1966 – 2022 Francie Fairchild, Barbie‘s Modern cousin.

1966 – 2022 Francie Fairchild™ Barbie‘s™ 

Mod’ern Cousin.

Francie Fairchild was a fashion doll issued by Mattel from 1966 to 1976 and re-introduced in 2011. Marketed as “Barbie’s MOD ‘ern cousin” (sic) from England, the doll had an extensive line of “mod“-style clothing, often employing bright colors and geometric patterns similar to fashions associated with Carnaby Street in the late 1960s to early 1970s. At 11¼ inches tall, the Francie doll was shorter than Barbie, but taller than Skipper, making the character between the two in age.

Biography.

Francie was marketed as “Barbie’s Modern cousin, Francie paved the way for Barbie’s transition into the MOD era. Francie was only slightly younger than Barbie and had a much less shapely figure. The Francie doll was the first to feature rooted eyelashes. In the March 1966 issue of Barbie Magazine, she is the daughter of Claude and Lily Fairchild.

1966 – 1976 MOD EAR/ MALIBU Period – Models and variations.

Francie came in several configurations over the course of her decade-long run, beginning with a straight leg model (1966–1968) and a “bend leg” doll (1966–1967). “Twist ‘N Turn” dolls were issued beginning in 1967, then with a short flip hairstyle from 1969–1970 and finally in a no-bangs hairstyle in 1971. All these dolls were available in blonde or brunette and had rooted lashes, except for the straight leg dolls, who had painted lashes.

• 1966 – 1968 #1140 Straight Leg Francie Blonde and Brunette hairstyle. Brown eyes, blonde eyebrows, deep pink lips, and cheeks.  No rooted eyelashes. Two-piece red and white swimsuit – bottom may have small or large checks.
  Squishy Red Pointed Heels. Gold Wire Stand (Barbie size). Mark: © 1965 Mattel, Inc. U.S. Patented U.S. Pat. Pend. Made in Japan.

Link to complete Francie Booklet.

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• 1966 – 1967 #1130 Bendable Leg Francie. Blonde and Brunette hairstyle. Brown eyes with rooted eyelashes, blonde eyebrows, deep pink lips, and cheeks. First Issue grayish-tan skin tone and late 1966 – 67 Issue new pinker skin tone. There were 3 variations – one-piece helenca swimsuit that is white knit with green and pink blocks and scattered daisy flowers.  Some of the first issue had a turquoise background other the white. Late 1966 and 1967 One-piece swimsuit with white printed top and solid green bottom. Also had all the dolls white soft pointed toe low heel shoes, a white or pink eyelash brush, Black Wire Stand (Same like Barbie Doll). Mark: © 1965 Mattel, Inc. U.S. Patented U.S. Pat. Pend. Made in Japan (some have “U.S. Pat’d” on the third line). Rest the same as before.

1966

1st Issue grayish-tan skin tone

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Late 1966 – 1967 

2nd Issue new pinker skin tone

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• 1968 #1170 Twist and Turn Francie Doll. Blonde and Brunette. Brown eyes with rooted eyelashes, blonde eyebrows, deep pink lips and cheeks and pink skin tone. One piece swimsuit with multicolor stripe top and hot pink bottom. (No shoes or eyelash brush). Clear X Stand (Same like Barbie Doll). Fashion booklet is the same as for Barbie. Mark: ©1966 Mattel, Inc. U.S. patented U.S. Pat. Pend. Made in Japan.

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• 1969 #1170 Twist and Turn Francie. Blonde and Brunette
  Bangs with middle part, short, curled flip. Blonde has pink elastic headband, brunette has yellow. Brown eyes with rooted eyelashes, blonde eyebrows, deep pink lips, and cheeks. One piece yellow and pink striped swimsuit with two gold buttons and attached yellow vinyl belt at bodice, pink (blonde hair color) or yellow (brunette hair color) elastic headband. Mark: ©1966 Mattel, Inc. U.S. patented U.S. Pat. Pend. Made in Japan. Rest same as 1967-1968.

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• 1970 #1170 Twist and Turn Francie. Blonde and Brunette
  Bangs with middle part, short, curled flip. Blonde has pink elastic headband, brunette has yellow. Brown eyes with rooted eyelashes, blonde eyebrows, deep pink lips, and cheeks. Floral print pink, white and yellow babydoll style front wrap lace trimmed top with empire waist and spaghetti straps pink shorts (they came in both vinyl and nylon). Mark: ©1966 Mattel, Inc. U.S. patented U.S. Pat. Pend. Made in Japan. Rest the same as before.

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• 1971 #1170 (No Bangs) Twist and Turn Francie Doll. Blonde and Brunette
  Long hair with ends flipped up, pulled back with orange elastic headband. Brown eyes with rooted eyelashes, blonde eyebrows, coral lips, and cheeks. Short orange halter dress with white vinyl neckline and trim, orange headband. Orange panties. Soft White Buckle Shoes.  Mark: ©1966 Mattel, Inc. U.S. patented U.S. Pat. Pend. Made in Japan. Rest the same as before.

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A “colored Francie”, first issued in 1967, was the first doll in the Mattel line with a truly dark complexion. However, the doll did not have genuinely African American features since it was made with the same head molds as the Caucasian Francie doll. Because of this, a doll named Christie, first issued in 1968, is often considered the first true African American doll in the Barbie line. “Black Francie” was not labeled as “Barbie’s MOD ‘ern cousin.”

• 1967 #1100 Colored Francie. The first edition had red hair, lighter brown eyes, and a lighter skin color. Black eyebrows, rooted eyelashes, deep pink lip. One piece swimsuit that looks like three pieces.
  A multicolored bikini covered by a sheer white nylon over shirt. Yellow, orange, and deep pink abstract prints. She also came with an eyelash brush. No shoes. Mark: © 1966 Mattel, Inc. U.S. patented U.S. Pat. Pend. Made in Japan. Rest the same as before.

Rare found in floral variation.

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• Late 1967 – 1968 #1100 Colored Francie. The second edition had deep brown hair, darker brown eyes, and a darker skin color. One piece swimsuit that looks like three pieces. A multicolored bikini covered by a sheer white nylon over shirt. There were two versions – blue and deep pink abstract prints. Mark: © 1966 Mattel, Inc. U.S. patented U.S. Pat. Pend. Made in Japan. Rest the same as before.

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• 1967 Prototype of “Francie Grows,” a doll that goes from young girl to “blossoming” teenager. Her hair style is really something as well, and highly reminiscent of the first Talking Barbie doll. Important to note that this Francie does not feature her traditional head mold but instead utilizes the “Casey” (Francie’s best friend) head mold, which premiered this year as well. As such, “Francie Gowns” marks Mattel’s first attempt in transitioning/phasing Francie into the Casey head mold. They would solidify this transition with the release of “Malibu Francie” in 1971, which officially borrows Casey’s face. While “Francie Grows” never made it past this prototype stage, the concept was recycled seven years later in 1974 through the release of “Growing Up Skipper. “The controversial “Growing Up Skipper” follows the same gimmick as “Francie Grows.” The child consumer enables the doll to “grow” by turning a specific part of the dolls body. In Skipper’s case, it’s her left arm that enables her to “grow” a few inches and even sprout breasts (as seen in this picture below):The torso portion is made out of a soft and stretchy vinyl (like that of the Living/ Live Action/Busy Hands Barbie doll arms), that conceals a built in mechanism that pushes and indents the breasts when the torso is lengthened. The idea behind “Francie Grows” was that you would have to squeeze her waist to make her “grow,” a notion that proved to be too difficult at the time for Mattel designers to execute.

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In the 1970s, several hair-related variations of the Francie doll were issued: “Hair Happening’s Francie” in 1970-1972, a “Growin’ Pretty Hair” model from 1971-1973 both in blonde only; and a “Quick Curl Francie” with brunette hair in 1973-1974. A tanned version of Francie, “Malibu Francie” was made from 1971 to 1976 with blonde hair, blue eyes and utilized the Casey head mold. “Busy Francie” (1972–1973) was a blonde doll designed with a hand that was able to grip small objects. 1975’s “Baggie Francie”, so called because she was sold in a transparent plastic bag as opposed to a box, was the last of the Francie dolls and was made with brunette hair.

• 1970 – 1972 #1122 Hair Happenings Francie. came with four hair pieces so you can change the style of her hair. Mini Curls – Topknot with Large Curls
  Swingy Swirl – Double flip curls on headband with orange ribbon
  Twisty Twirls – Braid on headband with two banana curls and pink yarn bows
  Fluffy Whirl – Green ribbon headband with short curls. Blonde center parted hair with bangs, chin length. Turquoise ribbon headband. Some have a lavender headband/ribbon. Brown eyes with rooted eyelashes light brown eyebrows deep pink lips and blush. Turquoise Blue Mini Dress with White Crochet Sleeves and Bodice, Attached Panties Clear Turquoise Soft Heels. Clear X-Stand. Mark: © 1966 Mattel, Inc. U.S. Patented U.S. Pat. Pend. Made in Japan 

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• 1970 – 1973 #1129 Francie with Growin’ Pretty Hair. Blonde hair with bangs. Bun on top of head is a retractable ponytail. Included with the second issue, but not the first. Long Two Strand Braid with Pink Ribbon Bow on Each End Chin Length Middle Parted Bob Style with Ends Curled Under and 8 Bobby pins Small White Brush & Comb Two Hot Pink Flowers Instructions. Sleeveless pink mini dress with metallic top and satin skirt with silver dotted pink tulle overskirt and attached panties
  Silver metallic waistband with bow Squishy Pink heels. Mark: 1966 Mattel, Inc. U.S. Pat. Other Pats. Pend. Pat. Canada 1967 Japan. Rest the same as before.

First issue.

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• 1971-1973 #1074 Francie Grow Pretty Hair – Second issue. Same doll as above with new stock number, rooted eyelashes, different hand mold, slender and undivided fingers, new box, extra hair pieces: Long Two Strand Braid with Pink Ribbon Bow on Each End, Chin Length Middle Parted Bob Style with Ends Curled Under + Extras:
  8 Bobby pins, Small White Brush & Comb, two Hot Pink Flowers. Mark: 1966 Mattel, Inc. U.S. Pat. Other Pats. Pend. Pat. Canada 1967 Japan. Rest the same as before.

Francie Grow Pretty Hair with variation Barbie arms.

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A tanned version of Francie, “Malibu Francie” was made from 1971 to 1976 with blonde hair, blue eyes and utilized the Casey head mold and a tan TNT body.

• 1971 – 1976 #1068 Sun Set Malibu Francie.  There were three different boxes through the years – all are pictured below. She was originally sold on the card from 1971 through 1974. Between 1975 and 1977 had the white box and pink box. Hairstyle: long (mid back length) blonde hair with side part. Face: Blue eyes, brown eyebrows and Peach lips and blush. One piece swimsuit with hot pink top, red bottom and attached yellow vinyl belt. Round lavender sunglasses. Light Orange Towel (Towel was eventually dropped and was not included with later editions.) Mark: © 1966/Mattel, Inc./U.S. Patented /U.S. Pat. Pend /Made in Korea.

1973 – 1976

No bath towel and sunglasses. New mark: © 1966 Mattel, Inc. U.S. Patented U.S. Pat. Pend. Made in Korea.

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“Busy Francie” (1972–1973) was a blonde doll designed with a hand that was able to grip small objects. 1975’s “Baggie Francie”, so called because she was sold in a transparent plastic bag as opposed to a box, was the last of the Francie dolls and was made with brunette hair.

• 1972 – 1973 #3313 Busy Francie. She has hands with moveable thumbs, enabling her to hold all of her included accessories. Shoulder Length Blonde Hair with Side Part. Trimmed in layers around face. Tied with two green ribbons. Brown eyes, Light brown eyebrows, Peach Lips, and Blush. Green ribbed knit sleeveless top. Red vinyl belt with gold buckle. Bell bottom blue jeans. Green square toe heels. Brown Princess Telephone, TV, Travel Case, Record Player, Record, Tray, 2 Glasses and Stickers. Clear X-Stand. Mark: ©1966/Mattel, Inc./Hong Kong U.S. & Foreign/Patented/Other Pats /Pending.

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A German variation of Francie was produced and sold in 1972. Made with a different head mold, but the same body type as her US counterparts, she was sold only in Germany and produced as a standard doll and a “Busy” variation. Different head mold for Francie, blonde rooted hair, painted blue eyes. Mark:  © 1966 Mattel, Inc. U.S. Patented U.S. Pat. Pend. Made in Japan. Rest the same as before.

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• 1972 #8520 Same head mold and hair color as Before and a Twist and Turn body. She wore a brown linen sleeveless mini dress with stitched on brown cloth belt with white top stitching, white collar, with two white buttons below, blue hair ribbon, white tricot knee-hi socks and brown low closed toe heels. No stand. Mark:  © 1966 Mattel, Inc. U.S. Patented U.S. Pat. Pend. Made in Japan.

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• 1973 – 1974 #4222 Quick Curl Francie. Brunette shoulder length hair with side part. Their hair contains metal fibers so they can be curled and styled without any heat or any other tools. Brown eyes, Light brown eyebrows, Pink Lips, and Blush. Hair Accessories: Three white barrettes, four hair ribbons – Yellow, Blue, Green & Pink, four rubber bands, Hot Pink Curler, Hot Pink Brush and Hot Pink Pointed Comb. Yellow scoop neck long dress with white dots, sheer white sleeves, and neckline ruffle. Black ribbon trim on sleeves and bow at neckline. White square toe heels. New white X-Stand. Mark:  © 1966/Mattel, Inc./Taiwan/U.S. & Foreign/Patented/Other Pats/Pending.

Variation box found in UK

Name tag, plastic stand same as #1130 and some (and some not) had a Fashion booklet is the same as for Barbie

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• 1975 – 1976 #7699 Baggie Francie. Doll has painted lashes, brown eyes, straight legs and non-twist waist, long straight brown hair. Wore a two-piece swimsuit in yellow tricot, (no shoes and name tag). Mark: © 1966 Mattel, Inc. Taiwan.

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1966 – 1971 Francie Doll – Giftsets.

• Late 1966 #1042 Francie Swingin Seperates Giftset – Sears

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• 1966 # 1044 Francie’s Sporting ‘Set Giftset a JCPenney Exclusive– two variations in color found.

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• 1966 Barbie & Francie Color Magic Fashion Designer Giftset.

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• 1971 #1194 Francie Growin’ Hair doll Risen Shine SEARS Giftset – AD + NRFB Giftset.

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1966 – 1971 Francie Dolls from Japan.

There are several Japan market exclusive variations of the Francie doll. Francie was hugely popular there, and the Japanese market dolls, and exclusive fashions produced for them, are the most valuable and sought-after items amongst collectors today.

• 1966 #1140 Francie with Straight Leg Francie and Blue Eyes. Same box and two-piece swimsuit as in USA. Different stand and fashion booklet.

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• 1966 #1140 Rare Francie Dress Dolls from Japan, with same box, stand and fashion booklet like before.

 

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• The rarest of all the Francie dolls is the 1971 Japanese Sun Malibu Francie. A Malibu Francie with deep suntan but using the original Francie head mold with rooted lashes and long Brunette Sidepart hair, as opposed to the American issue which used the Casey head mold, no rooted lashes, blue eyes and had blonde side parted hair. The dolls were produced in extremely limited number and when they are marketed for sale on the collector’s market, they command a price of $1000 and upwards.

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2011 – 2012 New Francie®.

In November of 2011, Mattel re-introduced Francie to the adult doll collector with two exclusive dolls. Francie now had a Silkstone body with fashions designed by Robert Best which was a dealer exclusive doll in a matching red and white check hat, jacket, and mini skirt with a dog. “Nighty Brights” was a gift set available only to Barbie Fan Club members that included both a day look and pajamas. Mattel released two more Silkstone Francie dolls in August 2012. “Fuchsia ‘N Fur” is a Barbie Fan Club Exclusive African American version of Francie wearing a pink faux-fur coat. “Kitty Corner” is a Gold Label release wearing an A-line dress and includes a night gown set with kitten slippers, as well as a cat.

Say “Hello!” to the Fresh New Francie®!

That was Francie then…this is Francie now! Your favorite fashion-forward teenager gets a fabulous latest look, thanks to Robert Best.

For those who don’t know her, Francie® Fairchild is Barbie® doll’s fun and fabulous cousin. Fresh as a daisy and fancy free, she’s back and she’s got big news! A brand-new Silkstone body sculpt has been created for Francie, as she becomes the new girl in the Barbie Fashion Model Collection!

• 2011 Check, Please! ™Francie® Doll Silkstone® Dolls »Silkstone® Francie Dolls Gold Label® Designed by: Robert Best.

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• 2011 Nightbright™ Francie® Giftset Silkstone® Dolls »Silkstone® Francie Dolls Gold Label® Designed by: Robert Best .

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• 2012 Kitty Corner™ Francie® Doll  2012 Collection »Silkstone® Francie Dolls Gold Label® Designed by: Robert Best .

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 1996 – 2016 Francie® Reproductions.

Francie has been reproduced by Mattel three times: 1996, as a bend leg doll in brunette with a reproduction swimsuit and Gad-Abouts outfit; 1997, as Black Francie (limited to 5,000 dolls) wearing a reproduction of The Wild Bunch; and in 2005, as a blonde no-bangs Francie, wearing a reproduction of Smashing Satin.

• 1996 #4781 30th Anniversary Francie

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Found on Internet Variation Dressdoll – 2016 Francie KLM stewardess AD Dutch  ONLINE REDACTIE LIBELLE DAILY

2016 KLM Stewardess Uniform

I found the Doll Stewardess KLM Uniform but not witch the Francie doll.

• 1997 #1766 The Wild Bunch^™ Francie^® Doll.

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• 2005 #G8049 Smashing Satin (No Bangs) Francie.

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• 2012 # W3517 Fuchsia ‘N Fur™ Francie® Doll 2012 Collection »Barbie℠ Fan Club Dolls Gold Label Designed by: Robert Best

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• 50th Anniversary Francie OOAK Doll at the 2016 National Barbie® Doll Collectors Convention –A Pop Art Happening! The replica 1966 Francie Blonde Doll with replica Fashionoutfit from 1967 Miss Teenage Beauty.

Later more info…

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• 2016 50th Anniversary Celebration of Francie Doll – BFC™ EXCLUSIVE!.  The replica 1966 Francie® wears a recreation of her 1967 Miss Teenage Beauty fashion—a bright pink A-line ruffled skirt paired with a sweet sleeveless lace top adorned with floral appliqués. Accessories include elbow-length gloves, pale-blue pumps, more.

Release Date: This doll will be available to everyone, beginning Wednesday, 8/3 at 9 am PT

See the original 1967 #1284 Miss Teenage Beauty – fashion set and 1966 Francie Straight Leg brunette Doll NRFB’s.

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June 8, 2022 –‎#HCB97 Repro 1967 #1100 Colored Francie with short new hair &

Repro Francie Fashionset: Floating In #1207 (1968 – 1969):

#HCB97 – Barbie Signature Francie 1967 Doll Reproduction.

‎Meet Francie, Barbie dolls MOD ‘ern teenage friend! Isn’t she groovy? She made her debut in 1967 and was the first Mattel doll with a dark skin tone. Francie has always been hip- and happening, especially when it comes to her fashion style.

This collectible Francie reproduction doll wears a kicky A-line, striped dress with a hot-pink ruffle and matching gloves. With long, rooted eyelashes and a Twist ‘n Turn waist for loads of posing fun, she makes a great gift for collectors.

Facial Sculpt: Francie. Body Type: Twist n’ Turn, clicks legs.

Read more..

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See also:

1967 – 1970 Francie Size Friends – MOD EAR/ MALIBU PERIOD

1966 – 1974 MOD EAR/ MALIBU period – Francie & Friends FASHIONSETS & ITEMS