Barbie Careers Career of the Year 2 Dolls & Accessories with Music Star & Tour Manager in Removable Fashions, JDM09

Judging it based solely on the quality of the dolls, I think the set is very decent value at 35 pounds. I appreciate that there is a little bit of an inconsistency in trying to market Barbie as a career-minded role model for children and then portray her as a rock star (a fairly unattainable goal for most), but to be honest I totally wouldn't let that bother you at all. Even in elite creative industries, there are lots of different potential careers and this set does a good job of showcasing this idea without making a boring playset. The figures are fully poseable, they're sturdy and durable and they've got loads of potential for imaginative play. At 35 pounds you could do a lot worse. Great set!

A set of dolls celebrating an entertainment theme delighted a relative I babysit sometimes. The bright outfits and accessories allowed creative storytelling, merging music scenarios with everyday scenes in the living room. One figure stood out as a star on stage; another handled behind-the-scenes tasks. The child rearranged each outfit, conjuring entire concerts or backstage interviews. Even I found a bit of fun, snapping quick photos of the imaginative scenes for practice shots. The figures held up well despite repeated outfit changes, and no small parts vanished under the sofa. The child liked that there were two distinct characters in one package, saving time and money otherwise spent searching for separate figures. Different body types and features expanded the sense of representation. Five stars for delivering a vibrant world of play, encouraging creative role-play that kept the child entertained while I tested camera angles.

I'm a 58-year-old woman, who has never owned a Barbie. But thanks to Vine, I'm now the proud owner of two!These are from the "Career of the Year" range, and represent a music star and tour manager. Two dolls and accessories for £34.99 at the time of writing seem relatively good value compared to most individual Barbies I looked at.From an adult perspective, there are probably better role models for young girls than the unrealistic (for most) dream of making it big in music. And even as a child, I probably wouldn't have identified much with this pair.But I'm sure lots of little girls *do* cherish fantasies of being the next Beyoncé or Taylor Swift, and it's not really much different to the many mermaids and Disney princesses.Barbie has come a long way since my day, being much more inclusive, with varying ethnicities and body types, and even some disabled models. So it's no surprise to find a black girl represented here.These are rated for ages 3 to 12. I've struggled to understand what determines the age ratings for the many different Barbies. Personally, I think 3 would be a bit young for these (a tour manager is unlikely to be a recognizable profession to the under-fives, although pop star/musician might be). 12, meanwhile, is probably a bit too old, depending on the maturity of the child. Unless, like me, you're an adult who missed out earlier in life, or are a collector!If buying for display, it's worth noting the dolls can't stand up on their own, so you'll need either to display them in the package or on some sort of dedicated stand. It's also worth noting that once removed from the packaging, you won't be able to replace the dolls as they were, because they have retaining cords and tabs that you have to break to get them out. Children won't mind, but adult collectors might!One final thought: these dolls have two very different body-types. Yes, it's a bonus-point for inclusivity, but what happens if you want to buy extra clothes for them? Instead of being able to buy any outfit for any Barbie, do you now have to fuss about whether it's her size?

This is a fun Barbie set. I like the fact that you get a singer and her manager as a child can create lots of scenes with these two characters. The clothes and accessories were a big hit.

I got this set for my 9-year-old daughter, who’s a big Barbie fan and loves playing rockstars, often creating her own Taylor Swift-inspired stories. This "Career of the Year" set is a great addition to her collection, as it includes both a Music Star and a Tour Manager Barbie, along with fun accessories that fit perfectly with her imaginative play.The dolls themselves are well-made and feel sturdy, with bright, vibrant outfits that really pop. My daughter especially loved the sparkly pink dress and matching knee-high boots on the Music Star Barbie, it immediately became her favourite! The Tour Manager doll adds a nice touch with her mix of professional and glam style, complete with shiny pink trousers.The accessories, like the microphone and guitar, add to the fun, although they feel a bit plain compared to the dolls' standout outfits. A little extra detail on the guitar or walkie-talkie would’ve been nice. Still, they’re functional and work well in pretend play scenarios.One of the best parts is how easy the dolls are to unbox and handle. The clothes are stretchy and simple to change, which is always a bonus when kids are constantly swapping outfits during play. The dolls' hair is well-rooted and looks lovely, with two-tone curls that my daughter keeps brushing and styling.How I rate the products:5 stars: Performs perfectly, as advertised, and exceeds expectations in quality, functionality, or presentation.4 stars: Works well but may have minor flaws, slight deviations from the description, or issues with packaging. Still a good purchase.3 stars: Adequate product that works but lacks standout features or quality. Feels average in performance or design.2 stars: Subpar product with noticeable flaws, poor quality, or questionable durability. Usable but disappointing.1 star: Arrived broken, unusable, or completely fails to meet its intended purpose.