There is something deeply charming about any Barbie release that has a bunch of tiny props. The more obscure or the less "obvious" the better. A lot of Barbie releases have accessories and a hairbrush was standard for a long time. Sometimes there's animal companions or a themed object to hold. But the more obscure that object is the more I love it, so naturally, I love packs that were just little Barbie-sized items.
That brings us to Barbie Special Collections.
Right off the bat I will say that one of my pieces of feedback is that I wish they had come up with a better name than "Special Collection". Not that I can think of one, if I'm honest. Left up to me I would have called them "Barbie Item Packs" or something. But "Special Collection" just makes it hard to research because those are key words that come up a lot with Barbie merchandise.
But long story short, as far as I can tell, is that these were mid-90s collections of additional props to add to your Barbie play. The tiny branded items in the School Days set like the Mott's apple juice and the Hershey bar are charming, but I love the little scissors and glue. I never thought that Barbie needed glue but I was clearly mistaken.
Desk Set is even more fascinating to me. I don't know who sat down and said - you know what? Barbie needs a luxury stamper and a silve accented rotary dial telephone. Like, it's not just that these are office desk items - they are absurdly luxurious in design with their silver detail work. High fashion desk work.
But the part that really slays me is the QUILL PEN. What is Barbie doing with a QUILL?
On a similar note in terms of unnecessary luxury, look at the Cookware set.
I never once thought in my life that Barbie needed a gold whisk and mixing bowl, but I was clearly wrong. (I'm not sure what that fish thing is though? In the back of the box picture it looks like it opens up into a baking dish of some kind but why is it shaped like a fish?)
I really, really love the Bath & Vanity set, though. I love the little bottles of different products. Yes, this is more stereotypical Barbie fare, but they're so delightful. The attention to detail on these little bottles each with a different label! I don't mean to sound like an old man but you just wouldn't get a Barbie item with this much detail today.
Can't help but notice that they were just a bit gender essentialist though. Allow me to present... Ken's tool box.
