ODE TO THE WANNA-BE
I’m not particular about the dolls I choose to collect.  I have old dolls and new dolls, expensive dolls and cheap dolls.  I buy them new in the box, or used and naked from a thrift store.  My dolls are blond, brunette, redhead, and are of every ethnic persuasion under the sun.  The only thing they have in common is that they are all fashion dolls manufactured by Mattel, most of them being Barbie, or her relatives and friends (with a few Belle’s thrown in cause she’s so cute). 

But I’ve one doll in my collection that I particularly love - a 40ish Hong Kong knock off I found in a thrift store (read her story in my essay "I Love the Thrift Store").  Unlike most Barbie wanna-be’s that clearly miss their mark, Hong Kong Babs is so close to the real thing that it breaks my heart.  Of course, true Barbieophiles will recognize her as a fake, but, if she’s properly clothed, she can warrant a second look from most people  I’m a Barbie snob.  To me, there is no other 11 ½" fashion doll unless it has the copyright of Mattel stamped on the back of her (or his) neck.  But I love Hong Kong Babs. 

She’s not manufactured by Mattel, but she clearly wishes she was,  To cut costs, her manufacturers molded her legs to her torso.  Although she can wave to Barbie while wearing a Barbie outfit, she can not sit down and join Miss Roberts in a cup of coffee or sit at the soda counter to flirt with Ken. 

She’s the pretty, perky girl who tried out for cheerleader, but got cut because her parent’s were not as rich or her thighs were not as thin.  She’s the third runner-up in the beauty pageant - a winner, but not one that will be remembered or recognized.  She’s the qualified applicant who lost the job to the boss’s niece.  She’s the back-up singer for the diva - talented enough for the group, but not talented enough to sing solo.  She’s the cute television actress cast in the same movie as an Oscar-winning legend.  She’s the fun, cute best friend of that really beautiful, popular girl.  She’s so close, yet not quite.  We’ve all been there.  I know I certainly have. 

Therefore, Hong Kong Babs is a treasured part of my collection.  Her monetary value is not high, but her aspirations clearly are.  Therefore, I dress her and display her with the rest of my genuine girls.  Her gowns must be long (and therefore glamorous) because I can find no shoes to fit her large, misshapen feet.  I give her some accessories and some fab jewelry, and place her with the rest of my girls, forgiving her for not being a genuine Barbie.  After 40 or so years of devoted effort, she deserves to be treated like the rest of the queens. 

HOME - GALLERY - SHOWCASE - ARTICLES
 
The name and image of "Barbie" is registered and copyrighted by Mattel.  This web site and it's employees are in no way affiliated with Mattel.