Andrea Katelnikoff in front of some of her Barbies. In total, her collection features more than 3,500 dolls. (Halyna Mihalik/ 650 CKOM)

By Halyna Mihalik, CKOM News Staff

Saskatoon collector excited for ‘Barbie’ film

Jul 25, 2023 | 9:03 AM

Shelves filled with boxes of Barbie dolls line the entire top floor and basement of an avid collector’s home in Saskatoon.

With the new Barbie film already a major box office success, some are expecting the doll’s popularity to see a resurgence, but Andrea Katelnikoff is already living in her own Barbie world.

“Saskatoon’s got a lot of Barbie collectors,” said Katelnikoff. “I think it’s just going to make everyone crazy again.”

Katelnikoff’s home has more than 3,500 Barbie dolls, many from rare sets and collections.

She has the entire collection of the “Barbie Around the World” series, featuring Barbies of different nationalities in their traditional clothing. Her expansive collection also features all of the Holiday Barbie dolls.

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“I had five brothers and three sons, and I happened to go down the Barbie aisle in ’85 and I saw a bride one,” said Katelnikoff. “That’s all I wanted for Christmas, and that’s where it started.”

From there, her collection grew each year.

Katelnikoff’s two-storey home originally had Barbies throughout the basement and in every room of the main floor. She said it’s something that always has always brought her joy.

After a health scare years ago, Katelnikoff said she and her husband decided to put more effort into what sparked happiness for her. Their home was renovated to add a third level, which is reserved for the collection.

(Halyna Mihalik/ 650 CKOM)

“Our little great-granddaughter, when she comes here, we have to block off all the trails to the Barbie(s) because she just goes crazy,” said Katelnikoff.

Although her collection, which features many expensive, vintage dolls, isn’t meant to be played with by Katelnikoff’s grandchildren, she said she has set up a whole Barbie play area for them downstairs.

There were many dolls, sets and a “dream house” on the playroom floor. Although Katelnikoff apologized for the mess of pink, it was the only area in the home where the dolls weren’t carefully and alphabetically organized on shelves. The played-with dolls on the floor were a sign of children who shared the same love of Barbie as their grandmother.

“I used to tell people – even in stores sometimes – if a little girl wanted something to get a Barbie. She’s so beautiful,” said Katelnikoff.

Katelnikoff said she was pleased with Margot Robbie playing the title character in the new film, and hopes more people begin collecting the dolls too after they see it in theatres. She said she wants others to experience the joy the dolls can provide.

“I’m at the point now that I’ve got so many that I’m a little more fussier than I was a few years ago with what I buy,” said Katelnikoff.

Katelnikoff said she is looking forward to seeing the film for herself, and is even planning on dressing up for the occasion.

“I have Barbie shirts that I wear on occasion and I might even take a Barbie purse,” said Katelnikoff.

Barbie opened Friday, and is playing now in many Saskatchewan theatres.