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Obras por Carol Spencer

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Conhecimento Comum

Sexo
female

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Críticas

Carol Spencer was one of the first designers to design clothes for the relatively new Barbie doll in the 1960s through to her retirement in the 1990s. Who better to tell the story of Barbie’s clothes? The book is lavishly illustrated with many photos of the clothes that Spencer made for Barbie, Ken and others over the years. Some will be familiar to those who grew up with her designs, while others show the new direction for Barbie in the 1990s – collectors. Spencer designed many of the early collector dolls’ outfits, from Scarlett O’Hara, to Eliza Doolittle and rare gowns.

It’s an interesting story of how Spencer started in the industry and how she ended up working for Mattel across the eras, from a family business to international company. The competition for design was interesting, as was the need to scale down Barbie’s patterns to ensure that they didn’t look too big. (This never occurred to me before!) It was also fascinating to read about a new fashion line (basics/parts of outfits) was dreamed up due to an excess of fabric. As a kid, I never thought about that, I just liked having outfits that matched!

Spencer also describes how fashion was a key impetus for Barbie’s looks, from Carnaby Street mod to the power dressing of the 80s. The early designs for Barbie’s clothes were lavish, with small extra details like beading or a pattern. This all came to a halt with the oil crisis of the 1970s, where there was a need to economise more. Barbie’s clothes were also made overseas in increasing quantities, which resulted in Spencer taking up projects in Asia, including the Japanese Barbie doll (which I wanted as a child and I still really want).

Of course, the best part are the photographs, many from Spencer’s own collection. There is a wide variety of clothes and accessories from Spencer’s time at Mattel as well as the original advertisement for her job and inside pictures of Mattel.

Overall, this is a great insight into Barbie, teemed with nostalgia. A must for any Barbie fan.

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
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Assinalado
birdsam0610 | 4 outras críticas | Dec 25, 2023 |
I received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.

I loved everything about this book!

This book is written by Carol Spencer, who was one of the Barbie fashion designers, and chronicles her tenure at Mattel. Prior to reading this book, I had no idea who she was. I enjoyed learning about her career and the behind the scenes look at how Barbie fashions were created and the process it took to make them.

The best part of this book were the pictures. This is a big book (height-wise), so there was plenty of space for the photos. Pretty much every single design that Carol talks about is photographed so you know exactly what she is referring to. The photos allow you to see all the little details that make Barbie’s clothes (and her friends’ clothes) so special.

The writing is easy and accessible, making it suitable for kids and adults. Even if your child cannot read, they will at least enjoy the photos. (Barbie is for everyone!)

Overall, I recommend this to Barbie fans of course! Even if you’re just a casual fan, you’ll still enjoy this and it will likely make you love Barbie even more. Also, if you’re into fashion, this is also a great read for you!
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Assinalado
oddandbookish | 4 outras críticas | Aug 14, 2023 |
First sentence: Barbie quite simply changed my life.

Premise/plot: Carol Spencer shares her experiences as a fashion designer for Barbie at Mattel. She worked as a designer for Mattel from 1963 through the 1990s. Four decades designing fashion and fashion accessories for Barbie (and friends). The book is packed with back stories and photographs. It is organized by decade. When she started at Mattel, there were four women working as fashion designers. I'm not sure how many more were added to that team through the decades. But she definitely played an important role in styling Barbie. This one provides context for Barbie's style. She gives behind-the-scenes look in various inspirations for various looks.

MY thoughts: I absolutely loved this one!!!! I enjoyed reading about each of the decades. I don't know that I have a favorite, favorite section. I loved finding out more behind-the-scenes glimpses of memorable and iconic dolls. Like the creation for Totally Hair Barbie, for example. She was responsible for the first MY FIRST BARBIE doll and the subsequent My First Barbie line. One of my the funniest stories is how she shares WHY there were three different fashions with gold and white stripes--a bathing suit and headdress, a holiday dress, and another shorter dress. They accidentally ordered 2,500 yards instead of 250 yards!

I read this one in one sitting. It was an awesome read. Perhaps not for every single reader. But for those that do love BARBIE or those that love fashion design or history.

I think this one works as a book that you read cover-to-cover. OR as a reference book that you skim. The photographs are awesome.
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Assinalado
blbooks | 4 outras críticas | Jul 17, 2023 |
First and foremost this is a beautiful art book documenting vintage and near-modern fashions for Barbie. Carol Spencer writes her own story modestly and with lots of great detail and insight into the design team at Mattel during her many years there. Spencer was hired by Mattel in April of 1963 and worked steadily for the company for decades. Some of the most iconic outfits of the mid-60s and early 1970s are her designs. In later years she was instrumental in keeping design quality up to standard during lean years. Later she embraced more fantasy-driven costumes as consumer tastes shifted, yet kept them practical and easy for children.

A great addition to the shelves of any admierer of Barbie's.
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Assinalado
ManWithAnAgenda | 4 outras críticas | Nov 29, 2022 |

Listas

Estatísticas

Obras
1
Membros
39
Popularidade
#376,657
Avaliação
½ 4.4
Críticas
5
ISBN
3