The first Barbie dolls were introduced by Mattel, Inc. in 1959. Produced in Japan, their clothing was hand-stitched by home workers. Creator Ruth Handler based them on a German doll called Bild Lilli, which was itself based on a comic strip character. Since then, of course, the Barbie doll has become a household name. Having been around that long, Barbie’s been through quite a few editions.
Check out the most expensive Barbie dolls in the world:
For those who prefer the nostalgia factor to the bling factor, this expensive classic Barbie is naturally the very first—Barbie No. 1. Featuring a ponytail and zebra-striped bathing suit, the vintage Barbie doll is truly a historic artifact.
De Beers 40th Anniversary Barbie – $85.000
On her 40th birthday, we were introduced to the most expensive Barbie doll of the time. Created by jeweler De Beers, this unique Barbie’s dress is covered in diamonds—160 of them, to be exact. She also wears 18k white gold jewelry. Perhaps most interestingly, this Barbie is not the iconic blonde but rather a raven-haired beauty.
Barbie and the Diamond Castlepromotional Barbie – $95,361
This doll, introduced in Mexico City, was created to promote a new Barbie movie, Barbie and the Diamond Castle. According to Giancarlo Melloni, Barbie’s brand manager in Mexico, the film has themes near and dear to the hearts of young women—“friendship, music and shiny jewels.”
Mr. Melloni is clearly breaking new ground there.
The doll was not created for sale but has been valued at 1 million pesos. It features a total of 318 diamonds weighing in at 20.66 carats. Forty-four of the gems decorate her dress while the rest adorn her white gold accessories.
Canturi Barbie – $540,780
To celebrate the new Barbie Basics Collection–a line of urban socialite dolls, each with a different hairstyle and skintone and wearing her own unique Little Black Dress–Mattel commissioned this stunning doll with accessories by renowned jewelry designer Stefan Canturi.
The necklace features 3 carats of white diamonds arranged in a Cubist style and surrounding a rare pink diamond from Australia’s Argyle mine. The centerpiece is emerald cut and weighs in at 1 carat. A ring adorned with another diamond decorates Barbie’s right hand.
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