I was a little shocked to find out that Barbie actually came out with a line of dolls that wore sexy lingerie. I personally think that Barbie dolls are exquisite and are beautiful. But I could see how parents would be outraged if their little girls were playing with dolls dressed up in lingerie. The dolls are pretty scandalous to Barbie’s standards.
The Lingerie Silkstone Collection came out as part of the Fashion Model Barbie line in 2000 and included six gorgeous seductive dolls all dressed in high end lingerie. The dolls were targeted for adult collectors who immediately fell in love with the sophisticated vintage influence. Many vintage Barbie collectors who had never collected modern Barbie dolls began to add Silkstone’s to their collection, especially using the Lingerie Silkstone Barbie Dolls to display vintage fashions. Mattel discontinued the lingerie line in 2003 but not before selling thousands of the vixens.
In the FAO Schwarz holiday catalog, Mattel’s description of the sexy collectible says:
“Barbie exudes a flirtatious attitude in her heavenly merry widow bustier ensemble accented with intricate lace and matching peek-a-boo peignoir.” “[She's] simply sassy in a short pearl-gray satin slip trimmed in black lace” and “thigh-high stockings” that “add a hint of flair.” Not too innocent if you ask me.
The first two dolls released became instant collectors’ items. They were both Limited Editions and came wearing only a white satin bra and panty ensemble trimmed with white lace and pale pink bows, white stockings, stiletto heels and garters. The only difference between the dolls is one is blonde and one is brunette with the latter being the more elusive of the two. The other dolls included an Afro-American doll in black lingerie and also a red-haired doll in white silk lingerie and black lace trim.
The dolls were recently brought back into the limelight after the television game show, Million Dollar Money Drop, asked a couple competing on the show which of these Barbie Dolls is not produced by Mattel? The possible answers were French Maid Barbie, the Lingerie Barbie or the Sunday School Barbie. The correct answer was the Sunday School Barbie. The French Maid Barbie was also released as part of the Fashion Model line. Yet another controversial doll for Wal-Mart to ban.
So what do you think? Do you think that Barbie is ok wearing lingerie because the dolls are beautiful and they were targeted for an adult audience? Or do you think that they should be forever banned because Barbie dolls are meant for little girls?