The Barbie Sphere

Let's get into the 1970's groove with Barbie (although this song became a mega-hit in 1980)!

From 2008, Barbie channels her inner disco diva a la Studio 54 in a purple halter dress and a boa.

My halter dress sewing pattern from 1972.

It seems that iconic 1970's styles are trending this spring. But elements of the 1970's (wild prints, flared pants, halter dresses, crochet tops, platform shoes) have lingered for years.

Spring 2011: The 70's are back
Diane Von Furstenberg launches DIANE vintage collection

The seventies seemed so much fun. I was in elementary school/junior high during that decade and it seemed that fashion trends were very distinctive and delightful to wear.

I like the pretty hairstyles (especially for long hair) galore during that decade.

Of course, Barbie has to have pretty hair!

Double-Quick Curl, looking stylish with bows in her hair and a crochet shawl.

Barbie in that 1970's suit or dress

I also enjoy sewing, especially with patterns from the past or what I call "retro" or "vintage" patterns. I like the fit of the clothing back then. Here are patterns from the mid 1970's. I have purchased pattern from ebay, etsy, and other specialty on-line pattern stores. I purchased the Simplicity 6308 pattern (girls' tops) from a garage sale.

I made a wrap top for myself from the Simplicity 6109 and a "Jan Brady" looking top for my daughter.

Check out Jan Brady's big collar (similar to the Simplicity pattern) from an episode of the Brady Bunch!

Here's my daughter wearing the top I sewed for her from the Simplicity 6308 pattern.

Barbie channeling her inner Johanna Travolta beneath the glitzy disco ball, in her "leisure suit" with the wide lapels and her fly-away hair a la Charlie's Angels. I also have a blond version.

Charlie's Angels from 1976: Jaclyn Smith, Kate Jackson, and Farrah Fawcett.

The 1970's wrap dress popularized by designer Diane Von Furstenberg is recaptured by Barbie in a pink (of course) wrap dress (2006).

The 29-year-old designer on the cover of Newsweek in 1974 and appearing on an ad campaign in 1972.

Re-releases of the "1974 Vintage Prints Collections" for Spring 2011

Barbie looking snazzy in Diane Von Furstenberg's iconic wrap dress.

One of Diane's (still looking lovely in her mid-60's) most recent events:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-18/diane-von-furstenberg-honors-women-at-new-york-fashion-week/y#

Diane's vintage collection at her website:
http://www.dvf.com/shop-online/diane-vintage-collection/dresses/dresses-vintage-collection,default,sc.html

The California Beach Babes

I recall having a "Malibu Barbie" that I received many Christmases ago. It probably was donated along with other dolls and toys to charity. Now I have two updated versions of this cherished doll.

Mattel celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Malibu Barbie in 2001:

Another reproduction that came out nearly a decade later in 2009 for the 40th anniversary

Barbie is in good company with her Malibu friends.

Barbie's sweet little sister Skipper from 1975

PJ, Barbie's cousin, also had the "Brady Girl" hairdo with its center part!

Barbie's friend Christie is also ready to hit the waves in her peach bathing suit. This doll came out in 1978.

Christie truly looks better out of the box. She has the beautiful Steffie face mold.

Christie through the years:
http://www.fashion-doll-guide.com/Christie-Doll.html

Before Malibu Ken gets some sand and sun, would you have dated a man in such bizarre attire if you lived through the dating scene in the 1970's?

Yeek!!

This Malibu Ken seems to typify the mid-1970's "beefcake" hunk with the side part, big smile, hopefully to win over the ladies.

I thought the mod hair Ken from the late 1960's/early 1970's was better looking.

On the right is another Mod Hair Ken with the correct head and body, in the non-original outfit. On the left, is a 1971 Live Action Ken with the incorrect head. It looks like it came from some other "copycat" Ken doll.

A 1997 reproduction of Live Action Barbie (1971) on a keychain.

More keychain Barbie repros

Just put on your platforms and dance the night away!

From 1999, Millennium Wedding Teresa and Barbie.

Possibly the most highly publicized wedding so far during this millennium occured on April 29, 2011 between Prince Williams and Catherine Middleton...

and probably the most highly anticipated wedding since the wedding between the Prince's parents 30 years ago...

From Reuters:
"Fashionistas across the world had been engulfed in months of fevered speculation over who would get the career-defining job of designing one of the most talked-about outfits of the decade. The dress featured a long train and hand-made lace applique over an ivory-coloured bodice and skirt, made of silk and satin. Inspired by the Middleton's new coat of arms, Kate's earrings included diamond oak leaves and pear-shaped diamond acorns..."

Here come the brides...

1996 reproduction of 1960's Wedding Day Barbie

This is one of the first bridal Barbies that I purchased, 1989's "Wedding Fantasy" Barbie. The exaggerated puffed sleeves typified the style of the 1980's.

A year later, Midge, Barbie's best friend tied the knot.

From 1990. "Wedding Day Midge"

Here's an entire entourage: Bridesmaid Barbie,Midge the Bride, Alan the Groom, Ken the best man, Todd the ring bearer, and Kelly the flower girl. The current Ken has the Alan face and head mold.

Brides from the late 1990's, "Wedding Day Barbies" made exclusively for collectors in the Philippines, where many Barbies are manufactured. I purchased these from ebay years ago and currently are very rare.