Happy 50th Birthday...

...to one of the greatest style icons of our time: Barbara Millicent Roberts.

Barbie was first introduced in her famous black and white swimsuit in 1959 and is still the best selling toy in the world, according to the market research company NDP Group. The first Barbie had a ponytail and came with a stand, sunglasses and black open toe shoes. She made her debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9th, 1959 - hence her birthday!

Researching this post I got far too excited about the clothes that Barbie has worn. (Yeah, alright. Excited and jealous.)

I love this special edition re-creation of the original 1959 fashion Gay Parisienne polka dot dress in one of my biggest obsession colours, navy blue. Accessories include a faux pearl necklace, golden velvety clutch, veiled headband hat, navy open-toe shoes and that faux fur stole, of course. Amazing.

Loving these 80s New Romantic Barbies. Check those thigh high boots and rounded shoulders. Very now, no?

Southern Belle Barbie: too pretty!
 


 

And for those up-coming nupitals to Ken, Bridal Barbie in Vera Wang! Chantilly lace and origami-pleated organza, direct from the Vera Wang Luxe 2008 Bridal Collection. Seriously, this is one spoilt doll.

But my favourite is definitely this beautiful blue Zac Posen creation.

From the press release: "Barbie® doll wears a sweeping, belted violet blue gown of pleated china silk with a golden armband. Ken® doll is outfitted as the quintessential designer, wearing jeans, a pintucked tuxedo shirt, and shantung silk jacket. The studio “set” is crammed with bolts of fabric, sewing notions, bulletin board with pinned inspiration and the final must-have accessory: Zac’s own best friend, his black dog Tina."

The attention to detail is astonishing. And insane, a little.

Although her look today is instantly recognisable, Barbie's appearance has been tweaked many times over the 50 years. In 1971 the doll's eyes were adjusted to look forwards rather than the demure sideways glance of the original model. In 1997 Barbie's body mold was redesigned from her previous 36-18-33 (ouch) and given a wider waist, with  company Mattel saying that this would make the doll better suited to contemporary fashion designs.

And although this was a photoshop rather than a real doll, I love the slightly more accurate representation of how Barbie should be looking by now. Still beautiful!

How do you feel about Barbie? Do her ridiculously implausible measurements give the wrong ideas to impressionable children? Or do you see her as a harmless bit of fashion fun? Let me know what you think. (Also let me know if you can recreate that Zac Posen dress for me for cheap, seriously!)

Comments

[fritha louise]

I love Barbie - those 80s ones are fantastic aren't they? I had loads of Barbies growing up, and they certainly never gave me any warped ideas about body shape.

[dnai]

Wrong ideas to impressionable children?

Actually, I'm just gonna leave that there..

_

[RoxyBlue]

Barbie got me into fashion. I used to save up my allowance to buy Barbie balldresses.

[couture charms]

Barbie Dolls have been a part of almost every children life. It was me and my cousins favorite toy with those doll and doll house collection. For those 50 years, Dolls also been produce in a much beautiful and fashionable dolls.