@BarbieStyle Doll 1 Review

 I received the first doll in the @BarbieStyle series, where collectors vote on the items to be included in the giftset. Admittedly, I was a bit late to this party and just found out about the dolls on this girls release date.  Luckily, I got my order in in time for her to arrive this week. Her price point is $100, but I had $20 off  on my account, so I got her for $80 plus shipping. There are a lot of things I really like about this doll, and a few I'm disappointed in. I thought I'd review her on the blog, for those of you that don't have her, or would be interested in her.  I'll start with the packaging. The packaging is some of the best I've seen from Mattel. The box is a trifold faux "marble" with a magnetic clasp with the Barbie @BarbieStyle Logo. Very nice. If anyone is familiar with Integrity's E59th line, the way the box closes is very reminiscent of that line. I typically throw out all my Barbie packaging. This box I will keep.

When you open up the box  the middle is a 3 part section housing the doll in the middle, and each of the 2 outfits on either side. I unboxed my Barbie before I shot a picture of her in the packaging, but the middle section where Barbie was housed is covered by an easily removable plastic insert with a pink "foggy" look bottom, for modesty I suppose, although she is wearing underwear, as shown below.

I love the pictures from the BarbieStyle Instagram site on the fold out top right and left sides of the box. The packaging is also surprisingly easy to  remove the clothing from. The clothing is on cardboard cut outs that insert into the back of the box. The plastic covering the clothing also has tabs that slot into the cardboard, where you can easily remove without damage to the box. I like this. A stand is included in the back of the box. Also easily removeable. It is just a generic waist gripper type of stand used with many of Mattel's collectible dolls.

Barbie herself is on a made to move body. She comes wearing plain white panties and t-shirt with her sunglasses on. One of the cons I see with the set is that her sunglasses are sewn onto strips of hair at the sides of her head as well as the top. I wish they would have packaged them separately with the rest of the accessories, as not to risk cutting the hair while trying to get the sunglasses off her.  A plus is that Mattel gave her a manicure and pedicure, using white "polish." A nice added touch.

A shot of her manicure.

And her pedicure

Accessories include the aforementioned sunglasses, 2 pairs of shoes, black strappy heels and gray and black trainers. Her phone, which is gold and has a picture of her "apps" on the front. There is also a black handbag.  Jewelry would have been nice. She looks sort of unfinished in the dress especially without earrings.

A shot of the accessories minus the sunglasses. I like the way the trainers are accented with black. Gives them a more "realistic" vibe.

Main outfit pieces include a blue dress/black faux leather jacket and  pink suit jacket and pants. The dress is pull up style.

And here is my BIGGEST gripe with the set...........VELCRO. Why, oh why would Mattel take so much care with how well done the packaging is, give us a beautiful made to move doll with mani/pedi, and put VELCRO on the clothing. Ughhh........If I am going to buy a high end item I DO NOT want to see velcro used! For me, it "cheapens" the product. The white tee closes with velcro, as do the pants in the suit set. I will say it again. UGHHH........come on Mattel.

Barbie herself is quite lovely. Her lips are a very pretty shade of pink. She has blue side glancing eyes that are screened well IMHO. Her hair is in a very cute style, and it is very soft, no noticeable product in it to make it stiff. And I for one LOVE the made to move bodies!

Another shot of her dressed in the pink suit. Both jackets are actually lined except for the sleeves, and the pink jacket has a Barbie Signature tag in it.

And since she can't wear both outfits at once, I pulled BMR1959 Kira out to wear the other outfit. While I love the pleather jacket, I hate they used a huge zipper for the main zip. The accent zippers on the sides are smaller and in scale, but that huge zipper on the front  just takes away from the realistic look of the outfit 

(for me anyway).

All in all I'm really pleased with the set and will buy the other offerings in the series. I've wanted to see a play friendly set targeted for collectors for a long time now, and I have followed and loved the Barbie Style Instagram page and wished that Mattel would produce some of the clothing pictured for collectors.  I want to support them now that they have finally put this set out there. As I have noted above, there are things I really like about the set and a few things I really wish were different, but overall I'm really glad I got it and I look forward to the other offerings in the series.