Who didn’t use to play by dolls when she was a little girl? I loved it and my favourite doll was the iconic Barbie. I have had a wide range of Barbies  since I was  6 years old.

And…well today it is the Barbie’s birthday. In fact the doll debuted in New York on 9th March 1959, sixty-two years ago. She was the first doll with adult proportions created by the US toy company Mattel. She was inspired by a German doll called Bild Lilli. When the President of the famous toy manufacturer Mattel:  Ruth Handler returned to US, he created Barbie (her name was inspired from her daughter Barbara) in two versions: blonde and brunette with also clothes, books, film and video games.

 

What has always impressed is that she, the doll, has always been represented  in every aspect – ethnicity, body type, types of fashion  so more children in the

world see themselves reflected in the brand.

 

Today Barbie has become much more than a doll, she’s an inspiration for all girls. On the positive side Barbie promoting female independence: she

has had more than two hundred jobs, from doctor to astronaut. Obviously, she’s also been criticized for being a negative role model for girls: she represents an unrealistic body ideal, for promoting sexism and for primarily appearing Caucasian.

In recent years she has been transformed to represent many different body types and ethnicities: the first blake Barbie dolls dates back to the late 60s.

The new Barbie Fashionista dolls came in three body types: petite, tall and curvy with seven skin tones. Other three female heroes were included: American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, African-American mathematician Katherine Johnson and Mexican artist Frida Khalo.

To minimize gender differences, other additions include Barbies with disabilities, while a new doll representing the skin condition vitiligo.

 

I think that the key to Barbie’s phenomenal success has been her ability to evolve with the times showing   a positive step in bringing empowering role models into the consciousness of young girls.

Almost 62 years after Barbie was created, she is still an icon! And now, more than ever, she’s a great toy, role model, and outlet for girls to imagine who they can one day become. Every girl should have a Barbie!

FRANCHINI GIULIA IV B s.a.