Like many collectors, I often find myself immersed in the captivating world of fashion doll outfits, especially those from the Barbie Fashion Fever line. Recently, while searching online for images of Fashion Fever pieces missing from my own collection, I stumbled upon a forum query that perfectly echoed my own long-standing desire: a comprehensive, informational website dedicated to Barbie Fashion Fever closets, dolls, and fashions. The user, like myself, lamented the absence of a resource that meticulously catalogs each item by wave and year of release, recalling a once-existent European site that sadly vanished. This sparked a renewed sense of urgency to address this gap for enthusiasts worldwide who are clearly experiencing “fashion fever” for these iconic doll lines.
For years, I’ve pondered this very question. In my early collecting days, a fantastic website showcasing the latest Fashion Fever releases was an invaluable tool. Although many outfits were readily available locally, a significant number remained elusive, never reaching my corner of the world. That website became my guide, helping me identify and acquire coveted pieces from distant sellers. While a couple of books touch upon more recent Barbie fashions, Fashion Fever, in comparison to vintage and mod Barbie eras, remains surprisingly under-documented. This lack of readily available information fuels the “fashion fever” within the collecting community, making the hunt for knowledge almost as exciting as the hunt for the dolls themselves.
My personal mission to document Fashion Fever and Fashion Avenue outfits, alongside my collecting partner Naomi, has been ongoing for several years. Acquiring mint condition pieces now often proves challenging, with prices inflated by overseas shipping costs exceeding my budget. This has led me to explore alternative ways to showcase the vast array of Fashion Fever fashions, even those I don’t personally own. Platforms like Flickr and Pinterest offer visually appealing photo collections, but often lack the detailed information necessary to assemble complete sets or determine release years. For serious collectors caught up in “fashion fever,” this informational gap is a significant hurdle.
To better organize my own doll-related Pinterest presence, previously a somewhat disorganized mix of doll-related items, I’ve restructured it into themed collections. One such collection, aptly named “Fashion Fever Fashions,” is dedicated to pinning images of Fashion Fever closets and individual outfits that are currently missing from my physical collection. While not a perfect substitute for owning these fashions, this curated visual resource can assist fellow enthusiasts in identifying individual pieces and understanding the breadth of the Fashion Fever line. This effort aims to channel the collective “fashion fever” into a helpful visual directory.
Another idea I’ve been considering leverages the community’s collective passion. Many collectors undoubtedly possess Fashion Fever closets that are not in my own collection. Of course, I’m not asking for donations! However, I envision creating a resource page that links to collector websites, Flickr streams, or other online platforms where these collections are showcased. Alternatively, collectors could contribute photos of their dolls styled in Fashion Fever outfits, perhaps with accompanying backstories, or even provide NRFB (Never Removed From Box) photos of complete sets. My ultimate goal is to compile a comprehensive visual record of the contents of as many Fashion Fever closets and outfits as possible. This collaborative approach could effectively quench the “fashion fever” of researchers and collectors alike.
Essentially, if a comprehensive Fashion Fever website doesn’t exist, perhaps it’s time we, the passionate collectors fueled by “fashion fever”, create it ourselves. What are your thoughts on this collaborative endeavor? While Fashion Avenue also deserves similar attention, some resources already exist for that line. Therefore, focusing on Fashion Fever closets, tubes, and accessories becomes my immediate priority. If you’re enthusiastic about having your Fashion Fever outfits featured in this collective resource, please email your photos to [email protected]. Information regarding the year or wave of the outfits would be incredibly helpful, as my own knowledge is not exhaustive. While sourcing images online is an option, prioritizing user-submitted photos ensures ethical image use and offers the unique benefit of capturing pieces specifically for this project. Let’s channel our collective “fashion fever” into building the ultimate Fashion Fever resource!
