Barbie is the most recognizable character in the toy industry. She debuted at the New York Toy Fair in 1959 and for 60 years continues to break boundaries, spark imagination and inspire generations of kids. Barbie influences and reflects the most significant moments on art, fashion and culture. She was created by Ruth Handler, co-owner of Mattel company. In new book Barbie Forever: Her Inspiration, History, and Legacy by Robin Gerber we follow a history of the iconic doll and how she influenced both children and grown-ups.
While everyone knows that first Barbie appeared in her iconic black-and-white striped swimsuit at Toy Fair in New York, few know that it took years for Ruth Handler and her team to come up with first iconic Barbie. Handler noticed that her daughter Barbara has a limited selection of dolls to play. Barbra preferred to play with cut-out paper dolls because they offered more opportunities for dress-up and changes. There was not any doll to give so many variations for pretend plays. Plus, cut-outs offered dress up based on activities and professions, so the idea was born, girls needed a real doll to play! The opportunity to create a doll was there but Ruth and her team stumbled upon what size the doll should be, how she should look like, adult or a kid. What about face, facial expression, body type, hair, make-up and many more questions including how ethical for little girls to play with an adult-looking doll. Those all took enormous efforts to decide, explore and fulfill ideas into real creation.
The more you read the book, the more you realize how strong is Barbie's influence is over the years. Barbie doll changes, new designs, outfits and activities are added. Barbie has had over 200 inspirational careers including astronaut, pilot, firefighter, journalist, entrepreneur and many more. She became an astronaut before the real man walked on the moon. Barbie run for a president and became a CEO of the company. I think Barbie was always ahead of time and became a refection of the dreams little girls had and have. With Barbie you can be whoever you want, she is like a mini full-filer of your dreams and wishes. Just take a look how diverse and beautiful selection of Barbies these days. Over the years the company Mattel always listen to their customers, even little ones, what girls want, what inspires them, what their dreams are, what they want to be when grow up. Considering that Barbie is just a piece of plastic, but for us she is a connection between our dreams to reality, the connection to make the dreams come true! Everything you can imagine!
The book coves how Barbie influences art and fashion industry and sets up new trends. Famous brands and best fashion designers worked with Barbie and designed clothes and accessories for her and her family. In the book there are also stories about young girls and grown-ups who share their love for Barbie and even more, Barbie became their profession, passion and an essential part of their lives making it better, interesting and fun. They express their talents, wishes and dreams through Barbie.
Barbie Forever: Her Inspiration, History, and Legacy book has lots of colorful illustration, photos and interesting facts from 60-year history of Barbie. At the end the book there is a fold-able brief history of Barbie from 1950 to 2019 with description of the major milestones.
Though Barbie turns 60 this year, she has no intention to stop to inspire generations making their dreams come true and supports them in every effort to find their talents and opportunities.
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