When I was a child my favourite birthday gift used to be a Barbie doll. When I looked at her for the first time I felt mesmerised by her beauty and from then on, she has become my role model. In no time, I resolved to emulate her attributes as a beautiful and stunning woman, living in a fancy pink world. The obsession was so deep that I would even decorate my room with Barbie hues and frills. Well, what do you expect from a three-year-old little girl? When I grew up and faced the world, the scenario was different, but the affection for her remains unaltered.
Have you ever wondered why Barbie is popular and has still maintained her style icon position even in her late fifties?
The first Barbie doll appeared wearing black and white zebra-striped swimsuit and signature topknot ponytail. The question arises as to what beauty elixir she has taken that she never ages even after 60 years of age. The conjecture around beauty secret goes on and on. What remains, is her popularity and her huge fandom even in 2019.
Looking back in history, Barbie appeared as a fashion doll in 1959 and later she went on to explore a variety of fields. The style icon Barbie was first manufactured by the American toy company Mattel and businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration. Ruth Handler first got the idea for Barbie when she observed her daughter playing with paper dolls. She set out to create a 3D version, and in 1959, the first Barbie was created (and named after Handler’s daughter, Barbara).
For many decades she has been a role model for girls around the world. She has always had a significant impact on social values by conveying characteristics of female independence, and with her multitude of accessories, an idealised upscale lifestyle that can be shared with affluent friends.
With this idea, Mattel has sold over a billion Barbie dolls, and it was the most successful most profitable line of the brand. The doll transformed the toy business which includes merchandise (accessories, clothes, friends of Barbie, and so on ) animated movies, games and so on you name it has explored it all. Considering AVGC industry here are a few Barbie explorations:
The journey of Barbie animated movies started with the mixing of favorite fairytale with the Barbie franchise and Barbie’s later explorations which includes The Nutcracker (2001), Rapunzel (2002), Swan Lake (2003), The Princess and the Pauper (2004), Fairytopia (2005), The Magic of Pegasus (2005), Mermaidia (2006), The Barbie Diaries (2006), The 12 Dancing Princesses (2006), The Island Princess (2007), Mariposa (2008), The Diamond Castle (2008) Thumbelina (2009), The Three Musketeers (2009), A Mermaid Tale (2010), A Fashion Fairytale (2010), A Fairy Secret (2011), Princess Charm School (2011), A Mermaid Tale 2 (2012), The Princess & the Popstar (2012), The Secret Door (2014), Star Light Adventure (2016), Dolphin Magic (2017). Her TV series like Life in the Dreamhouse (2012–2015), Dreamtopia (2016–2018), Dreamhouse Adventures (2018–present) were also quite popular.
Other animated shorts and specials include The Rockers: Out of This World, (1987) The Sensations: Rockin’ Back to Earth (1987), Toy Story 2 (1999), My Scene: Jammin’ in Jamaica (2004), My Scene Goes Hollywood: The Movie (2005), Toy Story 3 (2010), Hawaiian Vacation (2011), Toy Story 4 (2019).
Barbie has explored the gaming sector as well, from mobile games to PC games it has explored all. Few of the popular ones are- Barbie, Game Girl Magic Fairy Tales: Barbie as Rapunzel, Super Model, Vacation Adventure, Fashion Designer, Storymaker, Nail Designer, Riding Club, Race & Ride Super Sports, Beach Vacation, Magic Genie Adventure, Explorer, Horse Adventures, Fashion Show: An Eye for Style, Secret Agent Barbie, Detective Barbie and so on.
Barbie also appeared in more than 240 issues of comic vines. She has had many different appearances and occupations throughout history. The outreach of her business and her brand integration in the AVGC industry has held the sway and pillars throughout his journey. This year Barbie is turning 60 on 9 March, we are looking forward to what she will bring in her kitty as the celebration of her birthday! Happy birthday Barbie from all of us.
