You know it had to happen — Mattel is launching a new line of Barbies replicating four of the stars of Mad Men: Betty and Don Draper, Joan Holloway & Roger Sterling. The dolls will go on sale for $74.95 in July. Watch for Season 3 of Mad Men on DVD on March 23. The company’s complete news release follows.
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Mattel news release:
STYLE ICONS “MAD MEN” AND BARBIE® JOIN FORCES AS LIONSGATE, AMC AND MATTEL LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE BARBIE DOLL COLLECTION
Season 3 DVD Hits Stores March 23; Will Include Collectible Sketch Drawings of “Mad Men” Barbie dolls
Mattel, Inc., Lionsgate® and AMC announced today the launch of four Barbie® Collector “Mad Men” dolls available to consumers July 2010. Designed by Barbie designer Robert Best, the “Mad Men” Barbie doll line features key players from the Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency: creative director and leading man Don Draper; his wife Betty Draper; Sterling Cooper partner Roger Sterling; and bombshell office manager Joan Holloway. Today’s announcement marks the first licensed doll line in the Barbie Fashion Model Collection, a signature silkstone collection within the Barbie brand known for featuring couture quality fashions and accessories.
The “Mad Men” Barbie Collector doll collection embodies the “Mad Men” series’ couture fashions and accessories, and its iconic 1960s style and aesthetic. The series, which is produced by Lionsgate and airs on AMC, has made history with its multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Awards by chronicling the lives of the men and women of Madison Avenue advertising in the 1960s. Season four of “Mad Men” premieres this summer.
Gracefully molded of Silkstone®, a material that resembles the look and weight of porcelain, each doll is stylized in iconic costumes from the series, and comes with accessories true to their show counterparts. Don Draper wears his classic, polished red-lined suit and comes accessorized with a hat, overcoat and brief case; Betty Draper’s classic look is captured with unparalleled detail, from her faux pearl necklace to her pumps; Joan Holloway looks chic in a purple skirt suit and perfectly styled coif with her staple accessory – a pen necklace; and Roger Sterling is looking dapper in his monogrammed shirt.
Fans can get exclusive collectible sketch drawings of the “Mad Men” Barbie Collector dolls when the Season Three DVD hits stores on March 23, 2010 as each DVD set will include one of the four character sketches. The Mad Men: Season Three DVD contains all 13 episodes of the season and is also loaded with hours of special features including extensive commentaries and innovative featurettes that examine the historical events that shaped 1963.
The Barbie® Fashion Model Collection “Mad Men” Barbie® dolls will be available for a suggested retail price of $74.95. Available at BarbieCollector.com, amctv.com and select retailers.
Mimisnapple says
I found in my kid’s/grandkid’s toy box a red headed Barbie that appears to have larger bosoms than the Joan doll. I am looking to do a make over. hubby and I are obsessed with Mad Men and did our own Marathon of seasons 1,2,3, & 4. I since raided nearby stores to make my own cast of MM with real, well fake hair instead of sculpted non style able! Could not locate in person any MM dolls, online crazy prices! Hunting for doll patterns now. Fun,
maria says
Wow. huge disappointment with the Joan doll… she should be celebrated as a real woman with a real figure, but Barbie has YET AGAIN perpetuated an unhealthy and unattainable stereotype. I am a huge Mad Men fan and used to play with Barbies myself. This disgusts me.
pam kueber says
hey, maria, if you’re a regular reader you probably know that my main comment rule is “no one can be made to feel bad for their choices.” since this comment isn’t about houses – but about barbies – i’ll leave it up. i also thought what a shame they did not make the joan doll more voluptuous. but i think that all the barbies have always pretty much been the same size – you can mix and match the clothes that way. all this said: i’d prefer “enough said”. i assume that mattel will read this… and note our comments / reservations, which i am sure are coming in from other fronts as well. many thanks.
nina462 says
hey wait….doesn’t Joanie look like Midge? (Midge…Barbie’s redhead friend – married to Alan, not Midge–Don’s boho girlfriend on Season one).
nina462 says
do they come with cocktails & cigarettes?
Joe….get the DVD’s and a good bottle of scotch–and watch, watch, watch!!
Pat says
Cool, it’s a good thing I stopped collecting Barbies (new ones) cause I would probably want those.
Joe says
I keep saying I’m going to get into watching Mad Men but since I missed the first season I feel like I’d be playing constant catchup and asking a lot of questions. I guess I should buckle down and get the DVDs. These figures really do look the part though, they just need a smoke and a scotch to complete the look.
Googieagog says
What, no Robert Morse/Bertram Cooper/J. P. Finch doll? For shame. Everybody sing: “I beeeleeeve in me, I beeeleeeve in me”
Alison Marie says
It’s a shame there’s not credit given to the actual costume designer of the tv series, Katherine Jane Bryant, who designs all the fantastic costumes worn by these characters.
RetroSandie says
I think these are just awesome!!! Imagine all the cool retro furniture and the retro Barbie house to put it all in??? That would be fun! Maybe someone will come up with some cute sets to put the dolls in. Anyone with vintage Barbie patterns could have fun making wardrobes for the dolls too!!! 😀