Barbie: Through The Years

I know I've already done a post on Barbie but I just love her! I've recently rekindled my obsession with Barbies and read Barbie: All Dolled Up, Celebrating 50 Years of Barbie. She really is the quintessential beauty and represents glamour, choices, and careers. This includes the idea that "our future is limited only by our imagination." Barbie was created in 1959, named after her daughter Barbara. Barbie debuted at the New York Toy Fair. Charlotte Johnson was the first designer to dress Barbie.

I don't believe that being beautiful means looking like Barbie. I don't think she should be looked at not as "perfection" but more as history in fashion and reflecting our culture. Most people don't look like her and never will, and if we all did that would just be boring. Part of what Barbie stands for is individuality and chasing your dreams. Everyone should do just that.

Barbie has reflected pop culture, celebrities, and fashion and has evolved, adapting as the times change. She will continue to inspire dreams and society. Andy Warhol even featured Barbie in his work.

"When you look this good, who cares if you're plastic."

Mini Timeline:
Barbie debuts at 11.5 inches in 1959
Ken debuts in 1961
Barbie's little sister Skipper in 1964
Toddler twins Tutti and Todd in 1966
Midge in 1963
Ken's friend Allan in 1963
Barbie's cousin Francie in 1966
(Malibu Barbie in 1970)
First African-American Barbie and Hispanic Barbie in 1980
Barbie.com launched in 1996

"Of course [Barbie] is beautiful and glamorous, but I also like to think that she's intelligent, confident, good-humored, compassionate, and rich, rich, rich--but from the fruits of her own labor and ingenuity. In short, she's got it all!"
-Byron Lars, noted designer