Even if you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably aware that Greta Gerwig’s wildly anticipated Barbie was finally released into the world this past weekend, much to the delight of Barbie stans, haters and general cultural enthusiasts alike. It’s hard to fathom how a film stirs up the kind of excitement that Barbie has, but a couple of reasons (apart from the dogged, unflinching, evil-genius level marketing efforts of Mattel) might be: that we’ve been starved for a genuinely compelling reason to revisit going to the movies in person, and hungry for an opportunity to engage in another lasting American ritual — contemplating Ms. Barbie in all her complexity.
Long before Barbie, OG collectors of the globally iconic doll have been gathering in cities around the United States for the National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention. It is the largest doll convention in the world, punctuated by a week of events including luncheons, workshops, late-night lounges, competitions and this year, a concluding “stylish dinner befitting a winter princess.” In an effort to investigate the power and intrigue of Barbie, we sent photographer Josh Aronson to capture portraits of collectors whose love of Barbie has stood the test of time. We spoke to a few, who told us what she really means to them.
Corinne Thorner, France
How many years have you attended?
I think this year was my 8th time for this convention.
What does Barbie mean to you?
Barbie for me is really a model, a mannequin. I can make with her all I want, all I dream. If I want a fairy, I create a fairy. If I want a princess, I create a Princess. Warrior, Historical, Wedding, etc. Barbie is for me an amazing way to meet passionate collectors and artists. To travel, to develop my creativity and my know-how of French haute couture.
Carolyn Pillsbury, USA
Nerida Stig, Australia
What brought you to the Barbie convention?
I flew in from Brisbane, Australia to attend the convention with my Barbie family and expand my collection.
How many years have you attended?
I have attended nine conventions in person and two virtually. I mainly collect Mod 67-72 plus Silkstone Dolls.
What does Barbie mean to you?
To me, Barbie is about the friendships that have come through my collecting. I have made the most amazing friends that live on the opposite side of the world. We are like family, having a doll in common is the bonus.
Charlie, USA
Mikey Herrera, USA
What brought you to the Barbie convention?
A Barbie experience, to be around like-minded people who like and love the doll that brings us so much joy.
How many years have you attended?
This was my third. My first convention was [during] COVID, so it was online. I didn’t really feel the Barbie magic until my second convention. It was in Chicago, I remember when arriving at the hotel and I saw people unloading all their Barbie stuff onto the hotel trolleys. I had this feeling of overwhelming joy seeing Barbie everywhere.
Which iteration of Barbie is your favorite?
Totally Hair Barbie!!! I remember the first time I ever saw her, my sister received her for her birthday. And she was destined to be mine. Such a beautiful Barbie.
What does Barbie mean to you?
Love, kindness, friendship. When I was a kid, I was by no means ever popular. The chances I did get to play with a Barbie for me were some of my happiest moments in my childhood. She was the friend I didn’t have. I would brush her hair over and over and over until someone caught me and took her away. Then I would just wait till my next opportunity to have my friend back.
Kenny Carter, USA
Ilana, USA
Theo the Dog (Owner Karen Bindelglass not pictured), USA
What brought you to the Barbie convention?
My husband and I have been doing the Barbie convention since 1998. It all started when I retrieved my childhood dolls from my parents’ attic. I looked at the dolls to bring back childhood memories and saw how well-made they were. As this was in the very infancy of the internet, I tried to find books and whatever other references I could find that gave information on the creation of the doll. I attended a local doll show and the rest, as they say, is history. I was hooked! The quality, the fashions (which rival any couture produced for humans), the accessories… it’s amazing the level of intricacy and quality that was mass-produced as a toy in the 60s.
Another amazing thing is the sheer volume of vintage that exists today. People somehow knew that this was a quality item that should not be discarded like other childhood toys. Even my mother could not throw away or donate my dolls long after I stopped playing with them. She wisely kept them thinking that her grandchildren might play with them, never dreaming that they would become a collectible.
Which iteration of Barbie is your favorite?
My preference is the Mod Era (67-72) because that is what I played with as a child. The bright colors and designs of the mod fashions make this era a fave with many people.
Rueben, USA
Jared Philippe and his husband Matt, USA
What brought you to the Barbie convention?
I am a semi-regular attendee of the NBDCC (National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention). It is often the highlight of my year — a week that I get to spend with my Barbie-collecting community. This year, I did not want to miss the convention because of the excitement surrounding the Barbie movie. I just had a feeling that this convention would be special, and I was right! Mattel was extra generous this year with their gifts, and I have heard that this is the largest contingent of Mattel employees that has attended the convention. Mattel does not run the convention — it is entirely put up by volunteers, which is amazing to me. Mattel simply reviews and approves everything that is prepared by the various Barbie clubs that organize and run the show.
Which iteration of Barbie is your favorite?
I love modern contemporary Barbie in high-end fashions — collabs like YSL, Versace, Moschino, etc. I fell in love with the “model muse” body sculpt in my early years as a collector, but as a non-professional photographer (one of my doll-adjacent hobbies), I love posing my “made-to-move” dolls. They’re incredibly versatile and poseable.
What does Barbie mean to you?
Barbie to me is about nostalgia, as well as the future of fashion. She is an icon and a treasure. I have loved Barbie since I was a little boy. I was never allowed to own Barbie dolls as a kid — it was taboo for a little boy in the Philippines to even play with dolls — but I found every excuse to play with my friends’ dolls and my cousins’ dolls. Barbie has become such a huge part of my life since 2011, when I rediscovered her through a news segment on TV about the Tokidoki Barbie and subsequently went down the Barbie-for-grownups rabbit hole. Now, I have over 400 Barbie dolls (I try to keep my collection at a manageable size), and an entire room in my house dedicated to Barbie. Barbie is my life.
Credits
Photography Josh Aronson