The Barbie Dolls of the World Collection
From 1980 Barbie became a global citizen. Instead of a Caucasian Barbie doll wearing the beautiful outfits of the countries she visited, Mattel created Barbie dolls which embraced the diverse cultures of the world. The launch of Mattel’s International series began in Europe in 1980 with England, Italy and France.
The first in the series was “Royal Barbie” featuring the Barbie doll dressed as a British Royal. Wearing a full length white dress, sash and tiara, Royal Barbie was a blonde, blue eyed beauty holding a sceptre.
The Italian Barbie was a long haired brunette. She was dressed in a pheasant blouse and a green skirt with a white and red stripe around the hemline. She had a blue apron and carried a basket of yellow flowers.
The French Barbie was dressed as a Parisian can-can dancer. This Barbie posed sitting wearing a pink and black can-can dress with white ruffled underskirts. The outfit was completed with black fish-net stockings, pink shoes and accessories comprising of a black choker and earrings.
Nigerian, Japanese, Kenyan and Irish Barbie dolls soon followed. Later Mattel reissued some of the earlier dolls with new faces and clothes. After a few years, Mattel renamed the International series “Dolls of the World”.
By the year 2000 the Dolls of the World series had all seven continents represented as well as some historical culture Barbie dolls.
