Barbie Style 248 and the Clothing

Barbie Style 248 uses a new, currently unnamed head sculpt.

I included Barbie Style #248 with my Angel Reese order in July. As usual, I photographed the doll both in and out of the package. 

The doll was photographed inside the package.

Next, I recorded the doll's full description on my Excel Doll Inventory 2026 spreadsheet. The description column reads as follows:

11-1/2 inch Barbie, new head sculpt, has a long black ponytail with crimped ends, painted-on baby hair, a smiling mouth with painted teeth, dark lip color; wears a two-piece blue-and-white floral-print shorts outfit with gray high-top sneakers, and a white choker. Now Redressed.

Before discarding the package, I took a photo of the back, where 248 appears on the 2nd row, the 2nd doll from the left.

The Unboxed Photos

This pretty doll posed for a close-up and three full-length photos.

The original two-piece blue-and-white print shorts set suits her petite figure and youthful look, but because of the stiffened fabric, I opted to redress her in more stylish clothing made of better material, as illustrated next. 

A white tie-front blouse with 3/4 length sleeves is paired with a pair of plaid slacks. She wears her original necklace and gray sneakers. I pierced her ears and added white stud earrings.

I took another close-up after redressing her. (She reminds me of the actress Lovie Simone).

She wears a pair of aviator shades with her new clothes.

I asked ChatGPT about the materials used for most play-line Barbie clothes and why these stiffened synthetic materials are used. 

Question/Prompt: Why do recently released play-line Barbie clothes feel like stiffened paper or plastic?

Answer: The clothes for new play-line Barbies feel that way because Mattel heavily uses printed polyester with heat-sealed edges and plastic laminates to maximize production speed and lower costs.

Why New Play-Line Clothes Feel Like Plastic

• No Real Hems: Modern play-line clothes rarely have sewn hems. Instead, the edges are melted with heat (heat-sealed) to prevent fraying, which turns the fabric edge into hard plastic.
• Printed Plastic Graphics: Instead of sewing different fabrics together, patterns like pockets, buttons, and glitter are printed directly onto a stiff, paper-thin polyester sheet using vinyl ink.
• No Woven Threads: Many budget items use non-woven synthetics. These materials are bonded by heat or chemicals rather than woven from thread, giving them a stiff, paper-like texture. [1]
• Velcro Compatibility: Stiff, densely packed synthetic fibers make it easier to attach aggressive Velcro fasteners without snagging the rest of the outfit.

How to Soften Them up

• Warm Water Wash: Soaking the clothes in warm water with a drop of liquid fabric softener can break down the factory stiffening agents.
• Conditioner Soak: Rubbing a tiny bit of cheap hair conditioner into the fabric and rinsing it can relax the stiff synthetic fibers.
• Air Dry Only: Always air dry Barbie clothes, as heat from a dryer or iron will permanently melt and warp the plastic materials. [2]

[1] https://www.reddit.com

[2] https://www.ubuy.mq

This is good information, but I'll probably continue to redress dolls that wear stiffened, super-synthetic fashions instead of softening the clothes. With the help of AI, I placed Barbie Style 248 (maybe I'll name her Lovie) outside an upscale shopping boutique. I added a bracelet to match her necklace, a shoulder bag, and a shopping bag as illustrated in the last image.

Lovie looks very chic in this photograph.

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Two More MiniBrands Fashion Capsules

Two additional Series 4 MiniBrands Fashion capsules arrived in July. Purchase-wise, these are capsules 6 and 7.

Since my last post about MiniBrands Fashion capsules, I have ordered two additional capsules. The contents of each capsule are shown and described below. 

Capsule 6

This capsule contained the collector's guide, a quilted light green purse, a gold cuff bracelet, a green paisley-print "silk" scarf, and a pair of brown boots that have a painted floral design on one side of each.

This image illustrates the brown boots and the painted floral design better.

I was excited when I saw the brown boots because I almost purchased them on eBay for more than I paid for the complete, unopened capsule.

Capsule 7

The collector's guide, a faux eel-skin handbag, a kitten that wears removable sunglasses, a pair of light green high-heels with a daisy design at the toe, and a pair of heart-shaped silver earrings were in capsule 7.

The sunglasses were loose inside the package with the cat, shoes, and earrings. Initially, I thought they were made for a doll. 

It was when So-in-Style Trichelle tried on the pink MiniBrands shades that I realized...

...because of the short temples or arms of the shades, they were made for the cat!

Thankfully, I have not purchased any duplicate MiniBrands Fashion capsules. I had vowed that these two were the last ones I would purchase; however, there is a pair of knee-high black boots that I'd like to add to my MiniBrands Fashion collection. Maybe I'll try my luck just once more. 

Related Post

MiniBrands Fashion Capsule *Updated*

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55th Anniversary Christie's Fashion

Waiting to be dressed, an auburn-haired ponytail Barbie clone arrived nude in February 2026.

In 2025, I  began purchasing #1 Barbie-ish clones from China. The last one arrived in February 2026. Sold nude, this auburn-haired ponytail doll is a duplicate of another one that I dressed in the reproduction Barbie Roman Holiday fashion. I had planned to do the same with this doll by dressing her in a fashion that I received as a birthday gift in 2018. That plan changed after my duplicate 55th Anniversary Christie's unboxing. 

Barbie Clone Gets Dressed in 55th Anniversary Christie's Ensemble

The orange wet-look dress fits her well. Her legs are thinner than 55th Anniversary Christie's, which leaves leg room in the boot legs, but they fit well enough.

She wears Christie's "C" letter necklace. In her case, the "C" stands for clone. I added different gold drop earrings because Christie's earrings are glued on.

The floor-length cover-up and gold lamé belt complete this look, and Miss Clone struck a pose.

She assumed another solo pose.

Miss Clone and Christie, who now wears Barbie Basics Model 03's black halter dress and black knee-high boots, posed for this final photo.

They both wear their new clothes well. 

I used AI to deepen Christie's lip color, which I will eventually paint in a similar way.

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Contact the curator from the contact page of the VBDM to have your profile as a Black-doll collector or artist featured on the museum website.

55th Anniversary Christie Found at Ross

Two Barbie Basics 08, are as seen on a disorganized shelf at a Ross Dress for Less Store.

July and August have been busy doll-buying months for me, but that's the natural rhythm of collecting—buying lulls are alternated with frenzied buying.  

In July, doll collectors began spotting discounted Barbie Signature dolls at Ross Dress for Less for $14.99. I was particularly interested in getting a duplicate Barbie You Create Barbie Basics Neutral Kit 002 for the extra body. I also wanted a duplicate 55th Anniversary Christie for the clothes to redress another doll. I received my first 55th Anniversary Christie as a birthday gift in 2023, which remains NRFB.

I waited over a week before I checked two stores in my area. The toy section was a shambles at the first store, which did not have the sought-after dolls. In the equally disorganized toy section of the second store, I found two Barbie Basics 08 (seen in the 1st picture), but I was not interested in purchasing them. 

A 55th Anniversary Christie is seen in a photo taken by my brother at a Ross Store in his area.

I asked one of my brothers to check a store in his city. He went to three different Ross stores and found my duplicate 55th Anniversary Christie at the second store.  Christie was the only Black Barbie Signature doll available at the three stores he visited. After he sent a text with Christie's picture attached, I immediately wrote back, "I want it!"

My duplicate 55th Anniversary Christie stuns in a bright orange dress paired with a swirling, mod-print sheer overlay, strappy knee-high orange boots, golden hoops, and an initial “C” necklace.  

I will debox her soon.

I haven't decided which doll to redress in Christie's fashion, but having it available when the right doll is chosen is what's important. I am so grateful for a brother willing to look for dolls in his area when I cannot find them in mine. 🥰 (He only lives 30 minutes away from me. I told him not to make a special trip to bring the doll. He replied, "I won't," and he didn't. He brought her to me a week later.)

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There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
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Whitney Houston Barbie Arrived

Box contents: My Whitney Houston Barbie doll order!

Ordered on Saturday, August 8, 2026, my Whitney Houston Barbie package arrived on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The box sat near the front door until Thursday, when I moved it in front of the doll room door to open it later, since I was busy with other things. I finally opened the shipping box on Saturday, August 15, 2026. 

First Photos

I was happy to see that Amazon shipped the doll in the Mattel shipper, which added extra protection during shipping.

Whitney Houston Barbie captures Whitney's look from the 1987 music video, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody." 

When I look at the doll, I see Whitney, and I have no complaints.

In this side-panel box view, Whitney sees her reflection, and she too likes what she sees!

Whitney is beautifully illustrated on the back of the box above her bio and the description of the doll.

Back-of-the-Box Text

Known as "The Voice" for her powerful vocal range. Whitney Houston was born into a family with a rich musical heritage. Whitney's early years were spent growing up in gospel music, where she learned from her mother, Cissy Houston, a legendary gospel singer.

With the release of her record-breaking debut album, Whitney ignited a career destined to achieve superstardom. Her journey was filled with chart-topping hits, countless awards, and history-making achievements, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She sold over 200 million albums, singles, and videos worldwide, and remains the only artist to achieve seven consecutive U.S. number-one singles. 

To celebrate the anniversary of the single hailed as one of the greatest pop songs of all time, the Whitney Houston Barbie doll captures her unforgettable look from the "I wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" video. Styled in a replica of the body-hugging tank dress, with colorful drop earrings and her vibrant eye makeup, she is performance-ready with her microphone stand.

The doll embodies the energy, joy, and brilliance of Whitney Houston's timeless music. Her voice inspired a generation of artists, and her songs became the soundtrack of millions of lives. Don't you wanna dance?

Details:

• Whitney Houston Barbie® Doll  ©2026
• Doll Designer: Carlyle Nuera
• Packaging Designer: Priscila Bara
• Label: Black
• Face Sculpt: Likeness of Whitney Houston
• Body Type: Articulated Original
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity
• Released on 08/09/2026 (Whitney was born on 08/09/1963).
• SKU#: JJY07

 The Whitney Houston Barbie has my thumbs-up approval:

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" Video

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©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
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2026 Detroit Doll Show

Save the date for the 2026 Detroit Doll Show. 

When: November 21, 2026 

Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST

Where: Ford Wellness Center (Samaritan Center Campus) 

              5555 Conner

              Detroit, MI 48213 

Admission: $7 for adults (free for children 2 and under)

Read the flyers and visit: 

Website: https://sandyslandllc.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DetroitDollShow 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detroitdollshow/

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Detroit Doll Expo (@detroitdollshow)

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©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
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Visit and follow DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum for detailed installations of antique, vintage, modern, and one-of-a-kind black dolls. http://virtualblackdollmuseum.com

2026 Festival of Black Dolls Show and Sale

Save the date for the American Black Beauty Doll Association Festival of Black Dolls Show & Sale. 

When: November 14, 2026 

Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific

Where: African American Museum and Library 

              659 14th Street 

              Oakland, CA 

Vendor applications are being accepted. 

Website: theabbda.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABBDAweloveblackdolls 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbda_weloveblackdolls/

A raffle to win the doll shown on the flyer will take place.

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©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
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Visit and follow DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum for detailed installations of antique, vintage, modern, and one-of-a-kind black dolls. http://virtualblackdollmuseum.com

Whitney Houston Barbie

Mattel pays tribute to Whitney Houston with a portrait doll that captures the iconic look featured in Whitney's record-breaking “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” music video.

The Whitney Houston Barbie is on Amazon:

https://amzn.to/3TIVyKF

and Target:

https://www.target.com/p/barbie-whitney-houston-signature-collectible-doll-wearing-iconic-dress-from-music-video-and-microphone-accessory/-/A-94998596

Mattel Creations buy page:

https://creations.mattel.com/products/barbie-signature-whitney-houston-doll-jjy07

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©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
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Thank you for reading. Comments that are not spam are appreciated. Spam comments will not be published. To contact me directly, use the About page link, which is also visible in Web View mode, find, and use the email link.

Visit and follow DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum for over 1000 curated installations of antique, vintage, modern, and one-of-a-kind Black dolls. 

When Did You Fall In Love With Black Dolls?

DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum has launched the series, "When Did You Fall In Love With Black Dolls?" This series profiles Black-doll collectors and Black-doll artists. The first profile in the series was published on August 8, 2026. Read the wonderful profile of doll collector Telisa Hodge Spain-Watson at the link and enjoy!

A Collector's Profile: Telisa Hodge Spain-Watson

If you chiefly collect or make Black dolls and would like your profile included in this series, please email me. Thanks!

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©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
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Doll Bookmarks

Doll bookmarks by Karen Oyekanmi of Kissing Kousins

These doll bookmarks by Karen Oyekanmi of Kissing Kousins, who is also the founder of American Black Beauty Doll Artists, have stuffed velour heads with beautifully painted faces. Different types of yarn were used for the hair. The heads are attached to an inner support, which is covered with flat cloth clothing. They have velour arms and flat glittered cardstock shoes. 

These were gifted to doll friends.

The clothing worn by the two above was custom-made according to my specifications. The artist surprised me with the third one as a generous gift, and unknowingly dressed it in a hue of my favorite color.

Being a blessing often generates blessings. 

This is my packaged bookmark.

A certificate of authenticity is included in the package.

My bookmark is shown with the certificate of authenticity outside the package.

This is a full view of my bookmark.

In the last two photos, my doll bookmark illustrates how it can be used for its intended purpose, but I doubt that I will ever use it this way, unless it is for display.

This is how my bookmark looks inside a book.

This is a perfect way to display it.

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©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
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Modern Era Addy

Modern Era Addy was released in June 2026, following an initial announcement in February 2026.

Another June 2026 arrival, Modern Era Addy, was ordered from Amazon after quantities returned to that site. My Excel Doll Inventory entry for Addy is shared below along with additional photos of the doll.

Addy is fully documented under the 2026 tab of my Excel Doll Inventory workbook as illustrated above, with the text from the Description and Other cells copied below.

Description: 14-inch vinyl, two-strand twist hairstyle with painted-on baby hair, brown inset eyes with painted upper eyelashes, open mouth with two painted upper teeth; wears a modernized version of Addy's pink-and-white striped dress, white panties, white socks, and pink T-straps. Accessories are a faux cowrie shell necklace, gold hoop earrings, and her original straw bonnet is refashioned as a drawstring purse. 

Other: Modern Era Addy was announced by Mattel in February 2026. The doll's production was delayed due to the original "tobacco plantation" interior box design controversy, which placed the doll back on the Durham, North Carolina plantation after she originally fled enslavement to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mattel redesigned the box, replacing the tobacco field reference with a shrub of purple blooming flowers.

Addy's maroon box is book-shaped.

The original Addy illustration by  Melodye Benson Rosales is on the back of the box with descriptions of the Modern Era collection and Modern Era Addy.

The box text reads:

The Modern Era Collection opens up a new chapter on beloved historical characters with a fresh take on their original fashions. 

Addy

Addy's 1864 pink-and-white striped dress and blue-patterned bow combine into a patchwork outfit, with her straw bonnet becoming a woven bag. Her tucked braid is reimagined into modern twists with a half-up ponytail. She wears golden hoop earrings and a necklace with a faux cowrie shell—a reminder of her strength, heritage, and love of family.

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©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
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