Icon of the Week: Barbara Millicent Roberts aka Barbie
Barbara Millicent Roberts aka Barbie has been a reflection of the times for decades, and always remains culturally relevant. Unapologetically distinct, she isn't trendy - she sets trends all by herself and is a muse to over 70 of the biggest names in fashion including Galliano and Versace. In conjunction with her 50th birthday, I thought it fitting we proclaim Barbie our Icon Of The Week.
If you're sniggering over her outfit, I'd like to point out that this was a 1986 model and in its time, was fashion forward. Besides, aren't we currently drooling over leggings, blazers and neon colours right now? :)
While Barbie is undoubtedly the best looking 50-year-old around (plastic is fantastic), she was also the best looking newborn. This is a 1959 model, the first Barbie doll ever created.
Created by Ruth Handler (co-founder of Mattel Creations), Barbie was conceptualized when Ruth watched her daugther Barbara playing with paper dolls and thought hey, there aren't any three-dimensional fashion dolls around!
Barbie didn't come cheap when she first came into the scene. Considering the average annual wage at the time was $5000 and a gallon of gas costed 25 cents, Barbie dolls were going for $3 each. Additional fashions based on the latest Paris trends ranged from $1 to $5. Nevertheless, Barbie was an instant hit - 300,000 Barbie dolls were sold in its first year of retail.
As the years went by, fashion evolved, but Barbie never shied away from makeovers to stay in step with the times. She channeled sophisticated glamour ala Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth and Elizabeth Taylor; glittery disco glam ala Charlie's Angels; and sunkissed Californian via Malibu Barbie who made her debut in 1971 (shown below).
Barbie has had enough revamps to make Madonna some humble pie. As the original billboard for girl power, Barbie not only looked pretty; she had aspirations to inspire little girls everywhere too! She's made many things in life fashionable, including being a flight attendant, astronaut, surgeon, basketball player, presidential candidate, Seaworld trainer and even American Idol winner!
Even Cynthia Rowley once said, "As a little girl, I spent countless hours playing with my Barbie dolls, even designing and sewing one-of-a-kind outfits for the doll - I guess you could say Barbie gave me my start as a designer."
While Barbie was always in touch with every pivotal moment in fashion and culture, she remained a girl's best friend throughout the ages. This effectively cements her iconic status in our books!
Speaking of Barbie, I went to the media event commemorating Barbie's 50th birthday last week at the children's department of Metrojaya, Mid Valley Megamall.
Some members of the press brought their little girls along for a field day. I wish I was taken to a Barbie event when I was young!
Truth be told, I wanted to sit and play too...
But more importantly, here's what I found out. If you liked any of the Barbies throughout the post, Mattel will be releasing these limited editions under the Time Capsule Collection.
So if you coveted the 1959 original teenage fashion model Barbie, the 1962 Brunette Bubble Cut Barbie, the 1967 Twist 'N Turn Barbie, the 1971 Malibu Barbie, the 1977 Superstar Babie, or the 1986 Barbie and the Rockers doll, they'll be available at selected departmental and toy stores this month at RM199.90 each.
I've got my eye on this one though. This gorgeous piece of work is the 50th Anniversary Barbie doll launched in conjunction with her 50th birthday. She'll be available in April at RM219.90.
If that gets you excited, there will also be a grand Barbie Birthday event at The Curve from 27th May to 14th June that will include games, activities, a Barbie Collector exhibition and special promotions.
Happy Birthday Barbie ;)
