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The first Barbie prototype, created by Ruth Handler and introduced in 1959, was inspired by the German Lilli doll. It featured a black-and-white striped swimsuit, a signature ponytail, and was available as either a blonde or brunette. -
Barbie Boyfriends Is Introduced -
The first barbie doll knees that can bend and sit down. -
Twiggy (1967): The original celebrity Barbie, featuring iconic Twiggy makeup, a yellow, green, and blue vertical-striped mini dress, and yellow boots. -
Christie, the first Black doll in the Barbie universe, debuted in 1968, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Her arrival was more than just a new toy on the shelf it was a cultural milestone, offering children a doll that celebrated Black identity and culture. -
This wonderful reproduction of the 1971 doll authentically recreates Malibu Barbie in her aqua blue bathing suit. A yellow towel and sunglasses complete the beach ensemble, which is updated with an accompanying "sunscreen" bottle. -
The famous Barbie doll is stereotypically perceived with negativity because of its unrealistic representation of the female appearance and standards of beauty. Thus, Mattel created a new campaign titled You Can Be Anything (YCBA) to encourage young girls to be ambitious and aim toward their aspirational selves. -
Barbie's first fashion partnership was with Oscar de la Renta in 1984, marking the beginning of a long history of collaborations with fashion designers. -
Celebrating the workplace evolution of the era, Day-to-Night Barbie broke the glass ceiling as a CEO. Being able to run the boardroom in her pink power suit and also to have a fun night out on the town, CEO Barbie showed girls they could have it all. -
Warhol made this portrait of Barbie, his first, for his close friend Billy Boy* owing to his “Nouveau Théâtre de la Mode” Barbie, a project Warhol was 'excited about'. This was the first designer Barbie, and it was the first time that a designer's name appeared on a Barbie doll box. -
The first animated Barbie movie, and widely considered the first in the franchise, is "Barbie in the Nutcracker -
Mattel produced a limited number of bald Barbies named Ella, specifically designed to help young girls with cancer understand the effects of chemotherapy and hair loss. -
Mattel launched the Barbie Fashionistas line, featuring a diverse range of dolls with different body types, skin tones, hairstyles, and disabilities, aiming to better reflect the world kids see today. -
Barbie Teams Up with Habitat for Humanity to Commemorate 60 Years of the Barbie Dreamhouse