Barbie first arrived in 1959 wearing non-glam clothes. The modern Barbie wears Armani and chic 'working woman' outfits as well as frothy lingerie, and even has her own beauty salon. Whether you collect for fun or for profit, there are three ways to collect Barbie: Vintage Barbie, Collector Editions and Pink Box. Whichever collection you choose, you should buy a Barbie because you love the doll.

Vintage Barbie

These dolls are auctioned for thousands of dollars. The term vintage refers to pre-1972. You have to seek out not just the dolls, but their outfits and accessories: their clothes had silk linings and fashion labels, they had gloves, jewellery and immaculate shoes and handbags. A vintage Barbie in mint condition, like Easter Parade, Roman Holiday or Gay Parisienne can fetch from $1,000 upwards at auction. The vintage collectors like to examine each doll carefully, looking for missing hairs or eyelashes, broken fingers are any other flaws, which could reduce the doll's value. It is essential to check the manufacturer's markings on the back of the doll, and to remember that pre-1973 dolls were made in Japan, USA, Mexico and Taiwan. A doll coming from any of these countries tells you instantly she's a vintage.

Collector Edition of Barbie

The Barbies in the Collector Edition family are designed with a careful and minute attention to detail. Often their ensembles are hand-sewn and beaded and their make-up and hairstyles carefully created. These Barbies are designed to be displayed, so they have elaborate packaging to serve as a display showcase. Each doll also has a certificate of authenticity. Every year there are a number of limited editions produced, but no more than 35,000 are sold worldwide.

Pink Box Barbie

These Barbies can be played with! Some Pink Box collectors try to forecast which dolls may be valuable in the future. They look for dolls which are a little different, perhaps with an accessory or make-up which is eye-catching or detailed.

Another way in which smart collectors gain value is by trying to predict which Barbies will be played with most - and so most likely to be damaged. The remaining unharmed Barbies will then have rarity value.

Top Tips for Collectors

Learn all you can about Barbies: read books and magazines about them

Keep dolls in their packaging - even buy two of each doll, one to play with and one to keep

Join your local Collectors Club

Keep an eye out for dolls with face paint, hair or fabric which is a bit different

Make sure Barbie's delicate clothes and accessories are laundered or cleaned carefully.