{"id":3208,"date":"2026-03-12T23:08:06","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T23:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plumvillageproductions.com\/?p=3208"},"modified":"2026-04-16T19:00:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T19:00:51","slug":"doll-review-and-comparison-barbie-signature-lunar-new-year-2026-and-holiday-barbie-signature-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plumvillageproductions.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/12\/doll-review-and-comparison-barbie-signature-lunar-new-year-2026-and-holiday-barbie-signature-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Doll Review And Comparison – Barbie Signature Lunar New Year 2026, And Holiday Barbie Signature 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dolls have been whispering about new friends in the studio… and how spring is a season of new beginnings, of flowers blooming and nature reawakening. They say it’s the perfect time to introduce two new members of the Doll Family, who are all ready for adventure with their bright smiles and floral gowns.<\/p>\n

So here they are! Please welcome\u2026 Peony and Tia! Also known as Barbie Signature Lunar New Year 2026, and Holiday Barbie Signature 2022.<\/p>\n

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They\u2019re the first two Barbie dolls to join the Doll Family. As a kid, I wasn\u2019t really enthusiastic about Barbies, because they weren\u2019t huggable or soft. Something about them seemed far removed from reality… maybe because I couldn\u2019t relate to any of them.<\/p>\n

So, why the sudden change? What steered the direction of doll collecting this way?<\/p>\n

Or rather\u2026 who?<\/p>\n

The same person who has introduced me to numerous doll lines over the years: my mother. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t know Barbie had a Signature line for collectors. I thought they all still looked the same. Then in February, Mom discovered the Barbie Signature Lunar New Year Doll 2026. We were both intrigued.<\/p>\n

Shortly after, Mom spotted the Holiday Barbie 2022 doll, who surprisingly hadn\u2019t sold out\u2026 and we were doubly intrigued.<\/p>\n

Now here they are!<\/p>\n

Both dolls are part of the Barbie Signature Black Label line, four years apart. (Technically three, because Mattel announced the CNY doll in 2025, and the labeling on the box shows 2025. But for the purpose of this review, I\u2019ll leave it at four. \ud83d\ude42 ) Both dolls have the Model Muse body, which isn\u2019t fully articulated, but can be swapped for the Made To Mode (MTM) body type.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m excited to see how expressive these dolls are in stop motion, and which other doll(s) they can share clothes with.<\/p>\n

First, here\u2019s an in-depth look at the box opening process! I’ve posted the dolls’ unboxing videos on my YouTube channel, @PlumVillageProductions, which is included at the end of this blog article. I post these videos on TikTok and Instagram as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe for more doll collecting content and whimsical adventures! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Please note:<\/strong> I\u2019m not affiliated with Mattel in any way. All points made are based on my own research, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own. I do my best to check doll specs and info, but if I make any mistakes regarding names of sculpt(s) or any other specifics, please let me know! I\u2019m completely new to the world of Barbie dolls\u2026 these two are my starting point.<\/p>\n

SEE ALSO: Doll Review \u2014 Mia By Ruby Red Galleria<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n

Doll Review: Barbie Signature Lunar New Year Doll 2026<\/h1>\n

Let\u2019s start with the Lunar New Year 2026 doll, designed by Joyce Chen.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at the box, designed by Laydiana Chiv. The front of the box is adorned with peonies, as well as the Barbie Signature label:<\/p>\n

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The sides of the box also have peonies, and a more prominent gold pattern that resembles Chinese gates in courtyards and imperial palaces:<\/p>\n

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At the back, the box shows the description of Barbie Lunar New Year, highlighted by more peonies:<\/p>\n

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The structure of the box is very well thought out. The red part of the box has a unique opening at the top, similar to Chinese style packaging. It’s more obvious in the fifth photo below:<\/p>\n

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The inner gold flaps of the box fold upward, and the rest of the packaging slides right out in one piece.<\/p>\n

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Peony’s dress and shawl are stapled to the box with plastic tags\u2026 I tried to be very careful when cutting the tags, but there are still indents in the fabric of her dress and shawl that probably won\u2019t go away. From a distance it\u2019s barely noticeable:<\/p>\n

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The top part of Peony’s doll stand is placed right beneath her left hand.<\/p>\n

At the back, her Certificate of Authenticity and doll stand base are packaged in clear plastic and taped near the bottom. Plastic sliding tabs hold her arms and torso in place:<\/p>\n

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There are also softer plastic tabs holding her heels in place:<\/p>\n

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Here she is out of the box!<\/p>\n

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Peony is the first member of the Doll Family with side-glancing eyes, and I really love how expressive she is! At first I thought that she\u2019d be mostly looking away from the camera, but from certain angles she looks quite alive, as though she’s constantly thinking about something.<\/p>\n

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Here’s a closeup of her heels:<\/p>\n

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From the back, there\u2019s thread securing her hair to the plastic molded piece:<\/p>\n

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Even after all the plastic is cut away, there are three plastic tags remaining in the back of her head. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s possible to completely remove them.<\/p>\n

Peony’s hair is deep dark brown, layered and smooth, without any crinkles from packaging:<\/p>\n

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Another piece of softer plastic is secured around her waist:<\/p>\n

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And another around her left wrist:<\/p>\n

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Her peony-print gown and pleated peplum bodice are one piece, attached at the back with velcro. The bodice is tighter than it appears:<\/p>\n

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I kept hearing a crinkly plastic sound around Peony’s dress, and it turns out there’s a layer of plastic underneath… probably to prevent staining or dye transfer. It is tightly molded around her torso, so the only way to remove the plastic is to cut it. For the time being, I’ll leave it in place.<\/p>\n

There are also soft plastic ties around her right wrist:<\/p>\n

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I was really curious about Peony’s golden bangle on her right arm\u2026 or what I thought was a bangle. It turns out to be more of a bracelet, as there\u2019s a wide gap visible from the back:<\/p>\n

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The bracelet is quite tight against her arm. I tried sliding it down to her wrist, and it fell off because the bracelet is much wider than her wrist \u2014 so I guess it has to stay higher up on her arm, even though the promotional photos show otherwise. Oh well.<\/p>\n

Surprisingly, there are adhesives attached to Peony’s left hand and upper arm, to keep the shawl in place:<\/p>\n

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Her golden shawl is made of a stiffer material than her gown, and is not lined. (Have to be really careful not to snag it on anything, especially velcro.)<\/p>\n

Here’s the base of her doll stand, taped together with the CoA:<\/p>\n

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And Peony’s certificate:<\/p>\n

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Also, here\u2019s the upper part of her doll stand (I didn’t realize I was holding it upside-down):<\/p>\n

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Now let’s take a look at Peony’s gown. It’s designed with peony print, and is quite soft, with peplum pleats at the front of the bodice. I find the style of this ensemble rather interesting. It\u2019s a modern twist, unlike a traditional qipao or cheongsam:<\/p>\n

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I like how the bottom half of the skirt flares out at the knee \u2014 it\u2019s single-layer, and though it isn\u2019t lined, it gives the impression of a lot of depth. Reading Joyce Chen\u2019s Instagram post, she mentions that it\u2019s meant to resemble the style of a horse dress \u2014 fitting for the Year of the Fire Horse.<\/p>\n

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There\u2019s also a plastic disc between each ear and peony earring \u2014 probably also to prevent staining. (I left it in place for the video. I know it looks a little silly, but her earrings are tight against her ears, so making sure it doesn\u2019t cause staining for now.)<\/p>\n

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Now time to unbox the next doll, Tia! \ud83d\ude42<\/strong><\/p>\n

Doll Review \u2014 Holiday Barbie Signature 2022<\/h1>\n

The front of Tia’s box is designed with poinsettias in opposite corners. I think having a green background for the inner packaging was a smart choice, as it really brings out the red of her gown:<\/p>\n

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Here are closeups of the poinsettia designs:<\/p>\n

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The back of the box showcases all four Holiday Barbie dolls from 2022. I like how Mattel is creating more diverse dolls with each series:<\/p>\n

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Tia’s box is a bit crumpled in one corner, and torn in the other \u2014 disappointing for resellers, but I\u2019m not too worried about it. These dolls are meant to be out of the box anyway. And to be fair, she\u2019s probably been in the warehouse for much longer than Peony.<\/p>\n

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Tia couldn’t wait to leap out of her box:<\/p>\n

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Most of the packaging is the same for both Barbie dolls:<\/p>\n

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One difference is that Tia’s doll stand is packaged near her feet, away from view:<\/p>\n

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It’s identical to Peony’s:<\/p>\n

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Unlike Peony, Tia’s Certificate of Authenticity is\u2026 wrinkled. It feels like regular paper, so I understand why the material on the CoA is thicker for the 2026 doll than the 2022 doll. Customers \/ resellers \/ collectors probably complained about it:<\/p>\n

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Tia’s gown also had little plastic tags holding it in place:<\/p>\n

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“At last!” Tia exclaimed, as soon as she emerged from the main packaging. “Which way is the party?”<\/p>\n

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Expression-wise, Tia has a confident smile with more prominent makeup. She has the Olivia face mold and looks more Asian than Peony. Tia also has purple eyeshadow and pearl earrings (no plastic discs \u2014 perhaps it was a subsequent decision by Mattel?).<\/p>\n

Tia also has red fingernails:<\/p>\n

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She really looks delighted to be out of her box! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

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Her hair is styled in a sleek ponytail, away from her face. It’s also layered and looks fairly even.<\/p>\n

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I like the fact that both dolls have hair that isn\u2019t overly styled. Collectors or resellers may be disappointed, but personally I think it\u2019s easier to maintain the dolls\u2019 hair if it\u2019s loose like this:<\/p>\n

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Tia has the same plastic hair tags in the back of her head, which aren\u2019t fully removable either.<\/p>\n

Here’s a closeup of her red heels:<\/p>\n

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Her gown is designed by Angel Kent, and definitely resembles a poinsettia!<\/p>\n

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It has a lot of volume, with four layers, including tulle:<\/p>\n

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And now for group photos!<\/h1>\n

These two look like sisters, all ready for a spring tea party!<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s interesting how the details of their eyes are painted differently (or is it stamped?):<\/p>\n

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Stay tuned for more adventures with the Doll Family!<\/h3>\n

Watch the unboxing videos below:<\/p>\n