She's a SuperStar!

1977 marks the year of the introduction of  SuperStar Barbie (referred to as SSB throughout this post) a sensation that ran for 3 years. Sporting a new head that would be in production for the next 20 years, SSB is the epitome of glamorous with her long sunstreaked blonde hair, wide blue eyes and smiling face (painted teeth). Also adding to the excited of this bombshell is the fact her arms are bent for poseability and her waist twists. SSB wears a glamorous ankle length pink satin evening gown accompanied with a pink and silver boa, strappy pink heels and "diamond" jewellery (earrings, neckland & ring), SSB is the first Barbie to ever wear a ring and also marked the comeback of jewellery on Barbie dolls since its abolishment  in the late 60's due  to safety precautions.

 Following the release of SSB 3 glamorous fashions were created for her in 1977 and another 4 in 1978. The first 3 were: Dramatic black & silver shimmer, Spotlight on romantic white and Brocade shine.

 The other 4 fashions were: Soft & shimmering silver & white, Sunny yellow shine for nighttime, Dramatic blue & silver aglitter and Bright and bedazzling colourful charmer

SSB was available in 4 different giftsets: 1977 SSB In the Spotlight, 1978's SSB and Ken, 1978's SSB Fashion Changes and 1978's SSB In the Spotlight. 2 promotional versions of SSB were available, both wearing an ankle length glittery dress with the difference being in colour (pink with silver strips of pink with dark pink strips). Many foreign versions of SSB were also available. 

                                                                                                       SSB in the Spotlight 1977

                                                                                          SSB In the Spotlight 1978

Promotional SuperStar Barbies 

 SuperSize Barbie, part of the SuperStar lineup was released in 1977, she was the first 18" Barbie doll to be manufactured. Another 2 SuperSize Barbies followed in her footsteps: SuperSize Bridal Barbie (1978) and SuperSize Super Hair Barbie (1979). Because of her size Mattel had to create seperate fashions for her, thus limiting her success.

Of course Barbie could not be without her man so in 1978 SuperStar Ken was released. Ken sported a new head mold and new body mechanics (arms bent at elbows, twist and turn waist) 

                                                                                                                                            This promotional SuperStar Ken came with a free ring for the child

SuperStar Christie was released alongside SuperStar Barbie in 1977, also available was SuperSize Christie (1977). 

Barbie celebrated her 50th anniversary in 2009 with a serious of reproduction Barbies one of which was SuperStar Barbie 

2010 saw the release of the "updated" version of SuperStar Barbie. 

       

All in all SuperStar Barbie has proved to be a popular doll with children and collectors alike :)

                         

                                                        

Midge - She's Barbies Best Friend

It was 1963 when Barbie's best friend Midge Hadley rocked into town, she had blue forward facing eyes, freckles, a cheeky smile and a flip hair-do, furthermore Midge was also available with no freckles, painted teeth and side glancing eyes (these versions of Midge are hard to find). The choice of 3 hair colours were available: blonde, brunette or titan. Each hair colour sported a different 2 tone coloured bikini: Blonde = light blue top, dark blue bottoms, Brunette = pink top, red bottoms and Titan = yellow-green top, orange bottoms. Each Midge doll came with white open toed shoes, a stand and a booklet.

 Teeth Midge

 Freckle-less Midge

Midge never had any official Midge clothing of her own, thank goodness for best friend Barbie whom she could borrow clothes from. In 1964 "Kens buddy" Allan Sherwood hit the scene as Midges boyfriend, he disappeared after 1965 and reappeared in 1990 when Wedding Day Allan was released. Midge got into the disappearing   act herself and vanished after 1967 only to reappear in 1988 when California Dream Midge was released. Midge and Allan were married in 1990 and later ended up having a family when the Happy  Family series was released in 2003 (more on that in another post).

Wedding Day Midge Giftset 1990

Happy Family Midge 2003

Midge celebrated her 30th anniversary in 1993 with the release of a reproduction porcelain Midge dressed in  a reproduction of vintage outfit Senior Prom. In 1998 the 35 anniversary Midge doll was released, this time it was a reproduction of a titan haired Midge in original yellow-green and orange swimsuit alongside with a reproduction of the Senior Prom outfit and a reproduction of the original box she came in. This year (2013) marks the 50th anniversary of Midge.

35th Anniversary Midge 1998

The Steffie Face

It was 1972 when the most beautiful face in the  Barbie doll world hit the shelves of toy stores, that face belonged to Steffie and since then has therefore been dubbed the "Steffie head."   It was designed by Martha Armstrong Hand and used for the first time in 1972 with the release of Walking Lively Steffie.

 Walking Lively Steffie

Martha Armstrong Hand

According to Barbie Collector magazine (spring 2008) Mattel scrapped head molds if not used for a period of time, the Steffie head mold has never been out of production since its release. Over the years many of Barbies friends and relatives have used the Steffie head mold, some of which include Barbie's cousin PJ, 

Malibu PJ

 Midge (who came out in 1963 and disappeared after 1967) reappeared in 1988 when California Dream Midge was sold. This doll used the steffie face mold  

California Dream Midge

Whitney, Kelley and Tara Lynn. Also Barbies African American friends used this head mold one of which was African American Barbie released in 1980

                    African American Barbie 1980

Today this head mold is still used and hopefully will be around for many more years to come! :)