Barbie Superstar — Vintage Doll (1977)

Superstar Barbie is priced on the box and the original outfit — a boxed example with the gown and jewellery intact sits an order of magnitude above a played-with doll. Barbie Superstar from 1977 marked a pivotal redesign of the Barbie doll. She got a wider, toothier smile, a new body mold, and a glamorous aesthetic that defined Barbie throughout the late 70s and 80s. This was the version that shifted Barbie from mod fashionista to full-on Hollywood diva — big hair, sparkly dresses, the works.

The Superstar face mold is one of the most beloved in Barbie history, and the original 1977 doll is where it started. Vintage Barbie collectors consider this a key transitional piece. Complete dolls with the original outfit, jewelry, and especially the box are highly sought after in the collector community.

When buying, check the hair for cuts or frizzing — many were played with extensively. The original outfit should include the pink dress, boa, and ring. Watch for green ear syndrome (discoloration from the earrings reacting with the vinyl) which is common but hard to reverse. Leg clicks and arm tightness tell you how much the doll was handled. A doll with original face paint intact and no green ears is a strong find.