THE PIRATE BARBIE DOLL

GOES GLAM ON THE HIGH SEAS

For centuries, the quest for fortune, infamy, and adventure have lured men and women alike to a pirate’s life. That quest just got a little more glamorous, thanks to The Pirate Barbie®. This stunning swashbuckler joins a long line of infamous and fabulous females who have all shared a zest for buried treasure and living life off the map on the high seas. Barbie® doll captures this adventurous essence in both edgy and glamorous detail.

The Pirate Barbie® doll wears an exceptionally detailed costume that suits her swashbuckling style. A long striking brocade coat, blue velvet breeches, lacy vest, and ruffled white blouse make this brave lass look like she's already discovered buried fashion treasure. Stylish hat, lace up boots, red bandanna, and a sculpted "sword" add to her allure. Fierce finishing touches include striking face paint and a bold multi-braided hairstyle.

"With pirates being so popular right now, we wanted to create a pirate look for Barbie® that was a little daring while still being glamorous," Sharon told BarbieCollector.com in a recent interview. "It was especially important to work with the hair and face paint teams to collectively create a sophisticated swashbuckler."

Mission accomplished! The Pirate Barbie® doll is available now in the online shop. When you add this daring doll to your collection, you just might discover your own sense of adventure — and maybe some buried treasure!

Taken from : barbiecollector.com

THREE CHEERS FOR DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS

Who's the most recognized doll in the world? Barbie®, of course! What about the most legendary cheerleaders in the world? Without a doubt, it's the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. These two exceptionally relevant brands have at long last joined forces to celebrate their timeless appeal with Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Barbie® doll. And because both entities embrace and celebrate multiculturalism, Barbie® Collector has created not one, not two, but three fabulous dolls— a stunning blonde Caucasian, a gorgeous brunette Latina, and a breathtaking African American. Now that's something to cheer about!

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Barbie® doll represents a passionate pairing between Mattel and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization that's been in the works for some time now. In fact, everyone involved in the project brought their own bit of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders history to the table. Growing up in Texas, Barbie® Collector’s own Liz Grampp once dreamed of donning the iconic uniform and cheering the Dallas Cowboys to victory. In more recent years, designer Robert Best fell in love with the Texas cheerleaders through their reality TV show Making the Team. Robert became so smitten with the show that late one night inspiration struck and he began sketching his vision. He then shared his ideas with Liz and voilà! - a doll was born.

From the famed blouse, star-spangled vest and belt to the white shorts, cowboy boots, and blue and silver poms, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Barbie® doll captures the spirit and enthusiasm of the world's most famous cheerleaders.

According to Robert, “These girls really are America's sweetheart. Their sheer athleticism and energy is incredible. This is just one of those projects that was a dream to work on.”

It seems that everyone at Mattel and beyond agrees. According to Liz, “The dolls get a fantastic reaction from anyone who sees them.”

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are no exception. Robert and Liz recently traveled to Dallas to unveil the dolls to the entire Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization.

“The response was amazing. Everyone was so excited,” Liz recalled.

“There were cheers when the dolls were unveiled,” Robert added. “That's the reason to make a doll. When collector response is good, you know you've done your job. But when you represent a brand and they feel the same way, it's extra special.”

The dolls weren't the only ones who got cheers in Texas. Just as Robert had been a big fan of the cheerleaders' reality show, they too were fans of his from Project Runway. And when reality stars collide, you never know what'll happen. Case in point: you can catch Robert unveiling the dolls in an upcoming episode of Making the Team 2. (Robert confesses it was a dream come true to be on the show!)

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Barbie® dolls are available now at Walmart.com and Dallas Cowboys Pro Shops. When you add one or more of the dolls to your collection (or even if you give them as a gift), they're sure to bring some added cheer to your holiday season.

doLL VaLue

Like many collectors, you may find yourself wondering what your Barbie® collection is worth. Mattel does not maintain secondary market pricing information, nor do we participate in secondary market trading, buying or selling of older dolls. Collector books, doll magazines, and Internet auction sites are your best bets for determining the value of a particular doll. Remember, this information may vary considerably and fluctuate over time, so it is best to consult a variety of sources. Mattel does not specifically endorse these sources or attest to the accuracy or reliability of any information they may provide.

PRICING SOURCE
Mattel does not guarantee that any product will increase in value. Some dolls increase in value, some depreciate and others remain the same. Countless books have been published about the history and evolution of Barbie® dolls, with some specifically devoted to the hobby of collecting. Such books can serve as tremendous resources, so browse your local bookseller for the most current titles available. The online trading community is another good place to obtain value information. Check Internet auction sites for completed items to get a better idea of what your dolls may be worth.

INVESTING IN BARBIE
So, how do you decide if dolls are worth the investment? Stay informed. Read books and magazines. Talk to fellow collectors. Go to shows. Join a local club. Know prices. Think about a doll's uniqueness, quality and workmanship. And, perhaps most importantly, buy those that appeal to you most. That way, investment or not, you've made a beautiful choice.

(from : barbiecollector.com)