Bibi- bo: The Sweetest Doll in The World

Bibi- Bo's most famous slogan was "The sweetest in the world". This slogan was used in both Greek TV commercials and printed materials during the 1980s to emphasize the doll's friendly demeanor and characteristic large blue eyes. Today's doll spotlight is very close to my heart. It's a story about a mediterranean icon, a lucky secondhand find, and a passion for ballerinas that started decades ago. Today, we are looking at the Greek legend Bibi- Bo. 

Bibi- Bo was born in 1980, created by the greek company El Greco. For those who don't know her, she was Greece´s answer to Barbie, but with a distinctly European soul. I think one reason she is so mysterious to collectors today is her limited time in the spotlight. She reigned supreme during the 1980s, but after Hasbro acquired El Greco in 1990, her production soon came to an end. Information is scarce, and finding her outside of Greece is always a bit of a treasure hunt. 

My own journey with Bibi- Bo began quite unexpectedly a few years ago. I found my first doll at a local secondhand shop. At the time, I didn't know anything about her history, but I was drawn to her sweet face. As a Sindy doll collector, I noticed immediately that she had a very similar body type. My intuition told me she was something special, so I brought her home. That lucky find was my introduction to the world of Bibi- Bo. After discovering the history of Bibi- Bo, I began actively searching for a second doll. I eventually found her on a Swedish auction site, and she is a beautiful ballerina. For those of you who have followed my story, you know that my entire passion for dolls started back in 1979. I remember seeing a ballerina on a toy shop shelf. It was a Sindy ballerina and that was the start. Finding this Bibi- Bo ballerina felt like a full circle moment. She connects my very first doll memory from 1979 with my current fascination for these rare Greek treasures. Even though she is a  different brand, she carries that same magic that captured my heart as a child. Bibi- Bo is often called the Greek Sindy and you can see why. They share an elegance and a certain girl next door charm. 

But Bibi- Bo stands on her own with her high quality craftsmanship and that specific 80s nostalgia. She represents a time when local toy companies created something truly unique for their own markets. To find two of them here in Sweden, one by pure luck and one by destiny is what makes doll collecting so rewarding. 

Let's go into a bit of a timeline. 1980 to 1981, launch and early years. Bibi- Bo is introduced to the Greek market by toy manufacturer El Greco. Created as a local competitor to Barbie, she quickly became Greece's most popular fashion doll. The dolls of the first period 1980 to 1987 are characterized by a face with large eyes and a more European style compared to later versions. 

The grand time was 1982 to 1985. The doll's popularity grows and the range is expanded with accessories such as calendars and clothing sets. Bibi- Bo is intensely marketed through TV commercials on Greek channels and the concept expands into other medias. LPs and cassettes with titles such as Bibi- Bo in space and Bibi- Bo rockers are released. During this period, her boyfriend John- John first called John Tzon, also introduced as a counterpart to Barbie´s Ken and Sindy´s Paul. 

1988 to 1990. Story is that after a fire, the American toy company Hasbro begins to buy up parts of El Greco. Under Hasbro's influence, the doll undergoes a design change. She is given  a new look, often with darker features and a more international look, similar to contemporary fashion dolls.

 1991, end of production. After Hasbro took over completely, it was decided that Bibi- Bo would be phased out. 

Today, Bibi- Bo is a sought after collector's item, especially the early versions from the first period and the rare sets!