In February 2009, I was summoned to New York City, not for Toy Fair, but to take the Directors Guild Assistant Training Program test in an attempt to get into the exclusive program which trains Production Assistants. It wasn’t meant to be. The test was ridiculous and silly and I honestly still have no idea how taking an IQ test tells anyone how good of a production assistant one would be. However, since I was in New York City, I, of course, made time to wander about. This trip, however short, ended up being very doll filled!
I thought I’d go back in time today to show you how Barbie was being celebrated at Bloomingdale’s in 2009 in their New York City location. Because Barbie was turning the big 5-0, Bloomies went all out with their Barbie Loves Bloomingdale’s NYC exhibit. It featured a month-long Barbie celebration including traffic-stopping store windows along Third Avenue, an unprecedented in-store display of 120 historic Barbie dolls, and a 242-square-foot, in-store Barbie boutique featuring Barbie-branded apparel, accessories and dolls.
Here’s some photos of the dolls on display.
I spent a couple bucks at the Barbie Boutique, which I’m sure comes as no surprise to you! I bought an adorable clutch purse (Barbie Luxe by Patricia Field, shown below)!
The next two photos were actually taken at NYC’s Sephora for the All Doll’d Up with “Barbie
Loves Stila” Cosmetic Collection.
Now, back to Bloomies… On display in store were also some fantastically dressed Barbie mannequins. From the 2009 press release, “To celebrate Barbie doll’s place in fashion, Rootstein, and Mattel, have collaborated to produce a limited edition collection of mannequins with Barbie as the muse – a literal homage to the fantastic, fashion favorite whose many looks have provided a common point of reference for generations of women across the globe. Re-modeled into a stunningly six-foot-two-inches-tall figure, dozens of mannequins have been created to resemble the 11 ½ inch-tall iconic doll. The mannequins will retain Barbie doll’s hourglass figure, youthful skin and stunning style to emphasize the fact that at 50, Barbie, is a truly modern woman.”
I was so fortunate to be in New York City when this month-long celebration of Barbie was going on at Bloomingdale’s and around New York City. If only I had a better camera to capture it all. Stay tuned for a few more photos from my 2009 trip that feature the gone, but not forgotten Madame Alexander Museum. Were you lucky enough to see these Barbie windows and mannequins in person? Do you have a favorite window or mannequin? Let us know in the comment area!