#empress kaiserin sissy imperatrice barbie

[barbielore]

In 1996, Mattel released the Empress Kaiserin Sissy Imperatrice Barbie, a Barbie in the likeness of Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

A classic of the Barbie style in many ways, featuring a princess ballgown and an elaborate hairdo, this Barbie specifically was based on the Empress as depicted in Franz Xaver Winterhalter's 1864 painting.

Although I can see the likeness and the inspiration, the Mattel designer behind the doll appears to have taken a few liberties with some design elements.

I think her hair really is the standout here as that updo is really quite intricate and they could easily have simplified it.

She is well regarded as one of the more interesting mass-release collectors dolls, and I can completely see why.

Given the fact that Elisabeth was known to be very intense about her appearance and used a combination of strict dieting and tightlacing to maintain an extremely slim appearance (and in the modern day would almost certainly be considered to meet the criteria for a restrictive eating disorder), there are more comments to be made about the suitability of her adaptation into a Barbie... but I will leave my comment at that.

[barbiechick]

Barbie As Dans Le Role De Als Empress-Kaiserin Sissy Imperatrice, 1996 👑

[geawjo-wiadfu]

1996 BARBIE EMPRESS-KAISERIN SISSY IMPERATRICE DOLL MIB & Original Shipping Box http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=2&toolid=10044&campid=5337410315&customid=&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466&item=232451270081