With her chic attire and sophisticated demeanor, Barbie quickly became a role model for young girls everywhere.

Picture with Barbie in Bridal dress, Barbie is from 1960 and has a blonde pony and ponytail
First Barbie from 1959

1961: Ken, Barbie’s Dashing Companion

Two years after Barbie’s introduction, Ken stepped into the spotlight. Named after Handler’s son, Kenneth, Ken became Barbie’s dashing companion. With his charm and impeccable fashion sense, Ken perfectly complemented Barbie’s elegance. Together, they embarked on countless adventures, capturing the imagination of children across the globe. I wrote an article about the early Kens last year which you can read here https://barbie.final-memory.org/ken-ken-or-ken

Photos of Barbie and Ken, Barbie wears a bridal dress, ken a casual t shirt and a pair of trousers
Barbie and Ken in 1961, the first evolution of Barbie and her family

1963: Midge, Barbie’s Best Friend

In 1963, Barbie welcomed her best friend, Midge, into her ever-growing circle. Midge was known for her vibrant personality and her infectious laughter. With her cheerful demeanor, Midge added an element of fun and camaraderie to Barbie’s world. The bond between Barbie and Midge showcased the importance of friendship and support.

The picture shows how the Barbie family grows, in 1963 Barbie gets a new best friend called Midge
Barbie got a best female friend, another evolution of Barbie and her family

1964: Skipper, Barbie’s Adorable Sister and Ken’s best friend Alan

The following year, Barbie’s family expanded further with the arrival of Skipper and Ken’s best friend Alan, who is also regarded as the boyfriend of Midge. As Barbie’s younger sister, Skipper brought a youthful energy to the mix. With her playful spirit and trendy outfits, Skipper became a beloved character among young Barbie enthusiasts. Together, Barbie and Skipper embarked on countless sisterly adventures, fostering the importance of sibling bonds.

You can see all family members until 1964, starting with Barbie, to Ken, Midge, Skipper and Alan

Like Barbie, Skipper and Midge go out to the city, Alan and Ken also spend their free time together going hunting or for a Saturday night dance. Alan has the same size like Ken. They are designed to share their clothes. Alan is also the secret hero of Barbie – the movie, the one with his striped beach shirt that probably nobody outside the Barbie community can identify without problems.  Alan is easy to identify by his red hair. After being introduced in 1963 he disappears in 1967 and re-appears in 1990 to marry Midge after a friendship of almost 30 years. Isn’t that incredible?

1965: Francie, Barbie’s Fashion-Forward Cousin

Barbie’s cousin, Francie, made her debut in 1965. Known for her impeccable fashion taste and avant-garde style, Francie pushed the boundaries of fashion and became an inspiration for young trendsetters. Her presence in Barbie’s world highlighted the importance of individuality and self-expression.

Barbie family and friends in 1965 starting with Barbie & Ken to Midge and Alan to Skipper, Francie

1966: Tutti, Barbie’s Cherished Baby Sister and her twin brother Todd

Barbie’s family was completed in 1966 with the arrival of Tutti and Todd, Barbie’s adorable baby sister and baby brother twins. With their innocent charm and tiny stature, Tutti and Todd captured the hearts of both children and adults alike. Tutti’s and Todd’s inclusion in Barbie’s world emphasized the importance of family and the joy that younger siblings bring.

Barbie family and friends in 1966 starting with Barbie & Ken to Midge and Alan to Skipper, Francie and Tutti

Conclusion:

Barbie’s journey through the 1960s was not just a personal one. It was a journey of growth, friendship, and familial love. As Barbie’s family expanded, so did the opportunities for imaginative play and storytelling. The evolution of Barbie and her family is not always easy to understand because a lot of member come and suddenly disappear again. For a deeper look at all friends I wrote an article many years ago Barbie doll wiki: What to know about Ken, Alan and the other male friends

Through the introduction of Ken, Midge, Skipper, Francie, and Tutti, Barbie’s world became more diverse and inclusive, reflecting the changing times of the 1960s. These iconic characters left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of children, ensuring that Barbie’s legacy would endure for generations to come. In the late 60s the first black friends of Barbie were available. They are maybe worth another blog post since some friends are new in the Barbie world while others disappear again without any trace. Let’s hope that the evolution of Barbie and her family will continue in the future. For more information and doll pics have a look here https://www.fashion-doll-guide.com/Vintage-Barbie-Dolls.html

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How to make Skipper a full pony again

This week it’s more a personal story in my blog. I was asked about two weeks ago if I could have a look at a Pose n Play Skipper newly acquired by a German collector. I said sure because we have dealt with each other before. So she shipped her Skipper to me and half of the pony was missing.

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Pose n Play Skipper with partly missing pony

It was not question that I wanted to make her Skipper a full pony again. Her Skipper was obviously played often with and the hair was a bit oxided. It was not as obvious as when you see a Julia doll https://www.fashion-doll-guide.com/Julia-Barbie-Doll.htmlfrom the late 60s. This Skipper has no color magic hair https://www.myvintagebarbies.com/colormagic.htmbut her hair changed a bit over the decades. When you work with oxided hair it’s no problem to replace the missing hair. The hair itself is intact but the question is if you could find the 100% matching color. That’s a very hard task.

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Pose n Play Skipper after reroot with wild hair

The solution: I always keep the rests from my reroots and that came to my help here. I still had a rest of a matching color, maybe not 100% the same but at least 90%. You have to look very closely to find a difference in the colors and so I replaced the missing streaks with this rest.

Before I started my prep for “How to make Skipper a full pony again” I checked inside the head with my endoscopic camera. The hair inside was totally okay. I hoped to have this scenario because it’s a lot more work to secure the existing hair pattern first and having to fix it first. That’s really a lot of work and you have to concentrate while doing it.

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Skipper after partial haircut

I prefer to work in silence when restoring the dolls. Not all restorers prefer it this way but I do. Some work better when they have music, some not. I like music but not when I’m working like here. I can concentrate better on the reroot I do when working in silence. In general it was no problem to restore this Skipper because she was not problematic like having a neck split or other problems that could cause trouble during the work.

The hardest task in this restoration was to find a hair color matching with the existing hair. Giving her a new pony was not very hard. Yes, it’s time consuming but not hard. You need two hours of time during the reroot. Sometimes it’s not predictable if you have used enough hair or not. When you are missing a streak or two add them later. It’s possible to add more hair later when you are unsatisfied with your own work. You can add hair as long as you like your work and as long as you have hair.

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Pigtails are back, pony still has to be cut
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Barbie doll wiki: Kelly/Shelly, Barbie’s cute baby sister

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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. ????? ??? ?? 4? ?? ?? (??? ? ??????) . ????? ??? ????? ??? ??? ???? ?? ????, ???? ???? ???? ????? . ??????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??? ??????? . ??? ???? ???? ? ? ???? ??? ???? ????? . #???? #???? #???? #????? #???? #??? #???? #?????? #?? #??????? #???? #???? #babydoll #vintagetoys #vintagedoll #dollstagram #kellydoll #barbiekelly #tommydoll #kellyfashion #dollclothes #gomgomsister

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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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Snow Time ?? #barbie #barbiewinterholiday #barbiewinter #barbieholiday #barbiechristmas #barbiestacie #barbiekelly #barbieshelly #barbieskipper #barbie90s #barbiegirl

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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.

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Barbie & kelly strollin fun Th. 1995, rare.. dus rusak tapi isinya bagus, new ya masih segel (kenangan anak 90an) sold . . . #jualbarbievintage #barbie1995 #barbiestrollinfun #barbiekelly #barbie90s

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Q&A ???? ???? ??? ????? #kelly ?? ??????? #shelly ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????..? shelly ??. ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ?????????? ??????!! Shelly ?? ??? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ??? ?? ?? ????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ??????~ ???? kelly? ??????? shelly ???? #barbiekelly#barbieshelly

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My two Bathtime Fun versions ( Kanekalone hair in box, Saran hair below)

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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Fashion Avenue Matchin’ Styles (1996) ???? #barbie#fashionavenue#barbiematchinstyles#barbiefashion#barbiestyles#barbiewardrobe#barbieclothes#barbieoutfits#barbiekelly#barbiesisters#kellyclothes#kellyfashion#doll#barbiedoll#barbiecollector#dollcollector#90s

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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.

Pool Fun Marisa
Pool Fun Chelsie
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Pool Fun Kelly

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.