Tag: sheath sensation

• Dell Comics (1962-1963)

  From May of 1962 to August of ’63, Dell Comics released a 5-issue run of “Barbie and Ken” comic books. Contemporaneous with the Random House chapter books, the comics introduce a different vision of Barbie. Whereas the chapter books’ protagonist was a high school student, the comics’ Barbie is an adult with numerous careers: flight…

  sheathsensation

  February 3, 2024

  illustration

  1962, 1963, after five, dell comics, ken, sheath sensation, silken flame, vintage barbie

• Queen of the Prom, AKA the Barbie game

  In 1960 Mattel developed a gorgeous board game for its brand new character, Barbie, and her boyfriend Ken. Titled “the Barbie game” upon its 1961 release, it’s better known by its subtitle, “Queen of the Prom.” Never mind that the Barbie close-up on the box lid and the fashion illustrations–of Enchanted Evening, Silken Flame, Let’s…

  sheathsensation

  November 26, 2023

  illustration

  1961, 1963, ken, midge, sheath sensation, silken flame, skipper, vintage barbie, vintage reproduction, vintage reproduction barbie

• Fashion Booklets

  The first, foremost, and most famous source of vintage Barbie illustrations is, of course, the fashion booklet. When we assess the drawings on items like carrying cases, doll packaging, and sewing patterns, our evaluations often center on similarities to and differences from the booklet versions. Within the booklets, there are hundreds of hand-drawn illustrations to…

  sheathsensation

  September 14, 2023

  illustration

  1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, after five, booklets, red flare, sheath sensation, skipper, vintage barbie

• Vintage Sewing Patterns

  In 1961 Barbie’s fashion horizons expanded in the form of Advance sewing patterns, whose illustrations fit the style of the era’s fashion booklets. Unlike the carrying case illustrations, they don’t seem to be traced; but the art styles are, to say the least, in harmony. Here are examples of early fashion booklet sketches that resonate…

  sheathsensation

  March 31, 2023

  illustration

  1961, 1962, 1963, francie, midge, red flare, sheath sensation, skipper