Stevie Nicks, the iconic former Fleetwood Mac member and celebrated solo artist, made headlines last year when she unveiled a Barbie doll crafted in her likeness. The announcement came as a surprise to fans during one of her tour dates, revealing a unique collaboration with Mattel that had been in the works for a year.
The limited-edition Barbie, priced at $55 (€50.80), featured Nicks in a striking black dress inspired by the cover of Fleetwood Mac’s seminal album Rumours. Accompanied by her signature tambourine and a display stand, the doll quickly sold out from Mattel’s website, leaving many fans scrambling to find the collectible through secondary markets.
However, this week, Mattel has granted a second chance to eager collectors. The company has announced a limited re-stock of the Stevie Nicks Barbie doll, offering a new opportunity for fans to purchase this coveted item. As per Mattel’s online shop, this re-released doll retains the distinctive black dress and tambourine, reflecting Nicks’ enduring legacy as the “Queen of Rock and Roll.”
Barbie’s Evolving Image and Market Appeal
Mattel’s decision to re-release the Stevie Nicks Barbie underscores the company’s strategic shift towards high-profile celebrity collaborations. Recently, Mattel has tapped into this trend with a new line of Barbies celebrating real-world female athletes, including tennis champion Venus Williams, gymnasts Rebeca Andrade and Alexa Moreno, football stars Mary Fowler and Christine Sinclair, boxer Estelle Mossely, swimmer Federica Pellegrini, paratriathlete Susana Rodriguez, and sprinter Ewa Swoboda.
This push towards honoring accomplished women is part of a broader effort by Mattel to refresh the Barbie brand for contemporary audiences. A prominent example of this reinvention is Greta Gerwig’s 2023 film Barbie, which grossed $1.45 billion (€1.34 billion) worldwide and was a cultural phenomenon despite missing out on an Oscar nod in favor of Oppenheimer.
The contrast between Barbie’s vibrant, whimsical world and Oppenheimer’s stark, dramatic portrayal of history led to a fan-driven cultural event known as “Barbenheimer,” where viewers flocked to see both films in a single day. This unexpected trend not only boosted box office numbers but also reinforced Barbie’s status as a cultural icon.
Mattel’s Future Plans and Legacy
Buoyed by the success of the Barbie film, Mattel is now eyeing further ventures into the film industry, with upcoming projects including a live-action adaptation of Hot Wheels directed by J.J. Abrams and an American Girl movie in development. The company aims to capitalize on this momentum, potentially setting the stage for a new era of toy-based films that could rival the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In addition to its film projects, Mattel continues to spotlight influential women through its Barbie brand. Last year’s International Women’s Day saw the release of dolls honoring trailblazers in STEM, including Susan Wojcicki, former CEO of YouTube, and Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, a British scientist.
As Mattel charts its future, the renewed availability of the Stevie Nicks Barbie doll serves as a reminder of the brand’s ongoing efforts to blend nostalgia with modern relevance, honoring both past and present icons in the ever-evolving cultural landscape.
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