There is no doubt that 2023 is being Barbie‘s year. The Greta Gerwig film set to be released at the end of July has generated worldwide anticipation. Beyond causing a global shortage of pink paint, it has also sparked unparalleled virality on social media. From memes about its release coinciding with Oppenheimer to box office predictions, there is no doubt that Barbie is poised to become a success with very few recent precedents.
But how did we get to this point? Beyond purely cinematic explanations, which range from the stardom of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling to the quality of Gerwig’s filmmaking, a large part of the credit for this virality goes to the Barbie doll itself.
Barbie’s beginnings
Much has been said about the history of the Barbie doll, but the truth is that it has gone through multiple phases from its creation to the present day. From causing frenzy in shopping malls to starring in dozens of animated movies, video games, and more, Barbie has become one of the most popular pop culture icons in history.
The Barbie doll was created by Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel. To create Barbie, Handler drew inspiration from her daughter Barbara. She would spend hours watching her play with paper cut-out dolls, so she decided to give them a more realistic form. In this way, she designed a prototype that was versatile enough to make a breakthrough in the toy market of that era.
In 1959, Barbie made her debut at the New York Toy Fair, donning a black and white striped swimsuit, which was considered very modern for that time, although it was soon replaced by the iconic pink color associated with the toy. As expected, the doll was an immediate success and captured the imagination of girls at the time.
Barbie‘s innovative design was revolutionary for its time, as it presented an adult and stylized figure, unlike the traditional childlike dolls. Her long blonde hair, blue eyes, and wide range of outfits and accessories made her a unique doll for the era. She represented everything that was considered desirable at the time, and girls saw her as an influential role model to aspire to.
However, Barbie was much more than just a girl with nothing to do in life. Soon, the doll became a pioneer in occupying a wide variety of roles and professions. From an astronaut to a doctor, Barbie quickly became a symbol that encouraged the idea that women could aspire to anything.
A global influence
Far from sticking to the prototypical image that has defined Barbie since its inception and has also sparked various controversies, Mattel has made her evolve to reflect changes in fashion and society. In this way, Barbie has become an icon of each social moment… at least throughout the 20th century.
Throughout the decades, Barbie has evolved to reflect changes in fashion and society. She has experimented with different hairstyles, skin tones, and body shapes, adapting to the changing demands of girls and the growing diversity. However, she has also been a reflection of traditional female stereotypes, and not all of her changes have been well-received by everyone.
Regardless, Barbie has been a reflection of her time and has addressed important social and cultural issues. Beyond being a toy, she has starred in movies, television shows, and has been the subject of numerous collections and collaborations with famous designers. Her iconic image has been used in artworks, advertising campaigns, and fashion events.
But above all, Barbie has influenced how girls see themselves and how they perceive themselves in relation to fashion and beauty, for better or worse. Moreover, Barbie has been a source of inspiration for many young women who have followed her example and turned their dreams into reality.
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