We all have dreams, but have you ever met someone whose career revolves around fulfilling the Barbie dreams of others? That’s Liudmyla. I discovered her while on the hunt for my elusive 1981 Barbie doll, and to my delight, she had it in stock! She proudly asserts that she can find any doll, no matter how rare. Join me as I dive into the fascinating world of Liudmyla, the ultimate Barbie doll detective, who turns collectors' fantasies into reality with her uncanny ability to track down even the rarest of dolls. Her story is one of passion, perseverance, and the magical allure of doll collecting.
- Hello, can you please introduce yourself?
Hello! My name is Liudmila Monnier. I am 33 years old and I have the largest collection of Barbies in Ukraine.
- If you were a Barbie doll, what would be written on your box?
If I were a Barbie doll, my box would proudly display the inscription: "The One Who Makes Dreams Come True."
- Not many people know that you are based in Ukraine. I personally bought a few dolls from you that I could not find for a decent price here in Europe. I am fascinated by how determined you are to help people find dolls of their childhood. Your Instagram header says you are “the Dealer of Girls’ Dreams”. What drives this passion?
My business began with a simple mission: to find the same doll for my daughter that I cherished in my childhood. I tried to Google it, but without knowing the name or having a photo, and the production year being a mystery, it was a daunting task. Then, I stumbled upon forums of others who were also searching for their childhood Barbies. It took tremendous effort to locate that little mermaid doll, but I eventually found her in a bulk purchase, which meant buying my first 21 dolls. I planned to give some to my goddaughters and sell the rest at auction. To my surprise, as soon as I posted the first ad, the doll was sold immediately. The demand, responses, and emotional feedback with tears and emojis astonished me. I posted another one, and it sold just as quickly. That's when it hit me—there's a business opportunity here!
- I understand you had a traumatic experience in your childhood that led you to search for your childhood Barbie doll. Could you share more about that?
My family didn't have much money during my childhood in the 90s, which was pretty common at that time. When I was 4, I saw a mermaid doll on TV—Ariel from the famous cartoon was my favorite. Those ads were incredibly persuasive! Mattel really knew how to captivate a child's imagination. My parents saved up money and bought me the Jewel Hair Mermaid Midge! I even thought it was brought to me by angels because I found a big feather on my pillow (it was just from the down feather pillow). I took her outside to show the other girls, and one of them offered to braid my mermaid’s hair. You should have seen that long mermaid hair! And I gave it to her. Oh, how I regretted it. The next morning, my neighbor returned my little mermaid with her hair cut off and her face washed with acetone. I cried for a week, and my parents cried with me. It was such a family trauma... I guess I'm still recovering.
- How did you get started with Barbie shop, and what was your first order?
I didn't establish my shop until my collection had grown to 100 dolls. Navigating the promotion of my Instagram profile was quite a challenge since I had no idea what I was doing. I recall selling a very expensive doll for only 20€ because, at the time, I didn't realize its value and it didn't seem appealing to me. I was just thrilled to sell it for any amount.
- How big is your shop now and have many dolls do you have in stock?
My store has grown to become the largest in Ukraine. I deliver dolls worldwide, and even the rarest ones can be found here. I currently have around 6,000 dolls in my warehouse, with more than 1,000 unique dolls. So yes, it's quite a large collection—massive, in fact!
- Have you ever been offered to buy your business by anyone?
No, I haven't received any offers to buy it, but I'm frequently asked how much my little treasure trove is worth. To be honest, this collection is valued at over €400,000.
- What's the funniest thing a customer has ever said to you?
While I usually refrain from quoting my clients, one particular review had me in stitches. The lady was so thrilled about receiving her dream doll that she penned a 300-word review, peppered with expletives yet bursting with positivity and joy. It was incredibly funny to read.
- What is the geography of your clients?
Most of the clients are Ukrainians. However there are also clients from abroad like the USA, France, often Germany and Poland. It’s pretty much the whole world. I once posted a doll to the islands of Reunion.
- How do you manage to run your business now given the situation in Ukraine? What are the main difficulties that you face nowadays?
Oh, there are plenty of challenges. Paid Instagram ads are very costly, and competitors constantly join to follow my clients’ accounts. My ideas are being copied almost word for word. It's tough to manage both psychologically and financially.
And of course, the war in Ukraine presents an even greater challenge. People have less money to spend on dolls and their dreams, and everyone is just trying to survive. My personal worry is about a missile hitting my house and destroying this unique collection.
- Do you have a "white whale" item you're still searching for?
No, I don't have a current "white whale" I'm searching for. However, I recently found a doll that I had been looking for for over two years—Dream Glow Teresa from 2003. She is extremely rare and valued at 1300 €. Currently, she can only be purchased from me, as I haven't seen her listed for sale anywhere else in the world.
- According to your observations, what are the top 5 Barbie dolls of all times?
Oh, do you mean the best? I don't think there's a definitive ranking. The best doll varies for everyone! Some people's favorite timeline is from the '90s, others from the 2000s. Some love game-themed dolls, while others prefer the luxury series. My personal favorite is my little mermaid, followed by those I dreamed about in my childhood.
- Have you ever thought of opening a Barbie exhibition?
Yes, I plan to create a Barbie exhibition and museum once the war is over. I might even consider doing a tour across Ukraine. I already have a pink minivan ready to transport my collection. I just hope for the day when this war finally ends!
- If you could switch lives with any Barbie character for a day, who would it be?
Hmmmm... I enjoy being myself, but if it's magic, then I'd definitely choose to be a mermaid. I'd love to swim in the depths of the oceans and explore (hopefully finding more than just sand and stones in the Atlantic).
- If you could trade your doll collection with any other collector for a day, whose would it be?
No. I wouldn't trade with anyone. Not even for a day or two. I would never trade!
- Have you ever had to go to great lengths or do something unusual to acquire a doll? Have you ever had an adventure or a unique experience while hunting for a specific doll?
I don't know if you would call it an adventure, but there's one interesting story I'd like to share. Several years ago, an elderly lady from Atlanta, USA, approached me. She introduced herself as a collector and offered to sell me her collection. I agreed. There were 450 dolls dating from the early '80s to the 2010s. I was thrilled! I bought the collection without asking any questions, and when it was delivered, I was speechless. That lady’s whole life was there. She was a true Barbie fan! There were Barbie flakes, Barbie nail files, Barbie chocolates, postcards, hats, pens, books, coloring pages, ropes, boxes, and many other things. There were also photos from her house, which was full of dolls! I started to cry. I called her with only one question, "Why did you sell it?" She responded, "Darling, I'm 89 years old. My children laugh at me and my Barbies and don't appreciate them. They don't need them. I found you and feel you are like me! You are so passionate about this! My dolls will continue living through you and your collection. Please find my dolls loving homes and don't forget me. Continue what I was doing!" I sobbed. I’ve never told this story before, so you are the first to hear it.
Later, I learned that the lady went on a round-the-world cruise with the money I paid her. She even wrote to me from Morocco. Sadly, she doesn't reply anymore.
- How do you store and organize your dolls?
Maintaining a Barbie collection is truly an art form. The room must be kept dark with no sunlight to prevent colors from fading. It should also be dry and free of any moisture to avoid fungus growth in the old boxes. The boxes must be lined up straight to prevent them from getting crumpled. And of course, their keeper must handle them with love and care.
I organize them intuitively: models, holiday girls, mermaids, bikers... each has its own dedicated shelf and place.
- What's your top tip for someone just starting out in doll collecting?
Here's one piece of advice for novice collectors: don’t make purchases based solely on price. Instead, focus on the quality of the box, the makeup, and the accessories.
-Nowadays, there's an entire generation of children playing with modern Barbies that lack the detail and quality of the dolls their parents enjoyed. How do you think the preferences of Barbie collectors will evolve over the next 10-15 years?
I believe Barbie collectors may become a rarity, much like dinosaurs. Modern toys lack quality and durability, designed more for quick disposal than lasting enjoyment. Barbie dolls today lack the concept, quality, and personality of the past, with plastic clothes and thin, stiff hair. Given this decline, I doubt anyone will collect them in 20-30 years. I think we are the last generation of Barbie collectors.
- Do you think Barbie dolls is a good investment?
Yes, investing in Barbie dolls can be quite profitable, but it's crucial to know what to buy. For instance, Erika from "The Princess and the Pauper" was priced at $150 four years ago, and now you can't find her for less than $400. On the other hand, some Holiday Barbies from the 90s were priced at $30 then and still cost $30 today.
- What is the best way to get in touch with you if anyone needs a help from the dealer of girls’ dreams? Please share you Instagram profile, facebook, website etc.
The best way to find me is on Instagram @Barbie_dolls_shop
You can also visit my website which will be launched soon www.Barbie-dolls-shop.com.ua
And I am always ready to chat with you over the phone.
Thank you, Liudmila, for sharing your incredible journey and insights into the world of doll collecting. Your passion and dedication are truly inspiring, and it's been an absolute pleasure learning about your unique story.
All photographs are property of Liudmyla Monnier and have been published with her kind permission.
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