More of this Feature • Brief History Of Barbie Doll Collecting  • All About The Fashion Model Dolls • Silkstone Photos 2000 • Silkstone Photos 2001 • Text List of Dolls In The Series

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Elsewhere on the Web • Barbie Fashion Model Collection • Sneak Peek at 2001  Barbie Fashion Model

In late 1999, Mattel announced the new Barbie Fashion Model Collection.  Collectors were immediately excited for two reasons.  First, the dolls, by Mattel's own account, would feature a "dazzling line of couture quality fashions and accessories designed by Robert Best."  Finally...couture fashions, AND a well-respected designer at the helm.   Second, the material used for the doll body was called "Silkstone," and it was promised to be an innovation. 

Shortly after the announcement, collectors saw the photos of the initial collection, and they liked what they saw, creating a positive "buzz" on the Internet and in doll magazines.  The initial collection consisted of two "basic" dolls--a blonde and a brunette dressed in lingerie (hence, the popular nickname for these dolls, "Lingerie Barbies.") and a dressed doll called "Delphine" (pictured at left) plus two separately available fashions, "Lunch At The Club" and "Garden Party."  Collectors LOVED the photos, and waited for the dolls with true anticipation.

One other factor got thrown into the mix at this point which helped fuel collectors interest--Mattel decided that for 2000 it would reduce production numbers on most of its limited collectible dolls.  "Limited" dolls, which are what the Silkstone dolls are, would be produced in editions of no more than 45,000.  This sounds like a large number of dolls, but it was a true reduction in numbers from many of the other so-called limited dolls of the late 1990s.  

The Dolls Are Released:  A Huge Hit

After the announcement of the dolls they sold out very quickly on the "dealer level," meaning that quantities were no longer available for dealers to re-order.  In mid-2000 the dolls were released, and they were a huge hit.

First, the exclusive Silkstone was very well received by collectors.    Silkstone was developed exclusively for Mattel, and it offers the silky smooth touch and heavy feel of porcelain, but yet the doll has a look much closer to vinyl than the look of actual porcelain (many collectors don't like the porcelain Barbies because they look and feel SO different than the vinyl Barbie dolls that collectors have known and loved over the years).  The material also allowed for a beautiful skin tone and smooth, pretty facial features.  

The face of the doll was a delight to the vintage doll collectors--Mattel enhanced the original Barbie portrait sculpt from 1959, and updated the makeup.  The body was well sculpted, and the facial features vary--different shades of eye shadow and lip color are used.

And, the fashions also delighted collectors--the styles were high-fashion with a vintage feel, and details such as a straw purse for Garden Party, and a bouquet of roses for Lunch at the Club were very reminiscent of the little, detailed accessories that came with vintage outfits.

As mentioned, the dolls FLEW off the shelves.  In fact, only a few months after release of the original blonde and brunette Fashion Models, it was nearly impossible to find a brunette doll.  Today, the original brunette doll often sells for $140 to $160 on eBay.  The other dolls have also sold out quickly.

Later in the year, two more Fashion Model dolls were announced.  They were "In The Pink," an expensive dressed doll in a fluffy pink layered gown, and a FAO Schwarz exclusive, "Fashion Editor," a doll with short red hair, a leopard skin skirt and a boucle-type black coat.  

This year, "the "Dusk To Dawn" gift set has joined the collection, as well as the "Black" or #3 basic Lingerie doll (black hair) and the separate "Boulevard" and "Blush Becomes Her" fashions, plus the "Lisette" dressed doll.  Later in the year, collectors are waiting for "Ravishing In Rouge," another dressed doll FAO Exclusive, and "Provencale" which is an elaborate dressed doll and actually part of the 2002 line (but available in November 2001).

Of course, collectors don't think the dolls are perfect-- many would like to see fewer dressed dolls and more separately available fashions.  Also, some collectors feel that the fabrics used for the outfits could be a bit more luxurious given the high price of the items.  Other collectors, finding the dolls hard to get would like to see them LESS limited, and other collectors would like the dolls even MORE limited to help them retain their secondary market values.  Of course, Mattel can never please everyone...but with this popular line of dolls, they have come very close to doing just that!

Additional pages >   Brief History Of Barbie Doll Collecting
                              Photos Of The 2000 Collection
                              Photos Of The 2001 Collection
                              Text List Of All Dolls