This June, get in the pink! Whether its for your prom, debutante or wedding, Enchanted Evening Barbie is the look of the season

Business Wire, May 30, 1996

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 1996--Swathed in this year's most popular style -- pink satin -- and with lips perfectly pursed, Enchanted Evening Barbie is making a comeback just in time for the June prom, debutante and wedding season.

Now, Enchanted Evening Barbie is being reissued as the third in the nostalgic series of dolls, for a limited time only! Mattel is reissuing original Barbie dolls so that Barbie fans everywhere can enjoy these vintage fashions once again -- much like today's real-life fashions sure to be seen this June at bridal, debutante and prom affairs.

In 1960, one year after her introduction captured the imagination of young girls all across America, a very special gown was unveiled for Barbie. Aptly named Enchanted Evening, it was the first outfit that put Barbie literally "in the pink."

This elegant and feminine vision in pink suited her so well that pink soon became the Barbie doll's signature color, and "Barbie pink" has been associated with the doll ever since in her logo, packaging, wardrobe and accessories.

"As this year's new Nostalgic Series doll, Enchanted Evening Barbie is the perfect way for moms and daughters to start collecting together," said Anne Parducci, vice president of marketing for Barbie Collectibles. "Moms will remember Enchanted Evening Barbie from their childhood and little girls will take one look and fall in love with her for the first time."

Mattel has paid close attention to detail in recalling the elegance of the original Enchanted Evening Barbie, in her fitted pink satin gown with draping full train and accented at the waist with a pretty pink rosebud. The off-the-shoulder design with a white, faux-fur stole is beautifully accessorized with long, sheer gloves; matching pearl earrings; and an elegant, three-strand pearl choker necklace.

A glimpse of red nail polish on her fingernails is visible through her gloves with matching polish at her toes, accenting her red lipstick, and dramatic, evening eye make-up with blue and black liner. To complete the look, the Barbie doll's new platinum blonde hair is pulled back in a high ponytail (Enchanted Evening Barbie also comes a a brunette).

"Enchanted Evening epitomizes the appeal of the Barbie doll," said Valerie Steele, a professor of fashion history at the Fashion Institute of Technology. "She has always favored the color pink, which symbolizes sweetness and femininity, and her evening dress represents an era of elegance that continues to inspire fashion designers.

"The `pretty in pink' aesthetic has also seen resurgence in the fashion world, with the popularity of pastels in many of the collections this spring."

Hundreds of thousands of adults enjoy collecting Barbie as a hobby and doll collecting is second only to stamps as the most popular collecting hobby in America, according to CONTEMPORARY DOLL magazine. Barbie doll collecting allows adult collectors to rekindle their childhood memories while creating a collection that will most likely increase in value.

An original 1959 mint condition Barbie doll, which originally sold for $3, can now sell on the secondary market for close to $5,000, according to collectors.

Dolls released in the Nostalgic Series have already begun to increase in value since the first 35th Anniversary Barbie was introduced in 1994. According to Karen Caviale, editor of BARBIE BAZAAR Magazine, a brunette 35th Anniversary Barbie doll in the zebra-striped bathing suit is currently sold among collectors for up to $75.

Enchanted Evening Barbie will be available for one year only at an approximate retail price of $35.

Mattel Inc., with record 1995 revenues of $3.64 billion, is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of children's toys. With headquarters in El Segundo, Mattel has offices and facilities in 34 countries and sells its products in more than 140 nations throughout the world.

CONTACT: Mattel Inc.

Lisa McKendall, 310/252-4592

or

Manning, Selvage & Lee

Katy Gaenicke/Sara Rosales, 213/782-6600

kgaenick@mslpr.com