Mattel laid off famous Barbie designer, Bill Greening
And it is important to collectors and anyone who cares about creative work within a corporate world
Bill Greening started designing playline Barbie dolls—in other words, the dolls intended for children with uncapped production levels—in 1999.
Fast forward about 26 years, and he has moved on to create Barbie dolls aimed primarily at collectors. Along the way, he has created some of the most coveted dolls.
But, only four days after Mattel’s CEO Ynon Kreiz announced to investors that Mattel was in its strongest position in years, the company filed its WARN notice. A WARN notice is required by the state of California for companies who are about to undergo mass layoffs.
Mattel employs 34,000 worldwide, and laid off 120 of them this past week. Notably, they hired about 1000 people in 2023.
A few questions:
Now, did Greening get the slip because he’s paid more than what Mattel is willing to pay? Perhaps. A newer designer could be paid less for the same job. This is an age old problem in the working world of W2 income. And since companies always value their bottom line first, employees have learned to value ye ol’ side gig.
Will Greening be missed because he does tend to have a signature look that longtime collectors love? Yes.
Will Greening be able to make a name for himself at a new company or venture? Yes. Though, that also depends on what kind of agreement Greening signed.
Will Greening be able to look at his substantial body of work and be proud? Absolutely.
Let’s take a look at his body of work, starting with his first doll that sold on shelves in 2000. Note that though his first doll was available for sale in 2000, he likely started working on it in early 1999.
Why? Because the design and production process takes up to 18 months. The initial idea, approvals, production, design, packaging, and shipment all add to the timeline.
Of course, this also means that Barbie dolls that Bill Greening has designed haven’t even hit the shelves yet, so he has more to come for collectors, even after he no longer officially works there.
With all that said, for now, here’s a running list—it will get updated as research continues to fill this out:
Oh, and it would be a great idea if you subscribe now—you’ll know as soon as this list is updated with his work.
List of Barbie dolls designed by Bill Greening
2000
Cool Clips Barbie (Christie and Teresa)
2001
Rock and Roll Rapunzel Divine Design/ project
Angel food Auction doll (see Barbie Bazaar June 2001)
Jam and Glam Barbie (Teresa and Christie) / Barbie
Bazaar cover Aug 2001
Rose Princess Barbie and Rose Prince Ken
Picture Pockets Barbie (Christie, Teresa, And Kira)
2002
Queen of the Black Widow Spiders Dream
Halloween Auction Doll (See Barbie Bazaar April 2002)
Rapunzel Barbie as Rapunzel (2nd Barbie movie)
Rapunzel Ken as Prince Stephan (2nd Barbie movie)
Rapunzel Tommy as the Lil'Prince (2nd Barbie movie)
Fashion Photo Barbie (Christie and Kayla)
Barbie Bazaar cover April 2002
Dream Glow Barbie
2003
Barbie Loves Sponge Bob Sqaurepants #1 (yellow face shirt
Movie Star Barbie (Christie and Teresa)
Secret Style Barbie
Fruit Style Barbie (Christie and Kayla with Child size belt)
2004
Barbie doll's TV Variety Show Auction doll set for 2004 Barbie convention
Princess and Pauper Barbie Princess Anneliese (4th Barbie movie)
Princess and Pauper Barbie as Pauper Erika (4th Barbie movie)
Princess and Pauper Ken as King Dominick (4th Barbie movie)
Barbie as Catwoman (movie version)
Barbie DC Heroes Wonder Woman / Batgirl / Supergirl
Barbie and Spongebob (Surfn' style)
Barbie and Patrick Starfish (Surfn' style)
Kelly and Tommy as Scooby Doo gang (Daphne, Velma, Fred, and Shaggy)
Barbie as Daphne #3 (Monsters Unleashed wearing poncho)
2005
Barbie Loves Benetton Paris, Stockholm, New York, London, Helsinki
Magic of Pegasus Prince Aidan
Magic of Pegasus Brietta
2006
Collector Vintage Reproductions-
Stacey Nite Lightning
All that Jazz Barbie 45th Anniversary Ken
45th Anniversary Barbie and Ken Dream Date gift set
Career Girl Barbie
Made for Each Other Barbie Barbie Diaries-Barbie, Courtney, Tia, Raquelle Barbie loves Benetton-St Tropez, Ibiza, Osaka, Melbourne, Capri
Barbie loves Elmo
2007
Wizard of Oz—Dorothy
Wizard of Oz—Glinda the Good Witch
Wizard of Oz—Wicked Witch of the West
Wizard of Oz—Scarecrow
Wizard of Oz—Tinman
Wizard of Oz—Cowardly Lion
Wizard of Oz—Winkie Guard and Flying Monkey gift set
Wizard of Oz—Munchkins Gift set
Birthstone Beauties
Hello Kitty Barbie
New Pivotal Jazz Baby Barbie collection
2007 Angel
Bob Mackie Cher 70's, 80's, Farewell Tour Vintage reproductions-Dream house series
Barbie Learns to Cook
Sleepytime Gal
Evening Gala
Barbie and Skipper Knitting Pretty gift set
Red White and Warm Barbie and Christie dolls Dallas Darlin' 2007 National Barbie doll Collector Convention
Jazz Baby Grande Dame OOAK for 2007 National Barbie doll Collector Convention
2008
Grease Sandy Cheerleader
Grease Rizzo Pink Ladies
Grease Frenchy Beauty School Drop Out
Grease Cha-Cha Thunder road
Grease Sandy Dance-off
Grease Rizzo Dance-off
Grease Frenchy Dance Off
Grease Cha-Cha Dance Off
Grease-Marti Dance Off
My Melody
Hello Kitty #2
DC Hero Supergirl
DC Hero Batgirl
DC Hero Black Canary
Dc Hero Wonder Woman
Speed Racer Gift set
Wilma and Betty Gift Set
Pebbles and Bam Bam Gift set
Gorgeous Greetings (4 dolls)
Campus Sweetheart Vintage Repro Barbie and Ken Campus Spirit gift set
Midge and Allan Campus Sweetshop gift set
The Birds
Tarina Taratino
2009
My Favorite Barbie doll 1959 Original Teenage Fashion Model
My Favorite Barbie doll 1962 Bubblecut
My Favorite Barble doll 1967 Twist and Turn Barbie
My Favorite Barbie doll 1971 Malibu
My Favorite Barbie doll 1977 Superstar
My Favorite Barbie doll 1986 Rocker
Becky Most Mod Party gift set
Julia Repro
Pop Life- Barbie, Christie, Kelley, Ken Wizard of OZ Musical Dolls-Dorothy, Glinda, Wicked Witch of the West, Scarecrow, Tinman, Cowardly Lion
Star Trek- Kirk, Spock, Uhura
Wedding Day Barbie and Ken repro gift set
Sparkling Pink repro gift set
2009 Convention Voyage in Vintage
2009 Convention Red White and Beautiful
2010
Barbie Basics dolls Little Black Dress (1 & 1.5)
Barbie Basics accessories packs (collection (1 &1.5)
Barbie Basics Target Dolls and accessories (Red) Vintage Oz Dorothy, Glinda & Wicked Witch Charlie's Angles Kelly dolls Flashdance Barbie doll
Ladies of the 80's Debbie Harry
Ladies of the 80's Joan Jett
Ladies of the 80's Cyndi Lauer
My Favorite Barbie Swirl Ponytail
My Favorite Barbie Black Barbie
My Favorite Barbie Peaches and Cream
My Favorite Barbie with Lifelike Bendable legs
My Favorite Barbie and Her Wig Wardrobe
My Favorite Barbie Vintage Careers
2011
My Favorite Ken doll 1961
Dynasty Alexis
Dynasty Krystle
Lucy and Ricky giftset
Barbie Basics Dolls collection 2 Denim
Barbie Basics accessories packs collection 2
Goddess of the Galaxy
Farrah Fawcett
Barbie Basics collection 2.5 dolls and accessories
Target Basics (White Denim)
Tokidoki Barbie
Halloween Haunt Holiday Hostess BFC exclusive
In the Swim gift set Barbie con exclusive
Green Lantern Carol Ferris (SDCC exclusive)
2012
Barbie Basics 3.0 Swim Dolls Barbie Basics 3.0 Swim Packs
Happy Holidays 2012
Yuletide Yummies: Holiday Hostess Series
Let's Play Barbie Vintage Reproductions
Hunger Games Katniss
Empress of the Aliens The Blonds Barbie doll
Tim Gunn Barbie dolls and fashions
Haunted Beauty Ghost
Passport to Pink Twilight Jasper
2013
Barbie Look dolls and fashions
Barbie Look wardrobe
Barbie and Midge 50th gift set
Vintage Ken as Batman
Vintage Barbie as Catwoman Malibu Barbie by Trina Turk
Twilight Dr. Cullen
Twilight Esme Cullen
Queen of the Constellations
Haunted Beauty Vampire
Hunger Games Catching Fire Katinss
Hunger Games Catching Fire Peeta
Hunger Games Catching Fire Effie
Hunger Games Catching Fire Finnick
Blonds Blond Gold
Holiday Hostess Happy New Year
2014
Barbie Look Red Carpet dolls 50th Anniversary Skipper doll
Haunted Beauty Mistress of the Manor
Holiday Hostess Cupids Kisses
Faraway Forrest Elf
Divergent Tris and Four
Double Date Gift Set
Hunger Games Catching Fire Dolls (Katniss, Effie, Finnick, Peeta)
Barbie Teenage Fashion Model Black and White
Swimsuit
It's a Girl
2015
Barbie Look City Shine Dolls
Willows, WI - Cherry Pie Picnic
Holiday Hostess-Shamrock Celebration
Toki Doki 10th Anniversary Gold and Platinum dolls
Faraway Forrest Lady of White Woods Faraway Forrest Queen of Dark Forrest
Superstar Forever Golden Dream
Willows Wi Homecoming Queen
Insurgent Tris
Hunger Games Mockingjay (Katniss, Gale, Peeta)
Haunted Beauty Zombie Bride
2016
Faraway Forrest Water Sprite
#BarbieLook - Urban Jungle, Sweet Tea, Evening Out
#Barbie Look- Music Festival, Party Perfect
Batman
Superman
Wonder Woman
Amazon Princess Wonder Woman
Star Trek Kirk, Spock, Uhura
Star Trek Vina
Francie 50th Anniversary
Willows, WI Soda Shop
2017
Totally Hair 25th anniversary
#Barbie Look Park Pretty and Pool Party
Faraway Forrest King of Crystal Caves
Convention Couture
Wonder Woman (Black Label)
Queen Hippolyta (Black Label)
Antiope (Black Label)
Wonder Woman Steve Trevor and Diana Gift Set
Hair Fair 50th Anniversary
2017 NBDCC doll Golden Galaxy
1962 Barbie Dreamhouse
#Barbie Look Dazzling Date and Happy Hipster Convention Couture International convention dolls
Justice League Wonder Woman
Justice League Mera
2018
Amelia Earhart
Tomb Raider
Day to Night Reproduction
Faraway Forrest Giftset
Barbie and Mod friend's giftset
Dr. Who
X Files Mulder & Scully
Unicorn Goddess
Wicked Glinda and Elephaba
Striking in Stripes Blonde and Brunette convention dolls
2019
60th Sparkles Platinum Blonde and Brunette
Toy Story 4 Barbie
Busy Gal Reproduction
Keith Haring
Holiday Barbie
Marvel Storm
Marvel Phoenix
Marvel Mystique
2020
Mattel 75th Anniversary Silkstone
Black Barbie 40th Anniversary
Black Widow 2 dolls
75th Dreamhouse
Top Gun Barbie
Wonder Woman 1984 Giftset
Convention Silkstone
2021
Ken 60th Anniversary
Crystal Collection Amethyst
Malibu Barbie giftset
Doctor Barbie repro
Superstar Christie Repro
Lucille Ball
Brownette Bubblecut
Barbie Looks (9 dolls)
Mattel Creations Clear Barbie
Birthday Beau Convention dolls (3)
2022
Barbie Looks (10 thru 12)
Black Francie repro