1940's Style Barbie

I guess by now it's no surprise that I love the glamorous fashions of the 1940's.  In addition to the wonderful suits, daywear dresses, and tailored eveningwear, women were elegantly accessorized from head to toe with hats, gloves, furs, and fabulous jewels.  I would love to see Mattel do a 1940's series for the Silkstone BFMC that also included period hairstyles.  A few years back they did do "Great Fashions of the 20th Century", the "Hollywood Movie Star Collection", and Christian Dior's 50th Anniversary Barbie doll that featured his iconic "Bar Suit" from his New Look collection.  In the meantime, here is a look at some original fashions inspired by the Fabulous 1940's!

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This fabulous mid-forties era OOAK doll is from the design team of Hunter-Goldblatt.  They specialized in vintage-inspired designs of the 20th Century.

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In the early 60's, my Grandmother made this classic sheath for my Barbie doll.  I gave it a glamorous 1940's look with the addition of a cocktail hat and a fur draped over the shoulder.  The hat is from Ashton Drake's Gene Marshall collection.  My lovely model is Betty Draper from Mattel's Madmen Silkstone series.

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Tweed Indeed Silkstone Barbie from the BFMC gets a new hairdo to go with her circa 1947 OOAK cocktail ensemble from The Couture Touch. 

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Delphine Silkstone Barbie from the BFMC models a circa 1948 OOAK daywear ensemble from The Couture Touch.

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One of the jewels in my OOAK collection is this superb Vivette prototype fashion from D.A.E. Originals called "Autumn Stroll", circa late 1940's.  My model is an early Silkstone Lingerie Barbie doll.