10

YEARS
C O L L E C T I O N

10
YEARS

C O L L E C T I O N

Introduction

This book is dedicated to the incredible creative team

who helped to bring this vision to life and made this
collection possible. Thank you for making me look
good and for making Barbie look amazing.
ROBERT BEST

A DECADE

of exquisite fashion and

inspired design has distinguished this collection and
imbued it with the power to transport the collector, the
connoisseur and even Barbies the casual admirer to a
life infused with glamour and quintessential jet-set style.
The Barbie Fashion Model Collection spans the past ten
years, but draws its inspiration from the style icons of the
1960s from the elegance of Kennedys Camelot to the
impossible glamour of Hollywoods heyday. The alluring
designs are enhanced by an uncommon attention to detail.
From the artisanal beadwork and impeccable tailoring to
the inspired make-up, hair and elaborate and accurate set
design, the BFMC is tribute to the collaboration, passion
and vision of the many talented artists whose efforts
support this extraordinary collection. Marked by a timeless
aesthetic, true femininity and an educated appreciation of
design, the BFMC is Barbie at her beautiful best.

Contents

2000
2001

2002
2003
2004
2005

Designer Robert Best

06

Collectors Index

66

Lunch at the Club

Delphine

08

Ravishing in Rouge
Boulevard
Dusk To Dawn
In the Pink
Lisette
Blush Becomes Her

10

Fashion Designer
Continental Holiday
Maria Therese
Black Enchantment

16

Fashion Insider Ken

Midnight Mischief
A Model Life
Capucine
Chataine

22

Joyeux Barbie
Chinoiserie Red

28

Spotted Shopping
Stolen Magic

30

2006

09

11

2007

12
13
14
15

17

2008

18
19

24
25
26
27

29

31

2009
2010

High Stepping
True Brit
Tweed Indeed
High Tea and Savories
Stewardess
French Maid
Nurse
Teacher

32

Red Hot Reviews

Soiree
The Ingenue
Hollywood Bound
Movie Mixer
Hollywood Hostess

38

Je Ne Sais Quoi
Preferably Pink
Haut Monde
Showgirl

48

Debut
Stunning in the Spotlight

54

Palm Beach Honey

Palm Beach Breeze
Palm Beach Coral
Mad Men Collection
Mad Men Joan Holloway
Mad Men Betty Draper
Mad Men Don Draper
Tribute

56

33
34
35
36
36
37
37

39
42
43
44
46

49
52
53

55

58
59
60
61
62
63
64

The Designer

Robert Best

10 YEARS

ago, a talented, young fashion

designer met his muse. That designer is Robert Best and
his inspiration is Barbie. After designing for Donna Karan
and Isaac Mizrahi, Best came to Mattel and, for the past
decade, has crafted a vision that is the Barbie Fashion
Model Collection. Rooted the romance of the 1950s and
60s and inspired by Bests love affair with black and white
films and his passion for Balenciaga, the designs are
glamorous, instantly identifiable and thoroughly Barbie.
Best studied fashion design at Parsons The New School for
Design in New York. One of my instructors told me that
my sketches looked like Barbie. Best reports. So maybe it
was prophetic. Best and Barbie have been an extraordinary
match. My experience designing for Barbie has enabled
me to reach more people than I ever did while working in
high fashion, says Best. I find that very satisfying. Robert
Best gained pop culture fame himself in 2006 when he
appeared on televisions wildly popular Project Runway.
The collection that Robert Best has designed in ten years
is a stunning achievement one that truly can be called the
Best of Barbie.

Lunch at the Club

Delphine

2000

2000
Making Her Entrance
The Barbie Fashion Model
Collection launches with
Delphine, sculpted in
Silkstone with the feel of
porcelain. Her taffeta gown
recalls the heyday of Dior
and Balenciaga and introduces BFMC signature blue,
a recurrent theme throughout the collection. Also
issued this inaugural year,
is Lunch at the Club,
a smart suit in dark navy
a counterpoint to Delphine
in one of Bests go-to colors.
I love navy, its as versatile
as blackbut just a little
unexpected, he says.

Ravishing in Rouge

2001

Exclusive and Elegant

This auburn-tressed beauty was made exclusively for FAO
Schwarz. Shes a vision in red, Best says. The red satin
dress and matching red capelet with faux sable trim has
a very yester-year feel. With her elbow-length gloves,
she might be waiting to meet her lunch date at The Plaza.
But she wont be waiting for long.

10

Boulevard

2001

Ready for her Clothes Up

Brown is another one of my staple colors, says Best.
Barbie didnt have a lot of neutrals and the textures of
this ensemble keep it from being blah. Here, shes just
arriving at the studio which is exactly where a fashion
model belongs.

11

Dusk To Dawn

In the Pink

Presenting the Gift Set

The first BFMC gift set,
Dusk To Dawn, is a reminder
of the value of a well-chosen
wardrobe. The mix and match
lavender and black ensembles,
oodles of accessories and flamehaired doll have launched the
passion of many Barbie-philes.
Its an instant collection that
just makes you want to play,
Best says. As well as a nod
to the way that dolls and their
clothing were once sold
together as a set.

Quintessential
Barbie
Best calls this gown
confection couture.
Its pink and frothy and
definitely over-the-top,
he says. With billows
of pale pink tulle and
organza, sequins and
hand beaded Swarovski
crystals, this design
introduced a new level
of detail to the limited
edition Barbie Fashion
Model Collection.

2001

12

2001

13

Lisette

Blush Becomes Her

2001

2001
Pure Platinum
A collectors favorite,
Barbie models a pale
green entrance-making
gown with Watteau back.
The lines of this dress
are inspired by a more
historical time, Best
notes. The doll, whose
pale green eyes match
the gown, marks the first
time the BFMC created
a true platinum blonde.

14

Hats off to
Cocktail Dresses
I love cocktail wear, says
Best. There something
about a shorter dress that
allows for more creative
accessories, like the overblown organza hat. The
barely-there color of the
dress accented with black
is another Best signature.
First designed with a high
pony tail, this dolls coif
was eventually adapted
to a chignon in order to
accommodate the hat.

15

Fashion Designer

Continental Holiday

A Nod to Head
With a smock, black and white bow tie and scissors hanging around her neck, Barbie tries on the design side of
fashion. Think of Barbie channeling Edith Head, says
Best. Edith Head was such a Hollywood icon, that shes
almost become a clich. This clich works beautifully
right down to the trademark oversized glasses.

Passport to Paris
I love to travel, Best confides, and my life is very present
in my work. The cities that I adore are, not coincidentally,
places that Barbie frequents, too. The jet-set lifestyle, the
idea that traveling was once a glamorous notionone you
dressed foris what defines this ensemble and gives an
inkling of Barbies travels to come. Barbie isnt content to
simply stay in one place and she always travels in style!

2002

16

2002

17

Maria Therese

2002

Black Enchantment

2002

Of Brides
and Beauty Marks
Heres another example
of how my personal life
is reflected in my work,
says Best. My sister got
married in 2002 and I
designed her gown. So,
naturally I decided to do
the same gown for Barbie.
They are both my muses
so they both deserve
gorgeous gowns. My sister
and I are very closeshe
even made a surprise
appearance when I was
on Project Runway. Best
calls Black Magic a girly
dress in a serious color.
The beauty mark that highlights Barbies cheek is a
detail that distinguishes all
the dolls of this collection.

18

19

20

21

Fashion Insider Ken

2003

Everything but
the Girl
This is the first time that
Ken was featured in this
collection. So, we approached
it exactly as we would with a
Barbie gift setright down
to his underpinningswhich
are very detailed. Still, its
distinctly Ken, says Best.
People always say that he
looks just like me. Of course
he does, I even have the
same sunglasses.

22

23

Midnight Mischief

2003

Barbie Day and Night

Midnight Mischief is one of my favorite photographs of
all time, says Best. Here, all the elements work together.
The incredibly realistic background and evocative lighting works to transport you to a brasserie in Paris. When I
came to the studio and saw the set for the first time, it was
so exciting to see my vision materialized and so spot-on
so detailed.

24

A Model Life

2003
INTRODUCTORY HEADLINE
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ea commodo consequat.

25

Capucine/Chataine

2003

Inspiration from France

An exclusive for FAO Schwarz, the blonde Capucine shares
the name of the French actress/model featured in the 1963
The Pink Panther movie. The Pink Panther is my go-to
fashion film, says Best. The clothes are incredibly glamorous and speak to that era. This design was inspired by
model Suzy Parker and those gorgeous photos of her from
the late 1950s.

26

27

Joyeux Barbie

Chinoiserie Red Moon/Midnight/Sunset

BFMCs First Christmas

This is the first holiday doll in the collection, says Best.
Typically the Holiday Barbie is a huge dealso this was a
challenge. I didnt want it to feel like a tree topper; instead,
I tried for cool restraint. For me this was less about creating
a holiday doll and more about designing a beautiful doll.
I chose white and sparkly jewels, because it reminds me of
snow in the sunlight. Im from Utah; I know snow.

East Meets Best

Collectors asked for an Asian-inspired doll, Best explains.
So we responded with three. The designers passion for
Asia and the aesthetic and sensibility of Far East is evident
in the silky red, floral pajama ensembles that complement
this trios exotic beauty and distinctive blue-black coifs.

2004

28

2004

29

Spotted Shopping

2005

30

NYC Inspiration
The sketch of Barbies face
is where it all starts, says
Best. Her face defines her
attitude and that sets the
tone for everything else,
says Best. I sketch the face
of every doll and, even though
every Barbie in this collection
has the same sculpted face,
we can achieve a myriad of
personalities by using different makeup. Dramatic eyes
and a paler, almost nude lip
is my go-to look. The same
artist has painted the faces
since the collection launched.
This year Barbie appears not
in true-to-life sets, but on
backdrops created by monochromatic paper cut-outs.

Stolen Magic

2005

31

High Stepping

2006

True Brit

2006

Barbies British Invasion

London is one of my favorite cities, says Best. My
sister lives there, so I visited quite often and began to
really embrace the culture. In fact, short of adopting
an accent, I did everything I could to turn myself into a
proper English gentleman. Barbie also is also thoroughly
immersed in a new place and protocol. Thats what I
love about international travelit changes you.

32

33

Tweed Indeed

2006

34

Barbies British Accent

Barbie hits the High Street shopping scene while on holiday
in Britain. I adore purses and luggage Best explains.
Barbies bag is double quilted with a faux zipper detail.
At high tea, Barbie embraces the English tradition in style.
Her elegant ensemble is part of a gift set.

High Tea and Savories

2006

35

Stewardess/French Maid

Nurse/Teacher

Uniformly Fabulous
I love uniforms, Best confides. The classic Pan American
stewardess, the maid What they wear makes what they do
instantly recognizable. These four work together as a series
that celebrates the accoutrement of the working woman.

Designed for Authority

The authority conveyed by a black and white uniform is
unmistakable, says Best. These workplace fashions pay
homage to the 1940s when women really joined the workforce in droves and demanded more than a paycheckthey
demanded respect.

2006

36

2006

37

Red Hot Reviews/Soiree

2007

Best of the West

This collection mines the creative energy of the city I call
home, Best explains. These designs recall the myth of
Hollywood and position Barbie as an actress. Her leopardprint turban evokes the mystery of Gloria Swanson while
the regal brunette upsweep is an unmistakable nod to the
spirit of Audrey Hepburn.

38

39

40

41

The Ingenue/ Hollywood Bound

2007

Dreaming of Fame
The starlet in her dressing room captures the Hollywood
ideal. Barbie plays the role perfectly in her filmy peignoir
with signature light blue ribbons and lace. On the set, the
white coat and rose-patterned dress create a Marilyn Monroe
moment while her white-framed sunglasses enhance her
screen-icon image and keep the paparazzi at bay.

42

43

Movie Mixer

2007

Stars in her Eyes

At a soiree in the Hollywood
hills, the breathtaking view
is eclipsed by Barbies eyecatching pink ensemble.
The blonde dressed in
pink, seems very Barbie,
says Best. But in fact,
it didnt really exist in this
collection before now.

44

45

Hollywood Hostess

2007

Entertaining in Style
California is all about the light, says Best. The reason
movies were made in Hollywood was because of the quality
of the lightwhich this gift set captures. The sunshine flooding into this 1960s modern house just says Palm Springs.
The red-headed Barbie evokes a young Ann Margaret and
everything about her has a sun-kissed quality.

46

47

Je Ne Sais Quoi

Preferably Pink

Buenvenue Barbie
Barbie returns to Paris where
fashion reigns. I rarely look
at my sketches and think
God, Im good, says Best.
But this one is really one of
my favorites. Here, Barbie
models a gold brocade tunic
over a straight skirt with faux
sable trim, hat and brooches
that add a bit more sparkle to

La Ville-Lumiere.

Avec Accoutrements
The details of this ensemble are what make it really work,
says Best. The pink tweed suit is accented by enamel cuff
bracelet, designer-style purse, miles of beads, smart spectator pumps and a jaunty black hair bow. I received an
e-mail from a collector who said that this doll was beyond his
wildest expectations. That makes all the effort worthwhile.

2008

48

2008

49

50

51

Haut Monde/Showgirl

2008

Evening in Paris
I adore Suzy Parker and Haute Monde is my tribute to
her. Its insanely detailedyet looks so simple, Best says
of the pintucks, ribbons and tulle. The Showgirl deserves
her own book. Her costume is a feathery creation of satin,
sequins and beading. The photo takes my breath away,
Best remarks. She looks so real.

52

53

Debut

2009
Barbies 50th
We celebrated Barbies 50th with a re-imagination of the
black and white suit, naturally. Best explains. The vintage
Barbies skin tone fades over time, so we created this pearly
white complexion as a nod to her heritage. The bathing
suit is updated with a new fabric, cut and sparkles. Barbie
also wears a commemorative bracelet with a silhouette
charm of herself.

54

Stunning in the Spotlight

2009

Classic Barbie Lines

This is the only time where
weve looked to our own
clothes for inspirationand
for the 50th anniversary,
it just seemed appropriate,
explains Best. The silhouette
of this dress pays homage
to the classic Solo in the
Spotlight but gives it a new
look in chiffon with a dramatic pink stole. One thing
remains the same: a microphone is still included with
the ensemble.

55

Palm Beach Honey

2010

Sundrenched Tones
Barbie heads to Florida with
her beloved dog, Miss Honey.
A friend in New York has a
Yorkie named Miss Honey and
Ive immortalized her here
and in other designs like True
Brit, says Best. In this new
collection, Barbie glows with
a sun-kissed complexion and
yellow ensemble as bright as
the Florida sunshine.

56

57

Palm Beach Breeze

Palm Beach Coral

Color me Caftan
Its the life of luxury for Barbie with a nod to the graphic appeal of Emilio Pucci and the colors of Lily Pulitzer. There
were doubts that a caftan would work on Barbie, says Best.
Even the pattern maker was unsurebut its gorgeous.
Bold patterns and flowing fabric are balanced by voluminous hair that recalls 1960s super-model Jean Shrimpton.

Luxury
Meets Loungewear
This whole line was a real
departure from what we
had been doing, says Best.
Barbie has new skin color
a golden tanand the whole
feeling is kind of mod. I dont
often do bright colors, but
this is an example of how the
location dictates the design.
Its the Palm Beach of my
fantasya place where everyone has Dynel hairpieces
and is lounging by the pool
sipping Technicolor drinks.

2010

58

2010

59

Mad Men

2010

Mad About Barbie

Stylish, sophisticated and sometimes scandalous, Mad Men
captured the vibe of the 1960s and the imagination of a
new generation. The creation of this line marks the first
ever licensed BFMC products. It is such a good match,
says Best. The show has a cinematic approach that I
appreciate and evokes an era that I love. Im a huge fan
of the show and, it turns out, Matt Weiner, the executive
producer, is a Barbie fanso its really a dream partnership
built on mutual respect.

60

61

Mad Men

2010

62

63

Tribute

2010

Celebrating 10 Years
of Style
Commemorating a decade
of the Barbie Fashion
Model Collection this
10th anniversary Barbie
recalls the first BFMC doll,
Delphine. Shes a summation of what I love,
Best explains. The pale
blue dress, the blonde hair
...I have always been fascinated by women with icy
cool demeanorslike Grace
Kelly or Catherine Deneuve.
In her lavishly embroidered
taffeta gown, Barbie returns
to the designers studio
where the BFMC was created
and where the sketch board
is ready for Robert Bests
newest inspiration.

64

65

10 Years of BFMC

2000-2010

Lunch at the Club

Fashion
2000

Garden Party
Fashion
2000

Delphine
Barbie Doll
2000

Lingerie
Barbie Doll
2000

Lingerie
Barbie Doll
2000

FAO Exclusive Joyeux

Barbie Doll
2004

Joyeux
Barbie Doll
2004

45th Anniversary
Barbie Doll
2004

45th Anniversary
Barbie Doll (AA)
2004

45th Anniversary
Barbie and Ken Doll
Giftset 2004

Lingerie
Barbie Doll
2001

Lisette
Barbie Doll
2001

Boulevard
Fashion
2001

In the Pink
Barbie Doll
2001

Blush Becomes Her

Fashion
2001

New England Escape

Fashion Giftset
2004

The Spa Getaway

Giftset
2004

Vanity and Bench

2004

Spotted Shopping
Barbie Fashion
2005

Stolen Magic
Barbie Doll
2005

Fashion Editor
Barbie Doll
2001

Ravishing in Rouge
Barbie Doll
2001

Dusk To Dawn
Giftset
2001

Lingerie
Barbie Doll
2002

Lingerie
Barbie Doll #5
2002

Suite Retreat
Barbie Doll
2005

Trace of Lace Barbie

Doll (Brunette)
2005

Trace of Lace Barbie

Doll (Blonde)
Exclusive 2005

Muffy Roberts
Barbie Doll
2005

Happy Go Lightly
Barbie Doll
2005

Accessory Pack
2002

Fashion Designer
Barbie Doll
2002

Maria Therese
Barbie Doll
2002

Provencale
Barbie Doll
2002

Country Bound
Fashion
2002

New York Yorkie

Barbie Accessory Pack
2005

Violette Barbie Doll

2006

The French Maid

Barbie Doll
2006

The Nurse
Barbie Doll
2006

The Nurse (AA)

Barbie Doll
2006

Black Enchantment
Fashion
2002

Continental Holiday
Giftset
2002

Lingerie
Barbie Doll #6
2003

Fashion Insider Ken

Giftset
2003

Wardrobe
2003

The Stewardess
Barbie Doll
2006

The Teacher
Barbie Doll
2006

The Waitress
Barbie Doll
2006

Day at the Races

Barbie Doll
2006

Tweed Indeed
Barbie Doll
2006

Midnight Mischief
Fashion
2003

A Model Life
Giftset
2003

Sunday Best
Barbie Doll
2003

Chataine
Barbie Doll
2003

Capucine
Barbie Doll
2003

Pretty Pleats
Barbie Doll
2006

Lady of the Manor

Barbie Doll
2006

High Tea and Savories

Barbie Doll Giftset
2006

Dahlia Barbie Doll

2006

Highland Fling
Barbie Doll
2006

City Smart
Barbie Doll
2003

Trench Setter
Barbie Doll
2004

Chinoiserie Red
Moon Barbie Doll
2004

True Brit
Barbie Accessory
2006

High Stepping
Barbie Fashion
2006

Movie Mixer
Barbie Doll
2007

The Soiree
Barbie Doll
2007

Red Hot Reviews

Barbie Doll
2007

66

Chinoiserie Red
Midnight Barbie Doll
2004

Chinoiserie Red
Sunset Barbie Doll
2004

67

10 Years of BFMC

2000-2010

The Interview
Barbie Doll
2007

The Ingenue
Barbie Doll
2007

Hollywood Hostess
Barbie Doll
2007

Hollywood Bound
Barbie Doll
2007

The Siren
Barbie Doll
2007

The Secretary
Barbie Doll
2007

The Usherette
Barbie Doll
2007

Honey in Hollywood
Accessory Pack
2007

The Artist
Barbie Doll
2008

Haut Monde
Barbie Doll
2008

Market Day
Barbie Doll
2008

The Shopgirl
Barbie Doll
2008

Tout De Suite
Barbie Doll
2008

Preferably Pink
Barbie Doll
2008

Je Ne Sais Quoi
Barbie Doll
2008

The Showgirl
Barbie Doll
2008

Toujours Couture
Barbie Doll
2008

Dbut
Barbie Doll
2009

Dbut
Barbie Doll (AA)
2009

Gal on the Go
Barbie Doll
2009

Parisienne Pretty
Barbie Doll
2009

Prima Ballerina
Barbie Doll
2009

Southern Belle
Barbie Doll
2009

Stunning in the
Spotlight Barbie Doll
2009

Golden Gala Barbie

Doll (Convention)
2009

Golden Gala Barbie

Doll (Convention AA)
2009

Palm Beach
Swimsuit Barbie Doll
2010

Palm Beach Breeze

Barbie Doll
2010

Palm Beach Coral

Barbie Dolll
2010

Palm Beach Honey

Barbie Doll
2010

Mad Men Don Draper

2010

Mad Men Betty Draper

2010

Mad Men Joan Holloway

2010

Mad Men Roger Sterling

2010

Tribute Barbie Doll

2010

68

C O L L E C T I O N

UPC CODE
WD221 V9531 746775 01808 5

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