Teacher Got Style Takes on Barbie Con 2018

This year I attended my very first Barbie convention. This years convention was in Phoenix, Arizona held at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort from July 11th-14th. The resort was beautiful and perfect for families.

I arrived a day early for early registration and to meet my table host. Before registration, I had an appointment with the lovely Barbie Super Fan Azusa Barbie. She took about three hours to do the most perfect nails with a Barbie theme. Her cost is $120 and was worth every penny. I got to know her and she is one of the most positive and lovely people that I had ever met. Next stop was registration. I signed in and was issued a badge, a daily schedule, my Barbie swag bag and pins for being a first timer and a volunteer. To see swag bag contents, all outfits, and purchases, see BarbieCon highlights on my Instagram page (here). Once I was all settled in, I sat outside at the bar and enjoyed the view. The host of my table, Barb held a Meet and greet where we had cocktails and exchanged table gifts. Each table has ten total guests and

one table hostess. Each night we are to sit at the same table. One of the traditions at Barbie Convention is that we exchange gifts. It is not mandatory, however, you don’t want to be that guest who takes gifts every night and never gives one. Some of the table guests give a gift every night, I wasn't clear on this, but I did give a nice silk Barbie scarf of the first night and purchased a round of drinks on the last night. I hope they enjoyed both.

DAY 1

I had decided early on that I would get dressed up in Barbie clothes every day and wear a signature pink bow. I couldn't attend a Barbie convention without going all out with Barbie themed outfits and makeup. I don’t usually wear makeup every day, but in this case I wanted to look the part. Each day I started with getting ready and taking a selfie of my outfit of the day. Afterward, I headed down to the sales room to volunteer. Volunteering is not mandatory, however, I wanted to have the full experience and decided to take four hours of my time to help out. The Barbie Fan Club was giving out their convention doll. I took a moment to go stand in line (there’s a lot of standing in line) to get my doll. The doll came in a Black and pink tote. The doll is in a hard case box and was from Moschino. Inside was two dolls; a male and a female, dressed in great clothing. Each meal at the convention had a theme. The first night's theme was Black and White with pink accents. I wore a Black and white sequin Barbie top, Black tuxedo pants with sequin stripes down the sides, and Aldo heels. Night one was a reception hosted by Mattel, so we received a history book looking back on the last 70 years of Mattel. Along with so many other great things, I had the opportunity to meet a doll designer whom I follow on Instagram; Carlyle Nuera. It was a pleasure to meet the man who designed some of the dolls that I have. I was a little obsessed and fanned out just a tad. I also had the pleasure of meeting Kitty Black Perkins! The very first Black doll designer for Mattel. She is still so beautiful. Hearing her story was inspiring.

DAY 2

There is a variety of things to do at BarbieCon. You could make a schedule to be busy every day. There were workshops, sales rooms, competition rooms, and lectures. You could fill your day learning more about the convention and Barbie in general. I didn't do a whole lot during the morning of Day 2. There was an afternoon tea luncheon and I saved myself for that. For the tea luncheon, we were to get dolled up in hats, pearls, and gloves. I wore a pastel pink dress with white trim, a white fascinator and pink and white sandals. The luncheon was great, everyone looked beautiful. After the luncheon, I changed into casual clothing and went to the sales room for the first time. walking into the sales room was overwhelming. Every way I turned was Barbie. Some would that I had Barbie overload, but I say that there can never be too much Barbie. I had my heart set on purchasing Nichelle Model of the Moment, so I wasn't really open to buying dolls that I didn't absolutely want. After taking a lap around the sales room, I was unlucky finding Nichelle. While looking, I ran into a Byron Lars doll that I had never seen before; Pepper. She is beautiful. After my head spinning time in the sales room, Azusa Barbie and I went to the pool to do a shenanigans photo shoot. We both wore Barbie themed swimsuits from Missguided and played in front of the camera for about an hour. Since Azusa and I were participating in the fashion show, we had to cut our shenanigans short. We met later to practice walking and the finale of the fashion show. This was a fun experience and extra special for me as a first timer. Dinner for day 2 was on our own, so I went to Roy's and had the seafood sampler and a pineapple martini which were both delicious. After dinner and a cocktail, I met some new Barbie friends and had good conversation until I was too tired to keep going.

DAY 3

The Marriott has a lazy river with inner tubes and the whole works. My intention was to go and be lazy before getting my day started. Instead, I met with another Barbie friend for breakfast. The fashion show started at 2, but we had to be there at 1 to rehearse or tie up loose ends. Each participant had to choose a Barbie to dress up as and stroll down the runway. Azusa and I were modeling the Juicy Couture gift set. This evenings event was the benefit ball. There was a live auction, and the Bergeron Goodman doll went for over 18K. It was so exciting to see a bidding war live. I thought that I might bid, and my budget was 1K. I was left in the dust a long time ago. It went from 1K to 4K in such a hurry, I was out before I could even bid. What a wonderful night all going to a great cause that helps women and children.

DAY 4

By the final day, I was in Barbie overload (in a good way). I took it easy for most of the day. I purchased raffle tickets and took a nap. I went out to the outside bar at the Marriott, had a cocktail and took in the beautiful grounds. This nights event was “Little Black Dress” night. We had our final dinner together and received our convention doll. The convention doll for 2018 was the very first doll to be plus sized and to come with a change of clothing. This convention is fun filled and worth the price of the ticket. I met so many wonderful women, my table host Barb was the host with the most! I received so many gifts and dolls from the convention. I am so grateful for this experience.

Next year, BarbieCon 2019 is Barbie's 60th birthday. The theme is no, Diamond Jubilee in Kansas City, MO. If you’re interested in going, visit barbieconvention.com. See you there!

XOXO

Sonya