A Solidly Seventies Passion for Fashion Dolls

Those 70's Shoes 

Among costume collectors, fashion-loving fans of the 1970’s are turning to dolls in order to satisfy their passion for the iconic clothing styles of that era. They are passing on Mattel’s reproduction 1960s Barbies®, in favor of the later, bohemian-looking plastic dolls and their clothes, created by Ideal™, Mego™, Reliable™, and the like.
Carmen Varricchio, former fashion illustrator for Calvin Klein and author of Collectible Doll Fashions of the 1970’s, believes that a new generation of doll addicts “have elevated 70’s dolls and fashion outfits to a new status.” 
I agree. As curator of a millinery and costume museum, I have access to a number of sensational 1970’s ensembles, but they are not often displayed. With a doll, I can enjoy the complete look in miniature.
For those of us who have lived through the 70s, the dolls are immediately identifiable by their size and Cher-like stance. Most sport long hair and colorful, well-made outfits that costume collectors are elbowing each other to get their hands on. Accessories like a floppy hat are a bonus, but shoes—so iconic of the era—are a must.
I write doll care articles for magazines, so I’m always on the lookout for some new vintage treasure. I came across a sweetheart of a 70’s fashion doll at the Freelton Flea Market recently: Ideal’s 1972 poseable Harmony. Her pink-and-white gingham maxi dress with button-trimmed empire bodice, lace-edged bridal collar, and ruffled sleeves complete with contrast velvet ribbon, is a stand-alone piece, truly representative of the hippie era, but her chunky sling-back sandals are what prompted me to take her home. 

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