Mary Wernke collects dolls from Mattel’s Barbie brand, including Barbie’s long line of family and friends. In this edition of Collector Spotlight, Wernke shares her early start as a collector and why she focuses on Skipper, Barbie’s younger sister.

Released in 1972 by Mattel, the Barbie Beauty Center combined two childhood favourites: Barbie and dress-up play.

Andrea Katelnikoff collects Barbie dolls and related items. Here, she explains why she started collecting and what keeps her interested in the hobby.

While Barbie debuted in 1959, the doll’s impact on popular culture is still unfolding to this day. Author Robin Gerber has dedicated significant time researching and writing about the toy doll. With her second Barbie-focused book, Barbie Forever: Her Inspiration, History, and Legacy, approaching its release date, she talked to Toy Tales about Barbie’s notable legacy.

It’s Olympic skiing, Barbie-style!

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s iconic song Space Oddity, Mattel has released a limited edition, collector Barbie doll that pays homage to the late singer’s iconic alter ego Ziggy Stardust.

“Barbie’s hungry!”

A vintage commercial for Island Fun Barbie from Mattel.

“This furniture has a secret!”

Mattel has re-issued the Barbie doll’s first-ever Dream House just as it was in 1962, in all its mid-century modern splendor.

Board games can be categorized into two camps: those that stand the test of time, and those that serve as windows into a moment of time in popular culture. Released in 1960 by Mattel, Barbie Queen of the Prom relies on a series of clichés and politically incorrect attitudes towards girls that today seem cringe-worthy, but which permeated and defined culture 50 years ago.

“Givin’ a wink, Barbie style.”