Barbie – The Most Popular Fashion Doll of All Time

Barbie, a fashion doll, was first introduced by Mattel in 1959. The creation of Barbie is credited to American businesswoman Ruth Handler, who was inspired by a German doll called Bild Lilli. Handler imagined a doll that was more human-like and had more realistic features than the original. Handler used her background in marketing to create the doll that has become a household name. Here are some interesting facts about Barbie.

The earliest incarnation of Barbie was made of cloth, and the first dolls were called Barbara and Ken. Later, Mattel introduced “friend” dolls which were not Caucasian. Mattel introduced colored Barbies in the 1960s, including Francie and Christie. Although Barbie’s first Barbie was an African American Barbie, other ethnicities did not appear prominently in the Barbie universe. In the 1980s, Mattel introduced an African-American Barbie and a Latina Barbie.

This doll is the most loved fashion doll ever. Her story is unique. Ruth Handler based her body after the doll Lilli which was a popular gag gift for bachelor parties. Ruth named Barbie after Barbara, her daughter. In the early days of Barbie’s life, Ruth Handler received a lot of mockery from male competitors at the New York Toy Fair. They laughed at her creation, as “no one would like to play with a doll that has breasts.” She later changed the name of Barbie.

Since Barbie’s first release, the cult of Barbie has caused controversy. In a 1958 Mattel-sponsored market study, mothers complained that Barbie was “too figure-shaped.” As a result, Mattel began advertising directly to children through television. In 1955, Mattel became the first toy company to broadcast advertisements to children. And the controversy continues to simmer as the popularity of Barbie grows. So, what does it mean for the future of the Barbie doll?

While the doll has remained a popular collectible in the past, it continues to grow in popularity. Collectors are eager to purchase old Barbies, as well as special editions. Barbie is still selling for more than a billion dollars each year. Mattel estimates that Barbies are sold every two seconds worldwide. This number is growing daily. There are so many ways to value Barbie, and a few simple techniques will help you determine its worth.

The 1960s saw America undergo radical social and political changes. Barbie changed with the times, becoming more’mod’ and accepting of women’s bodies and preferences. Barbie was now a fashion-forward housewife and her wardrobe was inspired by a TV star. Who doesn’t want to feel good? She had her own band in 1986, which gave rise to a second generation.

Many fashion designers have found inspiration in Barbie. Literally thousands of outfits have been created from Barbie’s black-and-white swimsuit. Mattel has collaborated with renowned fashion houses like Calvin Klein and Versace to create Barbie-inspired looks. Barbie inspired more than 50 “life-size fashion designers.” To name a few, Versace, Calvin Klein, Burberry and Burberry are all fashion designers.