If you subscribe to the Barbie catalog, you probably received an e-mail with the new releases for the holiday season. There are a few things I really like and there are others that I just don’t understand. Here’s a list of what I think are there hits and misses of the new releases!
Welcome to my Dreamhouse floor mat
Hits:
Coach Barbie, $95
I love the look of this Coach Barbie far more than I do any of the Coach purses! She has the annoying ‘forever bent’ arm (ie: a non joined, forced pose arm), but her styling and facial design on her are perfect. I love the trenchcoat, bright red purse and dark features! This doll actually reminds me of a grown up version of Courtney, Skippers best friend in the 90′s. She uses the Model Muse body with the Lara headmold. (She’s a little expensive, though, so I don’t think I’ll be adding her to my collection!)
Catching Fire Katniss, $25
What a redemption story. The original Katniss release had a great promo shot with less than great execution. This Catching Fire Katniss looks far better than the original ‘Hunger Games’ release. Katniss was given an articulated body (no forever bent arms!), a ‘new Katniss’ head scupt, and was designed by none other than Bill Greening. Her new face mold looks far more like Jennifer Lawrence than the first issue.
FAO Schwartz Barbie, $30
Isn’t this FAO Schwartz Barbie sweet looking! Ignoring the one ‘forever bent’ arm, I love everything about this Barbie. She has the Bebe facial sculpt on a Model Muse body.
Life in the Dreamhouse Ken, $17
Hey, hey, how adorable is this Life in the Dreamhouse Ken?! Mattel did a great job matching his webisode counterpart!
Catching Fire Peeta, $25
I’m a bit amazed at how much this Catching Fire Peeta looks like Josh Hutcherson. Mattel did a really good job on the sculpt. The fashion is sewn on and he uses the new Peeta sculpt.
On the Fence
Texas A and M University, $25
I guess they have people called ‘Yell Leaders’ at Texas A and M and in this newest release, Ken gets to cosplay as one! I like the idea of having a male in the University line. It is getting a bit over run with dolls that all look pretty similar. This doll was designed by Linda Kyaw with a Tango Ken. I’m not completely sold on this guy, though, and I think it has something to do with his eyes…
Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday, $35
I think Mattel aced the Audrey Hepburn look for this Roman Holiday doll. But they put the well crafted head on a Model Muse body with a forever bent arm. For a doll like this, I think joints would have worked a lot better. That way, movie buffs could photograph their this well done likeness in scenes from the movie.
Fantasy Glamour Dorothy, $100
Also designed by Linda Kyah is this website direct exclusive, Wizard of Oz Fantasy Glamour Dorothy. I see what they were going for with this high glam Dorothy and I think it is executed pretty well. However, $100 seems a little steep for this doll! I also wonder about her limbs– they look a little too smooth.
Catching Fire Effie, $25
At first I really liked Effie, but the more I see her promo, the less excited I am for her. This Effie doll is a bit tamer than expected. She is a Shani body and a Closed Mouth Barbie facemold.
Miss
University of Oklahoma, $25
To start off the ‘miss’ category, we have this University of Oklahoma cheerleader. I have nothing against the body or sculpt. My main problem (and it pretty much goes for all dolls that have this) is the braid. It is so thick. Seriously, the braid looks as large or larger than her head mold. It overtakes her and looks a bit weird!
Malibu Barbie, $50
I don’t know about you, but I find very little to like with this designer Malibu Barbie. First, it has that darn Model Muse body with a forever bent arm AND leg. Second, her face looks too ‘plastic’ for my tastes. I know it’s strange saying this about a doll, but her face just looks ‘fake’. Maybe it’s the Aphrodite Barbie face mold. Maybe it’s the color palette. And then there is the hair… I just really don’t see anything good about this Malibu Barbie.
Haunted Beauty Vampire, $100
There are some people that will probably really love this Haunted Beauty Vampire. I, however, don’t. It’s a bit too over the top for me and I really don’t like the choices they made for her facial design on her Glimmer/Louboutin head.
Holiday Barbie, $40
To be honest, this Holiday Barbie is a bit boring and seems really over priced. I can see the ‘snowflake’ concept, but it’s just a bit blah.
So now you know what I think of Mattel’s holiday releases. What do you think of Mattel’s new offerings? Love one of my ‘misses’? Voice your opinion down below!
