Meet Barbie’s biggest fan… Woman, 34, has splashed out £55,000 on her doll collection and even DRESSES like her
Azusa Sakamoto loves Barbie so much she'd choose her collection over a man
EVERYONE needs a hobby, but one woman from Los Angeles has taken her love for Barbie to a whole new level.
Azusa Sakamoto is 34 but she’s never grown out of the plastic doll, which is why she’s splashed out a whopping £55,000 on Barbie merchandise.
Things began when Azusa was 15 and fell in love with a Barbie lunch box.
Fast forward 20 years, and her love for the pink toy is still going strong.
Her massive collection includes 145 dolls, 40 pairs of shoes and 60 bags, and Azusa has spent thousands on Barbie conventions, home furnishings and accessories too.
She even likes to be called Azusa Barbie by friends, and has dyed her hair pink in honour of her icon.
"I'm Barbie's biggest fan - everyone thinks I'm crazy but I don't care,” she laughed.
"Everything I own has to be Barbie, I absolutely love it.
"I've spent at least £55,000 on my collection of dolls, furniture, furnishings, clothes and trips.
"As soon as I get my next pay check I go online and buy even more.
"My whole house is covered in Barbie including my bedding, rugs, wall art, and if something isn't Barbie then I'll brand it myself with stickers and accessories.
"I even have my Barbie doll collection in glass cases in the living room as a main focal point and to keep them in a good condition.
"Every day I dress myself in Barbie clothes, my whole wardrobe and shelves are full with all the matching shoes, bags and nails.
"I also have Barbie cutlery, kitchenware, utensils as well as Barbie jewellery, creams and even underwear.
"I've just recently been to a Barbie Collectors Convention too which was amazing, it was a dream come true.
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"Everyone kept asking for photos and I was told I look like Barbie, but I'm not trying to be Barbie, I just love the brand."
Azusa is originally from Japan and works as a nail artist – she even designs manicures dedicated to the doll.
Her interest in Barbie began when she visited America as a teenager.
She spent all her money on that first lunch box, but won’t part with cash on just anything.
She is only interested in the proper shade of pink and the real brand – imitations won’t fly.
"I'm actually really fussy, I won't buy anything new unless the colour is pastel pink, Barbie pink or strawberry milkshake pink,” she said.
"My favourite Barbie item is my Movie Mixer Barbie doll, if I had to be a Barbie it would be her.
"I love her hair style, makeup, sophisticated outfit, and fascinating gaze.
"Barbie stuff is often associated with children but I definitely try to keep my style more grown up with a smart and stylish edge.
"The most expensive Barbie I've ever bought, the Namie Amuro Vidal Sasoon Barbie which is based on a famous pop singer from Japan, was worth over £900.”
Azusa has a boyfriend who’s a doctor in LA, and he’s supportive of her passion.
It’s a good job too, as she claims Barbie means so much to her she’d choose her collection over a man if it came down to it.
Barbie might be Azusa's hobby, but she has a way to go before she joins some women who have transformed themselves into a human version of the doll.