Malibu Barbie | Inside the Fashion Doll Studio

Malibu Barbie Gets a Trina Turk Makeover

There are plenty of new Mattel Barbie^® offerings that I don’t talk about on the blog. It doesn’t mean that I am not interested or excited about it. Normally, my interest and therefore my blog entries are centered around Silkstones. That is the primary focus of my collection. There are, from time to time, some vinyl ladies that peak my interest and this is one of them. This week Mattel released information on a new doll and I knew I had to write about it. Since Mattel has decided that Barbie^® is going to sell her old Malibu dream house and find a new fashionable living space, it only makes sense that the Malibu Barbie^® herself would get a new makeover. L.A. designer Trina Turk was invited to collaborate with Mattel on this one. This particular makeover resonated with me because Malibu Barbie^® was my first official Barbie. I remember hours upon hours of playtime with this doll. My dear friend Carole and I would devote whole afternoons to constructing elaborate dioramas and stories with the country camper, the pool and of course Malibu Barbie^®. If we traveled together on vacation, Carole and I would plan which Malibu Barbie^® items would accompany us on the journey. We were two little Midwestern brunette girls who knew next to nothing about California beaches, warm ocean breezes or surfing but for a few hours a day, we could imagine that we did. Now, this iconic Barbie^® of my beloved memories was getting a makeover. I had to ask myself “How did I feel about it?”.

(source 1971 Sears Wishbook)

I feel just fine and dandy! I like that Mattel chose a designer known for her love of California 1970’s style. I like the accessories and different look options. The hat is VERY boho chic as is the crocheted cover-up. I love her multi honey toned and sunkissed hair . I think the makeover turned out beautifully and I hope that many more little girls/boys( or big girls/boys) will get to make the lovely memories with friends that Carole and I have from so many years ago. Ahhhh…the circle of life. Enough with memory lane! On with the pictures.

(pictures courtesy of Mattel, Inc.)