{"id":218,"date":"2023-07-20T12:28:28","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T12:28:28","guid":{"rendered":"\/wp\/144685_144686.jpg"},"modified":"2024-04-25T09:58:32","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T02:58:32","slug":"celebrating-barbies-life-in-plastic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hashtaglegend.com\/th-th\/celebrating-barbies-life-in-plastic\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e40\u0e09\u0e25\u0e34\u0e21\u0e09\u0e25\u0e2d\u0e07\u0e43\u0e2b\u0e49\u0e01\u0e31\u0e1a Barbie\u2019s life in plastic"},"content":{"rendered":"

Barbara Millicent Roberts is having quite a bit of a resurgence. She turned 64 this year and is now being celebrated in a movie with Margot Robbie playing her. David Ho<\/strong> looks into Barbie\u2019s fantastic life in plastic, her impact and why she continues to inspire<\/em><\/p>\n

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An army of Barbies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Best known as Barbie, Barbara Millicent Roberts\u2019 fanbase spans generations since her introduction in 1959. She has held over 200 different jobs, changed her looks countless times, and continues to influence many along the way.<\/p>\n

A brief herstory<\/h2>\n

Barbie\u2019s makers, Mattel, started as picture frame makers but when that didn\u2019t take off, the company started making dollhouses out of the leftovers. Company co-founder Ruth Handler came across Bild Lilli dolls in Germany, which were based on a blonde bombshell cartoon character. Though accounts differ, Handler was said to recall that her daughter Barbara (Barbie\u2019s namesake) often assigned adult responsibilities to her dolls, which were often made in the likeness of infants. She then decided to create dolls in adult likeness by redesigning the Lilli doll. Thus, the first Barbie was born.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to believe it now but when Barbie was first released in 1959, she was considered scandalous. An adult doll with breasts was considered obscene by many parents. Yet, Barbie was an instant hit with young girls when she was released.<\/p>\n

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The original Barbie released in 1959.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Through the decades, Barbie\u2019s transformations would reflect the times and changing tides for women. The Twist and Turn Barbies came with swivelling upper bodies that reflected the freedom and dance trends of the swingin\u2019 60\u2019s. The Malibu Barbie of the 70\u2019s gave up the demure side glances of previous models and looked boldly ahead (marking Ruth Handler\u2019s final personal input for Barbie before being ousted from Mattel for financial fraud). <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the day-to-night Barbie (aka CEO Barbie) of the 80\u2019s reflected women\u2019s entry into the corporate world with her work and leisure outfits. The 90\u2019s Barbies showcased fashion trends of the time with gowns and designer collaborations. Then, Barbies of the 00\u2019s came with more casual wear that fit the relatability that girls were seeking in their role models.<\/p>\n

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Day-to-night Barbie showed women could work hard and play hard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Barbies in recent years have become even more diverse in their reflection of life for women. Newer dolls have come in a wider range of skin tones, body shapes, and even physical abilities and conditions. In April 2023, Mattel unveiled a Barbie with Down syndrome. Sofia Sanchez, a 14-year-old actress with Down syndrome, was dressed as that Barbie doll for the pink carpet of the Barbie movie.<\/p>\n

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 09: Sofia Sanchez attends the world premiere of “Barbie” at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on July 09, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer\/GA\/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Actress Sofia Sanchez on the pink carpet, dressed as the Barbie with Down syndrome on the right. Photo: Getty Images and Mattel Inc<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWhen we talk about toys, specifically dolls, we are basically talking about tiny historical snapshots of cultural significance,” says Trixie Mattel, a drag performer and ardent doll collector, in a video<\/a> showcasing her collection and Barbie\u2019s history. <\/p>\n

“When we’re looking at a toy that’s supposed to be something that a child can aspire and relate to, we’re talking about what adult women are actually doing in the world at that time: what jobs do they have, what are they wearing, what kind of hair do they have, what kind of makeup do they have, the height of the heel, the accessories\u2026 It tells you everything about what women at that time were up to and that’s why it’s so interesting when you deep dive into dolls,” she adds. <\/p>\n

Mattel believes dolls give insight into everything from child development and fashion to historical events and pop culture. \u201cThis toy basically held a tiny mirror up to culture for like seven decades.\u201d<\/p>\n

Collector stories    <\/h2>\n

Jamie Aung, a Myanmar-based doll collector who creates related content by the alias Chaymie Creates on YouTube, was introduced to Barbie through his sister\u2019s collection. He theorises that since many were introduced to Barbie specifically as kids, that has spurred them on to continue collecting her when their love of dolls extends into adulthood. \u201cYou never really forget your first love,\u201d he says.  <\/p>\n

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A post shared by Chaymie (DisneyBoy21) (@chaymiecreates)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n