Welcome to the realm of Barbie, an iconic symbol of fashion, aspiration, and cultural shifts. Her reign spans over six decades, and she continues to be a trendsetter. Today, we invite you to journey with us through time, from Barbie’s first unveiling at the New York Toy Fair in 1959 to her digital avatars in the 21st century. We’ll explore the evolution of her aesthetic and its profound influences, both positive and negative sides.
The Birth of Barbie Aesthetic
The Barbie aesthetic was born out of an idea from American businesswoman Ruth Handler. Observing her daughter Barbara’s fascination with paper dolls acting as adult roles, Handler saw a gap in the market, which was then dominated by infant representation. In 1956, Handler came across a German doll, Bild Lilli. This adult-figured doll, introduced in Germany in 1955, was initially meant for adults and perfectly matched Handler’s imagination.
The first Barbie doll debuted on March 9, 1959, wearing a stylish black-and-white zebra-striped swimsuit designed by Charlotte Johnson. The doll was marketed as a “Teen-age Fashion Model” with a signature topknot ponytail. It embodied glamour, sophistication, and perky charm inspired by iconic female stars of the era like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. Her arched eyebrows, bright red lips, curled bangs, and elegant style represented a fresh aesthetic that young girls could identify with and aspire to, effectively launching the Barbie aesthetic.
Elements of Barbie Aesthetic
- Color palette: Pink reigns supreme in the Barbie aesthetic, reflecting Barbie’s signature brand color. Various shades, from bubblegum to pastel, play a pivotal role. Complementary colors include white, black, and metallics, providing an excellent contrast and adding sophistication.
- Elegance and Glamour: The Barbie aesthetic features elements of high fashion and luxury. We can see this feature in Barbie’s wardrobe, which often showcases evening gowns, elegant casual outfits, and chic accessories. It’s a world of glitz, with hints of sequins, glitter, and pearls.
- Diversity and Inclusivity: Recent years have seen the Barbie aesthetic evolve to embrace diversity. Dolls now come in a variety of skin tones, body shapes, and hairstyles, reflecting the global society’s reality.
- Imagination and Dreamworld: The Barbie aesthetic also incorporates elements of fantasy and imagination, ranging from dream houses to fantastical roles like a mermaid or princess.
- Positivity: Barbie is often portrayed as happy and positive, so a Barbie aesthetic may incorporate this positivity into its messaging or themes.
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Transition Periods: Barbie Aesthetic through the Decades
After the debut of Barbie at the New York Toy Fair on March 9, 1959, she was successful in capturing the hearts of little girls. Following the timeline, we can see how this little doll becomes a superstar, encouraging girls to envision their futures in a way they have never before.
The 1960s: Pioneering Diversity and Empowerment
In 1962, Barbie bought her first Dreamhouse. This moment was significant because women were not yet allowed to open their own bank accounts. Barbie made a statement about women’s independence and empowerment at that time. In 1965, Barbie also stepped into the stars as Miss Astronaut Barbie, four years before man landed on the moon. In 1967, Barbie introduced its first celebrity doll, Twiggy, marking the beginning of numerous celebrity and fashion elite dolls. The decade perfectly closed with the introduction of Christie in 1968, one of the first black dolls in the Barbie line. Christie and her friends symbolized the brand’s support for equal rights.
The 1970s –1980s: Embracing Adventures and Breaking Glass Ceilings
In the 70s, Barbie welcomed adventures with her first camper in 1971. The 80s saw Barbie breaking more barriers. Mattel published the first East Asian Barbie (the “oriental Barbie” was from Hong Kong, according to the printed introduction on her box) in 1981 and continued to publish a Japanese Barbie in 1985. Besides, 1985 witnessed the birth of CEO Barbie, a testament to the evolving workplace landscape. The same year, Barbie launched the “We Girls Can Do Anything” campaign, promoting self-belief among young girls.
Barbie also made a splash in the fashion industry, beginning a series of fashion collaborations with designers, starting with Oscar de la Renta in 1985. The series of partnerships with high-profile fashion personalities and brands catapulted Barbie into the world of haute couture.
The 1990s – Early 2000s: Leading in Fashion and Politics
Bob Mackie, renowned for his extravagant gown designs, created his first collector doll for Barbie in 1990, ushering in a new era of designer dolls. The Barbie aesthetic also made a huge impact on the fashion scene in 1992 with the best-selling Barbie doll to date, the Totally Hair Barbie. This set embodied the early 90s fashion and big hair trend.
Since the same year, 1992, Barbie has been embarking on political pursuits. She would run for president every election year from then. In 2016, Barbie even brought a president and vice president doll set.
In the early 2000s, the Barbie aesthetic became more intertwined with high fashion. The first New York runway show in 2009 featured haute couture looks inspired by Barbie. This show was a testament to her growing influence in the fashion world.
The 2000s – Present: Promoting Online Presence
Entering the 2000s, the Barbie aesthetic made a mark in digital culture. Barbie’s first animated feature film, “Barbie in the Nutcracker,” was released in 2001, where Barbie’s classic princess style vividly came to life. In the following years, Barbie’s silver screen presence gradually expanded, featuring in numerous animated movies (from fairy tales to modern lives) and finally making her live-action movie this year.
In 2014, Barbie became a social media influencer with the launch of the @barbiestyle Instagram account, providing unique perspectives on fashion, art, culture, and travel. 2015 saw Barbie becoming a YouTube vlogger to discuss critical issues faced by girls. In 2016, Mattel introduced three new Barbie body types: curvy, petite, and tall. To honor more empowering role models, they also started a #MoreRoleModels social media campaign in 2018.
Modern Barbie Aesthetic and Its Influences on Fashion
With a legacy of over six decades, the ‘Barbie aesthetic’ has taken center stage in multiple facets of the fashion industry.
Many A-list celebrities, such as Barbra Streisand and Jennifer Lopez, have been honored with their Barbie counterparts, indicating the doll’s esteemed status. Barbie has forged connections with over 75 influencers and has sparked creativity among more than 150 designers. [data source: Barbie Partners]
Today, the Barbie aesthetic is a dynamic blend of classic and modern trends. Barbie now sports a range of outfits, from professional attire to athletic gear, highlighting various roles and careers. This evolution portrays Barbie as a woman of substance, capable of any profession while maintaining her unique style.
Positive Side
Barbie’s aesthetic offers an empowering narrative of self-expression. Embodying countless professions, Barbie stimulates a “can-do” spirit, especially encouraging young minds to envision a world where they are doctors, astronauts, or anything they dream of.
Furthermore, Barbie’s diverse wardrobe and hairstyles play an influential role in fashion. It fosters creativity, inviting us to explore and embrace different styles fearlessly. Contemporary designers would draw inspiration from the Barbie aesthetic. Jeremy Scott’s Moschino Spring/Summer 2015 line is a notable example. The line showcased Barbie’s impact on fashion, with models donning outfits mirroring the doll’s iconic style. Jeremy Scott acclaimed Barbie as “the ultimate muse, ” embracing every style imaginable.
Also, Barbie’s influence extends beyond toys and fashion. It encourages us to see identity as an evolving, transformative journey rather than a fixed destination. This perspective is critical in promoting positive self-esteem and self-image among children and adults alike.
Negative Side
Although the Barbie aesthetic is captivating and influential, it has some troubling aspects. Its visual representation of women, particularly non-white ethnic groups, lacks realism. Some colored Barbies appear to be just white dolls with different skin colors. They maintain white women’s features and figures, creating a visual disconnect with the diverse physical features of different ethnicities.
Barbie’s body portion is also unrealistic for white people. According to a study by Rehabs.com, if we apply Barbie’s portion to a real girl, her neck cannot hold her head! This body aesthetic may inspire unrealistic and potentially harmful beauty standards. Some young children react to this by drastically altering the dolls, cutting their hair, and even melting them.
More alarmingly, the same way children alter their dolls, some women have chosen to alter their bodies to mirror Barbie. This obsession with matching a plastic ideal highlights not just issues of sexual objectification but also underlines Barbie as a symbol of impossibility, an unattainable standard.
So, while the Barbie aesthetic has its charming elements, it’s crucial to remember the potentially harmful message it can send about body image and ethnic representation. After all, beauty is subjective and authentic – not a plastic mold.
Final Words
Throughout its fascinating journey, the Barbie aesthetic has indelibly marked our cultural fabric, particularly in fashion. It creates a myriad of possibilities for self-expression and dream actualization. At the same time, it poses challenges concerning body image and ethnic representation.
The brand acknowledges its shortcomings and strives to foster inclusivity and a healthier representation of beauty. In 2016, they introduced “tall,” “petite,” and “curvy” Barbies as part of the Barbie Fashionistas line. It was a move applauded by many, hoping for a broader spectrum of Barbies in the future.
No matter what, let’s remember to love ourselves for who we are, not for a plastic ideal, when enjoying the Barbie aesthetic. Let Barbie’s evolution history serve as a reminder that change is possible and diversity is beautiful.
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Reference
Wagner-Ott, Anna. “Analysis of gender identity through doll and action figure politics in art education.” Studies in Art Education 43.3 (2002): 246-263.
Weida, Courtney Lee. “Gender, aesthetics, and sexuality in play: Uneasy lessons from girls’ dolls, action figures, and television programs.” Journal of Social Theory in Art Education 31.1 (2011): 102-126.
Wright, Lenore. “The Wonder of Barbie: Popular Culture and the Making of Female Identity.” Essays in Philosophy 4.1 (2003): 28-52.
