Barbie fever hits Winnipeggers on film’s opening weekend

Excitement is growing as the summer blockbuster Barbie opens this weekend. But for one Winnipeg Barbie collector, it’s an even bigger deal, as she’s been a fan of the doll for decades.

Lucy Cook has been collecting Barbie dolls since 1989 – collecting dolls from as early as 1963, all the way to the most recent dolls made for the movie. She says she has over 300 dolls and is continuing to collect.

“The Barbie doll for me has always meant an opportunity for me to use my imagination,” explained Cook.

Lucy Cook (Photo Credit: Alex Karpa, CityNews)

“I just love the diversity of Barbie nowadays. I love the fashion of Barbie. It gives me the opportunity to think about other things like using my imagination.”

Cook says she started collecting so her daughters could play with the same dolls she grew up with. When she learned a movie was coming out, she says it was a moment she’d been anticipating for quite some time.

Cook was able so secure to tickets to an advanced screening of Barbie, before the release date, and has very positive reviews.

Barbies (Photo Credit: Alex Karpa, CityNews)

“It’s funny. There’s sad moments in it. Being a Greta Gerwig movie, it does have a lot in it that you have to think about, especially Barbie and how she fits into modern culture and the way she was in the past compared to the way she is now.”

Kali Martin owns a vintage store in Winnipeg and has been collecting Barbie dolls for 25 years. She says Barbie dolls also resonated with her from a young age.

“She had all the coolest things. She has motorhomes, convertibles, motorcycles. You name it, she had it. I like to think of life with possibilities,” said Martin.

Kali Martin (Photo Credit: Alex Karpa, CityNews)

Martin set up a small vintage kiosk for the Barbie release at the Johnston Terminal Antique Mall at The Forks, which she says has seen a lot of traction leading up to the release.

Customer Kassandra Simeonidis says Barbie sparked dreams and possibilities as a young girl.

“She was a doctor, she was a vet, she was going to the beach, she went to space. It kind of meant you could be anything you put your heart into and if you put your mind into it, you can achieve it. As an adult, I can still try to be that Barbie that I was when I was a little kid,” said Simeonidis.

Barbies (Photo Credit: Alex Karpa, CityNews)