UK's biggest Barbie fan says husband has given her a strict rule
Dawn Austin has some rare dolls worth thousands
Dawn Austin is the UK's biggest Barbie fan - boasting more than 850 dolls in her ever-growing collection. The adult collector has splashed out more than £30,000 on Mattel merchandise, which has become "like family" and is now worth double that.
The 45 year old has also taken up restoring Barbies in her free time, increasing the value of some of her dolls even further. She estimates her entire collection is now worth an astonishing £60,000 - and while husband Steve is supportive, he does have one rule: no dolls in the bedroom.
Dawn and Steve are facing a space issue as her collection continues to expand. Speaking to What's the Jam, she said: "I have reached a certain stage with my collection, and I am faced with the dilemma of whether I should sell some items I am not as attached to any more in order to make space, or just move?
"And [moving] does seem like a more likely option." Dawn's impressive collection has attracted attention from thousands on social media and even Mattel, the doll's manufacturer, sent her a special selection of gifts for Barbie's 65th anniversary.
To protect them from dust and damage, Dawn displays her hundreds of dolls in glass cabinets throughout her house. The only room off-limits to her collection is the bedroom, which is Steve's one rule around his wife's hobby.
Dawn said: "When I met Steve, he drove me to conventions and spent weekends with me scouring markets and charity shops. I fell in love with the craftsmanship and their history."
She recently bagged one of the original Black Barbie dolls for a mere £10 at a toy show. And she boasts other coveted pieces like a Japanese exclusive skipper, a rare Korean wonder woman and a Ponytail Barbie number two valued at close to £6,000.
Dawn has no intentions of parting with any item from her collection, however. She said: "I couldn't bear to ever get rid of them. They're like family to me."
Not every purchase has been thrifty either. Dawn admitted she's splurged thousands on several dolls and only sells one if she's found another in better condition.
Dawn, like many young girls, got her first doll during her childhood which sparked her "obsessed" phase. It led her to seek out Barbies at every opportunity until she grew out of it in her adolescence and even gave up her childhood collection.
It was years later, as an adult, that she stumbled upon a doll listing on eBay, reigniting her passion. She said: "When the doll arrived, I was ecstatic. I bought more and more, and before I knew it, I had no room left. That didn't stop me, though.
"As a child, Barbie was a character I could turn into anything I wanted her to be. She represented to me the idea that I could be anything I wanted to be – through the power of play and imagination, I could explore being a rock star, actress, doctor, even a nun.
"Now, as an adult collector, I see her as a cultural icon of sorts. I enjoy the hunt for the items and find scrolling on eBay looking for them relaxing after work – it's a nice way to wind down."
For those keen on starting their own impressive doll collection, Dawn offered some advice,saying: "For new collectors, I recommend buying what you love and what makes you happy. Try to get the items as mint as you possibly can, learn how to restore well, and set budgets and stick to them! Life in plastic is really fantastic."
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